Mt. Tzouhalem Adventure

Cameron and I tossed the mountain bikes in the truck and ventured over the Malahat to Duncan yesterday. We headed to Mt. Tzouhalem where a myriad of trails criss-cross through the woods for kilometres.

Cam said there were great easy trails for me to ride.... but after two hours of mostly hiking up the mountain and getting so deep in the woods I wondered if we were lost, we eventually found the easy trails.

But sadly we were both exhausted by then, so only did one quick ride down an easy trail.

Oh well, this kind of thing toughens me up. I just need to get past the "beginner" stage of mountain biking.

The killer view from atop Mt. Tzouhalem.... it doesn't look it, but Cam's feet are dangling over the edge of a few hundred foot drop.

Dinner with Giada

I cracked open Giada's cookbook this morning for some inspiration. She hasn't failed us in the past.

So I made a list and checked it twice!

Some appies to start with... grilled ciabatta bread topped with ricotta cheese, fresh mint, tomato and oregano.

Followed by almond-crusted salmon on puff pastry with pesto and tomatoes.

But honestly... I admit I saved room for dessert...

Chocolate cake with mascarpone icing and sugar hazelnut shards.

I promise to only have one piece.

Well, maybe one tomorrow too.

But not the next day, I swear.

Who you lookin' at??

There was no one else around during my hill repeats up the Observatory last night. Usually there are at least four other cyclists grinding up the hill too, but it was just me this time. Gotta love the peace n' quiet.

Then I noticed this fellow, sitting in a tree at the bottom of the hill, watching me.

See the owl?

Each time I came down he was there.

Then on my last time down he was gone, but there were these two robins making a heck of a racket just up the road. So I went to check it out and there was Mr. Owl. The robins were dive bombing him -- he must have been close to their nest. But he paid them no mind. He just sat on his branch and stared at the ground. 

I guess owls hunt by staring at the ground looking for mice. Only this owl kept falling asleep! He would look and look and then his head would droop and his eyes would close.

Until some rude girl on a bicycle decided to squawk at him in order to get a good photo.

Go Canucks!!!

Jump Ship & Polo

The Jump Ship competition was on today in the downtown inner harbour. A huge barge was anchored (right next to a beer gardens, of course) with some crazy dirt jumps awaiting the pro riders... 

 

Cam was in heaven. Especially when Brandon Semenuk, one of the top riders, took to the course.

They make it look so easy... but not everyone fared so well... this rider went down and stayed down after his final jump! I think he's okay.

Then we wandered across the harbour to Belville street where a bike polo tournament was underway.

We entered the land of bike polo... a completely different world from dirt jumping.

Wheel guards are worn like the coat of arms on a shield -- each one unique and ready for the battle field.

 

 

 

 Bike polo is an intense sport. Mallets become entangled, riders skin their knees on the pavement, and curses are thrown about like the bouncing orange ball. We were there to support our pal, Anthony, whose team was playing in the tournament.

There are no riding boots or crisp white pants of the horse polo world. The riders here are outfitted with body armour.

Oh, and you're not allowed to touch the ground with anything but your mallet! Penalty if you do!

Coveted trophies up for grabs.

Anthony told us this guy is known as Thunder Thighs. You don't want to cross him on the polo court.

Trusty steeds in the stable between matches.

Finally it was time for Anthony's match. He's the one in the argyle vest.

And these were their opponents. A team from Vancouver. A team that was stronger, faster, and down right meaner.

Anthony did his best in goal, blocking shots just like Luongo.

Sadly, by the end of the twelve-minute match, the team from Vancouver just couldn't be beat.

I may just have to try this bike polo thing for myself....

Here fishy fishy!

Last Monday, the night of a terrible hockey game, Cam and I decided to head out to Elk Lake for a bit of fishing.

Elk Lake is popular for fishing and for its walking trails.

There weren't many people on the lake, probably because of the game.

We floated around the perimeter and Cam set up a fly rod.

Then it was time to sit back and relax with some good roast chicken and salad.

 

And Twizzlers of course!!

We floated.

 And waited.

And floated some more.

No fishies even nibbled our fly.

Why oh why did no fishies nibble our fly?

He looks like a tasty fly to me!!

We also tried this guy out. But the fishies didn't like him eaither!

Then a mother duck paddled by with her brood -- one baby even riding on her back!

Even though we didn't catch a thing, it was a lovely warm evening floating on the lake.