Monday - Day 22 - Spa Day

So, what's a girl to do once her unlimited olympic ski pass expires with the onset of the Closing Ceremonies? (how about those floating beavers, eh?!) Take a Spa Day, of course.

The Fairmont Chateau Whislter offers use of their facilities to non-guests for a fee (and of course I asked for the special "Blue Jacket Rate", and got a discount :), so I packed up my "house" (that's my backpack I've been carrying everywhere, every day, with everything I could possibly need from early morning till late at night, and got a ride in from a nice Newfie lady (I know - a little far from home, that one) - the dumb Black Tusk bus that hardly ever came, and when it did, was way off schedule, is no more, now that the Games are over.

I made my way through the Village, where all kinds of workers were packing up various things - disassembling stages, booths, and add-ons to restaurants that had been used as social and dining 'houses' for various countries, such as the Swiss House where we had dinner last week.

The Chateau is located at the base of Blackcomb, and is just gorgeous; the locker room shouldn't even be called that, it's so lovely - solid oak lockers, inside and out, granite counters, fresh flowers, all the toiletries and tools a girl might need, terry bathrobes, towels, etc etc. I had a great workout on the eliptical, rowing machine, and floor, for a good hour and a half in their gym - top of the line equipment, three big screen T.V.s, mountian view, and of course, smiling staff standing at the ready to serve at a mere glance in their direction.

When my workout was complete, I was into the sauna. Once all heated up, I slipped into the refreshing pool, dipped underwater, and swam forward, through a little passageway, and up I came, on the other side - that would be OUTside! The mountain towers over this area - a recreational pool, a lap pool, three large hot tubs, and a bar - with, of course, in-pool service. But, I was there to get fit, and the partying must stop sometime, after all! So, into the lap pool for me, where I swam up and down and up and down - oh, and did I mention the underwater stereo? Once that last lunge at the fitness thing was complete, I immersed myself in one of the bubbling hot tubs, then finished off in the first pool, afloat on my back, arms outstretched (this takes a certain amount of aquatic skill and concentration), gazing up at the mighty mountain.

Its long fingers of snow-white clearings descending from its peak, disappearing into the forested lower elevations...we said our goodbyes. It had been such a source of trepidation before I came, and ended up being my teacher, my confident, my friend.

The Coastal Mountains of British Columbia, Canada...where God has turned the earth inside out.

I ended off all alone in the private steam room of the ladies' locker room. Mmm...now, that's reeeeeelaxin'! Then, got myself all girlied up, and met up with Alanna and Ingrid for a final dinner out at the Rimrock. They kindly drove me all the way home, and thus ended my final evening in Whistler, B.C.