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| One foot in the Mediterranean, the other somewhere else. |
When I was little one of the first road-trips my parents
took me on was to Flin Flon, Manitoba. If you’re not familiar, this town is
located about six hours northeast of Saskatoon. And from my current location in
Northern Alberta it’s about eighteen hours away.
If you love nature, you’d love this place. It’s classic
Canadian Shield. And it’s not in the middle of nowhere, it’s in the middle of
amazing nowhere. (I happen to love nowhere.) A mining town I guess, everything
is built on rock. The way I remember it, the town weaves around rocks that look
like they were kicked around by giants and abandoned. Rocks and precarious
houses and deep lakes and sudden islands and spruce trees and more rocks.
Before I was born, my Dad worked there. He seemed excited to share this place
with me. And I totally got it.
Ever go someplace new and it doesn’t feel strange at all?
That’s what it felt like for me. About a three hour trip from where I grew up
in Saskatchewan, we arrived early enough to be seated in a restaurant around 9
a.m. Manitoba time. We had gained an hour. Despite the time, I ordered a
cheeseburger. My nine-year-old self thought that was the best breakfast
ever.
Decades later, I was in a medical doctor’s office in
Alberta talking about feeling tired and stressed and confused and the doctor
looked at me and said, “Ever been to Flin Flon?” Surprised, I shared my Flin
Flon story. Then he added, “You need to go back to Flin Flon. It’s the best
fishing ever.” Basically, he prescribed a vacation.
What are the chances I would meet up with another Flin
Flon fan? Here’s my point: the world is a small town. It is.
10 comments:
I've never been to Flin Flon although I had an auntie and uncle who lived there at one time. The name "Flin Flon" alone is worth a trip though! When do you leave? Seriously -- the doctor has prescribed it!
I'm always trying to tell my wife that the best thing we can do for ourselves is to take a step back from your hectic life every now & then. Glad to see that the doctors support my statement. Go! Have fun & de-stress.
Also, I've discovered from this post that I can't say, "Flin Flon fan" 10 times fast.
I want to live in "Flin flon"!! Sounds like good advice from the Doc.
The name alone makes one smile. It does.
@Vinny, subliminalist! I've discovered that I can't either.
I just happened to love this post for so many reasons, starting with that pic of toes in the ocean. I think we are quite a lot alike, it seems. I do find myself in lots of places that don't feel 'new' or foreign to me but home.
And if the dr. is prescribing a vacation? Oh please tell me you're going to take that 'prescription' faithfully and soon!
I don't know my place yet.
Your Doctor sounds wise. Taking a few moments to rest and refresh is a fine idea.
Carcassonne does it for me. And Glencoe.
Some doctors are really good at their jobs.
everyone needs..deserves a PLACE where they feel connected and rooted. Best medicine that doesn't come in a "child proof cap"
Gotta stop and smell the roses sometimes DB.
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