Adventure 24 - Ziplining

ZIPLINING- for those from 5 to 95 and between 40 and 275 lbs.  Basically, it's anybody's game, as long as you sign the waiver! 

The company was AdrenaLine in Sooke, BC.  I was given the  Do's and Don'ts over the phone when I booked our time.  Be there 20 minutes ahead, no drinking, strict rules on the weight guidelines, etc., etc.. The one that stood out for me was when he said that proper shoes are important and flipflops will be duct taped to your feet.  Hilarious!

The roads were perfect for a motorcycle ride from Victoria to Sooke to get to the location.  The first run was the tester of 130 Ft in length just to make sure everyone was okay.  Next, was the steep uphill climb in an ATV to get to the next run.  It was a fun ride.  I'd never been on an ATV before and is definitely on the adventure list.  We went from 250 feet to 1000 feet lengths.  For me, the longer the better.  It wasn't the least bit scary, just FUN!  The only thing this adventure was missing was more runs. 

Adventure 23 - Driving a Vintage Car

On our motorcycle vacation, Bill and I were in Victoria, BC walking around the harbour enjoying the day.  We noticed a vintage car parked near the docks.  It turned out, it was a Vintage Car Rental company and the car just waiting for my arrival was a 1937 Jaguar.  Perfect!  Without hesitation, I pulled out a little cash and found myself signing on the dotted line.  For $110.00 and two hours to burn up, Iwasn't about to pass up THIS adventure.  Bill is still getting used to my impulses and was a willing accomplice.

There was a little glitch in the beginning because with a 28" inseam I could barely reach the accelerator.  Not to worry, there was help on the way when the rental attendant placed a thick blanket behind my back to push me forward just enough to do the trick.  We were set to go!

They mapped out a great tour around the coastline of Victoria with lookout points along the way and places to take pictures.  Bill and I took turns driving and in no time at all the two hours had passed. 

We had a lot of people checking us out, especially when the occasional toot of the horn inspired a look our way.  During one of our stops a guy actually came up to us and asked us where we bought the car.  Later on, we stopped at a local pub called Big Bad Johns (definitely worth a peek in if you're ever in Victoria) and one of the locals recognized us.  He said he had watch us while we were driving the Jag.

I loved the unplanned adventure.  Who knows what will happen next.

Adventure 22 - Kiss in the Rain

I've wanted to be kissed in the rain for awhile now.  There never seemed to be the right time, place or guy.  When my boyfriend and I first met a couple of years ago, I told him that I wanted to kiss in the rain one day.

As fun and romantic as this seemed in my imagination, the outcome was not quite as I had pictured it.

It was Sunday, August 1, 2010 and the rain was coming down hard in northwest Calgary.  You could see the water running down the street like a fast moving creek.  Bill and I were watching out the window.  I said to him, "this would be a great time to take me outside and kiss me in the rain".  He was all for it, so out to the front yard we went in the POURING rain.  It has coming down HARD!

As imagined, he cupped my face in his hands and came in for a long soft kiss that he does so well.  So far so good.  Then, unexpectedly, little pellets of hail were coming down too.  Although they were small they sure did hurt my partially covered feet.  I just couldn't stand it for long.  My concentration had been diverted.  Bill was ready willing and into it when suddenly I pulled away and ran into the house.

Even though I was wanting to try it again, the mood was lost and the time had passed. 
This adventure went down river and drowned quickly.

Adventure 21 - The SlingShot Ride

There is a ride at the Calgary Stampede grounds called the Sling Shot (formerly known as the Reverse Bungee).  They strap you TIGHTLY in a chair for two and sling shot you through the air for 250 feet then it snaps you back.  It's been around for years but I have never had a reason to try it.  Adventure 20 was my reason. 

My witnesses were granddaughter Carmen, boyfriend Bill and his daughter Meagan.  For some reason (fear) I could not convince any of them to go with me.  Carmen, given that she's only nine years old, would probably not fit the size restrictions so she gets a free pass.  

I thought I would have to go it alone when along came Richard.  He was visiting from England and was on his own as well.  Problem solved.  Two strangers would ride together.  

Anticipation is all part of the thrill.  You get time to have it really sink in.  There were three pairs ahead of us and all we could to was watch and wait and observe the reactions.  I knew it was going to be okay when I saw a twelve year old boy and his Dad ride ahead of us.  This was going to be fun.

Richard and I step up to the platform and take a seat.  We are strapped in good!  I wasn't sure I was going to be able to breath but the pressure ease off enough.  Now we wait.............and wait.............tick tock, tick tock.  We watched as the springs loaded to the top...then the launch..........

ZOOM! Wahoooooooo!  Now THAT was a great RIDE!

When I can feel my stomach in my chest, then I know I'm having fun! Awesome!

A downside:  the $20.00 souvenir DVD with no sound and terrible video.  A special thanks has to go out to my buddy Richard who emailed me a few still pictures.  It was still well worth the ride.  If it wasn't for the $40.00 price tag, I could have done it over and over.  TRY it.  You'll LOVE it!

Adventure 20 - Ride in a Rickshaw

After a long day at the Calgary Stampede with two of my granddaughters, Carmen and Jayda we headed out to walk the 2 or 3 blocks to the car.  We were tired and our arms were full of coats and winnings from the day. 

To my surprise there we a few guys at the entrance way offering Rickshaw rides.  At first I passed them by, but my focus turned to my tired feet so I turned back to ask how much to take us to the car.  For two dollars we hopped in and enjoyed the ride. 

Three blocks doesn't seem far unless your feet are tired, your arms are full and kids in tow.

It was well worth it!

Adventure 19 - Texas Hold Em Tournament

One of my gifts for my 50th Birthday was from my son Brandon who won a seat for me in a poker tournament at the Blackfoot Casino.  I was definitely 'ALL IN' for that adventure.  My experience with Texas Hold 'Em is once a year for charity at $20.00 a seat, and I have yet to win.  In other words, nada. 

The night before, Brandon and my other son Justin meet to play a few rounds and maybe pick up a couple of strategy tips.  The situation wasn't ideal since it was only the 3 of us, but then we sat in on a few hands online to get a taste of what to expect.  All I can remember is the basic hands and a couple of pre-flop betting tips. 

Ready or not, here we go.  Brandon and I meet up at the Casino a half hour before start time.  We check in, take a look around and wander over to the slot machines.  Just for fun, we each bet $20.00 on the machine with the $83,000 jackpot.  Why not, odds in a casino are always against you so think BIG.  Brandon loses his money quickly and I'm up next.  With a few pushes of a button and I hit a small win of $50.00.  That's it!  I cash out for $58.00 and replay my original $20.00.  That replay lasted less than a minute.  Either way, I'm up $38.00.  Nice!

Okay, so now it's tournament time.  I'm seated at table #2 and Brandon is a few tables away.  The dealer starts dealing and the games begin.  I sat quiet for the first while, not really understanding what the heck was going on.  It's not costing me anything but I fold most of the time.  When I get a couple good of pre-flop cards I forget that I should be betting triple the blind instead of limping in on the minimum.  There was one hand where I actually folded when I should have just checked and at least be able to see the flop.  Uaakkk!  I think at least an hour went by where I finally started to relax and pay attention.   Time goes by and I'm still holding on to 8000 of the 10000 we started with. 

Now, they're moving everyone at our table to different tables as some of the players have been wiped out.  I sit down with a new table of players and for my first hand, it's pocket fives.  Not bad.  I pay the money to see the flop.  Out comes another five and a pair of sixes.  Already, I have a full house.  Three people are in.  The first guy bets.  I raise 500 and another player bets 1500.  I'm in for the 1500 and another card is layed.  A jack comes up.  Okay, I'm still good.  The first guy folds and the girl plays ALL IN, everything she's got.  I match her chips and I'm left with about 300 left to spare.  Okay, I'm IN.  Here comes the river...the final card.  Up comes another Jack.  On the board we have two sixes, two jacks and a five.  We lay out our cards.  I still have my full house with fives and jacks.  Her hand?  A six and and Ace.  She wins with SIXES and Jacks.   Great!  She wins on the River card and I'm down to practically nothing.

Brandon motions me to meet him out side in five minutes.  I go through the whole scenario with him and I see it in his face that he thinks I've won a good hand.  Reality sets in and he can't believe it.  I did everything right, he says. There was nothing I could have done differently.  A tough break.

So, that's that.  In and out in an hour and a half and of the most exhilirating 90 minutes I've spent in awhile.  As I write this, I'm can still feel the nerve racking excitement.  It was a fun time.  Thanks Brandon. 

Don't forget, I still walked away with thirty eight bucks!

Adventure 18 - Recycling in Calgary

During Environment Week my employer, ATCO Pipelines, gave me an opportunity to visit our city’s recycling plant run by Metro Recycling Services. We were able to view the facility through a large window overlooking the mountain of recycled trash while witnessing the unloading of the trucks to the conveyor belts taking it all through the sorting process.

Along with a short video, our ‘tour guide’ Andrea showed us what we should and shouldn’t be putting into our blue carts.

I have never been a recycler until the inception of the Blue Cart Program, and together with Environment Week I was educated in bulk.

It's been just over a year since Calgary started their Blue Cart Recycling program.Calgary BlueCart Program . It is 2010 and, as it turns out, we are a couple of decades behind so we have a lot of catching up to do. The Blue Cart is a great starter program for me because it got the ball rolling. I don't have to do any sorting and the truck comes once a week for a pick up on the same day as my regular garbage. Making it easy was the difference for me.

You just have to check out what the City of Edmonton is doing Edmonton's Recycling and you'll realize just how far behind Calgary really is. From a Composting Program, to Eco Centres, to their Waste Management Centre, Edmonton does a phenomenal job recycling.

What I learned:

• Most bottle caps are not recyclable

• If Calgary had a composting program we could cut our garbage by at least half

• Glass is not recycled in Calgary, we are currently stockpiling it until we can find a market

• Bottles at the bottle depot are sanitized and returned to companies to reuse

• Residential composts are inexpensive

The most important information for me was the message to Reduce first, Reuse, then Recycle. Another one to add to that may be to Refuse (i.e. flyer delivery).

Going Forward:

There are a few things I can do to start improving my Carbon Footprint. The first thing on agenda is to post a NO FLYER sign on my mailbox. I am also removing the bag off my lawn more and let the clippings work their magic on my lawn which will be far less work for me as well. I've also decided to investigate the composting idea.

I have come to realize that it doesn't take a lot of effort to get started and I can see that this is just the beginning.

Running out of landfill space was the big reason why Edmonton needed to come up with some innovative ideas to find a way to get rid of their garbage, and they made it happen. Calgary has 30 years of landfill space left. Unless the people of our city force the issue, with this much time left, there is no real push to make changes. It’s really up to us.