Canadian Adventure

I did my homework ahead of time and found via ferrata in Whistler and knew I'd be doing it, even without my friend. (her idea of getting out of her comfort zone is asking me to go on vacation with her!)

Via Ferrata means "The Iron Way" and was started in WW1 to get over the Italian Dolomites!You can read about it HERE. I find the history of it fascinating. I have rock climbed before and wasn't interested in doing that, but this was similar but with rungs!

But, before that we had to take the gondola to the top of Whistler Peak. We then took another gondola to Blackcomb peak for hiking first. I'm not even sure I've been in a gondola before!!
Info: The record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola links Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains. A feat of engineering, the gondola boasts the longest unsupported lift span in the world (3.024 kilometres or 1.88 miles). It is also the highest lift of its kind with an elevation of 436 metres (1,427 ft).

Isn't is beautiful??!!

We went back to Whistler mtn where our via ferrata adventure would start after lunch.

 See that building about in the middle? We started there and hiked to the rocks. 

 And got our safety briefing. Jake was our guide and we were the only 2 people! That was fun!

 Ummmm, where are all the rungs??? Well, I guess because of the cold winters they break off! So it was a little like rock climbing.

 This is looking straight down where we had just climbed.

I had an absolute blast! 

 My friend is glad she did it, but I'm pretty sure she'd never do it again. I'd jump at the chance! I had a blast!!

Basically we climbed this mountain! Most people take the chair lift to the new suspension bridge. (Right about the middle of your screen)

They waited for me while I crossed the bridge.

After getting cleaned up and had dinner, we went to the coldest vodka ice room in the world! It was 25 degrees below zero and that's why we needed the knee length Canadian goose down parkas! This was our Italian bartender.

That topped off our memorable 3 days in Whistler Canada!! 

Would you do the Via Ferrata?

Seen on My Run on Orcas Island

I love running in new places! You see so much when on foot. 

My first run on vacation brought me to more water so I had to turn around and figure out how to add to my run. It was fun to see it on my gps map!

The beaches on Orcas Island are beautiful but not soft and sandy. 

 Little rabbit foo-foo hopping through the meadow.....

 This is a madrone tree, native to the western coast of USA and Canada. 

This was the start of the public path right outside our hotel! I loved it!

I managed to run 8.75 miles and hiked 6.1. I'll share hiking photos next week! It was amazing!

A City Run

I've been running intervals on Mondays but I switched up my schedule this week since I was in Washington. 

 Look at those clouds. I was sure I would be drenched. I didn't end up getting rained on, but boy was it humid!

 I went out of my way to photograph this Rhododendron. It is amazing!

My "trail" run went by a Jewish cemetery. 

 Nothing flat about this 5 miler! 

Ah, home sweet home. (well, home away from home)

A Night out and Morning Run

We spent the day in Portland on Friday.

 Met my son for lunch. 

 Had a delish ginger martini

And a night out with the Moody Blues. They may be getting old, but they can still put on a show. 

 It was supposed to rain on Saturday morning, but this is what I woke to.  I didn't waste any time lacing up and heading out the door to the waterfront for a run.

It was my first run of the year in Portland and I LOVED it!

Choose to move more this week!

Running in Washington

I had a little trip to WA last week. 

 Look a the puffy clouds and gorgeous blue sky. They were trying to tell me the weather was rainy! lol

 I stay at my brother's which is near Lake Forest Park. Even the ducks knew it was a good day to be outdoors.

It is so nice to have a different place to run!

Bridge of the Goddess Half Marathon

What a fun race weekend I had. The course was gorgeous!

We started on the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks

 We had amazing views.

 Lovely wooded forest trail. 

 More views. (You know there are hills to get to these views!)

 Our course included these stairs. Three flights!

And an amazing finish line with hubby, daughter and Porter to meet me!