Our nephew was getting married in Alberta and we arrived a week early to rendezvous with Keaton, Kate, and Atlas.  To go camping for a few days.

Tara and Dan were with us, too.

It would have been perfect if Caileigh, Chris, and our granddaughter were there too.  But we’ll all be together in August.

Keaton and Kate were the ones who suggested camping.  If they wanted to rough it in nature with a six-month-old baby, who were we to argue?  We just wanted to hang out with them.

I wish I could say that I gave them my full attention.  But every now and then, in a lull of conversation or action, I’d pull out my phone.

This was the first trip in a long time that I didn’t bring my computer.  This time I thought I’d see if I could survive with just the phone.

I didn’t realize that there wasn’t any electricity where we were camping.  I was beating myself up for not bringing my power banks to recharge my phone.  I usually bring them.  With my computer.

But it was just as well.

I had enough power to keep my Duolingo streak going.  But not enough to get the weekly high score.

And it forced me to be more present.

Even though I had moments of checking the phone, there was a lot of unplugging happening.

How do I know I was unplugging? It was Friday when I realized I’d barely thought of work at all during the week.

That’s my real test to see how relaxed I am.

I could have done some more writing, but it’s vacation, man!

Although being away from technology was annoying at times, it was really a gift.

I’m more addicted to my phone than I’ll admit. But my family knows and gave me the gears a couple of times.

But the phone came in handy to capture some of the moments we had together.

We hiked up to a glacial lake. Saw a grizzly bear from our car.

We roasted hot dogs on the open flame.

We took turns holding Atlas and making him giggle.

We drank local craft beer that we can’t get in Ontario and played Chameleon.

We sat and chatted around the fire, taking turns getting smoked out as the wind changed direction.

I’m grateful for the snippets of time together with any of my children. Even if it’s only a couple of days or a couple of hours.

They’re a gift.

And to have them all to ourselves. Without the day-to-day distractions. I’m still savouring that gift a week later.