A Magical Holiday Memory fro the Wilderness Lodge

Holiday Memories from the Wilderness Lodge 2011

Walking back to my office, the soft glow of the lanterns wrapped in their holiday greens, help lead the way, but the shadows and the images they create on the walls and moisture laden windows, only add to the mystique and magic of this fairy tale place. Rounding the corner, at first look nothing seems unusual or out of place but at closer observation, there must have been a wee visitor to the empty quietness of this gorgeous Lodge......all that's left is one tiny shoe, sitting alone beneath the holiday wreath, the flickering and crackling flames in the massive stone fireplace of the Lodge lobby,  only adds to the mystery of how it arrived, unnoticed.  As my mind roars to life, there are many things to ponder here!!!!  Why would one so tiny be out in the wee hours of the waning night time?  Was it a visitor from Mickey's Very Merry or is this one tiny shoe, a little blue and green Croc adorned with Mickey heads, all that is left?  Was it the innocence of a small child's visions of the North Pole, Santa and his reindeer, a bustling workshop of tiny elves scurrying to finish each special toy, that transported my tiny friend to a new place and time, after all this is a magical place!  As I pick up the tiny shoe, it is obvious, it has just been left.  Placing it where it can be easily found, I am sure its owner will dearly miss it.  Perhaps much like the crumbs left in the fairy tale, it is a direction finder for its wee owner upon his return to reality.

As the next day begins, I notice the tiny piece of apparel has disappeared, I surmise, its owner has retrieved it?  Questioning others the area, no one recalls seeing the tiny shoe, odd but perhaps true, it was lost and then found. As each small child visits this place, I find myself looking downward.  Time, approaching the magical hour, Guests returning to the Lodge, I notice a tired little boy snuggled asleep in his Dad's arms, his small feet adorned with the blue and green, Mickey head Crocs. As he stood beneath my massive wreaths, Dad must of realized I was watching, a broad smile lightened his face, a thumbs up and goodnight wave laid to rest my weary imagination, yet who knows......this is a Magical Place! 

Rewind.....Holiday Memories from the Wilderness Lodge 2012

Walking the quiet hallway to my office, keys in hand, just the quiet hum of cooling units lets me know everything is working, I can still hear the faint holiday music in the sparkling empty dining room.  Peering through the door, everything in order, a clean fresh smell tells me the night time cleaning "elves" are finished.  Looking the opposite direction, kitchen lights on, my early bird bakery people are creating magic as well.  Just a few feet from the office door, something lay on the floor, awaiting my arrival....a slightly larger green and blue croc adorned with two Mickey heads. Looking in all directions, I see no one! As a small shiver passes through my being, I pick up the croc, a bit worn, letting me know their owner has walked much, no longer being carried by his Dad.  Entering my office, still surprised by my early morning find,I decide to return it to the  exact place as last year's little one.  Sneaking out the back way, I open the massive wooden door.  With no one in close proximity, I place the worn green and blue crocs beneath the majestic green wreaths that adorn this entry way.  Feeling quite silly, my thoughts tell me otherwise.  Their owner has been transported on a magical Christmas journey, his shoe await him.

An hour later,  welcoming Guests, I peer out to the walkway, hard to believe but my green and blue croc, once again has disappeared.  Perhaps retrieved upon returning from a magical mystical holiday journey!