Friday 5: The Icy Niagara Falls

I planned on writing a post about spring jackets, but I had a change of plans after my parents sent me pictures from their visit to Niagara Falls this week. I thought they were beautiful and my dad told me I could share them on the blog. (Thanks, dad!) Spring jackets can wait, these pictures are too pretty not to share!

February was very cold here in Ontario—in fact, it was the coldest February on record in the city of Toronto. You know what happens when it gets really, really cold for a month? Stuff freezes! For example: pipes, car locks, my brain, and waterfalls. Well, as you can see above, big waterfalls only partially freeze but the result is gorgeous. 

Looking towards New York

The frigid temperatures in Niagara Falls cause the mist freeze into giant ice formations at bottom of the falls. Nearby railings and trees get their own icy crust. It’s something that happens often around February during cold winters and it brings in plenty of tourists to see the frozen wonder for themselves. 

---

I know that was 5 pictures for the day, but I love history too much to not mention the February 1912 tragedy. 

In the 1880s it became popular to walk and play on the ice bridge that sometimes formed across the river. This usually happens when ice from Lake Erie breaks up, floats downriver and freezes into a giant mass at the base of the falls. 

By Barker, George, 1844-1894 -- Photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

On February 4, 1912, the fun ended when the ice started rumbling and cracking. It quickly broke into chunks and began rushing down the river. Eldridge Stanton, his wife Clara Stanton, and Burrell Hecock got stuck on a fast-moving ice floe. Hecock nearly made it to safety, but when he saw that Clara Stanton was struggling, he went back to help the couple. Attempts were made to save the trio by lowering ropes from bridges, but they ultimately failed and all of them perished. It's a famous tragedy that lives on as a reminder that the falls are not just beautiful, they are powerfully dangerous. 

I can't end today's post on that note, though so I thought I would at least post this video of Will Gadd's recent historic climb up Niagara Falls. I find it inspiring and terrifying all at once. I don't think I'll ever have the guts to be an ice climber!

That's it for this week. We're supposed to get above freezing soon, so things are starting to look up (and hopefully heck of a lot less icy). I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Spring Goals

It’s spring! Meteorologically speaking, at least. It will take a good long time for the temperatures to warm up enough to feel like spring here, but I’m going to celebrate anyway.

It’s also a perfect time to do a quick goals update. I like doing these as the season change to help stay focused. 

The Guide

The Versailles Vignette Guide is my top priority for spring. I’ve been fiddling with the layout and revisions whenever I have a chance, but I need to really sit down and get serious. That means my blogging might get a little less regular, but I won't drop it completely. 

We've got work to do. Via @ckyourprivilege Reposted from @varnadov I did today's @NewYorker cartoon. Just a heads up. - #regrann

#blackouttuesday

Admired the view while waiting for our @sheldoncreekdairy treats. Thankful for a beautiful day and cold lemon-lime cordial.

Serenaded by this dude this morning. It gave me a good chuckle to see him (or her?) on top of the neighbor's roof. Hope he finds his buddies or whoever he's calling for.

Social Media

Being more active on my favourite social media sites was one of my goals for the beginning of the year. It's time to get more serious about this one, too. Come check me out on my favourites! I'm loving Instagram and Pinterest right now.

Do Another Whole30

I started my second Whole30 yesterday! I realized that I’ve been letting some bad habits sneak back into my life with all of the craziness going on. My bedtime keeps getting pushed back later and later. I’m on my computer most of the day and I need less screen time. I’ve been snacking on crackers, cookies, and chocolate a little too much. With the wedding coming full steam ahead, March is the best month for me to do a bit of a reset. 

I kicked off my first day with a deep analysis of the difference between Ho Hos, Ding Dongs, and Hostess CupCakes. It’s going to be a long month! Counting down to the "I can do anything!" tiger blood phase. T-14 days!

Do a Fitness Challenge

A couple of months ago my physiotherapist recommended adding ballet to my workout schedule. I couldn’t find an adult class that was nearby or in my budget, so I started looking at barre-based classes online. After a lot of trial and error I found Suzanne Bowen Fitness and love her classes. I don't know what she does that's different from the others, but she does wonders for my back.

She started a two month “Spring into Fitness” challenge today and I’m so on board! 

Plan the Wedding and Honeymoon

The big day is coming like a big, shiny, happy steam train! You would think that three and a half months is lots of time, but it’s not. I have a ton vendor meetings, loose ends to tie up, details to obsess over, gifts to buy, vows to write, parties to attend (woot woot!), documents to get, schedules to figure out, people to pay, etc etc etc. Not to mention the DIY projects. What lefty tries to learn calligraphy for their wedding? Yep. Me! 

Whoops! There's no Z in fox! Practice makes progress. 

On top of that, we still have honeymoon details to figure out. Admittedly, it’s the fun stuff like “Where should we go on day trips?” and “What are the best restaurants?” But it feels like an extra job sometimes. A pretty, frothy, and exciting job, though.

The other day I showed my friend one of the projects I just finished up and she said I should be blogging about it more. I might add a smattering here and there. Give the people what they want, right?  

---

As I look through the list again, I see two themes: Follow Through and Out with the Old, In With the New. I think that sounds perfect for spring! 

Friday 5: North American Honeymoon Destinations for Nature-Lovers

It's time for another instalment of the Honeymoon Series! Today I've put together 5 North American destinations for the nature-lovers out there. Each trip offers uniquely beautiful landscapes, outdoor adventure, and some romantic luxury. Plus, they're not just for honeymoons!

Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada

A no-brainer for our short-list since we got engaged in Algonquin Park. It would be a great destination for any couple that really wants to get away from it all. For the truly adventurous, there are remote ranger cabins throughout the park that offer incredible opportunities for hiking and seeing wildlife. Some of the cabins are even waterfront, so it's like having your own private beach. But they don’t have running water or electricity and most of them need to be reached by foot and canoe.

If that sounds nuts, Bartlett Lodge is a beautiful lodge located on Cache Lake (video link for email subscribers). It offers upscale camping (I refuse to call it galloping), cottage rentals, and rooms in the lodge. Guests can be on the meal plan and have breakfast and five-course dinner at the lodge. They focus on local goods and fish from the lake. A short video about dining at Bartlett Lodge here.

via Wikimedia Commons

Kauai, Hawaii

Ah, Hawaii! A perennial favorite for honeymooners. My parents honeymooned here and have talked about how beautiful it was for years and years. Naturally, it was on of the first destinations we talked about for our own honeymoon. We looked into Kauai because it seemed to offer a nice balance between beautiful beaches and dramatic landscapes from the cliffs of the Kalalau Trail on the Napali Coast to the lush Waimea Canyon. We never found a rental we loved, but if I could splurge we’d probably stay at Koa Kea Hotel and Resort on Poipu Beach or the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. 

"Oxbow Bend outlook in the Grand Teton National Park" by I, Michael Gäbler. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Rustic luxury and some of them most breathtaking landscapes in America. This trip was at the top of my list for a little while. I thought it would be wonderful to stay at the Rustic Inn in Jackson so we could visit Grand Teton National Park.

"Yellowstone River in Hayden Valley" by Ed Austin/Herb Jones - http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/slidefile/water/creeksstreamsrivers/yellrdbelowlake/Images/13240.jpg. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons 

Then, we would take a road trip to Yellowstone and stay at Old Faithful Inn or one of the other summer lodges. I still think this would be a fantastic honeymoon for the right couple! Actually, I just think this would be a fantastic trip, period. 

"Lake Louise 17092005" by Gorgo - Photo taken by author. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons 

Lake Louise and Banff, Alberta, Canada

I’ve seen iconic pictures of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise resort so many times that, frankly, I’m just dying to go there at this point. It’s located in Banff National Park on the stunningly pretty Lake Louise surrounded by the Canadian Rockies. Alongside a beautiful spa and restaurant, they offer Mountain Adventure Programs during which naturalists and historians take guests on half-day hikes, full-day hikes, and guided canoe trips. I’d be all over a guided hike one day and a canoe trip the next. Afterwards, a trip to the spa for massages might be in order.

"Banff Avenue - Cascade Mountain". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

There are plenty of other activities and sites outside of the resort from hiking to cycling to whitewater rafting. For a slower pace, there’s always Banff Upper Hot Springs, the Banff Gondola for amazing views of the mountain ranges, and the town of Banff for shopping and eating. If you’re really craving the city, Calgary is about a 2 hour drive, which also makes it easy to get to a major airport. 

Exterior of the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado

Santa Fe, New Mexico

There’s a reason why New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment. There’s nowhere quite like it from food to landscape. It has beautiful weather—it’s a dry heat!—and since I’m from New Mexico, I’ve been wanting to take S there since we started dating. The Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado seemed like a perfect spot. It’s nestled at the foot of the Sangre de Christo mountains on 57 acres next to the Santa Fe National Forest, but it’s also only 10 minutes from Santa Fe. 

"Atop Tesuque Peak Looking Towards Santa Fe Lake (7271534354)" by Thomas Shahan - Atop Tesuque Peak Looking Towards Santa Fe LakeUploaded by Jacopo Werther. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Want adventure? You could fill your days with hiking, exploring ruins, or whitewater rafting in the forest.

And culture? How about decadent meals, an evening at the Santa Fe Opera House, shopping at the Flea, or the Santa Fe Indian Market (in August), or Spanish Market (in July)? (Must-watch video link for email subscribers)

---

That's it for this week! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

For the rest of the Honeymoon Planning series click here.