Category: romance

What to do in Waterton

Published on by unanchoredeve1 Comment

Summer in Waterton

View from Crypt Lake Hike

The juxtaposition of the view is remarkable. First, you may feel the melancholy, fires destroyed approximately 30,000 hectares of land in 2017, but now there is an influx of fresh greenery popping throughout; hope sprouts post-tragedy.

The small town is charming with souvenir shops and restaurants that only span two blocks of the street and a beautiful lake on the other to enjoy pre or post-meal stroll. For me, walkable destinations on vacation are favorable. One, I’m lazy, and two, I want to drink a beer and not worry about the stress of driving, traffic, parking, etc. From the center of Waterton, you can walk to beaches, restaurants, hikes, or rent bicycles to cruise around with.

Bear’s Hump Hike

Crypt Lake Hike

Our first hike was to the famous Crypt lake. This trail is only accessible by boat, and can often be fully booked, so plan ahead. It’s a long hike that requires a lot of water and sunscreen as we attempted it in the middle of summer. Crypt is the Greek word for “secret” as the hike reaches its end, the secret is revealed beyond a tunnel and steep hill. This last part terrified my mother, so this “secret” lake remains as such for me. Oh well, perhaps just an incentive to return and do it again? Book the shuttle here:

https://www.watertoncruise.com/2022.php

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Crypt Lake Hike

Bertha Lake

Bertha Lake is an excellent medium-intensity 8 km hike; you walk from town to the base near the campground.

Bertha Lake

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon

Paddleboard or kayak: I brought an inflatable paddle board that was the perfect break from sweaty days of hiking. A lot of people out on kayaks too. (You can easily rent these in town if you don’t have your own). The water was on the cooler side but still suitable for a quick swim.

Bike- rent or BYOB 😊

Eats

Dining in Waterton

Stay Bear Mountain Hotel: Clean, cheap, and close to everything! Bear Mountain Hotel

Bear Mountain Motel

Waterton is Incredible!

View on Bertha Lake Hike

Valentine’s Paleo Chocolate Cake

Published on by unanchoredeve1 Comment

Valentine’s day is for love, and I love chocolate! Since I have a pretty big sweet tooth I decided to make my own cake and share with those I love. Mostly my Dad, he gets a lot of love this V-day since I’m still a single lady.  Making something from scratch makes me appreciate and savor dessert more. This cake turned out fabulously was work the work!

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I swiped this recipe from the ambitious kitchen. 

INGREDIENTS
  • 3/4 cup virgin coconut oil, melted and cooled
  • 1 3/4 cup coconut sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla almondmilk
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 cups packed blanched fine almond flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (use a high quality version)
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • For the paleo chocolate frosting:
  • 1 (14 ounce) can coconut cream
  • 1 ½ cups dairy free chocolate chips
  • Pinch of salt

I used two baking pans, and yes the parchment paper is a must, easy to arrange the cake after and risk ripping it. To enhance it,  I used pecans and raspberries, but you can change the fruit or add valentine’s inspired candies if you wish.

Valentines 2018 (3 of 6)

  1. Making your frosting: Add the coconut cream, chocolate chips and a pinch of salt to a small pot and place over low heat. Whisk until melted. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to harden for 6 hours or until hard. Overnight is best!
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of three 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper rounds. Spray parchment paper and side of pan with nonstick cooking spray. YOU SHOULD USE PARCHMENT PAPER or the cake is likely to stick. Please do not forget.
  3. In a large bowl, mix together the melted and cooled coconut oil, coconut sugar, eggs, vanilla and apple cider vinegar until smooth. Add almond milk and beat once more until mixture is well incorporated.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk the almond flour, cocoa powder, coconut flour, baking soda and salt together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. Mixture will be on the thicker side.
  5. Divide batter evenly between pans and spread out with a spatula to smooth the tops. Bake for 20-30 minutes until a tester comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached; rotating the pans halfway through baking. Let cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes then transfer to the fridge to finish cooling completely. Allow cake to cool in the fridge for at least an hour before removing from the pan and frosting. The cake should be room temperature when you frost it. This is very important. Cake can be made a day ahead if you’d like!
  6. Finish making your frosting: Scoop the hardened chocolate coconut cream frosting mixture into a large bowl. Use a hand mixer or a KitchenAid mixer to beat frosting until peaks form and it looks nice, fluffy and creamy. Use immediately!
  7. Layer cake, using about 1/3 -½ cup frosting between each layer, then frost the top and sides with remaining frosting. Serves 12-16! Should be transferred to the fridge.

V-Day Cake

Valentines 2018 (2 of 6)

The Desire of Dubrovnik!

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Hello, a few words about my first city stop in Croatia! Once the shuttle into town took off, and the views of the Adriatic sea appeared I knew I was in love. I was dropped off at the Pile gate and took a taxi to a lovely Airbnb with an exceptional view.  I spent the evening exploring the old town, a huge stone palace, a perfect setting to get lost.

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Dubrovnik’s Ideal Sunset Spot: Busco Bar

Sit at the bar for a drink to watch the sunset. Tip, if there is no place to sit, venture further down and sit on the rocks belowDubrovnik2017-49Dubrovnik2017-51Dubrovnik2017-60Dubrovnik2017-52

Surrounded by the Sea

Take a day trip to Lokrum island. Take a 10 min ferry ride to break away from the excitement and bustle of the city center. Here you will find an ideal space for tranquil day.

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A High Up City Highlight!

Walk the city walls. If you are going during the busy tourist season, go after 5pm to avoid the busy hours full of buzzing cruise ship patrons.

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Accommodations:

Dubrovnik Airbnb (walking distance to city)

Dubrovnik Airbnb #2 (inside city walls)

 

 

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Split, the City for Romance!

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I was only three months old when my mom decided to leave me with my grandma and enjoy her honeymoon in Split, Croatia. Fast forward to about 31 years; now I was able to experience the charming city as well with a few friends from Montreal, Canada.

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A must for  is to wander through market stalls in any new city I can. Fortunately, the Pazar Green Market, open every day from 7 am to 2 pm and is located near the ferry port.  Items we picked up, fresh fruit, cheese, prosciutto, candied fruit.

Pazar Green Market

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Remember, it’s a market, this is the place to practice your negotiation skills 😉

Food for Thought

Since restaurants will use fake flavored truffle flavored oil,  you can get a good deal on these tasty morsels in the market, as the real thing is quite expensive!Split2017-7

Pizza & Pastry Pit Stop in Spit!

Food is good but mostly touristy. A Croatian girl I had met earlier in Hvar recommended that I try pizza in Split. It is a bit different, not a greasy from thick layers of cheese. Instead, I picked a vegetarian one. Elena, the lady in a shop, said was her favorite, a cartoon portrait of her drawn on the pastry shop wall.

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ZA!!!

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I imaged that since my parents chose Split for their romantic vacation, it would be a city full of romance. I think love was in the air, the love that comes from friendships, both new and old.  We adopted two goofy and heart-warming male escorts from Florida on our last night in Hvar. Luckily for us, they were also on their way to Split and we were thrilled they could join us for some sightseeing, dining and dancing!

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Accommodations:

Where we stayed: Split Airbnb

 

Connection

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Connection

And if I asked you to write me a letter today, could you fill a page with words of your play? Did you laugh, did you smile, and were you wondering if I’d thought of you awhile?  In a text, thought is quick, not complex. I want something more; be open and explore. I think it will please us, to use print to release us.

The drum of your heart, pick up those feet, the world is beneath; get out of your seat! Come, let’s go faster, waves of connection, aren’t locked in your phone. It’s you with the wonder; let it stir up those bones! Of course I adore, every expression you make, but when I see it electronically, I know it’s a fake!  You can’t bleed from a stone, nor love from some plastic, there something to be learned, us humans are fantastic!

You were the youngest, always pats on your head. All the attention, nothing wrong could be said. While I don’t show affirmation, I’m sure deep down, there’s room at your station. I was alone, with books, imagination. Though we’re so different, we can start. To learn about each other, even with our stubborn hearts.

I hope you understand, what I’m trying to regain. The happiness that once was, where my youth found reclaim. Dopamine, can you feel it, it’s less saturated by the day. Let’s mess up those brain waves, get out and let’s slay!

I know you find it odd, to travel to the past. But perhaps, you can image, a life without apps?

There’s treasure you possess, but that which is bought, can soon be forgot. Let’s catch a sunset, in a place we’ve yet met.  Let our senses awaken; forget the selfies to be taken.  While you may have fancy fashion, I hope to find out, what’s beneath, what’s your passion?  And will you now match, with a hit of your racket, and ask me the same? Will you inquire, what it is, the spark to my flame?

You tell me I can’t, but are you so sure? The dynamics of your conversation has no allure. If it’s validation you seek, your approach is too weak.

I’ll help you uncover, what was once lost, charm of our childhoods, won’t have a cost. Although you may think, this could be disaster. Nothing of value comes with ease that you’re after.

Enjoying the rhythm of my banter? Try to pay attention, if its intellect you’re after!

And if it’s so that, you’re willing to bend, I’ll open up to you, my electronic friend…