I recently got away before the christmas rush for three nights. My mom and I stayed at an AirBNB called @cedarbyforbidden. The AirBNB is up for sale currently, so I'm glad we've had the experience of staying here, just incase it doesn't stay one. The hustle and bustle of this season gives me a load of anxiety and if I'm being honest, Christmas hasn't always been my favourite. I'm learning to love it now that I have a family and we get to do all of the cute Christmas shenanigans. However there is something to be said about getting away into the mountains without all of the craziness.
My mom, sister and I have went on these girls trips for nine years now. My sister was unfortunately not able to attend this year as she is about to welcome her second baby, that we cannot wait to meet. The @cedaratforbidden provides two bedrooms, bathroom, living area, wood stove and hot tub outside. There's also a firepitt outside that we never used due to the weather and hiking all day. The logging road up Forbidden Plateau Rd is groomed and very nice. It was a little sketchy driving at night with the fog rolling in, in the dark but just make sure to go slow if you head up there during the later hours in winter.
My mom and I planned out the weekend with not so strict plans but to get out and snowshoe Mount Becher and hike to a lookout on the Iron Horse biking trail overlooking Comox Lake. I needed to get outside, the last real time I did anything epic was my blog on Mount Rohr back in October. My son hasn't been the easiest to convince these days to hike in the colder months. It continues to rain and I just don't have it in me to fight with him on my days off. So this weekend meant a-lot to me in many ways.
It felt so nice to wake up to no sounds of sirens or vehicles passing us by. It was nice to listen to the wind and the crackling of the wood stove they had. It felt peaceful to look out the window and see the trees swaying. I am not a city girl, I used to love that kind of lifestyle and now I can't imagine being there any longer than two days. I crave the crisp mountain air and tranquility.
My mom is a certified bad-ass and hiked 6KM in snow with me to the Strathcona Park Boundary. We were approx. 2.4 KM away from the summit of Mount Becher. I have hiked all the way to the top back in 2019 in the fall when I was pregnant. It was cool to do this one in the snow. We actually didn't even need snowshoes, the path is very well worn right now. There was not a soul in sight for us this day as we braved all the elements. Wind, rain, slush and a thirst for adventure. I am so proud of my mom and I'm so grateful to have her in my life. She reminds me of myself, free, is authentically and unapologically herself. My mom is one of the coolest people I know. The fact I get to experience my passion with her, is something I will treasure forever. We hiked a-lot together during the pandemic with my newborn son Graeson and my sister Cera. It's one of the best memories I have during such a strange time.
If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen the stories I posted but if you read my blogs or posts you will find there is much more to me. Yes, I know I'm kind of sassy, but I'm actually very down to earth. My mom and I really bonded on this trip. I was holding onto things that I haven't really dealt with and she helped me realease them. It felt good to let go and wake up the next day feeling changed and more grounded.
I'm the kind of person who constantly craves adventure, I am not one for sitting down and it's why I have several blogs to read. I'm always looking for the next thrill and plan. I want to devour myself into my life and really fucking taste it. Do you know what I mean? Maybe you'll just read this and think "she sounds crazy" perhaps you will, but I don't really mind. I'm crazy about life and want to fucking feel it all. We don't have to long and it's always how I've lived my life.
I am not for the mundane, the routines and if I'm being honest routines scare the fuck out of me. (I swear a lot btw. ) The only routines I will stick to is my skin-care routine. But being a parent, routines are what your child thrives on. So here we are, it's why I've hiked so much with my child. It breaks the routine and makes me feel something other than thinking about cooking, chores, dirty house to clean, overstimulation and etc.
I want to move mountains, I want to feel cold water on my skin, I want to see a sunset and close my eyes and feel alive. I don't care about fancy cars or what the latest trends are. I do care about the latest gear for backpacking however or ingrown hair oill. We could nerd out and talk about that all night.
So now that you understand a few things about me and why a weekend away for me is vital to being a better parent, wife and even friend. I needed to get away, it's important to do that every now and then. Get lost and be with your thoughts and really feel them. Get outside, move your body and see where those legs will take you.
It started to feel like the norm, wake up blissfully, have a coffee, go out for a hike, come back have happy hour, soak in the hot-tub and chit chat all night. Being in the present without many distractions. Now being a parent this is not every day reality, but damn was it nice. I think after becoming a parent, I really can say I appreciate the quiet. I will miss all that noise though one day, that's what they say. I could live out there, the whole Comox Valley is a vibe. The people are so nice and laid back, then I come back home to Nanaimo. Don't get me wrong I love it here but it was just so cool to see so many people out biking, hiking and more. When we sat down at the Cumberland Brewery after visiting the China Bowls, everyone's face had some sort of adventure to tell.
Weekends like this remind me to be kinder to myself, to be slow, to relax and things will always work out the way they are suppose to. Life can't always be exciting but we can always have things to look forward to. I hope this inpsires you to book that trip and get outside. Explore your backyard and give yourself some grace. Slow down and give yourself a well deserved break, mentally. The everyday highs and lows can be a lot, and it's important we recognize when we need that mental break. I was definitely feeling burnt out with "society" and needed to escape into what I love doing and for me thats being outdoors and spending quality time with my family, bonus if we have a hot-tub. I freaking love hot-tubs. (iykyk)
To recharge and re-connect and to work on some inner demons, maybe scream a little or cry whatever the case. I feel like a new person after that. I don't need much in life but having a little getaway like this was just what I needed.
This is me telling you - book the trip. You deserve it.
I wish you all well for the new year and giving you the biggest hugs. I can't wait to see what everyone gets up to in 2025 as well as myself. I will be ready, but for now I must recharge. I'm thinking of you all. ♡
Alyssa
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