Tinkerblue

Weehee, Ziptrekking

Shazza is not a fan of heights. Or so she says. So when I had a friend book is on the Eagle Tour with Ziptrek Ecotours in Whistler, I wasn't sure how she'd react.

Their website describes our tour as:
Five new ziplines including a 2000' awe inspiring monster that drops over 20 stories, make this tour perfect for those who have already experienced our Ziptrek Bear Tour or are seeking even more heart pounding adrenaline. On this tour you end your adventure by zipping all the way back to Whistler Village!

Bright and early we rocked up to learn our tour was the three of us, William from the US and our two tour guides, James and Chris. Pity James, Chris and William.

We climbed into our harness, and bussed up to the start of the course. Shazza was not do sure about the first line, but James and Chris did an awesome job and it wasn't long before she was screaming and hollering (and peeing her pants - kidding) and wanting more.

The scenery was stunning, fresh snow everywhere. Our tour guides were friendly
and funny, and they put up with the three of us. For that alone they deserved a tip.

The zip trekking was amazing. We loved every minute of it. It was like flying without the plane. And we all zipped down the last line upside down. Yep, upside down, even Shazz. Best morning in a long time. Can't wait to go again.

Whistler Winter Wonderland

Shazza and Kath had a lengthy list of places to visit while they where here - Victoria, Seattle, Whistler, Banff and Jasper.

We didn't quite make it to Jasper or Banff, but we did make it to Whistler. Friends kindly lent us their condo and we woke up to a covering of the white stuff. I wanted to curl up and go back to bed with a hot chocolate and a good book. But the Twisted Sisters were excited by the snow, so we bundled up and headed out.

Let me tell you, summer may be high season for mountain biking and hiking and stuff, and winter may be high season for skiing and boarding and snowmobiling, but November is dead season. Seriously, dead. The Peak 2 Peak, all the chairlifts/gondolas, the sliding centre, snow tubing, the Cultural Centre, various restaurants were all closed.

Still, we managed to have a lot of fun. We shopped, took photos at the Olympic Torch, the Rings, the Agitos, the Inukshuk, played in the snow, tried to catch snow on our tongues (Shazza and Kath tried, I laughed at them), had a beer beside the log fire at the pub, ate BeaverTails while the snow fell all around us, and shopped some more.

The highlight of our day? Bumping into Mr and Mrs Claus, who were on a mini vacation before the holiday season gets into full swing.

Happy 28 sleeps until Christmas.

30 Sleeps to Christmas

After a week of set up and training the Vancouver Christmas Market opened yesterday. I was counting passengers on the skytrain yesterday so today ward my first day with customers. The 10 hours flew by.

I'm working in the Kaethe Wohlfahrt store, selling all number of Christmas decorations. Certain friends of mine, Jo, would think their life was about to end if they had to spend 10 hours a day listening to Christmas Carols and selling Christmas ornaments. But I'm enjoying it.

During my break I took a quick wander around the other stalls. Lots of food and drink I want to consume - baked potatoes, baked apples, gingerbread, Glühwein, Schupfnudeln, and Feuerzangenbowle (google it). That'll have to wait until my day off.

$30.00 Anniversary Dinner at Araxi in Whistler

We asked my old mate Joern for dinner recommendations in Whistler. His first answer was Araxi.

Normally not in my budget, but right now they are offering a set menu to celebrate their 30th anniversary. A five course meal for $30.00. Yes please.

Even on a Sunday night in the middle of dead season, Araxi was packed. At 7pm the next table wasn't available until 10pm. Unless we were okay sitting at the bar. Umm hello, we ain't fussy, we'll sit at the bar.

First course - a bowl of local corn and basil soup. I inhaled mine. Even Kath who doesn't do soup ate all hers.

Second course was a choice of BC Albacore Tuna Tataki or or Quebec Fois Gras Parfait or Roasted North Arm Farm Beet Salad. All three of us went for the Beet Salad. It had me at blue cheese. Not to mention spiced pecans. More please.

Third course was my least favourite. Hand Rolled Ricotta Gnocchi. I'm surprised I didn't like this dish. Ricotta, I like. Gnocchi, I like. Tomato sauce, I like. Parmiggiano-Reggiano, I like. But not tonight. Ah well 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Moving on to course #4. We had a choice of Yarrow Farm Duck Breast, Beef Tenderloin Steak, Lois Lake Steelhead or Crisp Parmesan Polenta. I had the duck. Nom, nom, nom. God, it was good. I literally licked my plate clean. There was not a crumb left.

What would dinner be without dessert? Two choices, Valrhona Chocolate Fondant or Okanagan Poached Pears. Which one did I choose? The chocolate? Nah, wrong. Me, the chocoholic, I ordered the poached pears. Brandy poached pears, sour cream ice-cream, vanilla mascarpone cheesecake and almond streusel...Shazza and Kath assure me the chocolate was good, but so were the pears.

Finished the evening with a special hot chocolate. We were so very full. Nothing left to do other than roll home.

(excuse the bad no flash iPhone photos, it's all I got).

Circle Craft Christmas Market

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We spent a good few hours at the Christmas Market yesterday. We spent a little bit of money. It's probably the least amount of money I've spent there. But. We might go back tomorrow or Sunday.

I've noticed over the years that there are less and less of the handmade Christmas crafts and more and more of the high end textile, pottery and jewelry artisans. That possibly explains why I spend less and less each year.

The highlight of my day was when Kath and Shazza gifted me a photo of two polar bears that I had oohed and aahed at earlier in the day. Right now it has pride of place on the buffet in the dining room.

Kath and I tried to talk Shazza into a three foot wooden Santa, but she wouldn't have a bar of it. Miss practical. Common sense is over-rated.

I bought yet more Christmas crap for Shaun and Kelly and Jo. They'll love it. As will Shazza and Kath who get to lug it home for me. They'll love that even more.

All Pumpkins All The Time - Pumpkin Pie

Much like when I first came to Canada, Shazza and Kath were confused by pumpkin pie.

We're used to pumpkin being a veggie, not a dessert. Sure we have pumpkin scones. But normally when we think pumpkin, we think pumpkin soup, or roast/baked pumpkin.

So I did the hostessy thing and baked them a pumpkin pie. Baked = one tin of pumpkin purée, an egg and a frozen ore baked pie shell out of the supermarket freezer, so nothing complicated or fancy.

They had seconds. So I take it that means they liked it.

Where's my second piece of pie? It's no longer in the fridge. Dave? Kath? Shazza?

All Pumpkins All The Time - Pumpkin Carving

After making Shazza and Kath traipse through the muddy pumpkin patch in their good boots I was not the most popular person. Oh well. Suck it up.

But we had fun carving the pumpkins. The best part was sticking our hands in to pull out the slimy innards. Oh and Dave laughing at our lack of prowess with the knife. He stood well back out of the way of any perceived danger.

It didn't take long to carve our little friendly faces. We set them up at the front door, where the trick or treaters proceeded to make fun of our flat top jack o lanterns.

We liked them. That's all that counts.

We Fly For Pie

Raspberry pie at Chilliwack Airport. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

OMG I so new to go for a run this week. Maybe even more than one run.