Camping, Love, and a 46-Year Adventure: Meet the Barkers

Picture this: It’s a beautiful morning at Fort Camping. The sun’s just peeking over the trees, and there’s a buzz of excitement in the air. Why? Because Dot Barker is up to something sneaky – and absolutely adorable.

A Surprise in the Campground

As her husband John sleeps in their RV, Dorothy “Dot” is transforming their campsite into a walk down memory lane: Dot dressed up in her original wedding dress from 1978!

I surprised him with decorating the RV awning with a veil, blew up balloons and wore my original wedding dress from 1978, purchased at Reitman’s for $24.95,” Dot shares with a grin. “That’s what I call a good investment. So glad it still fits me 46 years later after having 3 children and I am now 70 yrs old!

When John finally emerges from the RV, his jaw drops. There’s Dot, looking like a blast from the past, with her hair styled just like on their wedding day. “Needless to say he was pleasantly surprised,” Dot chuckles. “Made our camping time at the Fort very memorable.”

Campers for Life

Now, you might be thinking, “Shouldn’t they be on a fancy cruise for their 46th anniversary?” But Dot has a different perspective: “Yes, we could have gone on a cruise but we chose to camp at Pathfinder Fort Langley.”

For the Barkers, nothing beats the great outdoors. “My husband John, (83yrs old) and I love to camp at Pathfinder campgrounds. We have stayed at all 3 resorts,” Dot explains. “We believe that camping has been a huge part of our successful marriage.”

And boy, do they have the miles to prove it! These two have been pitching tents and roasting marshmallows since their honeymoon. “In fact we went on our honeymoon to Disneyland in my Dad’s little old tent trailer in 1978,” Dot reminisces. “We have progressed to a Pleasureway Class B Van ha ha.”

From Broken to Unbreakable

Here’s where the story takes a turn you might not expect. John and Dot’s journey hasn’t always been easy. “We started out our marriage as two very broken people,” Dot shares candidly. “I had been abducted in East Vancouver so that brought huge issues into our marriage at first… definitely not a great way to start (I was 23).”

But here’s the thing: through countless nights under the stars, heart-to-heart talks by the campfire, and the simple joy of being together in the great outdoors, John and Dot found healing in love and camping.

“I believe that growing together as good friends, great chats around the campfire, tons of camping with each other, then with our 3 kids, then with our 6 grandkids, now back to us two again has drawn us very close and we are best buddies,” Dot reflects.

The Pathfinder Connection

If you’re ever looking for the Barkers, check Pathfinder campgrounds first. Fort Langley holds a special place in their hearts. Dot paints a vivid picture of their experiences: “Times of sitting by the fire, chats, snuggles in the RV, yes snuggles as we camp at the Fort in winter too, even in the snow ha ha. New Year’s Eve watching the fireworks in the Fort from our campsite.”

We might be getting old, but camping in the Fort NEVER GETS OLD.” Truer words were never spoken!

A Love Story for the Ages

So, what’s the secret to 46 years of marital bliss? For John and Dot, it’s pretty simple. As Dot puts it, “It’s the simple things in life that create fabulous memories.”

Their love story is etched in campfire smoke, twinkling stars, and the beauty of a shared life outdoors. They’ve grown from newlyweds in a borrowed tent trailer to grandparents in a cozy RV, with countless adventures in between.

As they embark on year 47, the Barkers are proof that sometimes, the greatest adventure of all is simply love each other, one camping trip at a time. In Dot’s own words, they’re not just husband and wife – they’re “best friends.”

Here’s to celebrate all love birds at Fort Camping!

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