Since mid-December, I've been working overtime - 14-hour days - and desperately needed a break when the text came through. It was my sister and she proposed something I couldn't say no to.
A few days before receiving the text, my other sister arrived from Alberta for a visit and to celebrate our father's 80th birthday and to celebrate her and her twin sister's birthday the following week. I had planned to take them out to dinner that weekend but they had other plans: A last-minute getaway to the Cape Breton Highlands to do some skiing, snowshoeing, skating and relaxing in a country cabin away from the craziness of home. Of course, I said yes. I didn't even have to think about it. This was the break I had been dreaming about for months.
The cabin was an Airbnb in Dingwall, about 30 minutes from Ingonish and the ski hill. We arrived late in the evening after picking up a pizza and settled in right away. The place was all wood, cozy and perfect for a winter weekend away from home. My little nephew loved it from the start, too. That first evening was spent playing hide and go seek and after he went to bed, it was drinks and chats for the adults.
The first light of morning was the true reveal. A huge deck overlooking the water with the rolling mountains of the Cape North area in the background. It was so beautiful it almost looked like a painting!
We got ready and left before 9, stopped for breakfast at the only cafe we could find open and reached Ski Cape Smokey before 10. After getting our passes, we headed up the gondola to the top of the mountain where everyone else did some downhill skiing and I ventured off into the forest on snowshoes.
The trail I embarked on was 4 kilometers and I honestly didn't think I would complete the entire thing. There was a lake at the end and I really wanted to make it that far. Two other people came off the trail as I was arriving and I saw no one else after that. I had the entire forest to myself and it was magical. The temperature was warm, the skies were clear, the sun was bright and there was lots of fresh snow and scenic vistas all around.
It was hard going for the first little while and some of it was uphill. Every time I thought I was too tired and should turn around but I kept going. Finally, I did make it to that lake. I relaxed and took in the views for a while and headed back down the trail towards the gondola.
I was hoping to see some wildlife but all I saw were some bunny tracks. But I was fine with that as long as I got to enjoy some time in the forest surrounded by nature and peace and quiet.
Back at the lodge, we grabbed some snacks and headed back to our cabin where we made some supper and just hung out together in our cozy little hideaway.
I hated to leave the next morning. We drove to Ingonish and planned to stop at the outdoor skating rink before driving home. Unfortunately, it was closed but by that time, it was starting to snow and we wanted to get ahead of the storm that was headed our way.
The snow got heavier and heavier and by the time we got to Sydney, the roads were covered and we had passed a few fender benders on the highway. We stopped to grab a pizza before that magical weekend came to an end and I have to say, I felt quite relaxed heading into work Monday for another marathon 14-hour day. I think this is something I should do more often!
No comments:
Post a Comment