Courtenay Air Park

Birthday Weekend

I didn't really want to plan anything for my birthday this year, so Patrick suggested that maybe we could go climbing for that weekend.  It seemed like fun, especially since I haven't gone outdoor climbing this summer yet, so Patrick, Anna, and I headed down to Kelowna to stay with Bryan for the weekend.  It was cool because I learned so much on the weekend. I lead climbed and did a multi pitch for the first time, and did some fun rappelling as well!

Anna and I always match when we climb - white Aritzia sweaters, Lululemon leggings, Camp helmets.
At the Hall of Thieves (Lonely Crag)

View of the vineyards and Lake Okanagan from the top of the climb at Mt Boucherie. Gorgeous!

On Sunday, Patrick and I went to Skaha (Penticton) which is a climbing haven... it is usually packed but there was no one around that day because it was the day of the Ironman triathlon. This was our big adventure day.

We met a couple from Vancouver who we ended up climbing with for the rest of the day. They were insistent on doing a climb which no one wanted to lead, so they said we could just hike off-trail and set up an anchor from the top. So we went on this hike up to the top of the bluffs, looked around for safe points to set up an anchor, and then rappelled down 30 metres with all our gear onto a little ledge because our rope wasn't long enough to reach all the way to the ground.  It was crazy how quiet it was. No sounds but nature. There were absolutely no other people around!

View from the top of the bluffs:

Anthony getting ready to rappel down:

Michelle on her way down:

We set up our belay station on this ledge:

Anthony happened to be rappelling down beside me as I was climbing, so he whipped out his SLR and gave me a little climbing photoshoot!

Later that night, I drank my tea as I watched Bryan and Patrick make a cake.

Then they sang happy birthday!

View from Lonely Boy:

View of the lake as I finished my lead climb!

I definitely need new shoes now.

 I have to say, this birthday weekend was hard to beat!

Housewarming

I had my housewarming for my coworkers in White Rock on a Sunday evening. Props to Tom for doing all the bbq-ing. Allen brought a big box full of liquor...he is like a walking alcohol cabinet.  I made my baked brie with fig jam in puff pastry. That turned out a lot better than at my wine and cheese! It was yums.

My coworkers gave me a hammock as a housewarming present. I really like the idea of having a hammock, but am not sure how to drill holes in my wall...

Water Biking

Noel had a groupon for water bikes down at Granville Island, so he took me before work on Saturday morning. I was under the impression that they would be like the pedal boats in Deer Lake Park, but these were completely different!  It was great being in the water on a hot, sunny morning.

Fable

Cat's month in Vancouver is over and it's almost time for her to go back to Paris :(  so we went out for dinner at Fable, at the former Refuel on W4th. I painted my nails to match my bike and my skirt, and then I zoomed down there (less than 10 minute bike ride) and arrived to find that Cat and Anna were wearing the same colour scheme! Even the waiter pointed it out. It was definitely not planned. We are not THOSE types of girls hah.

Polica @ the Biltmore

I was under the impression that Jason and Hugo would be going to the Biltmore this night, so I signed up to do photos last minute. Turns out they decided not to go, because they didn't like the band! I was already committed, so I showed up a bit later than usual in my 4 inch heels, since I wasn't sure if I would be able to get to the front. The view from four inches higher was a lot nicer, but my feet were killing me by the end of the concert. Polica played moody electronic pop, not really my kind of music but I did enjoy myself. I think half the audience was high.

Walk to Work

There's no free parking at one of the downtown stores anymore, so I decided to walk across the Granville bridge and to work, close to English Bay. It took me almost an hour!

Lynn Valley

Went climbing with Jason and Hugo in the morning, and they told me they were taking Jason's mom to Lynn Valley in the afternoon so I decided to come along. It was a nice easy hike around the falls and Rice Lake. Great way to spend my day off!

Portland

I love love love Portland. Had such a great time!