Strange January Weather

We sure are experiencing some strange weather here this month! It seems like nothing is normal this winter across the country! There have been extreme temperature fluctuations from East to West and points in between. On the West Coast we had extremely cold weather early this month, with cold, sunny Ontario-like weather for several days in a row. We had to scramble for more firewood, as our old house with R1 insulation was feeling very chilly!
Last weekend we headed out to Whistler for a week of skiing, or so we thought. The first day was clear and cold, with Alpine temps at -11 C, but no wind! It was beautiful, but there was barely any snow on the icy runs! Then the Pineapple Express hit, with strong, gale force winds and rain, rain, rain. The temperatures rose overnight to +2 C. At first it snowed, and things looked promising for us skiers. Whistler Village was quickly covered in a fluffy, white blanket. The next day, however, the rains began, and soon the mountains were getting deluged. I felt sorry for the snow boarders who came from around the world to compete in the World Championships. By the time we left on Wednesday, I think they were the only ones still headed up the mountain. Whistler Blackcomb had all but closed the runs, with only a few lifts still in operation. When I heard they had shut down the Creekside Gondola I knew there was no hope for a quick recovery. The cobblestoned streets in Whistler Village were treacherous, with tiny rivers washing over the ice underneath. It was time to head back to Bowen early. Better luck with our next ski vacation!

New Year's View 2005 

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

Here's wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy 2005!

We had a nice, quiet evening at home last night with friends and family. We toasted the New Year from our deck, with the fireworks over Nanaimo visible to the west.
The New Year arrived on Bowen on a crsip, partly cloudy night, which turned into a crisp, sunny day in time for the Annual Polar Bear Swim on Bowen Beach. I headed down there so I could see just who the really crazy people on Bowen are. I had planned to take a picture, but alas, I arrived too late to see the splashing. Pictures of wet bodies huddled by the fire are not as dramatic, so you'll have to use your imagination, as I did. Next year I'll probably be one of the wet bodies. I decided to forego the dip this year, as I didn't feel it was a good thing to do on immune suppressive therapy! I'm hoping my health will be better by 2006!
Since the afternoon was so beautiful, I decided it was a great time for the first paddle of the year! I got to practice my surf entry and exit, as there were a few wavies on Tunstall Beach. It appears I need more practice! Luckily, fleece and wool keeps you toasty warm even when wet. The water really wasn't very cold, but I did object to the sloshing puddles in my boots. If I'm going to be paddling year 'round, perhaps a pair of kayak booties would be a good investment. MEC, here I come! Tomorrow, I'm hoping to brave the slopes of Whistler for the first time this season! I can hardly wait! This is why I moved here: peace, tranquility, and being able to paddle year 'round and ski mountains! I don't think it gets any better than this. Anyone who still thinks I'm going to change my mind and move back to Ontario is mistaken!
I will end this post with a few gems shamelessly stolen from the BowenOnline Forum (your source of all the news and views on Bowen Island at http:/bowenonline):
Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. Never buy a car you can't push. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late. The second mouse gets the cheese. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live. You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person. Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors but they all have to live in the same box. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.