Another Amazing Weekend

Boy, life is good. Tim and I went up to Vanderhoof on the long weekend to visit my brother Steve, his wife Christine and their kids, Dylan and Evan. It's a long drive (11 hours or so) but so worth it. It's been a couple of years since we've seen them and both the kids are looking older (not Steve or Chris though!) Dylan is absolutely beautiful and extremely smart and quick-witted (maybe she takes after her aunt) and Evan is so kind and thoughtful and polite. I don't think I heard Evan say one negative comment the entire weekend. It was nice that Evan went along with us on a couple of hikes and a bike ride and we really enjoyed a walk after dinner one evening with Dylan, Evan, Steve and the dogs. Too bad Chris hurt her back and couldn't join us. On our next visit we will have to fit in a trip to Prince George and the mall for Dylan.

The company was wonderful, the food was fantastic (bacon, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs - meat, meat, meat!) but too bad the weather wasn't the greatest. It was cold and rainy for most of the weekend but we were able to get out on the Sunday for a good hike to Greer Creek Falls (see picture below - notice that I am a real hiker now with my Gore-tex jacket) and a bike ride. I'm glad I brought along a lot of warm clothes.

One thing I did find bothersome this weekend was that my brother no longer pays much attention to hockey (however, he does seem to watch a lot of Arthur, Sponge Bob and Franklin). I couldn't believe it, how could that have happened. However, he did PVR the Chicago game for me on Sunday and we watched it later Sunday afternoon. Well, my brother watched the first period and then made an excuse that he had to go barbecue the chicken (and what a good chicken it was!), the kids where playing video games, Christine went and joined Steve at the barbecue and when I looked over at Tim, he was sound asleep! I'm glad Chicago won (even though they did beat out Vancouver). The finals should be good, I don't like Philadelphia and Duncan Keith (Chicago) is a local boy so you know who I'll be cheering for. Hopefully he'll be bringing the Cup here in the summer.

And while we are on the subject of hockey, my hockey season is finally over. My last game was on May 16th and now I have to figure out what I'm going to do to keep up the same level of activity. I'll have to start riding my bike to work everyday, hiking to prepare for our trip to the Bugaboos in July and keep training for my 5 km run in Peachland on July 1. But for tonight I am not going to do anything except sit down with a cup of tea and read my library book (which is now 3 days overdue).

So thanks to Steve, Chris, Dylan and Evan for making the past weekend a great one for both Tim and I.

Most Amazing Weekend!

This past weekend we went to the Sun Run in Vancouver with our friends. We arrived a little before lunchtime and went straight to Mountain Equipment Coop where we proceeded to put a huge dent in our bank account. I got a Gore-Tex jacket, a down liner, down filled booties, hiking poles and socks and a new bike jacket. Tim got a Gore-Tex jacket, a down filled vest, a new camping stove and some fuel. We also picked up a couple of freeze dried meals for our Bugaboo trip. Bugaboos here we come.

We then went to our hotel which was right on English Bay, close to Stanley Park. There was a bike rental place right across the street from our hotel so we rented some bikes and went for a ride through Stanley Park and then along the sea wall. It was great. It was warm and sunny and I had the best bike (now I want a new bike!)






Above in the picture is our friends Glenda and Eric.











In the morning we headed out to the Sun Run. It was about a 20 minute walk to the start and the start area was just jammed packed full of people. There were over 51,000 people in the race. The race started at 9 a.m. but we didn't actually start moving until after 10. It was a little hard dodging all the people - reminded me a lot of being in China.



















I knew with my hamstring and knee problems that I wouldn't be able to run the whole thing but decided I would try running 3 minutes and then walking 1 minute and see how long I could keep that up. I was able to keep it up for most of the race but near the end had to change it to run 2, walk 2 but we ran the entire last kilometer. I finished in 1:21:22 which is better than I had hoped for. We then had to walk back to our hotel which was about 30 minutes away so by the time I got back to the hotel, I was feeling pretty tired. This picture was taken at the start of the race so I was still looking and feeling pretty good. I'm not going to post the picture that was taken near the finish!

I had a good snooze in the truck on the way home and felt good enough to play hockey tonight. I didn't have much energy out there and it wasn't my finest playing, but I worked up a good sweat. You'd think after all the day's activity I would be tired tonight but no, here I am all pumped up. Hopefully the tiredness will kick in soon so I can get some sleep. I'm a little concerned about how my body will feel in the morning but that is what Tylenol 3 is for!

In all, this weekend was amazing and I am so glad my friend Glenda talked me into doing the race.

Bugaboo Training

This morning Tim and I went for a hike at Skaha Bluffs in preparation of our big hiking trip to the Bugaboos this July. If you click on the picture you will be able to read the sign and notice that is says it is for fit and agile people and since I had no trouble with the stairs or the hike, I must be fit and agile! However, at times my heart did feel taxed and poor Brodie had a hard time climbing over some of the big rocks. Glory, a friend from my work was over in the afternoon. She has caught the "bee fever" and is keeping a hive of bees at our place and learning everything she needs to know about bees from the Bee Man.









Even the chicken wants to know everything!














And look, there's the crazy chicken lady leading her flock through the orchard!







Tim and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary this pas Friday. Hard to believe 22 years has gone by and I am amazed that he has stuck with me for this long. We went to Theos, a local Greek restaurant and then out to a play. It was a very enjoyable evening and I am looking forward to the next 22 years.