Howdy again all...

I forgot one amusing little occurrence from the camping trip I blogged about yesterday...

We were sitting by the fire on Tuesday evening, just enjoying the quiet and solitude, when there was a splintering CRACK, the sound of many branches breaking and creaking, and we whipped around to see a tree fall over.  Madeileen cautiously looked over, to see if something.... large-n-alive had pushed the tree, or if it went on it's own.  Turns out it just.... went.  Creeped us right out though!

So, the age-old question has been answered.

Yes, if trees fall in the forest, they do indeed make noise.  Lots of it.   ;)

My adventures into the great outdoors continue.  First it was hiking, then cross-country skiing.

This time, madeileen and I decided that a day at the ski hill was in order.  Downhill skiing this time.  She wanted to break in her new snowboard, and I...well... I wanted to see if I could still ski, and if I still enjoyed it.  I used to be an avid skier when I was younger.   Loved it, and laboured to become a semi-decent skier.  I haven't gone sking for 6 or 7 years now.

So, the adventure begins!  I got up at 6:15 am and groaned.  Whose idea was it to get up this early?  Oh yeah... mine.  :)  I puttered about the house as quietly as I could, so as not to wake mavmaw.  Finally, I couldn't stand waiting around anymore, (and didn't want to wake MA) so I hit the road about 20 minutes ahead of schedule.  It was strange leaving the city while it was still dark out.

I enjoyed the solitude of the drive out to Kananaskis.  Had my iPod blaring away over the car stereo, and just generally loved the drive.  Traffic was fairly light.. considering it was a weekday and still really early, I shouldn't have been surprised.

I got to highway 40 about 15 minutes ahead of my planned time.  I quickly texted Ronya, and said "running early...hope you're up!"  (She was working the day before...) 

Finally, I got to Ronya's workplace.  The place was abuzz with morning activity and shift-change.  Lotsa folks about...more than I'd seen before.  I chatted with a couple of 'em... seems like a good group out there. 

Ronya asked "need a coffee?"  I think I nodded.  She got me a big-arse cup and pointed to the coffee machine.  As I filled my cup, she said "don't take too much... it's FIREHOUSE coffee".  I thought, well, couldn't be much worse than the stuff we make at my store.  It wasn't.  Much worse.  Just a little.  LOL.  Sure perked me up though!

Anyway, we headed over to the Kanaskis Village for a quick bite (and better coffee) before the ski-hill opened.  Enjoyed some morning conversation and a terrific (HUGE) bagel. 

Then, off to Nakiska!  I got my rental gear, Ronya got us passes, and we were on the chairlift.  She admitted to being a little nervous.. first time on a hill other than C.O.P.  I admitted to being a little nervous myself, as it had been so long since my last day on the slopes.

Long story longer... we had a great day, and got more confident as it went on.  I do remember how to ski, and I *still* love it.  DANGER!  I'm a little more cautious than I used to be, but then I'm not a young adult who thinks he's immortal anymore.  LOL. 

Anyway, we did six runs in total, which amounted to a good half-day of shushing down the hill, before our bodies started yelling.  My thighs were locking up, and Ronya's knee was getting tender.  I need to get in better shape!

We turned in my rental gear, and got ourselves gingerly loaded into the car.  We then headed down to the Village again, where Ronya has access to the spa and gym facilities at the hotel.  (Rough life!)  We then soothed our aching muscles in the hotels hot tub, which was simply glorious.  Soaked for probably a good hour while yapping and laughing.

Then, time to head home.  Ronya drove me back to my car, and we hit the highway in our respective vehicles.  I left a little later than she did, as I organized my stuff, but caught up to her part way through the drive.  "Holly zippy!"  she texted me.  I innocently replied "who me?"  Yeah... texting while driving.  bad.... I know.  She's corrupting me.  :)

I got home, and gave Mary-Ann a big hug 'n kiss, as she'd had a lovely (not) day at work.  We yapped for a while, and we then prepared to go to a scotch-tasting a friend of ours was doing at his liquor store.  I laid on the bed and let my muscles groan while MA got ready to go, and told me the events of her day.

We headed to the tasting (over in Edgemont) and had a wonderful time.  I even found some scotch that *I* like.  I daresay I could convert a few people to scotch with a wee dram of these lovely beverages.   One product rep was (surprisingly) offering samples of a 25 year old highland scotch.  (Over $200 per bottle)  It was GORGEOUS.  I think some folks thought he was a blashphemer though, as he was serving it with a little dab of french vanilla ice cream on the side.  (All other reps had crackers, pate, savoury things like that.)  I know, ice cream... sounds gross, to both scotch and non-scotch fans!   It was AMAZING!

Anyway, I took it easy on the scotch after the day on skis, thinking that I was over-tired and REALLY vulnerable to alcohol.  Glad I behaved.  I could have gotten liquored REALLY quickly.

We drove home after the event (making sure one of us was good to drive), curled up on the couch and caught up with a couple of shows on the PVR. (God, I love Mike Rowe's "Dirty Jobs") We headed to bed just before 10.  At which point I pretty much slept the sleep of the dead.

Thanks for a wonderful day Ronya!   Thanks for a wonderful evening Mary-Ann!   I'm a lucky fella.  Life is good.  :)

Now I wanna go sking more!!!!! 


...as soon as my thighs stop aching.   :D

Some time last year, madeileen and catalytic gave us a gift-certificate for The Shooting Edge, a local gun range.  We kept it handy for ages, and thought we'd better use it before it expired.

So, we discussed going with the aforementioned gift-givers, and we all ventured down there this fine wintry evening. 

When you go down to the range, you get to select from their various demo weapons to fire.  Pay a range fee, plus the cost of ammo, and go have some fun. 

We selected a Glock 9mm, a Sig Sauer P226 (9mm Luger, I think), and a .44 Magnum (Smith & Wesson model 29).  *eep*

The Range Officer was great, and went over safety rules and operation of the pistols.  We'd all shot before, except for mavmaw.  This was her first time, and she was pretty nervous.  He was really a pro with MA.

We went into the range proper, and proceeded to load up.

Catalytic took up the .44 first, and fired off a round while the rest of us were loading our clips. 

The BOOM that erupted from his hand-cannon could be felt in your bones.  Mavmaw and madeileen jumped a foot.  I had to check my pants to make certain I didn't allow a little pee to escape.  Holy crap, the POWER of the thing.

I fired the Glock first, and it was fun.  While I was doing that, MA picked up the .44.  She was totally terrified, but she gave it a shot.   It bucked in her hands as she fired of one round.  Then she moved back to the semi-autos.  Can't say I blame her!  Pretty damn scary weapon, especially for a first-time shooter.

Once I was done with the Glock, I moved on to the .44.  I was SERIOUSLY intimidated by the monstrous revolver.  I loaded the chamber, and flicked it closed.  I raised the pistol up, took aim at the target, held my breath and gently pulled the trigger.

That's when the overly-caffeinated horse kicked me in the wrist.   Lucifer's hoary fistula...that thing had so much kick, it was TOTALLY astounding.

After firing off 6 shots (did I fire 5?  or 6? ...do you feel lucky?)  I moved on to the Sig Sauer, which had been my pick.  Loved it.  Of the weapons we selected, I found it the most enjoyable, and most satisfying to fire.  I had to resist the urge to quickly empty a clip BANGBANGBANGBANGBANG. 

We all took turns with the .44, and I think I did 18 rounds with the beast.  My wrist is still sore from the horse kicking the crap outta me.

All in all, it was an expensive half-hour (I think the .44 rounds were rather pricey), but it was just a blast!  Have to do it again. 


Followed up the bang-bang-fun with dinner and a movie...and then a slightly freaky drive home in the unexpected snowfall.

Great night. Plus, I gotta say that seeing the women fire the pistols was strangely hot.  :D

Thanks guys!  :D