As written to Manon today, all the way from beautiful Canmore:

hi manners...
i just had breakfast with al and kristen - al lost a crib bet so it
was his duty to cook! but speaking of losing crib bets... last night
alain and i played crib at about 10 or 11 p.m. and our warmth was on
the line - the loser had to go for a dip in the river down by the
mountains the next day. mans, that is pure craziness - it's ice-cold,
clear GLACIER water. anyway, so i freakin' lost the bet, and i
decided to get it over with immediately because i didn't want people
seeing me in the morning - i would look like a crazy weirdo to go
swimming in that water. but in retrospect it was equally crazy to go
out in the middle of the night near the forest (hello bears and
cougars), in the cold weather in pitch darkness (there are no street
lights or any lights whatsoever near the paths). but anyway, i
gritted my teeth, we got all bundled up and went armed with an oil
lamp and bear spray... we sang on the way there (we had to make noise
because of the bears), we all laughed giddily and went to the water's
edge. while making sure to keep my tuque on - it was freezing and we
could see our breath, and kristen was wearing her winter jacket - i
stripped down to a bathing suit and ran into the water like a
madwoman. it was the most shocking, yet beautiful and funny thing
ever. it was so dark but i could see the stars so clearly and the
outline of the mountain and trees in the mist, and the current of the
water was so pure... anyway, i went in for a quick dip - then al
touched the top of the back of my swimsuit and judged that it wasn't
quite wet - so i ran back in a second time and lay down in the water.
it was hilarious and freezing and invigorating. when i came out, al
was such a good sport that he was taking his own clothes off and he
jumped into the water too, i guess to encourage me and congratulate
me for going. it was awesome and we had a great time! after we
stumbled through the brush and woods back home, we sat in front of
the fireplace wrapped in blankets and sipping tea, and talked for a
long time. man! always something new here in canmore!

that is my story of the day, although i have many more. i can't wait
to share it all with you. you know, if you stop and concentrate hard,
you will find that a part of you is right here with me, feeling the
peace and relaxation and rejuvenation. i think of you all the time
and send you some of these wonderful feelings i have been
experiencing... on top of all that sleeping in! man, this vacation is
the best thing i ever did. i almost wish i could just stay here for another
week instead of go to vancouver- but i know that vancouver will just
be another chapter of this time off, a new discovery, time spent in a
new place, celebrating a friend's wedding ,etc.

ok well i should go... hope your day is going well and that you're
feeling good... je pense a toi et je t'adore! let's talk tonight ok!
call me at alain's!
cams xoxoxoxox