Climb Every Mountain

Awaking gingerly after being poured into bed post victorious golf tournament, I was faced with the news that the activity for Saturday was to scale Ha Ling Peak. Ha Ling Peak is a tough 'moderate' level hike - a round trip of 5.4km. The catch is the 741m gain in elevation. Not just uphill, much is above the tree line clambouring up slippery scree slopes.

Grumbling aside, the view from the top (yes, I did survive to see it) was absolutely spectacular. And we saw a chipmunk!

Great cure for a hangover!

Championship Golf

Friday was golf day.

I thought the biggest thrill of the day was the charter flight to play in a golf tournament, attend the dinner afterwards then be flown home to be tucked up in bed by midnight. (Private planes to attend parties are definitely cool!) Due to some fortunate luck with rules (Texas Scramble) and team members (both fabulous golfers and strategic enough to use my "well positioned" drives that remained on the ladies' tee), we actually won the tournament by 5 strokes!!

Our prize: a golf club! I am now the proud owner of one very expensive, very large, Big Bertha. ... and I have absolutely no idea what to do with it!

Being Eddie the Eagle

Some smart soul at Canada Olympic Park decided it would be really cool to rig a zipline (flying fox) from the top of the 90m ski jump so tourists and other foolhardy folks can leap off.


On Sunday, we decided it would indeed be really cool to jump off the 90m ski jump! Clad in harnesses and helmets with all loose items secured, we were given instruction in the “flying position” and the “braking position” (to be assumed at the orange cone) and then escorted up the 90m ski jump.


The wise zipline folks keep you busy getting harnessed in, clipped on, parachute laid out and suddenly whamo! You are off! Down the ski jump, arms flailing (squealing like a girl), parachute flapping madly keeping your speed below warp, the orange cone zips by, braking position assumed, deceleration and then you are swinging happily in the harness at the bottom. It was indeed really cool!

The end of Summer

My calendar assures me I have another 10 days of summer. Overcast skies, rain (did I see a snowflake?) and the numbing cold is telling me otherwise.