Cryptonite

The August long weekend was fantastically fabulous and fun-filled.... but anything but relaxing.

Saturday was a delightful day filled with Marc & Tara's wedding festivities. Carlynne and I joined the gals early as Tara asked us to do their make-up. I remain convinced that I was only asked so I wouldn't feel left out (as Carlynne & Shareen are definitely the make-up gurus of the family), but I sure took my job seriously! The night before the wedding, Carlynne showed me various products (oh boy there's a LOT out there...) and taught me how to apply them. I applied them to half my face, then considered myself ready to take on a bridal party (even though I had NEVER applied make-up of any kind to anyone else's face before)! Shaking hands aside, all went well.

As long as Carlynne had the bride covered, I was good. She did a fabulous job, and Tara looked beautiful!

Marc & Tara have a lot of humorous friends and family- the wedding and reception were filled with tears of laughter (and there were also some emotional tears thrown in for good measure).

Marc & Tara's wedding day was also Carlynne and Dan's 'One Year Anniversary Eve', so here's the other couple of the weekend.

Suave as always...

On Sunday morning my parents CRANKED the tunes before 6am so we'd all (including Dan's parents whom we affectionately refer to as "Uncle" Sid and "Auntie" Marge) get out of bed and out the door to begin our WATERTON adventure.

We arrived in time to grab some caffeine-to-go and hop aboard the early ferry.

I believe that Crypt Lake is the only hike in Waterton that requires ferry transportation to the base of the track.

Aaaaannnnnnd we hiked.

It. Was. HOT.

We stopped at each stream to fill our hats with fresh freezing stream water as demonstrated here by Auntie Marge...

The hike included narrow cliff walks, and a cave that is apparently getting a little smaller with each passing year. How very reassuring...

I pointed down and shot...

No Lowell. That is NOT funny...

Our efforts were rewarded once we reached the top. Crypt Lake ladies and gentelmen...

The water was butt freezing cold, but apparently still inviting as Lowell and Dad dove in for a refreshing dip in their scivvies.

Uncle Sid and Dan made use of their temporary fishing permits...

Meanwhile the rest of us scarfed down our ridiculously large lunches and were then lulled into a food and exercise-induced coma.

Before descending the mount, we walked around the lake. It was neither as easy nor as pleasant as it looked, but it was still an experience.

Dad spent some time skipping stones and waving to his American siblings. (The south end of Crypt Lake is in the States).

I joined Carlynne on a rock, and while she smiled briefly for a photo, she evidently wasn't too happy about me stealing part of her rock...

After a long trek down the mount, we were soooo happy to take off our shoes and soak/rub our throbbing feet.

Uncle Sid even took a very athletic leap into the chilled water...

On the ferry ride back, we spotted a bear! It was to be the first of THREE (well, two for sure but POTENTIALLY three) that we saw before heading home...

(It's small and it's far away... BUT IT'S THERE!)

After a much needed stretching session, we went for ICE CREAM! (I don't think any Waterton hiker leaves the Park without first stopping for ice cream. That would be a crime).

Before leaving town, hitting the hot tub, then sleeping like LOGS, we closed off our Waterton journey with a group shot in front of the falls.

So there you have it. Wonderful? You bet! Relaxing? NOT AT ALL!!!

Things on the farm don't always go as planned...

Apparently.

Here are a few examples.

1. I was attempting to retrieve Beau’s leash for his morning walk when a magpie dive-bombed my head, and I looked up to see (and smell!) a skunk chillin out directly in front of Beau’s leash. Sorry Beau- no walk today!

2. Lowell and I were getting in the car to head to Pioneer Camp where my Mom was cooking for the week when a neighbour drove up and informed us that our cows were in their field. Soooo, we took a little detour to guide the herd back to their pasture.

Dad T lured them with his cow calls while Lowell brought them up at the rear, and I stood at the side to prevent them from darting east. My job didn't exactly require talent, so I made use of the camera hanging around my neck.

Dad T fixed the culprit...

And Lowell washed all the acquired manure off his feet.

After that little fiasco, we DID make it to the camp in plenty of time to chat with old friends (and meet new ones), eat a delicious dinner... and get facials.

Yes... facials at camp.

While the boys were on an outrip, the gals had a spa night. Mom and I relaxed on the lawn while 14 year old girls slathered oatmeal and cucumbers on our faces.

I was still picking dried oatmeal out of my nose and ears the next day, but the refreshing experience was totally worth it.

3. The initial plan was to do lots of farming and gardening this summer until BAM- Alberta’s weather turned nasty and CLEAN-UP became the main item on the agenda. Torrential winds, rain, and hail tore the gardens, trees, and crops to shreds. We were away for the weekend, so I didn’t get pictures until AFTER clean-up day number one.

Although Mom and Dad T's house and animals were okay (thanks to the surrounding trees that took the main beating), friends and family in the area weren't so lucky. Spooked horses ran through fences and bled to death, and one calf ended up dead with no eyes after being struck by lightning. FORTUNATELY, I do not have pictures of these things.

Uncle Barry and Aunty Lois' one year old trailer was pelted pretty good...

As was Lowell's cousins' place.

(Apparently Little Teagan was removed from her bed just moments before the window shattered. Phew! And by the way, I hacked into my Mother-in-Law's facebook account and stole these photos from her niece's page. That's not inappropriate or creepy at all is it?!)

It's AUGUST for crying out loud... NOT THE MIDDLE OF WINTER!

Ah well- at least there were no surprises on cow-butchering day.

WHOOPSIE DOODLE. Apologies to you vegetarians!