It’s a bit of a Canadian cliché to camp or go “up to the cottage” in the summer. Personally, I hate camping in a tent (the bugs, the musty sleeping bags, walking a mile to the filthy showers and scary toilets…) and suffered through enough summer camping trips as a child that I was convinced I hated the outdoors.

That was before D introduced me to the Pavillon des Pins Gris, located on the Basktatong Reservoir near Montcerf-Lytton, in Quebec. This is a lovely, family-owned campsite that features minimalist cabins (des chalets) equipped with indoor plumbing and beds — the only way to camp, as far as I’m concerned.

We first visited the Pavillon des Pins Gris about sixteen years ago, and have returned sporadically as time and finances allowed. This year, we spent a sunny, hot week there in mid-July, relaxing, fishing (we rented a boat from the Pavillon), and enjoying bonfires each night.