Hike, Bike, Ride and Paddle the Pacific Northwest Coast!

but for now, the clock is ticking and i need to focus on what i can do to get me out of here safely and on budget and this list is a hinderence.

i do love the scenery here, the daylight in the rainforest dappling my hiking hair, the mist on the ocean as seen from the coast starlight train, the wind curling its way around the crystal condos all over vancouvers downtown and reaching down to me to remind me that i’m a part of it all. Sand Bluffs, Wild Sorrel, Eagles Nests, Tiny crabs in tide pools, Mushroom hunting in the spring, Playing hide and seek under 3 food fern boughs, skiing down the side of a volcano, february flower blossoms. Its a magical place out here, and its been an equally amazing time in my life for many reasons. But its also time to let go of all this for a while.

That’s my plan for the next few weeks.

I am going to be a photophile.

I have been somewhat non-plussed about the whole vancouver experience, at least i can TRY to see the beauty that is here.

On my way to get my disposables developed and some batteries for the digital cam.

Zoot Zoot Beirut!

Happy easter everyone! Nothing like a sloshed slush sliding weekend!

I loved this minibreak holiday, the friends, the sights, the sunshine and the snow.

I went to whistler and all i brought back was this amazing sitka hoodie and a goggle tan!

I want to do the following things:

Bike to saanichton and visit the farm/ers-> good reason to come back for a visit.

spend a skookum weekend in victoria-> ditto

visit the tide pools on the coast of oregon! so awesome. winkles!!!

-kayak in the salt chuck

hike the middlefork with fran/scott/michael-> gonna have to wait until francis is feeling better. but i’m going to visit.

-wake up in the rainforest one more time

I can NOT wait to spend a weekend snowboarding and staying in a condo on the mountain. Life is good and it keeps getting better. :)

I got an email today from sj about the ‘menu’ for nye… i dont even want to think about how much i’m going to love this… i’mjust going to live it in the moment and take lots of pictures.

WhoopWhoop! There’dis!

very excited for this bike trip, so excited that it gets its own 43 entry.
:) I’m looking forward to gettin some pictures and posting them up.

Also, its looking like Ukee is in my future! Hoorah!

Great idea and not a bad day really!
My friend Kevin had the idea to do this hike today and i am SO glad i went. It was good views, a serious exertion and some really good conversations!
I have to get out more, this hike was NOT ‘easy’ as it as suggested in the link, but more of a medium hike, with lots of vertical and lots of cumbersome roots to crawl over and through where the snow was thinner.
I think it would only be more difficult when completely melted… if that indeed happens!

Great day none the less… its 8:30 and i’m totally exhausted.
Yay Vancouver.
Also, i borrowed Gaiters today and i’ll be needing to buy some of my own. My boots were awesome today, none of the previous gripes with their fit and comfort. GO BOOTS!

Vancouver Trails

I have this wonderful bicycle named zee.
she is currently out of air, and a bit under-regulated. she needs love.
i will love her right today, set her up for success and take her on a joy ride to new west.

life will be good and possibly get better after today.

i have faith and zee has faith too.. i asked.

I was seriously serious about doing this but i htink i’m best to hold off for a year and see what i can do about getting my butt in gear for 2011 a little earlier… its not the ride i’m worried about… but the fundraising. 2500.00 seems like a lot in a few months. i’m planing to sign up in feb next year so i can get donations as birthday presents.

In the meantime, it will be great to make my way on a few prelim cycletours to visit jill on the island… and perhaps to places around van i’ve never checked out.

tomorow i’m planning to take the greenway to new west and check out a matinee movie there. after i do my laundry and chores etc.

My dad and i used to do a lot of kayaking when i was a kid, we did several trips with the barrie canoe and kayak club and on our own.

Living out west, there is a whole new territory to explore that i’ve got no experience in. I’ve never been out in the ocean in a sea-kayak which sounds stranger than it really is.

My dad is gettin’ on a little, but he paddles regularly in the city near his condo. When i suggested that if he came out west, and wanted to paddle he would have a friend to go with (me!) I think he’s starting to consider it.

The best times to go are high summer but that’s when i’m least likely to get time off of work, although i suppose i could swing a few days off in a row. :)

This book looks the the bible of bc coastal kayaking, i’m so psyched!

I think i need to start thinking about where and when i can afford to do things like taking kayak self rescue courses, where i can rent a wet/drysuit, and equipment and what kinds of trip we would go out on (me and my 72 year old father that is!).

So excited for this to happen. i am a big fan of the rivers and rainforests so that might be something to do also, just to go a bit inland and soak up the mountain air!