Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 68 of Life On the Brink!
I am back from Canada! While on this little autumn break I spent some time with Josh in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It was GORGEOUS. Between the mountains, lakes, trees, trails, cabins and TEA it was an autumnal paradise. Certainly the perfect way to transition to this glorious season.
To that end, today I’m going to share some stories and highlights that will continue to inspire me this fall season (spoiler: there’s a lot of tea), to hopefully bring some cozy Canadian fall to your home, wherever you are.
What’s in my teacup? The Monks Blend from Jolene’s Tea House. I bought some in Banff, but you can buy online!
First, I’ll just give some backstory into why we chose to travel to Banff of all places. I feel like most people either have never heard of it or know exactly why it’s so visited. Josh and I separately came to hear about Lake Louise, a beautiful blue-green lake that is frequently photographed, and I also became enamored with the Lake Agnes Tea House. The idea of trekking through the mountains to get to a secluded, century-old tea house sounded absolutely ideal, and suddenly Banff made our list of places we wanted to travel (We do have an actual list lol).
When we decided to travel this fall, Banff drew us in because the towns were much smaller and the natural beauty was the main draw. It was such a good time to visit, I must say. I did a ton of research (as I do) and found several unique restaurants and experiences that we were able to fit into our week there.
It was a gorgeous, wonderful trip, and introduced or re-introduced some lovely habits and appreciations that I’m going to carry with me into this fall season. Why don’t I share a few?
AUTUMN INSPIRATION- things I fell in love with in Banff
-Hiking. It was the thing we anticipated the most, and it was exhilarating, exhausting, and satisfying. In fact, I rather got into the habit of walking so much that, once I got back home, my usual walk to the library felt so much easier. Just spending time in nature when the air is crisp is so healing, and I want to make a point to explore some trails in my own area this fall.
If you’re not familiar yet, I highly recommend AllTrails, an app for hiking with GPS tracking and lots of photos and reviews. We’ve used it during hikes both near and far and it’s a great resource.
-Fresh air. Banff is covered in snow for many months of the year, so during these warmer months, it makes sense to enjoy the mild weather as much as possible. So many restaurants, cafes, and storefronts had the doors wide open, which gave such a fresh feel and smell to the space. It’s still a bit warm where I live, but I’m looking forward to opening the windows as much as possible this autumn.
-Maple. I forgot how yummy the flavor of maple is, as it’s sort of become a vegan honey, just there to sweeten (though I love the flavor of honey as well). Aside from pancakes, I haven’t sought out a lot of maple in my life, but that is changing! As you might imagine, we had lots of mapley sweets in Canada, and I get it. The flavor is unlike any other and I’m personally loving it. Combined with fall spices like cinnamon and clove, it’s going to influence my fall baking for sure.
-Trail mix. I forgot how good this is. I’m not usually a nut lover, but I’ve been converted once again. Trail mix is an obvious hiking snack, but I’m going to keep it in the house this fall as a healthy go-to. I’ve even opened up a pack to put on oatmeal for a quick breakfast.
For this trip I bought the ”Happy Trekking” trail mix and “Oh My! Omega Trek Mix” from Trader Joe’s. I love the little individual pouches.
-TEA. Canadians respect tea!
Whenever I ordered hot tea in a restaurant (or even on the airplane!), I was given a small teapot of steeped orange pekoe black tea and fresh milk or cream. So nice! This small amount of ceremony (as opposed to a tea bag and cup of hot water) elevated the experience just a bit and I loved it.
What’s more, in the small towns of Banff and Canmore, we went to three different loose-leaf tea suppliers! Amazing! There’s great access to high-quality tea out there, and it gave me a new appreciation for my favorite drink.
Josh and I had Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Chateau in Lake Louise and it was DIVINE. Unlike any tea I’ve ever had, and it even started to snow as we were there. Simply magical, and an experience I’ll always remember.
Finally, the main reason we flew across the continent: the Lake Agnes Tea House. It was over 2 miles to the top, entirely uphill, and the incline really did me in. Josh was very patient and waited for me whenever I stopped, but when we finally made it, it was so worth it.
This tea house has been around for over 100 years and has no electricity or modern amenities. All supplies are hiked up the mountain (or airdropped once a year by helicopter), and garbage is hiked back down. Those who work there live in the loft above the kitchen and stay for a few days at a time. The fare is simple and the tea is strong.
It was such a rewarding experience, and I’m so glad to have done it. Of course, it was another hour to hike back to the bottom of the mountain, and was so exhausting, but a once-in-a-lifetime kind of day!
Embracing imperfection and natural beauty. There was nothing particularly aesthetic about that tea house. It's just that it has been there for so long, and it has so much history and natural beauty that makes it so iconic. Likewise, the whole of Banff and those who live there is really dedicated to the mountains and the gorgeous scenery. Everyone who visits is there to appreciate it firsthand and, as a result, no one looks a fashion plate.
Shoes are often wholly utilitarian, lots of layers are necessary, backpacks are common, and I found myself much more concerned with the beauty all around me than what I myself might have looked like.
I felt freed to not worry so much about my hair or doing a lot of makeup, or about wearing tennis shoes all day long. There's so much natural beauty everywhere, so, in a sense, what is imperfect and natural is seen as beautiful. I’d like to let go a little more of a specific, curated look and simply let the natural beauty that exists around and within me be what shines.
I hope these reflections have been inspiring and encouraging, so that you can embrace this season wherever you are. This is a beautiful time, and I’m so fortunate to be able to have gone on this trip and to see life with fresh eyes.
I wish you all the best this autumn, friend!
This Week’s Little Joy: I began watching the HBO series “Julia” on the plane to Canada, and continued on the way back home. I’ve always loved “Julie and Julia” and perhaps that’s the reason I was reluctant to accept another adaptation of Julia’s life. But never fear! This series takes place after the events of the iconic movie during Julia’s life in Massachusetts as she came into her television career. Even still, the energy, coloring, and music bring that same Julia magic that we love, and the casting is very smart. I’m really enjoying this show, especially during this cozy season.
What I’m Listening To: a playlist of my own called Kinda Cozy. I may have shared it before, but it’s what I’ve been listening to on repeat. There’s a good dose of Charlie Brown Halloween, Harry Connick Jr. and chilly autumn lyrics. It’s sweet and cozy and I hope you enjoy it.
Now that I'm back you can expect weekly episodes again every Thursday. Until then, friends, have a lovely week!