I used to work with a gal whom I adore. She moved away from Orange County, California a year or so after I left and moved back to where she’d grown up, in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. At the time her husband was reassigned to continue his work in Japan, so Cathy and Hiro were forced to be apart for a period of time. During one of his visits to Canada, Cathy got pregnant. They had beautiful baby girl Wren.
During the planning stage of our RV trip to Canada I reached out to Cathy inquiring as to where specifically in Canada she lived. Determining that Ontario was too far from Alberta, where we planned to visit, I ended our discussion offering, “Take a vacation and come join us in Banff!”
A month or so from our planned arrival in Canada I got a call from Cathy asking if I was serious about my offer. I said I was, and with that she said “Great! Then baby Wren and I are coming!” My mind went sideways for a moment and Cathy continued, “Are you sure! Wren really is a good baby!” Well… I’m not sure what I was thinking! Maybe that Cathy would drop the baby off at doggie-day care? That’s what I do with my (fur) babies! So I asked, “How old is Wren?” Cathy responded she’d soon be one.
So with a wing and a prayer I said “Book it and let’s do this!” Then I told Al. He summarized the situation: So Cathy and her one-year-old baby are joining us and our two dogs camping in our RV in Banff where we’ll be drying camping with no utilities! I said “Exactly!” He responded, “Well, we’ll make it work!” Phew! Getting his buy in was my biggest concern. The rest would be… well, what is was!
So we traveled to Calgary, camped and caught a few days of Stampede. Meanwhile Cathy and Wren flew in late at night. Cathy got them to a hotel where we picked them up the morning we headed out to Banff. Cathy insisted I give her time to go shopping for wine and snacks before we picked them up. But I’m thinking… she has flown across Canada and checked into a hotel – my 5’4” girlfriend with baby, stroller, luggage…! I insisted we take her shopping. Then Al, myself, Cathy and Wren, plus our two American Eskimos headed to Banff together with great excitement and anticipation.
We spent a week together in our 37’ RV – Adults, baby and dogs. And for me, it was truly the highlight of our 5-month long RV trip. I have never met and spent time with such an incredible baby. I believe much of Wren’s calm demeanor is from the guidance she receives from Cathy, who has taught her sign language for when she is thirsty and hungry. And, little Wren is of her father’s Japanese culture, one that honors respect and humility.
We went to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola, hiked Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake and Takkakaw Falls. We dined at the iconic Lake Louise Hotel, shopped Banff Village, soaked in Banff Upper Hot Springs. Wren never missed the fun, though she did nap along the way. She played respectfully with the dogs. She was inquisitive and explored the RV ceaselessly. At bedtime she’d snuggle in with mom and sleep the night through.
We all managed the dry camping by utilizing the campground facilities. In fact, I was dismayed to learn that after a week of working to maximize the efficiency of our water and holding tank capacities, when it was time to go we had tons of both available. We even dumped water before traveling since we were heading on to a mountainous region. (That’s what I get for not checking the tank monitoring system!)
At the end of our week in Banff, another former collegue and friend from the same company where Cathy and I met, joined us. He had flown up from Long Beach, California to Calgary, then drove out to Banff to camp with us a few days. We were in Banff with three other RV friends so Greg was able to sleep on the couch of another coach. Then Greg took Cathy and Wren back to Calgary were they caught a flight home.
We all had such a great time together, sharing the beauty of Banff together, enjoying precious time watching one-year old, old-soul Wren camping. It was truly magic. But what marveled me the most is the fortitude and I-can-do-anything fearless attitude of my dear friend Cathy. Traveling herself with baby and all the stuff you need via planes, taxis, camping. We hiked all over Banff and much of the time Cathy carried Wren in a baby carrier. Who Does That? Cathy Newby!
Let this be a lesson for us all: If something looks like an unscalable mountain, just maybe it really isn’t.
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