Breaking One’s Routines
Our Spontaneous Trip to the Rocky Mountains
When my wife and I retired, we had to make quite a few changes to our lives. We realized that we are no longer bound by the daily and weekly routines imposed on us by our employer. We spent more time in the evening doing things together, such as watching on TV ballet, figure skating, documentaries on scientific explorers, or the occasional good movie. With each other’s agreement, we also follow our individual favourite activities, blogging, working on photos and stories, corresponding with friends and family. It felt good to burn the midnight oil and not have to worry about getting enough sleep.
While we thoroughly enjoyed our new freedom to live each day the way we saw fit, we also discovered how our activities were still hampered by the habits that governed our lives during our employment years. In the past, most of our travel plans centred around the set vacation times, long weekends, statutory holidays like Christmas and Easter. That kind of thinking was still so ingrained that we were blind to catch an opportunity when it presented itself and learn to act more often at the spur of the moment.
Recently, I planned a pleasure trip to the Rocky Mountains, and I must confess that I have been and still am an inveterate planner. Prompted by nostalgic memories of a journey to Kicking Horse Pass and Emerald Lake twelve years ago, I decided to celebrate my birthday with my wife in the mountains. In the weeks before this event in the life of an octogenarian, I checked the long-term forecast. I was getting worried the closer we approached the date of our departure. The weatherman predicted extremely hazardous road conditions coupled with snowfall warnings and subzero temperatures, whereas only seven days earlier the forecast was for sunshine and spring-like temperatures in Golden and Banff. I told Biene I did not want such a dismal birthday trip. I read her disappointment on her face, and quickly added, “Let’s have a glorious mountain experience instead”. So it turned out to be. Enjoy the video.
The Peter and Gertrud Klopp Family 
YES!! Happy birthday to you!
LikeLike
That was a beautiful video, Peter! I like the way the music got livelier when you got to Mt Sulphur!
LikeLike
Beautiful trip.
LikeLike
It must have been a lot of work to put together that video of your trip, Peter. Thank you for sharing your beautiful experiences. I’m glad you had mostly sunshine and blue sky (except for the day of your return trip, from the looks of things). Happy belated birthday and best wishes for your new year of life!
LikeLike
The video is lovely, Peter — I’m glad you and Biene were able to celebrate in such a pretty place. Working around the weather can be quite a challenge, but your flexibility paid dividends! And, of course, you’re freer now to make adjustments in things like travel time and vacations without regard to work constraints. That’s a real gift!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag. You’re fortunate to have the Rocky Mountains relatively close to home, and you must be happy you didn’t call off your vacation for fear of bad weather.
LikeLike
Peter, so glad you got to enjoy your birthday trip to the Rocky Mountains. The video you put together was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us. Happy Birthday and may this time be a great delight!
LikeLike
A wonderful trip, Peter, and I loved the music. The mountain panoramas are breathtaking!
And, of course, Happy Birthday to you, and many happy returns!
LikeLike
A magnificent journey, Peter!!
LikeLike
The scenery is gorgeous, and I am so glad you decided to go early and get the best weather. I am a planner also, but trying to learn to be more spontaneous! Happy birthday!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s exciting and fun to break routines. Great post of the result of broken routines hahaha, Peter.
LikeLiked by 1 person