I hate falling down.  A lot.  So much so that I avoid it at all costs.  Downhill cycling, walking down an escalator – I have even walked up a ski mountain after deciding I would not make it to the bottom.

Coming to Lake Louise is about dealing with that fear.  I don’t deal with that rush of adrenaline by saying, “Woo-hoo!”.  Instead I think, “Oh crap! Get me out of here!”  I almost got my easy out yesterday when my bag showed up late.  Then I rallied.  I was here to ski dammit.  Signed up for a lesson, rented my gear, and suited up.   The learning area at Lake Louise:

Don’t worry, I got my fall in.  In the most unlikely of places:  coming off the T-bar lift.  Don’t know why, but I have an issue with ski lifts.  I’ve fallen off them at any ski resort I’ve ever visited.  I also had a few moments today where I let my fear go and enjoyed the run.  Yesterday, I never left the learning area.  Today, however, I did a full day lesson and after a morning here, we moved on to Pika, one of the easiest green runs.

I wanted to quit about 10 times.  Or at least take a break.  Go slower.  Who knew that ski runs were so long?  Couldn’t I just ride the gondola over and over again and call that skiing?   The answer according to instructor Steve was “no, and please go faster.”  I didn’t get close to as fast as he wanted, but I made it to the bottom!  Without falling!  We’ll ignore my trembling legs or clenched jaw.  One more run down the learning area slope and that was my day.  All-in-all a satisfying ski.

Apres-ski, all I want is to get my boots off, soak in the tub, and take a nap.  I have successfully accomplished this both days.  A half-pint of cider with dinner and I sleep like a baby.  There’s been only one small mishap:  I’ve given the mountain a glove as an offering.  Like lifts, I just can’t hold on to them.

Day 1: Washington DC to Lake Louise, Canada (via Chicago)

I admit it. I could not have found Lake Louise on a map before yesterday. Sure, I can name some of the Canadian provinces and certainly cities, but geographic location not so much. Who knew Calgary and Lake Louise were so far west? The length of the flights makes much more sense now.

Just imagine me in a White Mustang (her name is Sally) cruising the Trans Canada Highway.  We had a really nice ride into the Canadian Rockies at 120km an hour.  After a stop at Future Shop for a memory card and BLT at Tim Hortons, I finally pulled into the Chateau Lake Louise.  It really could be the hotel from Dirty Dancing.  Or maybe the Shining.  The only downside:  no suitcase.  Somehow it didn’t make it from Chicago.  Yes, I spent most of the evening obsessing about when it was coming, whether I would get to ski while I’m here, and  what exactly United was doing to get the suitcase to me.  A conversation with their customer service didn’t help.  You know what?  It doesn’t matter.  I’m here!

I have wanted to visit the Chateau ever since I saw it in a travel magazine 6 or 7 years ago.  For a terrible beginner skiier looking for affordable luxury apparently this is the place to be.  My friend Kat and I even became friends over our common desire to lodge at the Chateau.  My expectations have been met.  The hotel is beautiful and my view is amazing.  This Texas girl has never seen a lake frozen over.  Today, I’m going to go walk on it as snow falls silently.  And thanks to my constant, I get to enjoy afternoon tea staring at my mountain.  Yes, I have claimed it for myself.

Freedom Friday!  At 5:17 pm on March 19th, I left Big Shiny and it felt good.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my work and teammates.  However, nothing beats the feeling of freedom and possibility.  Just about nothing else scares me to the same degree.   But today I could barely suppress an ear-to-ear grin; the knowledge that with every minute passing, I was one step closer to make what I thought a pipe dream a reality.  A break.  A sabbatical.  A walkabout.  Roughly 10 weeks to do whatever I want.

Where did this come from?  Well, this whole adventure started as my pink slip plan.  In the event I lost my job, I would travel the world.  Circumstances would push me to take on a journey that the rational, logical side of me would never allow.  Pink slip day never came, but the signs and longing for richer, immersible experiences didn’t subside.  So I mulled, I pondered…dare I say, obsessed.  The decision came after months of weighing every issue and obstacle.  After that, everything fell into place.  I’m extremely lucky to have an opportunity to have my own version of the Grand Tour.  Many airline miles and a bit of savings is making this possible along with the support of my fabulous friends, family, and teammates.

The rough order of tour stops:  Lake Louise, New York, El Salvador, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Mysterious European Destination, Argentina, and hopefully Brazil.   Between today and June 7th, my plan is to observe, capture, and share my experience.   To get us started, I thought a little traveling music (which has only been stuck in my head since I got back from Nashville a month ago):

Thanks for coming along.