Sparring Rounds

Not sure about everyone else but getting in sparring rounds can be challenging.  I have tried to get them done at the Kwoon, I have tried at home.  I get in some rounds but still not making the amount I need.

Then it dawned on me, I take micro breaks at work to do pushups and kicks.  Why not try sparring at work?  Now I won't spare with my employees but I found that Bob is ok with me hitting him.  Yes I got a bag to use at work.

There was a lot of discussions when I first got it but he is just part of the scenery now.  Everyone is invited to come in and take a shot if they feel the need.  Also Bob stimulates discussion around the office on many topics. I also get more time in on the bag.


 

Trip through southern BC August 2017

This past week did a trip through Southern BC.  Started in Calgary after a meeting and went to Golden for the Night.  I like Golden, watching the Columbia and the Kicking Horse rivers.  Had an early night and took off down the Columbia Valley the next morning.

Turned north after Creston to go up and cross Kootenay Lake at the Ferry and then down through Nelson.  On the Ferry as I was on the upper deck watching the lake and the mountains, a father and his grown daughter came up and set down yoga mats and started doing Yoga.  I talked with them for a while and his Daughter really seemed to like doing Yoga, he admitted it was tough for him.  I said I feel the same and we had a few laughs.    The rest of the day was awesome goining down Highway 3 and coming out at Osoyoos.

Very warm in Osoyoos and was amazed at a mid 50's couple on holidays berate the staff at a local tavern.  They were on vacation and having a horrible time.  I can't understand how people can be like this.

The next day was out to Langley to visit Sherry's cousin Donny.  Had a great visit was able to watch his son in a tryout game for the jr B team.  Spent the night hanging out around pool shooting the BS.

Next day we went for a drive in his 67 Le Mans he just purchased.  Red rag top with a 421 pontiac engine.  Alot of fun and great roads around Fort Langley.  Drove up to Kamloops in the afternoon and sent the night in Kamloops.  Met a guy from North Carolina an ex Canadian who was drafted by the St Louis blues in 67.  He never made the show but decided to continue to live in the US.

Next morning up and running and the trip up highway 5 back to Edmonton.  Saw a good sized healthy Black Bear eating berries along the road north of Blue River.

Got hope about seven that night.

It was a good quick trip


 

Explorer

Was a busy week at work, ended the work week late Wednesday night in Calgary working on closing a deal. But then went on a walkabout.(although it was in my jeep)

Took off on a quick trip across southern BC. It was a great time to spend some time contemplating about things   Long hours of driving through mountian passes and grand mountian valleys.  A few stops to get a peach or two.

There are many times in my life when I think I should have been born hundreds of years ago and been an explorer.  Every time I see something new I want to know more about it.  Something as simple as going down a new road, hiking a new trail or canoeing down a new river.

We are all explorers if we want to be: a new trail, a new book, a new relationship, a new idea, or something new that pops in ourr head and we pursue the thought.

Things that make me Smile

I was contemplating this weekend and thought I would write down some things that make me smile:

• high alpine valleys
• watching kids play hockey
• seeing my family at our ranch
• entering a new country with just my back pack
• waking up, unzipping the tent flap and seeing the early morning in the mountains
• seeing my garden grow
• fresh picked rasberries
• seeing someone have an aha moment
• kids splashing in a lake
• a sunrise or sunset over the ocean
• the way the body feels after a long period of exercise
• watching and hearing a hawk ride a thermal
• a cup of coffee in the morning
• hearing the coyotes howl late at night
• street food
• the reflection of the mountains on a lake
• seeing my kids accomplish something they worked towards
• my dogs sitting at my side
• clean sheet day 
• freshly cut grass
• scuba diving and seeing a new sea creature for the first time 
• a warm fire after being in the cold for a long period of time
• older people holding hands
• getting above treeline after a long walk
• seeing fish in a stream
• glaciers
• driving down a highway or road I have never been on
• talking with a stranger in a town or city I have never been in before
• the smells and sounds of the jungle
• reading a book
• listening to live music

Of course this list is not all inclusive but just some things that I was thinking about.

Renewed Focus

This week has gone past fast.  I really don't have anything in particular to write about.  I have found a renewed focus in my training that I am thankful for. The rudder is back in the water I have the wind at my back right now.  I know that the sea's will get choppy and intense again and I need to know it is just part of the journey in front of me.

Wilcox pass Aug 7, 2017

Sent Sunday night in Hinton.  Monday was cool in the morning but the temperature got up to 24.  got to the trail head by about 9:15.  Trail is up for about three km but it gets above tree line fairly quick. A beautiful clear day.  Not too many people on the way up.  At the pass the valley is wide with chains on both sides.  I decided to walk to the end, where few people go and then scramble up a slope to get to the height over looking Athabasca glacier.

From this vantage point you can clearly see Mt Athabasca and the glaciers on it, Athabasca Glacier and Dome Glacier.  Above Dome and Athabasca you can just see the expanse of the Columbia Ice fields.  It is a spectacular view especially on a clear day.

The walk back down was busy.  Many people were walking up the trail as I was going down.  A little too busy for my liking but that is the way it goes.