I've been a very bad blogger. I have a fantastic excuse though. I had a six day charter in Vancouver, then a three day camping trip for some quality family time to make up for being away. Yesterday I don't have such a good excuse. You see, there is a whole new season of Orange is the New Black on Netflix and I had some time before work but I just couldn't tear myself away. But mostly, they are good excuses.

Don't think this means I don't care about you, I do. This blog is the most important thing, besides family, work and the fictional escapades of inmates at Lichfield prison.

Today I limited myself to one episode (okay, two) and now I'm downloading some photos from the last week before I head to Vancouver and back. So for now, I hope you enjoy this photo from Atlin from May.

Stay tuned for tales of my platonic date with a captain, how the legend of the flight attendant who bakes in the galley ovens came true and find out which mysterious visitors are taking their own road north this month.

This past friday the weather in Atlin, BC was forecasted to be 9C with an evening low of -1C. So, of course, we packed up our touques, mitts and warm sleeping bags and went camping. There was very little traffic, we had the campground to ourselves, the beach was deserted and most of the bugs refused to brave the cold. And we had a great time.

Our campsite in Pine Creek campground, Atlin, BC.

Oscar's first time playing with a sparkler. Photo by Christa Galloway. — Oscar's first time playing with a sparkler. *Photo by Christa Galloway.*

It's just not camping without a campfire and s'mores. Photo by Christa Galloway.

Who needs toys when you have all of nature to play with?  Photo by Christa Galloway. — Who needs toys when you have all of nature to play with? *Photo by Christa Galloway.*

When we left our stressful life as business and home owners behind, packed what we could fit in a 5'X8' trailer and headed north, I really didn't know what to expect. All I knew was that we weren't happy, I didn't feel like a good mom and I needed to change something.

It's now five months later and I am the happiest I've been in a very long time. On my days off, I don't think about my job (usually). I think about writing or photography or gardening or my family. Our week-end plans rarely get cancelled. I feel like a better mom. Instead of hearing about Oscar's first experiences from babysitters, I get the enjoyment of witnessing them myself.

Father and son. Photo by Christa Galloway. — Father and son. *Photo by Christa Galloway.*

Richard, Oscar and Maggie enjoy some family time on the beach at Atlin Lake on Saturday. Photo by Christa Galloway — Richard, Oscar and Maggie enjoy some family time on the beach at Atlin Lake on Saturday. *Photo by Christa Galloway*

Northern life for us is fresh air, a slow pace of life and simple pleasures. It's witnessing northern lights, impressive landscapes and our own live wildlife channel. Oscar has adapted the best of all of us. He has freedom to explore and discover. Northern life is not for everyone, but for us, it was a life saver.