Our Weekend Get-Away

Hi! Let me tell you what we did this weekend. Daddy planned a Mother's Day/ anniversary get-away for Mommy and me. We went to Manitou Lake and Mineral Spa. It was so much fun. Enjoy all the pictures.

Daddy bathing Aviana in our hotel room. There was no tub, so she got the next best thing.

Finally a tub that fits me!

Can't a baby get some privacy?

I can't believe I'm having a bath in the sink.

This is one cool place. I give it the thumbs up!

I'm so excited about tomorrow, I want to go to sleep right now.

Watrous Lake and Mineral Spa

Here are some interesting facts about the mineral spa found at http://watrous-sask.com/history2.htm
THE LEGEND - The Indians discovered the lake and its healing powers long before the 1920s. They claimed it cured smallpox, rheumatic conditions and burning fevers. Dan Kennedy, an Assiniboine on the Montmartre reserve tells of the legend. It goes something like this: "In 1837 there was a small pox epidemic. When the Indians were fleeing from the plains to try to get away from the scourge, they passed the site of Lake Manitou. When two young men in the group were unable to go any farther, a small tent was erected in which they could spend their remaining days. After the rest of the tribe had departed, the young men were so consumed by thirst that they crawled to the shore of the nearby lake, and as well as drinking from Lake Manitou, they immersed themselves in the water. Apparently it cooled their fever, and they spent the majority of the next few days bathing themselves on the beach. Within a few days they were recovered, and were able to take up the trail of their party. It was from this that the Indians have come to regard the waters of Lake Manitou as having great therapeutic value." Medicine men called the lake "Manitou" because it means God to them, believing that it came from the Great Spirit. It became known as the "Lake of the Healing Waters," or "the Lake of the Good Spirit." Warring tribes never carried on their feud when visiting the lake. They laid down their weapons before entering the water. Tribes from as far east as the Great Lakes and as far west as the Rockies came to the lake which became famous for healing among the tribes.

THE WATER - Don't fight it.... relax .... and you really can float on your back and read a newspaper without getting it wet. The water is also very refreshing. The specific gravity of 1.06 (density compared to water) makes you buoyant. The chemical properties of the water are unique. The water is many times more buoyant than fresh water, making it very safe for swimming. The temperature of the water is a factor affecting the salinity. Little Manitou Lake has many of the same natural qualities as the Dead Sea. Visitors take advantage of the buoyancy to do physiotherapeutic exercises that help ease aching joints. It contains more magnesium which is good for the skin and bronchial passages and contains more iodine, which is beneficial for certain glandular functions. The minerals in the water make the colour look metallic bronze. There is no research data to prove its healing qualities, but many medical claims speak of how good it is for: - arthritis - rheumatism - joint problems - skin conditions (eczema and psoriasis). If you have the slightest scratch or cut, one dip into the water makes the sore heal up really fast. Natural oils were extracted from the lake and made into hair tonic and toothpaste. Residents harvested the mineral salts and sold them to drug stores across Saskatchewan. Mud packs were also applied to sore muscles and joints.

Family fun - Yes the spa water is brown. It is pumped straight in from the lake. At least they warm the water up and filter out the small shrimp.

Pool fun!

Mike fluttering around the pool. He is displaying the Tisdall Family swimming technique. Apparently, it's a lot harder than it looks, but it looks just as funny in the picture as in person.

Break time.

Baby "Mother Theresa" but she's not from India.

Aviana trying to go to sleep

This is the life, sleeping beside the pool. Not a care in the world.

Sleepy time.

Sleeping Beauty awakes

Look, I can float too!

Look at me!

Look mom, no hands and no feet. - Mike is floating on the buoyant water. It is impossible to sink.

Aviana getting a ride on floating daddy

Aviana and Daddy

Mommy and Aviana - baby was ready to go home after a fun day at the spa.

Coffee Time at the Village Perk

Yummy iced coffee!!!

Behind Tara, outside the window, is "Little Manitou Beach". Apparently, it is more buoyant in the lake than in the spa.

Daddy enjoying a coffee. Today, he had a guardian angle watching him. Unknowing to us, we accidentally left our camera on this table. The nice people beside us knew we were going back into the spa and brought it to us. We couldn't stop thanking God for them and their honesty. The funny thing is before we left, Mike was thinking about the Visa commercial where the people accidentally leave their camera on the cafe table. How ironic was that?

Baby hanging out, while mommy and daddy drink some coffee.

Ahhh...what a cute pair.

Ava and Daddy talking to each other.

Swing Kids

This is where we spent our Saturday night. They do a evening buffet and then a dance. We didn't stay for the dance, though. Apparently, the dancing consists of mostly ballroom style. it would have been interesting, but our little girl needed to go to bed. Here is some interesting info on this place.http://watrous-sask.com/dance.htm

"Danceland, known as the "Home of the World Famous Dance Floor Built on Horsehair" was built in 1928 and has entertained innumerable people since. Now open year round, you are welcome to come down and see the breathtaking architecture and the 5000 square foot dance floor. Danceland is located at Manitou Beach next to Canada's largest indoor mineral spa , lots of hotels, campground, mineral lake, golf course and only a half-hour drive from North America's oldest bird sanctuary."

Who would have thought small town Saskatchewan would have been so popular. "Dancing has always been popular on Manitou Beach. At one time there were three dance halls going seven days a week including a midnight frolic on Sunday night. The first dance hall was built in 1919 but as torn down to make way for Danceland."

The dance floor. Here is another excerpt from the pamphlet. "When you enter Danceland you are immediately taken away by the atmosphere of the building. The dance floor is where the magic begins; you take the original maple hardwood on top of the cushion of horsehair for an unbelievable dance experience. There is no comparison to any other dance floor when you see the dancers glide smoothly around the floor. The reputation of Danceland is that as soon as the music starts the dance floor is full."

Baby's first experience at a dance hall. I wonder If we'll get to cut some rug?

Night on the town with daddy's little girl.

Daddy you're so good at dancing. Does mommy know about this hidden talent?

This is fun!

Little dipper

Mommy's First Mother's Day

Happy...

Mother's Day!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Just one last thing before I give mommy her gift...Sealed with a kiss.

Here is your gift. It's all ready for you.

No matter what you say, I won't tell you what we bought.

Let me help you open this.

I hope you like our gift mommy.

I'm looking good...

Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Whose the fairest baby of them all? ( I think it's me)

My baby Karate has been paying off.

Mommy thinks I'm bored in my bed. This is why now I am overloaded with stuff. At least it keeps her entertained.

Hello Mr. Bear. Don't tell mommy that sometimes at night, after she puts me to bed, I roll over and sleep on my tummy. Remember, this is our little secret!!!

OK, now you tell me a secret.

Here I am laying on the floor. In just a moment I will show you how busy I have been trying to crawl.