2008 Summer of Love

Regular readers of my Blog may have noticed that a new link was added to the top of my site about a week ago titled '08 Summer of Love. It's appearance with lack of linked page behind it, prompted a few curious "please explains", and for those people I am now able to fill you in.

It's an ambitious quest. But with the 2008 Summer shaping up as being my last here in my beloved (instance of "Love" #1), adopted home province of British Columbia, I've been thinking, "Why not bow out in style and bring everyone along for the ride?"

So, with the help and company of some of the best friends a guy could ever have (instance of "Love" #2), the plan is to tackle a whole host of wild and whacky events throughout the Summer of 2008. Considering Summer only runs traditionally for a handful of months (and even shorter in the Lower Mainland), my thoughts are that we'll kick it all off as early as February if need be, and let it run until I'm strapped in on a plane winging its way back Down Under!

So what's on the calendar? Here's the 2008 Summer of Love "to-do" list as it stands right now:

 

Hike "The Chief"

Projected Date: TBA

"The Stawamus Chief" is an impressively huge and imposing 700m high piece of granite that lies just outside Squamish, the outdoor activity mecca that lies between Vancouver and Whistler Blackcomb resort.

I first experienced the thrill of climbing this beast and marveling at the breathtaking views from the top of the peaks back in May 2006 when Brent and I headed up.

I've been wanting to tackle it again ever since, so it's only natural that I add it to the "2008 Summer of Love" list.

 

White Water Rafting - Thompson River

Projected Date: POSTPONED UNTIL 2009

Ever since I took to the not-so-ferocious white water of the Ottawa River back in July 2006, I've had a yearning to take on something with a little more "bite" before I leave Canada. The locals tell me that the nearby Thompson River can provide me with the challenge I desire.

Featuring big waves and warm water, the Thompson throws up Class III and IV rapids with names like "The Witch's Cauldron", "Devil's Kitchen" and "Jaw's of Death".

Sounds good to me! Where do I sign up?

 

Sooke Potholes

Projected Date: POSTPONED UNTIL 2009

Funnily enough, most Vancouverites are totally unaware of the existence of the Sooke Potholes - a series of stunning deep rock pools and cascading waterfalls running with crystal clear water located in Sooke, about 45 minutes outside of Victoria on Vancouver Island.

I was lucky to be introduced to the pools by my good friend and Victorian resident, Cole, back in July 2006. We had an awesome day at the pools in the baking sun and followed it up with another visit in August that same Summer.

If nothing else, it will be awesome to introduce my Vancouver-based mates to this little piece of BC paradise.

 

Kentucky Derby

Projected Date: IDEA CANCELLED

This one is totally TJ's idea, but none of us about to argue with him!

The Kentucky Derby is not surprisingly held in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday of May every year. It's the first race in America's "Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing" and is known in the US as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports".

Never mind the 80,000+ inner field gathering, or the flowing Mint Juleps (an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint and a sugar syrup), how can you argue with the most exciting two minutes in sports. It's a no-brainer!

 

Conquer "The Grind"

Projected Date: To be completed by late September

Yes, the official "bad boy" of local hiking tracks and I are set to become very well acquainted in the Summer of 2008, as I attempt to ascend the 2.9km trail straight up the face of Grouse Mountain gaining 2,800 feet elevation in the process, no less than 20 times.

Why? I hear you ask? Well for starters it's really because I can... then there's the view from the top which is outstanding, my two favourite (only cause they're probably the only ones I'll ever get close enough to to photograph) Grizzly Bears "Grinder" and "Coola" are up the top, and the trail head is a stone's throw from work making access quick and easy after work in the evenings.

Ambitious?... YES! Doable?... YES! Exhausting?... DEFINITELY! Progress?... keep an eye on the tally below!

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20

 

UPDATE: My good mate Dan has made a great suggestion in that I should paraglide from the top of Grouse Mountain on the completion of my 20th trip up the Grind. Great idea mate - one I shall pursue with interest!

 

Gorge Road Trip x 2

Projected Date: Aug 15-17 (Tom Petty) & Aug 29 - Sept 1 (O.A.R. & DMB)

In my mind, one of the all-time great road trips from Vancouver is to the semi-dessert region of George in Washington, to easily the greatest concert venue, in these parts anyway, "The Gorge!"

We have been making the pilgrimage south over the border in search of musical treats for a few years now with trips to see Tom Petty, and of course the Dave Matthews Band in both 2006 and 2007. The 2008 Labor Day weekend performance of the Dave Matthews Band, and this year supported by my favourite band O.A.R., has automatically been etched into the calendar, and I'm stoked to say I'm going to be able to see Tom Petty with all the gang as a warm up effort a couple of weekends earlier.

 

Hike to Garibaldi Lake

Projected Date: POSTPONED UNTIL 2009

Ever since my good friend and talented photographer, Jenny, returned from a hiking trip to Garibaldi Lake sometime last year (I think), I have had this huge desire to get up there on a clear, Spring day to try my hand at some photography as well.

Located only 37km north of Squamish, the turquoise-coloured alpine lake is reached by a number of trails which are suggested to be some of the most beautiful on the planet.

With shots like those that Jenny captured (see image on the left) it's not difficult to understand why I want to get up there and experience this little gem of a spot in BC's great outdoors for myself.

 

Kayaking in "Deep Cove"

Projected Date: TBA

Honestly, Ry and I have been talking about doing this for over two years now and we've just never gotten around to doing it.

I've only been out to the beautiful "Deep Cove" in the north-east suburbs of Vancouver once, with my friend Kim back in May 2006. It was only a fleeting visit - just enough time to sit on the shore and eat some lunch and watch a bunch of people paddling out in the crystal clear water.

Mark my words... it WILL happen in 2008!

 

Yukon Trip

Projected Date: POSTPONED UNTIL 2009

If you've seen any of the photos from the "2007 Yukon Rush" trip that I completed with the boys, you'll easily understand why we have firmly committed to doing the "trip of a lifetime" all over again.

The journey in 2008 will no doubt possess a distinctly different flavour, but the stunning, remote wilderness of the Yukon will remain the same.

Stay tuned for further details on this trip, penciled in for August 2008.

 

House Boating on the Shuswap

Projected Date: July Long Weekend 2008

Apparently, you're a nobody around these parts if you haven't piled onto a floating box with a tonne of your nearest and dearest friends on Shuswap Lake.

It's probably one of the more ambitious items for the "2008 Summer of Love" in that getting enough people to commit to make it both worthwhile and also cheap enough, is going to be a challenge.

The infamous July long weekend has been earmarked as the weekend for it all to happen, however, so we'll just see how things pan out!

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