Jasper: Part 2

Back in January we took a weekend and headed to Jasper. I shared the first part of our weekend here, this is the second day in Jasper and it was magic. The clouds had disappeared and all the mountains were lit up against the blue sky. I will never tire of that view! After we had breakfast and checked out of our room we rented ice cleats and headed to Magline Canyon to hike the canyon and the ice. 

I can not begin to describe how amazing to was to see all the ice, the frozen falls, all of it. Nature is so unreal! I was in awe. I have never seen anything like this, and going here in the winter was always a must do for me. 

We got to watch ice climbers (so brave) and Cory even got to stop and help lift a climber that had slipped and lost her ice picks. It was a heck of a hike and I can't lie- I was exhausted but it was so worth it.

Jasper Adventures: part 1

Two weekends ago we headed to Jasper for a weekend away. We lucked out and had the nicest weather in all of Alberta we stayed out at Pyramid Lake, which is so gorgeous! We were there for the beginning of Jasper in January and their Winterstruck festival out at Pyramid Lake. There was ice skating, snowshoeing, fires, maple taffy in snow & dog sleds.  We tried to get in on all the action.  

Anna's second time out on skates and she did fabulously!

 I only lasted about 10 minutes compared to her  hour.

 

It was a dream / bucket list to go dog sledding and it was amazing to finally make it happen. 

It was magic!

 

All of it. Magic.

Jasper: a step towards self care

I mentioned in a previous post that I wanted to explore self care, put myself on top of the to do list. I was sitting on the living room floor one day and I decided on a whim to do just that and I booked a weekend away in Jasper. Fresh air, mountains, sunshine, no chores, no work, no guilt about not doing the latter two. It was perfect and exactly what I needed. What we all seemed to need. To just relax. To feel happy inside my sadness. To nap. To soak in a hot tub. To drink wine. To be outside. To think about my Dad. To pray for my Mom. To order dessert. To be grateful. 

We attended Winterstruck on Saturday and took part in a bunch of winter activities. Anna skated for the first time on the most beautiful rink. (she did get a little upset she couldn't do spins like Dora... lol) I skated for the first time in over 20 years. We took a sleigh ride and listen to stories about the horses, Peter & Nick. The driver reminded me of my Dad so much and it made me want to spend the day with him and just listen. We curled with wood rocks. We rolled maple taffy on snow. We drank hot chocolate. It was so so wonderful. Seriously- this view, breathtaking! 

Thank you Jasper. Thank you.

Jasper Adventures

We loaded up the car and headed to Jasper this past weekend. We wanted to get one more camping trip in before the summer ends and school starts, not to mention all the work I need to get complete before our trip to Disneyland. The weather was nice, not nice enough to go swimming in the lake again but perfect for walking around doing touristy type things. I swear that I see the mountains through fresh eyes each time I come and I hope that never changes.

Athabasca Falls. 

I am always blown away by the sheer force of the water each time I come here. It never gets old.

Jasper the Bear, lunch on patios, wine & smores and the hugest little dimples ever.

This little rocky "beach" is at the end of the falls where the water meets the lower river. We come here always and lose track of time as we navigate the rocks and search out heart shaped rocks for our collection.

We reserved this campsite because it is next to a small creek. Anna was in love and right in her element splashing in the water. It was pretty great to sit down there and drink our morning coffee.

On Saturday night a herd of elk came through and stayed for a visit. I lost count but I know for sure there were 5 little ones who still had some of there spots left. It's kind of magical sitting down for dinner and getting to see them so close. They ate, yawned, laid down, pranced around, scratched on trees, drank milk from the Momma, drank from the creek and called back & forth to each other. 

It was actually quite amazing. Just for the record- we kept or distance. 

Until next year Jasper.

Weekend Away

We headed out to Jasper this past weekend and it was beautiful! We were so lucky to have the most amazing weather, blue skies and sunshine every day! We usually pack our schedule with places to go and sites to see but after a rocky start with Anna on our first morning there we decided to pack up towels and a picnic and head to the beach for a little relaxation. It was just what we all needed and I am so happy we did nothing. Well not nothing, we built sand castles, floated in tubes, snuck Coronas, soaked up the sun and read. Talk about blissful.

Margaritas to kick off the weekend. Also, this is me dressing up our campsite table. Feels like home.

One of our favourite things to do while camping: putting Anna to bed, playing crib by the fire, eating chips and licorice.

There is something so wonderful about eating your breakfast outside.

Hello Happiness!

Tough Day.

Saying yes to having fun!

We were in Jasper to celebrate dear friends getting married. My family is pretty good looking. :)

"Cory, take a picture so my shoes are in it. I love these shoes!"

Yes to wearing fancy cloths and feeling like a million bucks!

How come I don't live here?

Thank you Jasper! We will be back real soon.

Beautiful Jasper

 We packed our car up Friday afternoon and headed off to Jasper to go camping. 

 I'm the girl that packs a real wine glass camping. Keeping it real.

Waking up on Saturday in the tent was cold.... super cold! Fortunately the forecast rain came in short bursts that we managed to avoid for the most part.

Anna & Jasper Bear.

On top of Whistler's mountain after riding up on the Tram. We left as a storm was rolling in, in fact as our car started it's decent the rain came in as.... snow. Brrr.

 It was sunny in town so that's where we headed. 

The beautiful Athabasca Falls.

Maligne Canyon. 

One of my absolute favourite places in Jasper. It truly is amazing!

A giant, beautiful heart boulder. Love.

Hello there!

Miette Hot Springs.

 There is a glacier cold pool (ok, maybe not that cold) that you can go in and then get in the hot pools. I put on my brave pants, counted to three and jumped! 

WHOA! COLD! 

I could not get up the ladder fast enough and practically mowed down a group of strangers to get in the hot water... which stung like a thousand knives because I was so cold.

 Laugh out loud hilarity! 

Sounds like a ridiculous thing to do but it was pretty awesome!

Good Bye Jasper! Thanks for a great weekend! Until next time...

xoxo