Revelstoke BC a day to remember

After a long week we needed a day like today. We woke up with a whole new sense of direction and felt ready for whatever was in store for us. We loaded up right after breakfast with the plan of picking up our laundry (it got locked in the laundry room last night- whoops!), dumping real quick and hitting the road. On the walk to the laundry I spotted a sandy hill that lead straight down to the river. I couldn't stop myself. I had to run and jump in right then and there. Clothes and all. It was amazing. Ty went next and then both kids. Lu took her first two footed jump (ever) off the sandy bank into the water. She couldn't believe it. That she had actually jumped off something like that (she is little miss cautious. It was maybe a 1 foot jump. But huge for her! So exciting to see her grow!) and how much fun it was. She spent the next ten minutes running up and down the hill and jumping into the water. Aki is the complete opposite. He has no fear. He also enjoyed jumping in and splashing around. After trying to catch salmon fry we trudged up the hill, grabbed our laundry, dumped and hit the road. 

Up until today I have laid down with Aki on the bed while he sleeps when we are driving. I feel nervous leaving him back on the bed all by himself while we travel full speed down the highway. I had a feeling that the drive was going to beautiful today though and I didn't want to miss it so I tried something new and laid him down. I checked on him ever 15 minutes or so. Well, two and a half hours later he just walked up front like it was no big whoop. The look on his face was so cute. I was startled to see him. Not only is the bed really high, it takes a tremendous amount of balance to walk in the motorhome when we are moving. But there he was with his twinkling eyes, happy has an old man that just got himself up from a nap. 

I am so glad I didn't miss the drive. It was breath taking. The mountains were giant and rugged. The rivers were fierce. And the lakes in between were absolutely pristine. 

We arrived at the campground and just couldn't believe it. We are tucked right underneath the biggest and snowiest mountains I have ever seen. Oh and it's 85'! The sprinklers were on next to our campsite. You know, the big kind that tick tick tick around in a circle. Again, I couldn't help myself. Before I knew what I was doing I was out the door running through them. Lu and Aki followed me. Another first for both of them. Aki didn't like it to much but Lu! The little Lu that would rather detour around the block than risk being sprayed by a tiny little sprinkler came walking into the motorhome 30 minutes later dripping wet with a huge smile on her face. We had a quick lunch and headed back into Revelstoke. It is a ski town and reminded us much of Bozeman. There were lots of young families and people on bikes. We felt right at home. After walking around on Main Street, getting a few groceries and eating dinner from a Taco Truck we headed back to the motorhome so we could go for a quick swim in the mineral pool. After a full day, Ty and I hesitated going but boy! Are we glad we went! 

The mineral pool itself wasn't anything spectacular. A semi warm pool that felt, well, just like a regular old swimming pool. But with the mountains and trees towering over us, it felt like the most romantic pool you could ever dream of. 

There was something magic in the air today. Our kids came to life. Aki has always loved the water but today it was almost like he was part of the water. He has always loved to blow bubbles but has never really gone under. We couldn't keep the boy up. He was jumping in and going under the water for several seconds at a time. Every time he came up he asked to go under again. By the time we were done swimming he was a wobbly baby full of burps. Akis fearlessness really helps balance Lunas cautiousness. Seeing him go under encouraged her to try it. I showed her how to plug her nose and go under. AND SHE DID IT!!! After 4.5 years of her being absolutely terrified of going under the water she freaking did it all by herself! And then she couldn't stop. She kept practicing and practicing. By the time we were done swimming she was putting her face under the water without plugging her nose. She was so proud of herself. She kept hugging us and squeezing us really tight with the biggest smile on her face. I am telling you! This adventure is changing our family. Each of us as individuals and together as a whole. I am so extremely grateful we have the opportunity to do this. 

Tomorrow we head off to Radium Hot Springs and I can't wait to see these two in the water again.