#58 Complete 10 Hikes (20% Complete)

Hike number two, what a view!

Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better
~Albert Einstein~ 

On Aug 3rd my dear friend Mike came for a 3 day visit with his girlfriend Lisa. Mike and I go way back to my college days (feels like a long time ago now). We met during my 3rd year when I lived on the KLO campus. Mike and I shared a dorm with 3 other guys and we hit it off instantly; we have lots in common and get each others sense of humor. After our school season we decided to get a two bed room apartment of our own, which lead to the famous KLO bachelor pad. The KLO pad was by far the closest thing I have lived in to a complete man cave. Pizza boxes and tacky posters everywhere, we even had the signature worn in futon. Mike was the founder and the first of 4 roommates that I would soon live with at the pad..so all the good times that were had at the pad, we had Mike to thank!

Last year Jenelle and I met up with Mike on Granville Island where he introduced us to his his girlfriend, Lisa. To great surprise when Mike and Lisa visited for the second time, they announced their engagement, which is great news as they are a perfect match for each other.So once again, I'd like to say congratulations to you two love birds!

When Mike told us that he was coming for a visit, I saw it as a great opportunity to cross something fun off my list. I knew it had been a long time since Mike had been in Kelowna and I also was very aware that he was probably missing the amazing mountains we take for granted every day. Needless to say, it was a perfect chance to go for a hike at the new Kelowna Mountain Park I had been hearing so much about.

At first glance Kelowna Mountain is a bit of a eye soar as it truly scars the landscape, but from the development that has been done so far they do make a decent attempt at keeping somewhat of a natural element.  For example we have the man made waterfall in the picture above.

They are also in the process of building a vineyard, which stays true to the Okanagan culture, but the most impressive attraction is the 400m suspension bridge; which is the longest in North America. 

The hike consists of 4 suspension bridges representing each of the 4 elements, each bridge gives a breath taking view of Kelowna and its surroundings.  The Hike also has a board walk that circles a freshly developed Koi pond. 

Some of the more interesting features are the giant size sundial, the lights for night walks, and the gazebos to escape the harsh sun (it is very hot up that high!)

My two favorite parts of the hike were probably the impressive giant outdoor amphitheater that over looks the Okanagan Valley and makes for a impressive rock concert venue and the hollowed out giant bolder that appears to be the making of a wet cave bar.

So I picked this hike thinking it would be much like other hikes I have done, but it was definitely unique and I know it was an amazing site for Mike and Lisa.

Interesting fact: Okanagan Mountain is apparently in the process of also building a golf course, ski hill and a spa resort that will offer fancy picnic packages that can be used anywhere on the grounds. So for final words, I've never seen something like this and I plan to do it many many more times!

Hike like a rock star sincerely Combat Wombat!

#43 Fix Old Chair (Complete)

One Man's Junk is Another Mans Treasure


                                                                      BEFORE

                                                                           AFTER

Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working. 

~Pablo Picasso~

Completing # 43 was a pleasure, I had no idea that working with wood and restoring my old chair would be such a rewarding and enjoyable process. This chair has a lot of sentimental value to me, it was one of the first things I bought for myself when I moved into my own place. I bough the ugly old beast for $20 at a garage sale, at the time is suited my college bachelor lifestyle perfectly.

 Needless to say it was time for my famous chair to get a face lift. The steps i took to fix it up were as followed: 1) dismantled it 2) sand it down (this took a bulk of the time!) 3) Apply stain 4) Rounded the edges to give a highlight effect 5) Apply 4 coats of varnish 6) put back together 7) screw in a bottle opener (BAD ASS) 8) New fabric for the pillows 

Looking at it now I feel it strongly fits into the style that Jenelle and I have created for our place, and I am glad to have a piece that sparks discussion. One of the best parts about this is that I have realized that I quite enjoy working with wood and have plans to work on two new projects. 1) A Catan case 2) A shelf unit for behind our couch.

So time to go sit in my chair and open up a beer and watch the game

Cheers, Bretzgy 

#31 Play on a Multi-Sport Team (Complete)

To be able to play a sport is one thing, to be able to play all of them....that's IMPRESSIVE!

If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?

~Vince Lombardi~

So I have completed #31 on my list, which is to play on a multi-sport team. In fact I didn't just play on a team I RAN it! The team was a great group of people in the picture above starting from left to right on the top row we had Dave, Tyler, myself, Steve and Geoff on the bottom starting on the left we had Jess, Nicole, Amy, Jenelle and Mallory.  

Although the league was fairly unorganized I still had a lot of fun and we got to play a wide range of games such as soccer, football, volleyball, rugby, ultimate frisbee  kickball and capture the flag. The games I enjoyed the most...other then soccer, were kickball and capture the flag, both amazing games that I had not played since high school.  Capture the flag was extremely fun as we had approximately 80 people playing all at once, which created such amazing chaos!

Despite being not officiated all the games proceeded fairly well with the exception of one. I also have to note for a first time team we did extremely well finishing second in the league! We have currently entered our team in a beach volleyball league and are on track to make it into playoffs, which is exciting, We are planing to play indoor volleyball in the fall and then go back to multi-sport again in the winter.

The best part about creating this team was not just the exercise and the ability to try new sports but also the socialization and the starting of new friendships. I am glad to say that our team is running strong and it looks like we will be continuing onward and trying new sports.

Captain Kool-aid signing out