Here I am 'broadcasting' live from the Chateau Fairmont Lake Louise nestled in the forest. The location is over 110 years old and the entire hotel is essentially exquisite. Everything you see and touch is the essence of rich opulence. The art, the shops, the food, the PRICES.
I've had the most marvelous day. I slept like a rock in a King size bed with the window open next to my head, high enough over the earth that the crisp snowy mountain air poured in and healed me while I slept.
We jumped in a canoe and went across the lake and back. It is the most miraculous shade of blue; like the tropical waters you see in postcards of places you'll never get to. Just our luck, when we checked in the young woman said yesterday was the first day the ice was off the lake this year...
Then we hiked almost 8 kilometres up the side of the mountain (my delight: I pushed myself to hike higher and further than I would ever have gone before due to my fear of being grotesquely mauled by a grizzly bear...) - high up into the dense bush on stiff mountain peaks where the paths are rocky and treacherous and the snow remains. When the clouds misted over us and snow appeared imminent, I forced my husband to turn around.
We came back and grabbed a caramel mocha, ate dark espresso chocolate and then went for a swim - actually he swam (I HATE pools) and I meditated at the edge listening to the gentle splash of the water.
Then I indulged in a glass of wine in a tub that is big enough for all four of my children with mirrors all around.
I was initially horrified to see myself in 3D - like I want to witness my cellulite and stretch marks in surround sound... However hooray... be it known that when the room is worth 400 a night - the mirror make your butt actually look not entirely terrible. I was shocked.
Tonight I am off to Walliser Stube for dinner at 8pm. Living in the lap of luxury - feeling horribly out of place - but completely content to fake it til I make it.
Tomorrow I am hoping the rain will stay away and we can hike to the top of Johnson's canyon.
A great way to celebrate my 38 birthday.
Thanks to my mom for the sitting service this weekend and the gift certificates that took care of the accommodations... it has been a wonderful day.
I've had the most marvelous day. I slept like a rock in a King size bed with the window open next to my head, high enough over the earth that the crisp snowy mountain air poured in and healed me while I slept.
We jumped in a canoe and went across the lake and back. It is the most miraculous shade of blue; like the tropical waters you see in postcards of places you'll never get to. Just our luck, when we checked in the young woman said yesterday was the first day the ice was off the lake this year...
Then we hiked almost 8 kilometres up the side of the mountain (my delight: I pushed myself to hike higher and further than I would ever have gone before due to my fear of being grotesquely mauled by a grizzly bear...) - high up into the dense bush on stiff mountain peaks where the paths are rocky and treacherous and the snow remains. When the clouds misted over us and snow appeared imminent, I forced my husband to turn around.
We came back and grabbed a caramel mocha, ate dark espresso chocolate and then went for a swim - actually he swam (I HATE pools) and I meditated at the edge listening to the gentle splash of the water.
Then I indulged in a glass of wine in a tub that is big enough for all four of my children with mirrors all around.
I was initially horrified to see myself in 3D - like I want to witness my cellulite and stretch marks in surround sound... However hooray... be it known that when the room is worth 400 a night - the mirror make your butt actually look not entirely terrible. I was shocked.
Tonight I am off to Walliser Stube for dinner at 8pm. Living in the lap of luxury - feeling horribly out of place - but completely content to fake it til I make it.
Tomorrow I am hoping the rain will stay away and we can hike to the top of Johnson's canyon.
A great way to celebrate my 38 birthday.
Thanks to my mom for the sitting service this weekend and the gift certificates that took care of the accommodations... it has been a wonderful day.