Sunday, September 21, 2008

Happy Birthday Keith!

Happy 45th Birthday Keith! When I asked Keith what he wanted to do for his birthday, he didn't pause for a moment when he said the magic word: "Skoki!!"

For our run in to Skoki Lodge, we enjoyed a perfect September day. Just check out the photos. Really. It couldn't have been any better! The larch trees have just changed color and were all bright yellow. In contrast with the green pines and the turquoise lakes and the white glaciers, it was glorious beyond words.

Happy Birthday Keith!


Just look at my hubby run! He was so excited to be running on these beautiful trails and is really enjoying the excitement of being new to a sport. In a nutshell, he is stoked on trails and trail running right now. He had improved a lot this summer - what a stud.

Weeeeeeee!

Calm.


The larch trees were fun to run through - forests of happy, yellow, mellow trees on a calm, sunny, blue sky day. We only saw a handful of people all day.




After the 12 km run into Skoki, we had a quick coffee and headed out to Merlin Lake. There, we enjoyed a run off trail on the plateau and meadows above Merlin Lake. We even snuck in an afternoon nap in a sunbeam in the forest. After, I got to enjoy one last skinny dip of the season in Merlin Lake. Keith's not a cold water guy - he always just shakes his head and smiles. I think it was the last swim of the year.

Merlin Ridge in the distance


Merlin Lake

Heading back to Skoki


A Very Happy Birthday Boy

We headed back to the lodge and enjoyed a spread of all of my favorites: cheese, chocolate, grapes and red wine! As always, there was some good company at the dinner table and our friend Katie the lodge manager cooked up an incredible feast. The best part was the massive chocolate birthday cake. That night, we slept really, really, really good!!

The next morning, the weather clouded over and we got to enjoy a run in the drizzle. While it was grey, it was just as beautiful but in a different way. We were both running with big perma grins and enjoying the perfect cool running temperatures. The fall colors were brilliant.

On Packer's Pass we had a nice little birthday surprise - a big herd of sheep! They were peaking over the pass at us and as we continued running they stampeded over the other side of the pass. It was pretty cool.


I think it was a perfect way to spend a 45th birthday. Happy Birthday Keith! I love you!

19 comments:

Meghan said...

Happy Birthday Keith!

So glad you could enjoy being out in the mountains with your honey. What better way to celebrate!?

Hope your 45th year is a great one!

Love,
Meghan

Mike said...

Happy Birthday Keith, that looks like pretty much the perfect way to spend it. I think that first photo sums it up. See you on the trails.

Mike

Backofpack said...

Happy Birthday Keith! What a beautiful piece of the world...I can't believe we were so close to there and didn't realize it till the last day. Next time, for sure.

Laura H said...

Dang - that's the BEST birthday present EVAH!! Happy birthday Keith - you're not getting older - just getting better!

Matt Hart said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEITH!

stunning photos too, i gotta come visit!

Stuart said...

Happy Birthday!

Amzing scenery and photos!

el moderno Prometeo said...

Beautiful pictures, Leslie. Fall season is coming. I'm running twice a week near my work and remind of our funny running in Yoho. Regards!

CoyoteGirl said...

Happy B-day Keith!

Just beautiful. I want that for my birthday too!

Sat Sandhu said...

Happy Birthday Keith.

No way do you look 45...it must be all that "Sunshine" in your life ;)

Have a great one,
Sat and Jo (Team "Can Do Sandhu" - TransRockies Run)

Backofpack said...

Leslie,
Sounds like you'll be having a great anniversary! Way to stretch it out - have fun!

Journey to a Centum said...

Happy Birthday Keith and welcome to the trail running fold!

Skoki is now on our list of must do locations. Besides the scenic beauty , wildlife, great food & lodging I've heard that you can catch the occasional glance of skinny dippers in the surrounding lakes.

So I hear you have a California extravaganza anniversary run planned now. Sounds like fun! Make sure Keith does the threshold carry at the finish!

holly said...

Happy birthday, Keith! But isn't he 35 this year, and you're turning 30 this January? Silly Leslie :)

Danni said...

Wow wow wow. Those pictures are so amazing. I definitely need to get to Banff.

Leslie said...

HOW IS IT THAT MY HUSBAND IS MORE POPULAR THAN ME?!? :)

Thanks for the well wishes everyone, and yes Danni, you do need to come to Banff!

JeffO said...

Leslie, you are the funniest person!
You gave Keith the best birthday he could ever have gotten.
Keith, I was the same age as you when I started racing. Fly - be free! Nanoo-nanoo!

el moderno Prometeo said...

By the way, Happy Birthday Keith!

Wilson said...

Happy Birthday Keith. No way do you look 45...it must be all that "Sunshine" in your life ;) Have a great one, Sat and Jo (Team "Can Do Sandhu" - TransRockies Run)

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