A couple days ago, my husband and I found ourselves with no plans and a case of cabin fever.
The truth is, this wasn’t just an ordinary afternoon.
The day before, we had attended my mother-in-law’s funeral. It had been a long, emotional week filled with grief, family gatherings, and all the things that come with saying goodbye to someone you love.
There was a new emptiness in our lives, and we both felt a little lost.
By the next morning, after family left and the house had grown quiet, we didn’t have any plans. We just knew we needed to get outside.
We loaded our little dog into the car, grabbed our portable grill and a package of burgers, and headed toward the Au Sable River. We weren’t looking for anything special. We just wanted a change of scenery and a chance to breathe.
Talking Isn’t Always Necessary
The drive was quiet – yet peaceful. We had the windows down and just took in the fresh air, neither of us saying much.
We drove down a few winding roads looking for a quiet public campsite – preferably one with water and no one else around.
After driving around for a bit, we finally found the perfect spot, so we pulled a blanket out of the trunk, spread it on the ground and set the picnic basket and cooler on it.
It Was Just Us And The River
Just a few steps from our blanket, the Au Sable River flowed quietly by. We kicked off our shoes and slipped our feet into the cool water while our little dog happily explored the shoreline. For the first time all week, we felt ourselves relax.
We fired up the portable grill and cooked burgers while listening to the river. There was no agenda, no schedule, and nowhere else we needed to be. It was exactly what we didn’t know we needed.
We didn’t spend too long out there, maybe a couple of hours, but it was enough. It helped get our minds off of all the chaos and clear our heads a bit.
Healing Doesn’t Happen Overnight
As we packed up our blanket and loaded everything back into the car, neither of us felt completely healed. Grief doesn’t work that way.
But something had changed.
For a couple hours, the river had given us a place to breathe. The cool water, the quiet campsite, the smell of burgers on the grill, and the simple joy of watching our little dog explore had reminded us that life still holds small moments of peace, even in the middle of sadness.
We set out that morning because we were bored, sad, and needed to get out of the house.
What we found was something we didn’t even know we were looking for.
We found a reminder that sometimes healing isn’t found in grand adventures or perfect plans. Sometimes it’s found on a blanket beside a river, down a winding back road, with the people – and pets – you love most.
And sometimes, when life feels heavy, the best thing you can do is follow a back road and trust that peace is waiting somewhere ahead.
Continue Exploring the Au Sable River
The Au Sable River has a way of drawing me back, especially during seasons of reflection.
One of my favorite places along its banks is Lumberman’s Monument near Oscoda. The views are beautiful, the history is fascinating, and every visit reminds me why Norhtern Michigan feels so much like home.
If you’d like to learn more about this special place, I shared the story here: ➡ Lumberman’s Monument: A Special Place