Contentment...

In this fast-paced day and age, there’s a lot to be said for the sheer joy of contented moments. Be it a place, a room, or a state of mind, a body needs to be able to contemplate life. A place to rejuvenate and be calm. A place to be inspired, to make plans, to converse with God.

Our place is a little camping spot close to Cle Elum, WA. Not quite an acre in size it is located in an area which contains an eclectic mix of year round homes, vacation homes, mobile homes and trailers. Some are kept very nice and some, well, aren’t, but that’s a different story.

On entering the development, one is greeted by a most strange and colorful sight - a large totem pole. No Northwest Indian ever carved this pole. Perhaps it was the work of a frustrated Seattle Boeing engineer, because the top carving is a jet plane! No evidence of Washington’s other big employers though - Bill Gates’ Microsoft and Starbucks coffee!

Following the road to the right (15 miles an hour, please!), one can look to the left and see a lake inhabited by ducks and perhaps beavers. Strangely enough, I’ve never seen humans in, on, or fishing from the banks of, the lake.

After following the road for a short while and then taking a left, one arrives at Camp Garvin. There is a grassed parking area which contains lots of wild flowers in the spring. The camp is shielded from the road by a band of trees in the front and on the left side. (Our own personal woods - pure joy to a desert dweller like myself.) On the right side is our neighbor’s small cabin. Take either the long or short driveway and one arrives at a grassy area bounded on the far side by a shallow stream and more trees.

Here is where the serious relaxation begins! One can choose a lounge chair in the sun, the picnic table on the porch, or even the comfy couch in the small (252 sq ft!) cabin. Future options in the planning stages are a deck and a hammock. All that’s necessary now is sunscreen, a cold drink, and a good book! If it gets too hot, just putter over to the stream and step in. Instant popsicle! (A very interesting sensation of having your feet in ice cold water, while the rest of the body is sun warmed and a bit sweaty!) If more serious cooling is needed, stroll to the banks of the nearby Yakima River.

For more activity, there are always board games or yard games. Or, our friendly hounds will be happy to accompany you on a walk around the neighborhood. Excitement is available in the form of an ATV with a very willing teenage driver. Hang on tight!!!

As the sun sets over Camp Garvin, out comes the BBQ. Delectable cuts of steak or marinated chicken from the butcher shop in Cle Elum are cooked up and enjoyed. Next on the agenda is a campfire with marsh mellows roasted to sticky perfection. Perhaps games, Nintendo or a DVD movie will follow. (No cable TV, though, that would spoil things!) Then it’s off to dreamland. Ahh...”roughing it” was never so much fun...