Post Vacay Musings + my Canoe Camping Essentials!
Recently, my husband and I ventured on a week-long canoeing adventure, which included a scenic 15-hour drive there and back!
There's a certain bittersweetness in returning to regular life after an an amazing vacation. We aren’t strangers to hard vacations - enjoy suffering on them quite often lol. But this was on a whole new level - most remote trip we have ever done! Week with no showers, no running water, just a few primitive scattered campsites options along the way. But, we always settled in at night on an even more enchanting wild riverbank option!
No cell service for almost the entire trip! Switching off from digital world was a welcome change. Laying in a hammock after camp dinner or cuddled up in tent with a book was the disconnect I craved. Very thankful got this space to breathe and decompress!
Our adventure had its extremes. Some days, we faced low water in river, and had to tug our canoe over stubborn rocks – feeling like an ankle twist was constantly looming. Other days brought intense rains, flooding the river and bringing an entirely new brand of "scary”. Although it brought water travel speed- we were really moving! Clocked 25-30 miles daily toward end of trip! We actually thought the trip would be 10 days on river but we finished the whole 125 miles in a little less than 7!
The whole experience felt like our own private retreat. So quiet we hardly saw another soul for first four days and not one person on the river besides us. We occasionally spoke with a ranger at our primitive camp water refills. It’s hard to put into words what this trip meant, so I won’t even try. Just know I had a beautiful experience and will carry it with me for a long time. Magic is real my witches, you just have to look for it! And for me, I know it hides in the most untouched places🛶🌲✨
*thought it would be fun to go over most essential things I brought. These were my must haves! I had more skin products for hotels travelling there & back. But these staples for actual river time when remote!
Sunday Afternoon Adventure Hat: I freaking LOVE this hat! I have recommended it to so many people over the years. It is adjustable, very comfortable and has a light feeling to it. Covers the neck and has a wide brim for much needed sun protection. It’s also rated UPF 50+ hat which is a high sun protective rating! And at the end of the day, it is actually adorable on your dang head! Meaning you will feel great wearing it whether you’re out canoeing or just taking a trip to the store!Shop Adventure Hat
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoodie: Over the years I have transitioned to older outdoor adventurer fashion and I am unapolgetically here for it! Switching over to breathable and cool long sleeve shirts has been an absolute game changer for reducing my sun intake. I remember our first bicycle tour we did not do this and I came back with quite a lot of sun damage (giving myself the side eye here lol) Now covering up with long sleeved shirts and breathable outdoor pants has gone a long way in keeping me protected! Shop Patagonia Shirt
Tizo AM Replenish: You already know, SPF IS A MUST HAVE. I actually ended up bringing multiple SPFS. I carried this baby for my face. And another Tizo product for rest of my body. This is by far my fav SPF I have ever used and all my clients feel the same. It’s a physical SPF with very light tint that works for all skin tones, just doesn’t leave you with that pasty white cast. It is completely acne safe which is quite hard. Formulated with antioxidants to further protect your precious face and ceramides for barrier support. The best sunscreen for you is the one you will actually use, and this hits that outta the park! Shop Tizo SPF
Bassdash Altimate UPF 50+ Women’s Gloves: Whenever we go on an adventure of biking or canoeing I try to wear gloves if I will be out for extended periods of time. The gloves are comfortable and stretchy. Plus they provide padding which I need for canoeing for extended hours at a time helping with my grip when sweating! Bonus points the fabric has UPF50+ UV protection built in! Shop Gloves
5. Clean Towels XL Travel (10 count): Somehow even though I have sold & used Clean Skin Club products for some time, this was my first use of their travel towels. I loved that they came in a sturdy travel box & I brought two along with me for our trip! Once you start using these towels you’ll never want to go back! Especially when travelling to not use hotel towels on your face! I loved having these for my face after a long day of canoeing when using my Roccoco products!Shop Travel Towels
6. Roccoco Botanicals Rescue Balm: I wanted to bring something with me that does a few different things! First I love Rescue Balm as a barrier supportive and gentle moisturizer. It also works wonderfully on any bug bites helping to ease itching or stinging. And I am known to get bit the f up! They make a travel size Rescue Balm which is just what I needed!Shop Rescue Balm
7. Roccoco Botanicals Pore Cleansing Oil: This cleansing oil is the best at effectively removing dirt, pollution + makeup or sunscreen. It is completely non pore clogging and keeps your barrier nice & happy. It also comes in a travel size woo!Shop Pore Cleansing Oil
8. Clean Skin Club Wipes: GASP! It’s shocking I know! But this esthetician is putting face wipes on a must have list for the great outdoors! I wanted to keep it very simple in my bag for the actual canoe portion of the trip. Because I knew it wouldn’t be like other trips. I would not have the luxury of running waters, bathrooms, or certainly showers. And I knew for portions of the trip we would be pushing it very hard. After a day of pouring rain, canoeing 25 miles, setting up camp, and eating dinner - nope sorry sometimes I would just use a face wipe and call it a freaking day! Shop Face Wipes
Normalize your routine getting thrown off by life sometimes! Whether that’s an outdoor adventure, post surgery, or dealing with a bout of depression. Sometimes all you can handle doing is using a wipe. It’s not what I encourage as a day to day substitute for face washing in regular life. But occasionally you gotta do what you gotta do!
* you can use the code ‘THESKINWITCH’ to receive a discount on any Clean Skin Club Purchase!
Excited to be back in the studio this week to see my beautiful clients! Message me with any questions. Love your gorgeous faces! XO, Katie