There are few things I love quite as much as spending time outside. The further from civilization the better (no offense, civilization. You’re great and all but sometimes a girl just needs her space, y’know?) I love taking time to just surround myself with nature. It makes me sound like a hippie but I mean it – nothing sets my mind at ease and leaves me feeling refreshed quite like a hike in the woods or a campfire by a lake.

I had been looking forward to this year’s May long weekend since last summer. Luc had won a weekend of camping at Second Depot Lake from the good people at Quinte Conservation and I was PUMPED about it. The beauty of Second Depot is that most of the sites are interior camping site – because it’s conservation land, sites are few and far between (literally – you have to boat/canoe out to your site!) Quiet and surrounded woods, cliffs and even a waterfall, Second Depot is an ideal spot for anyone looking for some quality time with Mama Nature.

We got lucky and our party of 4 plus dog wound up with two sites to ourselves on the far side of the lake. Hugged by (serious) hiking trails, next to a quiet inlet and across from the rapids and waterfall, it was an amazing spot!

Settin' up camp...

Our site came with an old-school swing!

Home for the weekend

Happiest dog in the world? Jasper, whilst camping. Straight up.

No hatchet? Don't worry, Luc's got this

The "babbling brook" aka legit waterfall across the bay from our site.

A dashing woodsman appears!

Our picnic table refuses to work after sun down.

"Mich! Pop out! I want to take a picture! Trev! Get out of the way!"

And then we discovered fire...

Our trusty canoe and my attempt at being artsy...

Our incredible view

I don’t think we could have asked for a better weekend. We had warm sun the whole time and spent our days leaping from the cliffs into the lake, fishing, hiking and enjoying some quiet time around the fire with good friends. Even Jasper had the time of his life despite the boat and canoe trips (he actually did better than any of us imagined. Cheers to not having your canoe tipped by a 100 pound, four-legged sissy!)

What about you? Do you love camping too? What are your favourite spots to set up camp? BIG thanks to Quinte Conservation for making this amazing weekend and being so accommodating! If you’re looking to get back to nature here in Southeastern Ontario, check out their sites and conservation areas, they’re beautiful!