Lake Louise Christmas Wonderland December 21 2017

It snowed last night and it was suppose to snow today starting later in the morning.  With the highway not being in the best condition to begin with, this would only make things worse.  This meant it would be best to stick close to my home away from home for today.  No problem, there's loads of trails around here beckoning to be X-C Skied upon.  I arrived at The Great Divide parking lot just as the knights on shining X-C Ski trail grooming equipment began to work their magic.  

                          

As this was my first time on skis this season, The Great Divide trail was ideal to get my ski legs back.  As I skied away from the parking lot, I left the sound of the barking dogs behind.  It became peaceful and I got lost in the beauty and my thoughts.  The sun was coming up behind me and the sky was turning blue in front of me.

                                     

I skied and I skied and I skied!  The dog sled teams passed and I skied and I skied and I skied.  Then the dog sled teams returned.  Then I wondered how far should I go.  Should I go down the big hill?  I knew I would be tired with lots of uphill on the return ski.  

                                   

It felt so good to be out here where I belong.  It was cold but I was warm.  The dogs were gone, it was just me being one with the X-C Ski track.  Then the groomer flew by on his shiny equipment!

                                               

   

I reached the big hill and I was committed to go all the way to British Columbia.  I crossed the boarder, captured my destination shot, had a hot beverage, a boiled egg and an energy bar.  I placed my new Christmas decoration on a tree close by for its initiation to Christmas before bringing it to my tree in Calgary.  By now the snow was heavy and it was time to conquer that big uphill and head back.

                                      

Once again I was lost in my thoughts and flew along.  There was no scenery as it was near white out conditions.   I thought I saw things!  It turned out being skiers coming my way.  As the snow turned to flurries and I could see again, I spotted a new signed snowshoe trail.  

                                              

With still a few kilometres to go, I was beginning to think I was ready to have this over with.   To make the distance and time go by, I admired all the snow laden trees that lined the track.  Finally, the end was in sight and so were the views.

In a matter of about 15 minutes I was back at home sweet home.  The view off my balcony was pretty now with lots of blue sky.  I got comfy on my couch and settled in for a relaxing balance of today.  Everything I needed was at an arms reach or a tiny turn of my head towards the glass doors.  Sometimes the best gifts don't come in boxes or wrapped in paper, they just appear and happen.  Today was a gift!

                      

   

Lake Louise Christmas Wonderland December 20 2017

Watch what you wish for because it might come true!  My wish was for cold and snow to make the Lake Louise area a winter-wonderland.  I did not want it for Calgary on commute day to the mountains but I forgot to specify that in my wish!  I got exactly what I wished for and more.  The road reports looked frightening.  I thought just get going and take it as it comes.  Before I knew it I was safely in Banff.  Whew!  Of course, I visited a couple of favourite stores.    After that investing was accomplished, it was on to  investing time in capturing the incredible beauty that surrounded me.

It was not busy in Banff!  Really it wasn't!  I checked out the view along the Bow River from a few view different vantage points.  I had my little camera, wish I had my big one though. 

It had been years since I visited Cascade Ponds.  I saw recent photos on line and knew it would be worth it to go there.  With my big camera I hiked around the area.  It was pretty everywhere and I got dizzy spinning in circles not knowing where to look.  

                           

As time went on I thought I better get busy and face the next section of highway. As it turned out, it got better. Whew!  I safely arrived up Lake Louise.  It was not busy at Lake Louise!  Really it wasn't!

                               

The sun was setting as I checked into my home away from home.  The view was sweet from my balcony.   I uncorked the wine and got the fire going then settled in for a long evening nap.  It feels so good and it feels so right to be where I need to be!  Thank you for this day!

Rummel Lake & Meadows December 16, 2017

IT'S TRADITION!  A number of years back a few of us began the tradition of decorating a tree in the Christmas spirit out in our mountain playground.  We pick a destination where we are quiet sure there will be a perfect tree for us and where there is scenery.  We collect a few favourite decorations off our Christmas trees at home, pack them in our pack, then adorn that special tree.  Today we snowshoed up to the meadow above Rummel Lake and there were trees galore to choose from.  This year we were only two taking part in this celebration and this is our tree! 

We arrived at the trail head with -19 Celsius showing on the dash.  We geared up as much as possible inside the vehicle and left the last finishing touches to be done outside.  Thank goodness the wind was non existent as we exited to brave the elements.  We completed the gearing-up process and then we dashed off!  The trail was hard packed and thank goodness again, no breaking trail in deep snow was necessary.  

 I can't help but admire scenes like this.

It was quite frigid through the final forest section and then we popped out at Rummel Lake in sunshine with blue sky and a tad bit of warmth. A few snowshoers were settled here snacking.  We only stopped for a few minutes preferring to get to our destination.

We carried on past the lake and broke trail up to the meadow.   

We arrived at Rummel's Meadow and meandered for awhile looking for our perfect tree.  It was not an easy choice as there were so many calling out to us.  We picked one we liked and then fancied it up.  These are just a few our decorations.

me and the tree

our tree

 After decorating our tree, we continued to work up an appetite.  

While Short Stop's snowshoe is in the air, the ball on my Santa hat made it up into the air.

Lunch was held in a sheltered spot amongst some trees where we had a view of our tree and the mountains behind it.  The wind had picked up as did the chill.  We did not dine for long, just long enough to get some energy back.  Before beginning the snowshoe trek back, we aimed up trail a little way and captured some shots of Rummel Pass in the background.

 looking off to Rummel Pass at the bottom of the V

Downhill from the meadow to the lake was fun.  The snow was soft and deep.  

In no time at all we were back at Rummel Lake.  

We took time to appreciate the scenery around it.  

 Rummel Lake

 of course we incorporated a little play time

We made quick time of getting back through that frigid forest section.  It was late into the afternoon and the lighting was ideal.  We were both so intrigued with this view and could not get enough of it.  It looked like something but we were not quite sure what.  It was so pretty!

 I took one last photo from the last wide open view spot.  

Then it was time to head home!

I thought about many things as we quietly and quickly snowshoed the last final stretch.  I thought about how incredibly beautiful this place was today.  I also thought about how I would like to say to each of you that I'm.......

Thank you for today!