Faith, Lust, Attachment, Addiction, Gluttony, Sloth

I was moved by faith.  Cogito ergo sum, I think therefore I am.   It was heady stuff to be an intellectual as a young man, reading philosophers, debating, studying logic and rhetoric.  Later I’d study theology.

Patajali was the wisdom teacher of the east.  I liked Trungpa, the Buddhist leader best.  The idea of attachment to this world was central.  Buddha taught desire is the root of suffering.  The Christian theologian said life is suffering unto death.

I was interested in addiction and addiction medicine.  Emerson the great American pragmatist was less obscure and rarified than the European intellectuals who sometimes seemed caught up in words.  I appreciated studying Jung that the ideas he was proposing were so original it was difficult to find words to describe them. Later I’d know the ideas thanks to his crude mapping,  I felt more and more I could ‘skip the intro’

Buber described the sense of I and Thou following I and It. That I am not alone. God called himself ‘I am”.  I’ve studied the various origins of the names of Gods and people,  Most tribes simply call themselves ‘the people’.

I have a life long list of associations with attachments like family, friends, colleagues, dog,

Paramahansa called this world ‘maya’, ‘illusion’ , not real.  All that is changing is not God. God is one and permanent.

Communism is the religions of aetheism. It’s unscientific, nihilistic and doesn’t work.  Pagan religions have been adept at human sacrifice.  Jesus, the son of God sacrificed himself to end death. He rose from the dead.

I liked Pascal’s Wager,

Studying spirituality I had the epiphany I had studying chemistry.  I knew. I ‘grokked’.  I find God an experience,

The question today is how to be closer,

The idea of sin is the ‘miss the mark’.  Attachment to ‘senses’ and ‘worship’ of carnal. Addiction is like that.  A person would sacrifice a life for the ‘false high’ of opiates, cocaine, nicotine.  It’s like the garden of eden and eating the apple.  

The process addictions are more interesting to me today.

Avarice - love of money

Envy - comparison

Lust - sex addiction

Gluttony - food addiction

Sloth - in activity

I find myself asking if I’m meant to be a monk or merely to moderate my behaviour. Moderation is popular with physicians. If I exercised more and ate less I would feel better and be healthier. So much organ disease follows from poor diet, excess, or sugar addiction ,diabetes.

I am often told that I am depressed and didn’t get out of bed for weeks. 

In addiction work we would argue that the depression as much as precedes the behaviour as it follows the negative behaviour.  

The Irish say ‘you can’t get to there from here’.

In addiction medicine we say you must abstain so you gain right thinking,  Only abstinent does the ‘right thinking’ follow.  FMRI show abnormality in the brain processing and judgement for 3 months with addiction,

Some have argued a year abstinence.  The research says for sure 3 months.  90 meetings in 90 days was the observational data that came from watching new comers become cognizant of their descent and recovery.  

It was so apparent with cigarette addiction that 3 months people liked the improved breathing ,sense of smell and taste, I proved health.  The cravings are often gone in weeks though under stress the can return. Rat studies show that addicted rats abstinence for some considerable time will return to the ‘rat bar’ if their cage is shook,

Sex, gluttony and sloth are are more interesting to me as the society collectively is confused by these as evidenced by the media and societal leaders.  

Underlying all addiction is anxiety and fear coupled with resentment and self pity.  There’s isolation over participation and contrariness.  I’m learning.

Thank you God, higher power, other, the self I wish to be, the becoming one.  

Dec.30 2022,Harrison Hot Springs Resort

I dreamed I was in my camper on the side of the mountain where i hunt in my dreams.  A giant blond bear ran by and stopped with some mountain lions.  Laura had her rifle and said she could shoot the lion if she had to.  I was in the back of the truck looking for my rifle but so far only finding my broad sword.  Then a couple of black labs appear with a hunter.  I come along and point to where the bear and lions were.  Madigan was in the truck,  Now there’s people on the ridge pointing.  I’m without a gun and thinking I should look for mine some more but am happy to help another hunter.

I wake up, go to the washroom, note that there’s light coming through the blinds when I get back in bed,  It’s 745,  Madigan jumps up on the bed for a cuddle and rub. Laura is still sleeping. I like the warmth and comfort.  I decide to sleep in.

It’s 9 when I wake again.   This time I open the blinds.  I m getting dressed when Laura says “it’s raining. Supposed to rain all day’.  I wonder where Madigan’s jacket is and the yellow umbrella. I get the truck key and walk Madigan down the halls and outside.  At the truck I don’t find his jacket or the umbrella. The rain has lightened up.  We take the walk around the lagoon. 

My back is still in pain but I feel the hot springs are helping, the bed and Robaxin and ibuprofen.  I am thankful I am able to walk the distance.  

At the hotel I stopped for bacon egg sandwiches, cappuccino, orange juice, cinnamon bun and apple fritters .  Laura’s up but still in her peach nightie.  Madigan and I are happy to see her.  Breakfast is delightful.

I’ve been reading Twitter rather than Facebook and feeling better without the propaganda and adds.  I miss seeing some of my friends but realized it wasn’t good to have a low brow communist criticizing me.  I don’t need to be in his low class life.  Twitter has become a whole other level of intelligence and no advertising to speak of.  I’m enjoying the science sites a whole lot.  

Feeling that we’ll soon be climbing into 2023 as 2022 dissolves behind us.  

Hallelujah,  Gratitude and Prayer. 

Harrison Lake Saturday - not much happening.

The time is going so fast.  Gilbert made sure we were up at his usual work week time. He began harrumphing at 7 am. I gave him a little Cesar and made coffee at 7:30 am. That’s when the helicopter attack hit the RV grounds. I was watching out my window when a dozen men in black body armour and short hand held machine guns descended on the dozen geese squawking near us. The geese made short shrift of the combat unit. Didn’t get a shot off before the geese were among them nipping and chasing them out in the streets.

I really enjoyed my coffee. Gilbert ate his Little Cesar. Laura slept. I spoke with God.  He had no immediate business for me.  So I wrote in my journal.  I walked Gilbert around the circuit.  Harrison Lake was beautiful.  Out of the wind it was warm. The wind off the lake made me glad I’d worn two layers.  I was wearing my Keens closed toed sandals even though there’s never been Larva Migrans attacks on the beaches of Harrison Lake.  One can never take too many precautions.  

Gilbert enjoyed the walk, blind but still enjoying all the delights of the nose.  We stopped every 10 feet.  

Back in the RV Laura was talking with unicorns and dragons.  A fairy the size of a butterfly flew out when I opened the door.  She was reading a novel and the characters were dancing in front of her on the bed. A couple of 30’s folk in period wear. Period for me, not for them.

I had back bacon and eggs so fried them each up in different pans putting them together in the Cobbs buns I’d bought before this trip.  More coffee.  Gilbert was exhausted after his walk so slept.  He didn’t even wake up for the car chase.  A dozen police cars and one electric car went by with an RCMP  on a donkey following. Two cyclist policemen from False creek were even further behind. The electric car hit another car and became airborne twirling 180 degrees before crashing on it’s back and sliding down the street into the ice cream and latte vendor.  

Laura and I really enjoyed breakfast.

I actually napped after the feast.  I love the new mattress. So comfortable.  We had discussed 6 inch, 9 inch and 12 inch and really 9 inches is just great for me.  Laura was in favour of 6 inches and we both were against the 24 inch mattress. 

I felt guilty around 3 pm having done nothing while two spaceships had taken off to explore the galaxy.  I got my Motorino electric bike off the front truck mount.  Much to my surprise I found helmet and gloves, the key to unlock the Torino Electric bike and actually mounted it and rode off into the sunset.  Laura and Gilbert promised to wait. I looked back and saw them standing their waving. Gilbert was rubbing his doggie snozz with a Kleenex Laura had handed him.  Not having my eyes forward I ran into a fence then extracted myself and pedalling with electric assist thought I looked the part of an Olympic athlete until the first hill.  The bike is truly great on the flat but once there’s any amount of hill I have to get off and walk it. I rode all the way around the lake past the  docks and half way to the camp.  The hills got to me so I turned around and coasted back towards town.  Young people had campfires on the beach.  A number of Harley drivers and one beautiful trike were parked by the breakwater.  Kayakers and geese were in the water.  

I was physically tired when I got back to the RV Camper but pulled my belly in and stumbled up the stairs to look the part of a conquering hero having electric assisted bicycled at most an hour. I did bicycle across Europe but that was in my 20’s and apparently bragging about things one did nearly a half century ago doesn’t count.  Laura who maintains a low bar for appreciation was impressed I actually got it off the truck and used it.

I made myself another coffee. Laura and Gilbert went for a walk.  I’ve been left alone with myself, blood having pumped in great streams to the top of my head.  I thought I’d share the pictures. I missed the first Alien landing on earth fumbling with the iPhone but I like the little white flowers budding shot.   I admitted under torture after all my toenails and fingernails were removed that I thought I was having a good time. 

Harrison Lake Adventure Truck Camper Saturday Morning

Yesterday, I got the electric bicycle onto the front carrier of the truck.  No small task, finding bungee cords, keys, locks. Eric, from Starfleet RV Repairs, had finished the improvements to the camper, second battery, tv mount, level indicators, new Venetian blind, coat hook.  Special little treats that personalized the already fabulous Alp Adventurer Camper.

 Laura arrived in her red Smart Car, pulling her overnight bag like a beautiful stewardess in Birkenstock’s and jeans.  Gilbert was beside himself with doggy glee to greet her.  I remembered to winch up the stabilizing struts of the camper with the remote.  Almost makes it feel like I’m preparing for a space ship take off. Next year. I’m in the space cadet program. My camper and truck a proto flitter. Gilbert my Chewy buddy and Laura, my Barbarella are with me.  We depart.    

At Fraserway RV we picked up our new mattress. Sounds like an easy thing.  Nope.  Lots of grunting and pulling to get the old 6 inch mattress out. Then with the help of a darling warehouse girl and handsome strong young man we all shoved the new 9 inch mattress into the camper catching the factory plastic on every door handle. Laura was not pleased with the extra ‘3 inches’.

“I had trouble getting up on the bed before. Now it’s three inches more. I don’t know how I’m going to do it.”  I witnessed a very creative struggling crawling pulling bed mount by Laura later.  To be honest, it was harder for me to mount the bed despite legs 3 or 4 x the length of Laura’s.  But the bed is still heavenly.  “I love bed!”  I opined. So comfortable.  

I arranged storage in Chilliwack with John. His son was there too. The two of them are such fine men my faith in the future is restored.  Good people. Caring and helpful.  John at Chilliwack RV Storage has helped me, above and beyond, so often over the last couple of decades I’ve stored an RV or camper there. His son last year was the muscle and genius behind my getting my KTM 690 motorcycle stored safely on a rack behind the old Camper.  We have the key to the gate for the return, our return when we drop off the camper. 

At Superstore Chilliwack where the weekend crowd was competing with Walmart for best dressed awards I got the steaks for the weekend. I’ve the little propane bottles for the barbecue this weekend.  We missed the Agassiz turn off so drove up to Hope only to find too much snow and the RV campground we like there closed still.  Back to Harrison, A little sight seeing along the way. The mountains around Hope were beautiful.  We saw a water fall frozen on the side of rock, a great fluffy snowy product of a white witch’s wand.  Lovely sunset as we passed through the truly pleasant and welcoming town of Agassiz, one of my favourite places next to Rosedale. 

Sure enough Glencoe RV park in downtown Harrison had our spot from last week free and waiting.  “Gilbert will recognize this.”  Laura said. I thought given the poor little guy is blind, it really is a good thing that I balance my own drive to explore new territory with his appreciation for the similiar.

This week there are several other RV’s here. Bookings are coming in for the rest of the month though. In summer this place is booked months in advance and the whole of the town is overflowing with tourists.  

I took Gilbert for a walk leaving Laura cursing, grunting, sputtering in a fight to the death with the new mattress and the sheets.  After Gilbert had reacquainted himself and marked his territory we returned to find that Laura had indeed vanquished the mattress.  She’s was not impressed when I said,”You won’t have to go to the gym this week.”  She’s not her normal self on Friday night. A week of patients demanding and angry at the waitlists and delays steals her normal joie de vie.  It’s takes hours of Gilbert, the therapy dog,  working his magic. I made her dinner, roast chicken and potato salad while Gilbert snuggled. Paper plates.   The people at Superstore had roasted the chicken and made the salad but left me all the heavy lifting of spooning and slicing. 

I tried setting up the tv but can’t find a cable plug on the outside wall. I did get DVD and tv working.  I love getting systems up and running.  Heater, refrigerator, shore water, electricity.  I might well be docking with my sailboat, the camper so like a land version of my yacht. 

Climbing into bed I loved the mattress.  So incredibly comfortable. I believe there’s a lot to be said for 9 inches over 6 inches but Laura insists that the 6 inches is easier to handle and leaves her more room. I hope no one heard that conversation . 

Great dreams of childhood adventures with friends.  Waking in this spectacular location, white capped mountains about, blue sky, Gilbert thankful that I lift him up on the bed so Laura can scratch his tummy. I love my indoor flush toilet and the electric fan.  I’m on my second cup of java and hearing the Manhattan Transfer singing in my mind, “I love coffee, I love tea, I love the Java, Java and it loves me.”  I heard them play at the Vancouver PNE and they were terrific. 

I might be coming down with a cold, raspy throat, sinus, but it’s probably the pollen. This is the BC time of hay fever. A Reactine with the coffee. A further reason to rest and do nothing except walk the dog and maybe get on the bicycle for an electric ride.  Life is good.  The winds of mood blow through with the endearing love of fair winds and following seas. This is just that. Some time this afternoon I’m going to ‘take the healing waters’  of Harrison Hotsprings.  I love this roughing it wilderness camping in downtown Harrison’s Lake. 

.  

Harrison Lake with the Godkids

It was a joy to be with the Godkids and their parents Anna and Kevin. I was blessed to meet them through Elizabeth and Phil, Anna’s Godparents.  Laura and I have known Anna since she was in high school.  It’s great to see her as such a fine and loving mother.
She met Kevin because he was such a good father to his son Izek.  There’s now Alex and Kendra and Izek.  A great little posse of kids that play with my little fur baby Gilbert. We usually meet in church and often go for lunch at Whitespot after.
I’ve been going up to the Bungalo Motel Cabins in Harrison’s for 30 years. We're so disappointed to learn it was sold this year.  It was fun to share this near getaway from Vancouver with the great little family.  Walks in the wilderness and to the Harrison Lake Townsite.  Playing with Gilbert.  Laura had brought her Ukule and I brought my guitar. We had fun with the kids.  Pizza’s and music.
I loved the little munchkins curiosity and energy.  A fun time.  I admit though that I was amazed that Anna can handle three on one.  Laura Gilbert and I were no match for three on three. They literally ran circles around us, climbing, and crawling and jumping up and down. Their enthusiasm though is infectious.  Kevin and Anna were constantly on the go keeping up with them.

Laura and I were happy to lie about reading novels while they were off exploring.
Outside in the park the Canada geese were keeping track of dozens of goslings.  Spring and children, seasons of the young and old.

Bungalow Motel, Harrison Hot Springs

“I love Bungalow Motel”, says Laura when I tell her I’ve booked a weekend for us and the Godkid Family (Kevin, Anna, Kendra, Izek, and Alex).
“What it’s like,” Anna asked.
“It’s like a motel but the cabins are the quaintest, rustic, most incredible little spaces in a glorious piece of heaven called Harrison’s"
“But what do I need to bring."
“The kids."
“Yes, but do they have sheets and blankets and towels and running water?
“They have everything but indoor laundry.  There’s pickup pizza and Chinese. They’re right at the edge of the town of Harrion’s, the opposite end to the Spa.  The public hot springs is just a short walk away.   It’s right on the beach, right beside the boat launch.  I’ve been going for thirty years and Laura’s going for a dozen.  It’s her favourite place."
I love the owners too.  Incredible people. I always feel like I’m related, part of the big Bungalow Motel family of people who come back year after year.  They write about such places in New England.  It’s easy to forget we have our own uniquely west coast getaway so close to Vancouver. It’s only an hour and a half away from the city but once I’m here I feel like I’m in a different universe.  The Natives thought the springs sacred. The white cap mountains surrounding the little town are always starkly beautiful. The huge Harrison Lake is a pristine playground for sailor’s, fishermen and motorboat’s.
Throughout the years coming at different times I’ve enjoyed the events In Harrisons.  I first heard Glen Chatten, Vancouver singer/songwriter playing here.  Canadian geese were walking around the back of the stage at the time.  The Sand Castle event is truly a favourite.  But mostly I like walking the dog around the lake.  We’ve brought ATV’s and headed out into the back roads up into the mountains. In the fall I’ve come with a friend and used the cabins as a base camp for hunting upland game birds.
Laura likes walking into the little town and shopping at all the little tourist stores.  Little boutiques.
“They’re not touristy,” she says. “They’re little boutiques. Every one is unique. There’s a little book store with different types of books, Canadiana.  That beautiful glass store with beautiful china.  There’s an incense and chimes stores. Just a whole bunch of precious little shops. Then the great little store with candles and moccasins. There’s even a fabulous dress store that’s right out of New York. I love the pastry shop."
I told the kids I’d take them out for dinner if I didn’t pick up steaks for us to cook at the cabins. I love the German restaurant.  The fish and chips and burger places are great too.
We planned to arrive the first night at 5 pm. I’d finished my clinic at one.  Laura drove her little red smart car over to my place and we loaded my  white Ford F350 truck with the hitch so I could tow up my little boat. Kevin Anna and the kids have been having a great time on it enjoying the little lakes around Vancouver.  The trailer  lighting harness that they’d been using for towing it with their  work truck had to be changed out for a standard one that would fit my truck. Thank God for Canadian Tire. I got a little wire stripper and electrician bits for $11 and then was back reconnecting a new harness.  This takes time.  Back and forth to the store.  And rush hour traffic.  There was also  major Friday accident on the highway.  We stopped for groceries at Superstore on the way.
Well, as usual our 5 pm arrival ETA turned out to be 9 pm.
Laura said, “It’s beautiful here. And no tent. We don’t have to put up a tent.”.  She’s been with me twice, when I’ve headed out Friday night with a new tent.  Each time  it was the wee hours of Saturday morning that I gave her a place to lie down in after an hour or two trying to figure out a new tent in the headlights of my truck.
The cabins were perfect. All set up and waiting for us.  It was just so peaceful here with stars and moon visible above the snow capped mountains.  A June night, Laura comfortable in her U2 hoodie. I had my jacket on. Gilbert was running around as if he’d had the Red Bull in stead of me. In the country he has to sniff everything at once..
 Kevin had to work late so they arrived at 10, the kids in pj’s  in their car seats, having slept on the ride up.  I showed them their cabin and they were enchanted.
"This really is clamping," said Kevin.
“It’s so lovely.” Anna said. I was carrying sleepy little Bea from the car to the cabin while Kevin was hoisting out backpacks, two at a time. Laura was laughing.
Later  she told me.  “I heard  Anna telling the two boys to lie down in bed and not to move or she’d make them sleep on the couch."
“I told you.  So glad you love it. See you in the morning."
Now it’s morning. Laura has made me coffee. I’ve slept the sleep of Kings after watching a late night movie. They have cell service and wifi here.   I’ve just walked Gilbert who is in dog heaven.  It’s a hassle to get out of the city on a Friday but now we have all day Saturday and a half day of Sunday to relax and play.  I’m writing because I really like to write especially looking out at the lake where a whole family of Canadian geese have just passed by with their fluffy yellow goslings.
From this window I can see Anna and the kids walking on the beach too.  That didn’t take long. Laura is getting into the shower.  No doubt since I brought the boat Kevin will expect us to get it out on the water.  Young guys like to do that sort of thing. I could sit on the deck and read my novel . Having a boat and motor is a kind of summer guy styling anyway.   Right now I’m up for another cup of coffee. I”m feeling kind of decadent here at Bungalow Cabins.  Laura said she’d make me breakfast after her shower.  I’ll leave off on doing any physical virtue signally summer activities until after that.

Bungalow Cabins, Harrison Lake and more "View and Release Hunting".

We love the Bungalow Cabins at Harrison Lake!   With swimming pool and beach view Bungalow Motel is  the best  accommodation. It’s great spring and summer too but for close to 25 years I’ve also been coming up in the early fall for hunting season.  I confess I’ve not shot much  game here but it sure is one of my favourite places to hunt.  That’s because of these great little rustic cabins, with kitchenette,  hot showers, quiet, comfy bed, and cable tv.  The owners are the best hosts too.  It’s really ‘roughing it” hunting at it’s toughest.   We added a new harsh twist to our regime this year, getting our thermos filled at the Mall Expresso service, Americanos with Cream.
There’s also the public hot springs pool.  The pizza in Harrison’s is the best though there’s only pick up.  We loved their cheese pizza this time but the meaty ones have been fantastic too.  Again we’ve had the mall morning breakfast sandwiches.  Everything is close in Harrison’s so I’ve walked down from the Bungalow to bring back breakfast for the gang.  This time I also brought back two dinners from the fabulous Hotsprings Steakhouse Restaurant.  We all loved a roast beef dinner one night and another night had the steak and prawns special. The mashed potatoes and gravy was delicious too.  Laura doesn’t mind when I bring back my days “kill’ cooked with potatoes and veggies and blueberry pie.
While Tom and I were out messing about back country with our Honda 500 Pioneer side by side ATV we’ve named “Charles’, Laura was  in the cabins doing her nails and reading novels.  She had Gilbert with her the first day because we were bow hunting and don’t like Gilbert about the razor sharp arrows. He also tends to bark at bear which limits our hunting opportunities.  I actually got a shot at rather  large partridge.
In the world of guided hunts, one pays $10,000 dollars at times for the ‘shot’ at game.  I’ve had several ‘shots’ at buck this fall bow hunting and missed.  The bucks departed just as I registered they had horns and got away before I pulled the trigger. Now a swaggering great partridge did the same.  Tom watching said he’d seen my arrow from the Excaliber Max, most powerful of cross bows, part the feathers on the partridge’s head. I was really sorry we didn’t have a wildlife videographer along for that incredible moment. The partridge utterly bored with me trying to cock my bow for another go walked off into the woods giving me a final feather.
We got back in time to indulge a major soak in the glorious  “sacred” “mineral’ “ waters’ of Harrison’s.  I feel like a new man each time I come out of the womb there.  We had two such ‘treatments’ and my skin is tingling hallelujah still.
Sept 10, Rifle hunting proper opened.  We were up in the dark before dawn and drove the Ford F350 with Charles on the back up to the top of Harrison’s Lake. There with dawn breaking we found that we’d lost one of ramps for the unloading of the ATV. It must have slid off the back while we drove up a hill hell bent for leather, bouncing over potholes.  Tom, ever the engineer, and Evil Kenevil managed to drive Charles off the back of the tailgate onto a mound.  Getting it back up onto the truck without a ramp was even more impressive. I’d wanted to use the winch but Tom insisted he could manage without the ramp.  He’d amazingly taken the remaining ramp apart creating two short  5 foot ramps out of the remaining long ramp.
All the game had received their annual message.  I was sitting hiding in ambush watching the sun rise with Gilbert happy to sit on my warm belly all the while the animals watched us from hiding. The annual email says, “Beware of men wearing came and carrying guns. They are out to kill and eat you." All deer bear and even some partridge get the message.”  Sept 9 we saw game. Sept 10 they were all in hiding.
Still we got to drive Charles up to the top of the mountain and through streams and dales.  The Honda 500 pioneer is truly an amazing machine.  There’s more than enough room for 2 hunters and even Gilbert sat half on the seat in the middle with his chest on either of our knees.  Getting in and out in a hurry was just fine too.  On the straight logging road I was doing 50 km on my own whereas climbing and travelling in the back woods we did the standard hunting travelling of 5 to 20 km an hour, just loving the little machine as it chugged along over boulders, through mud and across logs. The roof and windshield kept the rain out and the engine under the seat kept the cab warm in the early morning.  My favourite ATV to date.  Gilbert loves it too.  When we are alone he sits in the passenger seat bolt up right watching for grouse.  We saw a half dozen or so but only one waiting for me to shoot and that one got away.
At night Tom Laura and I watched the cowboy movie, Unforgiven with Clint East Wood and Gene Hackman.  What a great movie to watch on a hunting weekend.  Silverado was on the next night.  Laura is ever a trooper and enjoyed the weekend with the guys. She loved finishing her Harlan Coben,  Fool Me Once novel saying it’s his best to date. She had a walk and shop round the little town too while Gilbert was off with the boys on the rifle hunt.  The most excitement for me was watching Tom back straight up a cliff so he could descend into the truck bed with the shortie ramp.
“Do you want to go?” Tom had asked.
“No, “  I said,  “I’m a doctor.  If I tried that, whose going to care for me while waiting for the ambulance?"
The views of Harrison Lake from the Slocum trail we’d taken that night were spectacular at dusk.  Other’s hike here and some were camping up in the hills.  It really was beautiful. The fall colours are just beginning to appear.  A young couple were tenting on a ridge with their little car.  I thought of myself, romantic and young once.  I liked seeing the kids out in the fall.  Harrison Lake is grand central station in the summer but it quiets pretty quickly in the fall.  There were still a number of tents along the beach and the rustic will be out until well into October.  Bungalow Cabins was still full and we’d  booked early in the week. In the summer bookings are often made ahead of times though I’ve been fortunate to have cancellations.
It really was a great weekend.  “View and release!” is our motto. We just take the guns and bows along for the selfies.