Canada Day 3: A relaxed day of pilates, hiking, canoeing, Spin class, boat rides, candlemaking, archery, photography, swimming, buffets and a concert

Day 3: Saturday, September 3, 2022

feelin' relaxed and retreated

Today is the one and only full day of camp, and I am going to make the most of it. I signed up for any possible activities, which was unfortunately not all of them, since there were overlapping schedules and limited spots for each. 

Starting at 8am, I had "Morning Movement," an exercise class run by Renelyn, a fellow Soho member. Originally more people had signed up, but with free-flowing booze the night before and the requirement to be awake before 8am, many didn't show up. However, some stragglers did, and they were happily welcomed by friendly Renelyn.  

The class took place on the outdoor basketball court, using the yoga mats provided in our swag bags. It was a combination of yoga, pilates and dance, with a very relaxed, free-flowing feel. We meditated, stretched, danced, and got in a decent warmup to the day, all to some fun music, while surrounded by the lake and the tall, coniferous trees. It was lovely.  

The class ran a few minutes late, so I didn't have more than a minute in savasana when I started to put on my shoes. In the next hour, I needed to change from my sweatpants to some shorts, and slap on some sunscreen before having breakfast, which I needed to gobble down before my 10am canoeing activity.  

In the cafeteria building, the breakfast was substantial, just as yesterday's dinner had been. One table showcased a variety of fruit-filled danishes, croissants and bread. Inside the kitchen was even more: threw kinds of cereal, eggs, bacon, home fries, sausages, baked beans, fresh berries, melon, yogurt, granola, and toppings to make a fancy parfait.  

I sat with a handful of new friends, sharing with them my mouse-filled sleep stories over eggs and bacon. I also chat with Joseph and Ashlyn, who are also from Chicago and very conveniently drove on this trip. I ask if they were willing to haul all my Soho swag back to Chicago, because the last thing I need to carry around on the rest of this trip is a yoga mat and brick. They happily oblige, and I am grateful for the pure chance of meeting these two out of the group of 80 of us. They are super friendly, and I am looking forward to hanging out with them once we are back in Chicago.  

At 10, I met Dan, our canoeing instructor, at the shore. He helped us pick out the perfect sized life jackets and oars. We were a group of six, including Chara and Carri from the cabin. We canoed to a nearby small rocky island, took photos for maybe three minutes before Dan rushed us onto the canoes to return. I have no idea why it was rushed, because by the time we got to shore, it was only 10:45am, and we still had 15 more minutes? Things are not very clear throughout this weekend.  

we successfully canoed! yay!

our canoeing group

I now had 1.25 hours before I was to start my 12pm spin (!) class. You heard that right…we got mice coming through the floorboards but also outdoor spin class. It's a wild time.  

I attempt to go to ziplining and the ropes course, which are both occuring at 11am, but when I arrive (with a handful of others that had the same idea), we are turned away because these particular events are ending in 20 minutes. Again, a schedule would have been nice. Also just having drop in classes would be better, since so many people signed up for things they didn't show up for.  

I go to the main office and chat with Kara, one of the camp staff, about a hike. There was a hike planned for Sunday morning, but I hate hiking in groups as I prefer the silence of nature. I wanted to try to squeeze one in on my own. She points to a map of the grounds to show me a route and I just think…they should have included this map with the schedule of events that they also didn't prepare for this weekend. But, alas.  

I venture off on a tiny hike that leads me behind the row of cabins where ours is located. It is a nice but brief hike, and at one point, I was neatly nested between trees and bushes to the point where I could no longer hear the bumping bass of the music that people were playing from their waterproof speakers by the shore. It was peaceful, and wandering down the dirt trail into unknown territory reminded me of Vanuatu once again, hiking up to my island mate Natalie's site, one hour uphill. I was usually alone on those hikes, and I only determined that I was going in the right direction because I heard chickens, which meant I was nearing a village. Here at camp, it was only briefly on the hike where I didn't hear the echoed sounds of voices or music drifting into the trees. For both Vanuatu and for here, though, I carried a stick to swat away spiderwebs.  

My hike took me around back to my cabin, where I walked down to the basketball courts, where spin class was starting soon. I have to say, seeing the small supply boat toting the 20 spin bikes across the lake was quite hilarious…I bet this remote camp in the woods has not used their cargo rafts for that before.  

For those unfamiliar, spin class is an exercise class on stationary bikes where you listen to loud music and the instructor in front yells at you aggressively with things like "you didn't come here to quit!" or "push it til the end of this song!" or other versions of the "no pain, no gain" mentality in a militaristic aggression. At least, this is my impression of it as someone who has never attended a class before or seen one in real life. I also associate it with a cult-ish mentality? Mostly because I feel there are no casual spin class attendees, only people obsessed with spin.  

outdoor spin class

And I was not wrong. Once I got my shoes to clip into the bike pedals, I seemingly was the only one who didn't know how to strap myself in. The instructor was wearing a headset, and we all wore headphones to listen to her explain that when she yells a side, that is when we need to have that side foot on the bottom of the pedal rotation. She then starts yelling LEFT LEFT LEFT at an insane speed, then we stand up and she tells us to put our hands in "three" which I don't understand as I have never taken a spin class before. Then she tells us to do elbow drops and after one, I am sure that I am not doing it right unless the point of this exercise is to put uncomfortable stress on your knees. The speed is wildly fast, and I quickly decide I don't want to vomit today. About 10 minutes into this class, I stop listening and caring, and I simply ride at a comfortable speed, disregarding the instructions to instead have moderate stationary bike ride. There is a photographer present for all activities for promotional reasons, so when he takes a photo of me as I sit on the bike drinking out of the branded water bottle, I ensure the label faces him so he gets the shot he needs. 

When it's over, I am dripping in sweat but still alive. Meanwhile, one of the girls says she wants to go throw up somewhere. For an accurate portrayal of this activity, the photographer definitely needs that shot, right?  

The whole experience is amusing, specifically the cult-like atmosphere that convinced that girl that she couldn't just, take a small break. You could easily stop or go at your own pace but so many people are afraid of dissent that they just push on. I eavesdrop on another conversation between two girls in the class, one of which says that she thought it was okay, but prefers more gentle instruction. This morning's movement class was all about "feeling the energy surrounding you" and "hearing the breeze blow through the trees." The spin class was all about how you are failing yourself if you don't embrace incredible discomfort. The instructor wants you to feel bad for not obeying, because you're disappointing your body and the reason why you woke up this morning or whatever, but I also don't feel the need to vomit just before lunchtime so I call that a win.  

It's now 1pm and I have an hour to squeeze in lunch before my 2pm candlemaking class. I think back to the welcome cards left on our beds that said this weekend was all about relax and retreat, and here I am jogging between classes to make sure I get my money's worth. I didn't pay a couple hundred dollars to just sit and look at a lake.  

There were two options for lunch. One was eating the buffet at the cafeteria, featuring meatballs, chicken, grilled potatoes, sausages, mac and cheese, a taco station with pork tacos, oysters, shrimp, salads, and grilled veggies. The other was taking a picnic basket on a boat to a nearby island. I wasn't wildly hungry, so I figured the adventurous island picnic would be more fun. I went with my newfound Chicago friends Joseph and Ashlyn, and we hopped on the motor boat to take a six-minute ride over the lake.  

an awful photo of the picnic setup

I did appreciate the printed menus with the picnic basket.

The picnic was lovely. The basket included a blanket, a bottle of rosé, cans of beer and Bacardi cocktails, four types of sandwiches (egg salad, tuna salad, salami and turkey), dole fruit cups, a balsamic salad and chips. We were handed cutlery just before we left for the boat, but significantly no napkins. When I attempted to shake the dressing on the salad, it immediately opened and now my clothes all have permanent stains. But since we were camping, I didn't mind stripping down to a sports bra to clean my shirt in the water.  

view from picnicking

The boat picked us up about one hour later, and once we docked, I rushed to the cafeteria where the candlemaking class had already begun. I had previously taken a candlemaking class at Soho House Chicago, so I knew it wasn't very involved.  

I saw Caroline again, who informed me of more critters in the cabin, so while the instructor heated up more wax, I ran to the cabin to find one of my oatmeal packets all over the ground. I also found my other silicon bag of chocolate covered blueberries chewed through. Somehow, the small opening in my backpack was nudged fully open, and a squirrel must have attacked my food again. I took all my food to the office, had them store it in their fridge ("the only safe place" since squirrels can't open fridge doors…yet), then ran back to candlemaking. After stirring some scented oil into some melted wax and pouring it in a jar, I was done. Just as fast as I expected.  

candlemaking

At 3pm, I was scheduled to take a cocktail class, which was sponsored by Bacardi and featured a selection of their rums. I was excited since I love making cocktails at home but I would live to know more of the science of it. Unfortunately, archery was at the same time, and after weighing my options, I bailed on the cocktail class. After all, I can take a cocktail class in Chicago, but archery is vey much a camp event.   

the cocktail class I never attended :'(

Yet again, the location of archery wasn't disclosed, so I returned to the camp office to see that ever-so-lovely yet inaccessible map they had of the property. It was definitely an obscure location; you need to walk between some buildings down some steps, walk along the edge of the lake to a little brook, cross a bridge and step along some tree stumps, until you round a corner to find the targets.  

I met up with Ashlyn, who already found the spot. Archery was fun, and I can't remember the last time I did it, though a vacation while studying abroad in 2009 in Burgos came to mind. Although, I am pretty sure I have done it more recently.  

my first target

I got better!

The camp staff was quite friendly, and I have learned most of these camp staff were from all over the world. Some of them do seasonal work year round: ski resorts in winter, then camps in summer. I have met Aussies while traveling who work in ski resorts and I know that is a common job for 20-somethings out of school. Must be nice to be able to do gig work in a country with included healthcare! What a dream.  

When I was done with archery at 4pm, I was finally free for the day. Earlier, during spin class when I was ignoring the instructor and staring longingly at all the people casually splashing in the lake, I promised myself I would just hop in at the end of this day and rinse off all the camp grime. Now was that time.  

not til I bathed in the lake, no!

I walked to the cabin, changed into my suit and applied more sunscreen before heading to the water.  

It is now 5pm, and I discover that the lifeguards end their shift at 5pm (for the trillionth time, a schedule would be so nice). But I learn that we still can swim, but are required to wear a life jacket. I don't mind, as it allows me to be lazy and I can blame someone else for making me look like a dork in the water with the life jacket.  

At this point, I am the only one in the water. It is quiet and peaceful, with only the distant sounds of voices echoing over the still water. I splash around, stare off into the setting sun, and enjoy the lake's chilly temperature cooling me down. There even was a giant jug of eco-friendly soap, so I use it to bathe and wash my hair. It reminds me of river bathing during training in Vanuatu.  

I exit the water, refreshed, and leisurely return to the cabin. There are some swings near the water, so I sit and swing over the wildflowers, enjoying the view.  

I return to the cabin, rinse off and change, taking my time since dinner isn't until 7pm, and right now it's about 5:45pm. Then, I learn from Caroline that the aura photos (a photographer has a special camera and some machinery that measures your aura) weren't a signup activity, but rather, an ongoing all-day event until 6pm. I thought I missed by chance to get one, but I had 15 more minutes, so I ran out of the cabin to the main fire pit area to find Beverley and Patricia to learn more.  

They guide me to the photographer, who has me place my hands on some metal nodes and stare into the camera and hold still for a long exposure. A polaroid spits out, and she tells me she will find me at dinner to give me my aura reading once the photo is done developing.  

the photography setup

After I spend some time relaxing on the Slope (the tiered seating overlooking the lake) it is time for dinner.  

dinner time!

The cafeteria is now outfitted with table décor suited for a wedding: porcelain plates, wine glasses, floral arrangements, and a variety of wines: rosé, white, red and sparkling.  

Unlike the buffet meals before, this meal is served to us. Yet again it is a feast and includes baked potatoes with bacon, sour cream, cheese and chives, a Caesar salad, roasted vegetables, ribs, and glazed salmon. For dessert, we have the choice of cookies or strawberry rhubarb, cherry or apple pie.  

glazed salmon

fall-off-the-bone ribs. YUM

During dinner, the photographer from earlier presents me with my photo and her reading. She tells me the aura is large, meaning I have a lot of energy flowing through me. She tells me communication is important to me (perhaps reading my mind of the overall lack of communication over this weekend?). The white around my head indicates lots of thinking, but I need to ground myself and connect with nature (more feeling). 

all that info, from this

Patricia makes an announcement during dinner, that starting around 9pm, we will have a surprise concert by pop/electronic artist Dragonette at the outdoor stage. Until then, we have entertainment by the resident DJ of the weekend, Mike Roc.  

Everyone gathers in the stage area where Mike is DJing, but aren't dancing. Caroline and I start things off and soon another woman is dancing with us for a few songs before finally a large group is on the dancefloor.  

Soon, the woman dancing with me and Caroline steps on stage, and it turns out she is Dragonette. I have never heard of her, but towards the end of her set, she sings a song I recognized, "Hello." Ah, I guess I do know her!  

Around midnight, yet again, we are served Dirty Burgers, but this time we also get sweet potato fries and TFC (Toronto Fried Chicken).  

I spend most of the evening alone, on the quiet spot of the Slope, where I can hear the water lapping against the dock and see some stars mostly obscured by clouds. Tonight is colder than last night, so even as I wear all my warmest layers and a blanket over me, I am freezing, and decide it best to retire.  

Tonight is our final night of the camping trip, and I am hopeful for a critter-free evening, since it is much colder today (and our cabins don't provide much for warmth). Also, each and every time I went to the cabin over the course of the evening, I didn't see any mice scurry and disappear into the corners.  

Tomorrow it's time to head back to Toronto for one night before I head off to Quebec City!

haven't seen this many stars since Vanuatu!