Photo Credit: Dave Nickel
Opportunity of a Lifetime
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?
After nearly 35 years of marriage, my hubby and I were able to travel to Alberta together. Dave worked in Jasper for two summers and a Christmas before we were married and he'd always wanted to show me his favourite places, some of which are pictured above.
Was it a restful vacation? In many ways it was. But we were, by no means, lazing around. In our two weeks out west, I walked more than I had in months. And I'd never hiked nine kilometres in one day before.
Dave, at 62, was able to hike the Palisades in less time than he'd expected, two and a half hours up and two hours back. Now that was a day I stayed put, except for doing some laundry and walking around the town site.
Escaping Reality
Are there times you just need to get away from it all?
For the first week in Jasper, I simply couldn't imagine getting back to business as usual. I didn't want to think about what was waiting for me back home or my regular routine. In fact, I was grateful to spend very little time online although I love connecting with friends and family and learning new things..
The Blessing of the Moment
Are you living in the Now?
Most people I know are busy running from one thing to the next to the next. When they're doing one task, they're thinking of the next thing on their To Do list. They're trying to keep all the balls in the air—or all the plates spinning—whichever analogy works best for you.
While on vacation, I sought to enjoy every moment, to get the most out of every day, to live in the Now.
Inspiration
Where do you find inspiration?
Although I bought a cute journal and two Writer's Digest magazines in West Edmonton Mall our first day in Alberta, I wrote and read very little. But that doesn't mean the time away didn't give me an abundance of inspiration for future projects.
James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (ESV).
My time out west was a wonderful gift ... as is my life here in Ontario.
What gifts are you thankful for this day?
4 comments:
Wow! What beautiful photos, Steph.
Oh yes, keeping those bizzy balls in the air and giddy plates spinning, all at the same time, is no easy feat; but so many of us try to do it (mea culpa!) Thank you for this refreshing read.~~+~~
I want to answer all your questions but I am too busy juggling balls and spinning plates! Lovely words and gorgeous photos. Glad you and Dave had a lovely time. Sweet memories!
Love the photos and long to be there myself. We do need times "apart."
Hi Steph, thanks for sharing your thoughts about this time away. You are one busy lady and probably really needed this break.
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