Sunday, June 22, 2025


On the Yellowhead highway, not far from Jasper.  We're home again and had a good time.  The hotel we stayed in had a pool which is Jack's favorite, so we swam every afternoon before supper.  His swimming is improving and I got a chance to exercise my shoulder, and body in general.  It was hard with the three of us sleeping in one room and I think all of us were happy to get home and sleep in our own beds.  

Jack had a great time and kept saying it was the best day ever!  Everyday:)  I tried some hiking with him but rediscovered my instense fear of heights.  I tried going up Old Fort Point, the stairs were fine, but the height was too much, along with the cliff, and the Athabasca River roaring along at the bottom of that cliff.  

I'm not young anymore, and I'm definitely not safe on my feet anymore.  Uneven footpaths throw me off and leave me unbalanced.  It didn't feel safe and I had a six year old with me.  I started to cry and Jack held my hand as I explained I was afraid of heights, and he took care of me, all the way back down.  

I tried taking him to the Athabasca glacier, but he said it hurt his legs too much.  It wasn't that much of a hike, less than 2 km, and only one steep spot with tons of people walking the path.  I took him back down, and went back up by myself which was nice, no place to fall off of.

Despite Jack being impulsive, he did a good job and respected the scary parts of Jasper.  We did point out that the river would kill him if he fell in.

We drove to the Moberly Homestad on Celestine Road when we were in Jasper.  We hadn't been there since before covid and didn't know there had been a fire there in 2022, but everything was coming back.  The Moberly Homestad was home to Metis families that were forced off the land when Jasper National Park was formed.  It's a beautiful valley with mild weather and must have been a wonderful place to live.
 


So we're home and I sold my condo finally.  Yesterday the buyer was jerking me around, but everything got sorted out finally, and it sold for $100 over list price.  Long story.  I'm just glad it's sold and I won't have to worry about it again.  Now we just need to get hubby's house sold and we'll be down to one house to worry about.  Blogger is now doing some weird shit with my paragraphs, so I'm going to stop.

24 comments:

  1. Your first photo is postcard worthy.
    With my arthritis improved somewhat, I've been thinking about using my five free physio appointments for balance advice and exercise. While I may still do so, I heard something interesting about the fear of falling and how people slow down what they do and take much more care because of the fear of falling. It seems for walking at least, you should do the opposite. Get your walking up to a good speed and you will be much more balanced. In my case, I think this is true.
    I'm glad you had a nice time break, in a most lovely place. Jasper is still in your province, I think.

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    1. The problem with the trail that scared me, was the rocks and uneven ground, along with the cliff. Usually I walk quite fast, 5.3 km/hour, enough to make me a little out of breath, but up on the trail, it was too scary. I fell playing soccer because I spun around to try and get the ball, and fell ass over teakettle:)
      Jasper is in Alberta, four hours west of us.

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  2. Welcome home, and glad your condo sold!

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    1. I am so thankful it's sold. No more condo management company and no more condo board:)

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  3. Oh, how I love the thought of Jack holding your hand and helping you. Strange- that story reminded me of a dream I had last night where I was in some place that was very frightening due to height and other things. I can't remember what the situation was.
    We do get more cautious about falling when we get older. I find myself making better sure of my steps before I move. After I fell and broke my ribs, I know what can happen and I'd just as soon not have it happen again.
    Interesting story about the Moberly Homestead. Also yet one more reminder of how shamefully indigenous people have been treated by Northern Europeans, always wanting more than their share. Wanting what isn't theirs and making that happen.
    You live in such a beautiful area. Your photos really do look unreal.
    Glad you got that condo off your back and your mind. Hurray!

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    1. Jack was so sweet and kind. I've had some bad falls, not just in the last two weeks but in the last twelve years. Twice I slipped on ice, dislocated ribs and a concussion.
      It makes me sick what was done to the indigenous people of this country, is still done to the indigenous people of this country. I don't know what it's like down in the States, but here, there are a lot of missing and murdered indigenous women. It's shameful.
      Alberta and Canada are truly beautiful I think.

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  4. Just think, Ms Pix: someday when you really ARE old, that little boy will be helping you again, just like you are making such a difference in his life NOW.

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  5. Isn't it great to bring young kids out into nature and Jack seemed to have enjoyed all that. I am terrified of heights and have been known to crawl back on all fours from a mountain path with the man shaking his head in disbelief - he is a mountain goat.
    Your pictures are amazing!

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    1. I had forgotten how afraid I am of heights because I haven't done any climbing or hiking in the past few years. I'm with you on the crawling. When I went down to the river last week, there was a very steep bit of riverbank. I just sat on my ass and slid down on the gravel. Then Jack had to help me stand up at the bottom:)

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  6. You live in a gorgeous place. I also have a fear of heights. I love that Jack took care of you. And congrats on the condo sale.

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    1. How did I forget how terrified I am of heights!?
      It is gorgeous here. We are lucky.

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  7. I sometimes think I'll be able to reason my way out of my fear of heights and then get to the point where I'm beside myself with hysteria. Now I just accept that I'm limited in where I can go comfortably. What a beautiful place! It sounds like everyone had a wonderful time; in most trips, we're happy to get away yet also relieved to be home.

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    1. I'm not great accepting my limitations sadly, although aging is helping me along to acceptance.
      I think holidays make you appreciate home all the more.

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  8. I hike with poles, two of them. All of the trails in Tucson have loose round rocks, and poles are my friends. You live in such a beautiful area. That makes me happy to read that Jack is demonstrating empathy, good job, you.

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    1. Maybe I'll try, I imagine poles give you a lot more stability.

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  9. It must feel great to be home. Congrats on the condo sale! What a relief!

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    1. Big relief, or bigly relief as T-rump would say. That would be a good rapper name for him.

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  10. That sounds like a wonderful experience for you all. I think it was great that Jack had to care for you at one point. I'm so glad you went. ❤️

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    1. I imagine Jack will have to take care of me a lot more in the coming years. Poor guy:)

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  11. You and Jack took care of each other. That was beautiful.

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    1. He was so gentle with me and he understood how scared I was.

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  12. I love Jasper but haven't been there in a few years and mourned it last year; these posts have been a balm.
    Glad you and Jack to hold your hand (and vice versa).

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    1. Jasper is still there and still going strong.

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