so this is how it feels...

Sunrise over the Cascade Mountain Range

When my Mister informed me that he was taking me to the mountains for our 25th anniversary, I had visions of hunting camp bouncing around my memory bank. Memories like; no electricity; meals I had to prepare in my long johns and mittens, laundry that piled up in the corner of our own little icebox camper; showers that could only be taken if we had enough change for the machine; and toilets with no doors. (Only the not-so-pleasant memories managed to surface.) When he told me that I wouldn't be needing my rolls of quarters or a frying pan, I was sceptical. And when he took me shopping for snow boots and ski pants, I was downright scared. The last time I wore ski pants was not a pleasant memory. There were ski's, screaming, a chair lift, more screaming, and a lot of children dodging bodies on the mountainside...it was positively frightening.

Then he said the magic words.

Private cabin with a 5-star chef. (Well, actually, he said "kid-free" first, just to grab my attention, but this one had more of an impact.)

It was pure bliss. Blissful. Blissdom. Blissiful.

Now that the reality of our return home has hit us upside the head, I thought I'd relive a few memories that my Mister and I made during our 25th wedding anniversary trip.

Well, not all of them...did I mention the Jacuzzi tub in our room? No? Well, never mind then...☺

The view from our cabin

Because of the recent snowfall, we had to be shuttled the 2.5 miles up the mountain.

Our "taxi" up the mountain

My Mister really liked the Arctic Cat and her baby, the Snow Cat

 When we arrived, the gas fire was on, music was playing, and wine was being chilled in the mini refrigerator.

Our very own cabin, "Ponder Rock"

 

Mozart in the background and a cozy fire that didn't require hauling firewood.

 Breakfast was served, buffet style, between 8:30 and 9:30.

Heading to breakfast required snow boots and fleece

 Snow shoes and cross-country ski's were provided to the guests after we signed a waiver releasing the owners if we were injured on the trail.

Nothing strikes fear into me faster than a waiver.

The cabin even came with my own personal "stud muffin"

 The first morning, we headed up to a place called "Lookout Ridge". Had it just been a leisurely 2.2 mile walk on a nicely groomed trail during the summer, I probably wouldn't have hyperventilated.

Snow shoeing~Day 1 and slightly overdressed

My Mister is much more level-headed than I. He completes me. And I tell him "No!" when he starts to venture off the beaten path.

I guess I complete him too.

The Mister "breaking trail"

Next time one of us gets a wild idea to take a short hike, up a mountain, wearing a pair of snow shoes, I would really appreciate an emphasis on the "up the mountain" part of this idea. Before we get all of our gear on.

A view on the way up.

 In case you were wondering, 2.2 miles up the side of a mountain, is a very long walk.

But so worth it when we reached the top!

We made it!!! And there were other people!!! Whew.

Who knew that after worrying about being eaten by mountain lion's and bears (who may or may not have gotten the memo about it being hibernation time), that we would make the trek back up the mountain the very next day?

Snow shoeing~Day 2...higher and slightly wiser about the wardrobe.

 Day 2 took us on a 4-plus mile hike that ended early. This old gal just didn't have that extra half mile in her. There's something to that saying, "The spirit's willing, but the flesh is weak."

I'll do it next time.

My Mister contacted his inner child and together they decided to hit the sledding hill. Maybe it was the fact that the run was 1700 feet long. Maybe it was the fact that there was a grove of young Aspen trees at the bottom.

We'll never know for sure, but I'm guessing I abstained because of the 1700 foot walk back up the sledding hill!

My Mister playing on the 1700' sledding hill

 Dinner menu for our last night~Basque Influenced Roasted Game Hens with a Winter Fruit Compote Medley, Buttered Baby Red Potatoes with Caramelized Sweet Onions, Pecan Crusted Sweet Potatoes, and Fresh Green Beans...

You know if the words "Basque Influenced" and "Compote Medley" are in the description, it's gotta be good.

4-course meal prepared by Chef Tom

After dining on 5 star food for several days, we asked the chef if he offered grief counseling before we left.

Lemon Chiffon Cake with Lodge-made Lemon Curd, frosted with real whipped cream.

Sadly, he did not. Sigh.

Don't worry, we're working through it.

With full bellies and exhausted bodies from playing in the snow all day, the evenings were spent relaxing by the fire in the lodge...

The Lodge's massive fireplace

And later by our own private fire...

As the sun went down on our special trip to the mountains, I had to wonder,

 is this what being a grown-up feels like?☺