A Short Winter's Rest

I headed South of here for a few days of solitude and spa time. This was the view outside my room. It was so lovely, but oh, so very cold! I took a lovely walk through the trail along the lake, but I didn't stay out for long.

Here is a picture of the place where I stayed.



And here are a few pictures along the lake....





After a cold walk outside on the trail, I spent some time in the tub with the fire blazing. aaaaaaahhhhhh..........



I spent a day at the spa being massaged and pampered and covered in mud (that was interesting and new for me - for some reason I was expecting it to be more grainy than it was). The whole day was delicious and left me relaxed like a cooked noodle. Totally wonderful.

I had an interesting border crossing on the way there. The fellow checked out my passport and asked the usual questions, but simply could not conceive of my traveling alone, with no intention of meeting friends at my destination, to simply BE. I tried a few times to explain what I would be doing during my time in the US of A, but he just didn't get it.

Actual conversation:

Border Guy: So you're alone. And you're not meeting anyone there, correct?
Me: That's right.
BG: So why are you visiting the United States?
Me: To relax. I'm going to a spa.
BG: By yourself.
Me: Yes sir.
BG: Are you carrying any firearms, tobacco or alcohol?
Me: No sir.
BG: Any food?
Me: Just a bit of chocolate sir.
BG: Nothing else?
Me: No sir.
BG: Could you open the hatch please ma'am?

At which point he opened everything in the car. My suitcase, the glove box, the bag with the cheesy entertainment magazines and chocolate - everything.

Eventually he kind of shrugged, handed me my passport and said I could leave. I've never had such a thorough search, including those that I've had upon *returning* from the US.

I hope he sends his significant other (if he has one) on a spa weekend.

My return check-in to get back into Canada went very quickly, likely due to the fact that I was sneezing and oozing icky goo from my nose (I managed to wake up Wednesday with a dandy cold). I think the woman at the border was happy to see me drive away with all my germs.

Being alone for three days = pure heaven. I set my own schedule, did what I wanted when I wanted to do it (I'm talking about more than your average nappage here). It was delightful.

When I came home, I worked on my photo organizing project. I managed to get all of our photos from 1987 to 1995 in photo boxes, minus cat pictures. Cat pictures will require a separate box. Yes, there are that many, why do you ask? :)

It was a good week.