As they say, the more you plan, the less likely the trip will happen. It was one of those Saturdays when we just decided, on the spot, to get closer to nature. I saw Arlene’s post on Facebook where she and her friends had gone to Bluewater Lake for a picnic. I asked for directions. An hour later, Mirasol and I were in our cars. Before we knew it, three families were on a spontaneous trip for a drive, Filipino food, and catching up. I’m sure our kids were thinking, “What are our moms up to now?” but they went along anyway, and they ended up getting to know each other.
Bluewater Lake, part of Bluewater Lake State Park, is about 25 minutes west of downtown Grants. The road winds past juniper trees, cacti, and stretches of open desert, then suddenly opens up to the lake. The distant mesas with majestic, deep green spots seemed like an invitation to a view waiting to be discovered. The park welcomed us with a kind of calmness that makes you want to listen and pause. The cottages brightened with gatherings of families and friends who might have wanted to stay there all day and just be together. It suddenly crossed my mind that if this were in the Philippines, there would be an inter-cottage karaoke contest, but here it was just about being mindful and enjoying the day.
Of course, we brought more than enough food: igado (pork and liver stew), laing (taro leaves in coconut milk), inabraw (vegetable stew), adobo (marinated meat stew), diket (rice cake), and local fruits kept appearing like a food fest. We ended up swapping containers like culinary ambassadors, and everyone went home with a mix of dishes our family did not even bring. The lake walk was something I called the “hotbreaker.” I knew we were the only Filipinos there because nobody was holding an umbrella under the scorching heat. The kids didn’t care, throwing stones into the water and laughing, while we adults fanned ourselves and congratulated ourselves for leaving our airconditioned apartments.
The glistening silver lake mirrored Filipino values in a simple way. Eating together, bringing families closer, kids forming their own little worlds while moms talked, dads Tony, Allan, and Froi had their own corner of jokes. Picture taking was obligatory. Of course, the Bluewater Lake sign at the entrance and with the lake behind were irresistible. Everyone smiled, posed, and laughed at themselves in the sun. It reminded us of rivers and oceans we miss from home, and even if the water wasn’t salty and the waves weren’t crashing, there was still that feeling of belonging we always get when we’re together.
Bluewater Lake was a joy that was familiar to us. Walking the stretch from our cottage to the lakeside, watching the kids explore, sharing food, and taking photos – we felt like we were welcomed into a home, and the lake held us gently for a day. I realized even little moments like almost tripping over a rock and being laughed at before anybody asked how I am became a funny story we would go back to later. It was the kind of spur-of-the-moment day that makes you realize you don’t need grand plans to make memories.
This trip was the first for my family, but it won’t be the last. As long as the weather permits, I am guessing that one moment I text Arlene or Mirasol about a place I haven’t been to, it’s going to send us off to another mini-trip with our clueless families coming along, whether they like it or not. And maybe next time, we’ll become better prepared, but part of the fun is not knowing exactly what’s going to happen anyway. Well, that’s how it is in life. It just tags us along, surprises us, and leaves us grateful for a day of it, a day of finding our way.