It’s no secret that the Comox Valley is blessed with an abundance of beautiful places to explore and enjoy. It’s quite remarkable how many unique and varied environments are right in our own backyard, allowing locals to take little holidays without venturing too far from home. A relatively quick paddle over to Tree Island or an overnight stay at Smith Lake Farm are two of our favourite getaways, and early in the summer season we discovered a new favourite: the sleeping barrels at Cumberland Campground on Comox Lake.
As we drove out to Comox Lake, we imagined ourselves as visitors from out of town, with a sense of adventure that was both familiar and novel. Getting there was easy, of course, but so were the preparation and effort needed to maintain camp once there. We had packed a minimalist overnight bag and some leftovers that could be reheated on our camp stove. We were pleasantly surprised to find the barrels were powered, and to discover they came equipped with a small fridge, lamp, kettle, and fan (as a lover of sleeping with white noise, this was an unexpected gift). There was also ample storage and thoughtful nooks for our belongings.
We took in our surroundings with fresh eyes, wandering down to the expanse of water in front of us, and exploring the stunning trails behind us. With magnificent rock faces, these trails lead through world-class bouldering and climbing sites.
Back at our little barrel home, we took advantage of our camp’s high, westerly aspect and settled in by our fire to watch the beautiful sunset over the lake. Forgoing our usual bedtime-reading routine, we fell asleep with our heads by the dome window—which offers the sensation of being outside while simultaneously being cozily inside—soaking in the peaceful views of the calm, dusky lake and night sky as we happily drifted off.