We had the pleasure to enjoy Family Day at Alpine Ski Club in Collingwood, Ontario, this last weekend. This private ski club resort is Ontario's finest destination in my opinion. The combination of friendly atmosphere, outdoor patio, well designed lift systems, well groomed runs and excellent ski school and race program makes this club my choice destination in Ontario.
On one particular chair ride, I met a member of the famed Fukawi Ski Tribe of Alpine. Apparently, they were a group of 40 skiers, now in their late 70's and eighties, who would do annual ski trips together. One thing led to another and with deteriorating health with age, the tribe is down to four skiers.
As an ageing boomer myself, I can often feel the impacts of age on my skeletal system and could relate to the Fukawi Tribe decline. What is the Fukawi Tribe name from? Well, it appears that once upon a time, there was a young indian lost in the tall grass of Southern Africa. He jumped out of the brush and said "where the Fukawi? And that is the story of the Fukawi Tribe.
The Zen Lesson of the story is - enjoy skiing while you can, time waits for no man.
The Adventure Guy
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Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The Harlem Globetrotters Toronto 2012
When I was just a little boy, the advertisements on TV about this famed baseketball team was continuous. My father was not a basketball fan, so we never went to the game. Fourty years later, I actually attended this show with the famed group. I thought they were all from Harlem, but now it has become a bit of a circus act, with Tiny, a white guy standing 7 ft. 8 inches and Too Tall, a black guy standing 5 ft. two inches.
The mock game was entertaining for the kids, who actually believe that the Elite Team were trying to win. As a mature adult, it was fun, but not the same calibre of skill that I remember watching on TV 40 years earlier. I guess it is hard to keep the same level of skill going for so many years and not lose some of the spice.
For an evening of entertainment and kid fun the Globetrotters are still worth watching. At least once every 40 years.
The Adventure Guy
The mock game was entertaining for the kids, who actually believe that the Elite Team were trying to win. As a mature adult, it was fun, but not the same calibre of skill that I remember watching on TV 40 years earlier. I guess it is hard to keep the same level of skill going for so many years and not lose some of the spice.
For an evening of entertainment and kid fun the Globetrotters are still worth watching. At least once every 40 years.
The Adventure Guy
Friday, February 10, 2012
Once in a Blue Moon - Glen Hornblast -CD Release Party
As part of our mission to support Canadian artists, this post is to bring attention to a local musician from Toronto, by the name of Glen Hornblast. He has a kind of Van Morrisson rock acoustic blues sound, and has a clear strong voice and plays his guitar with clarity. I have had the pleasure to hear him play several times at Dave's Pizza on St. Clair, http://www.davesonstclair.com/
a neighborhood restaurant, that attracts a nice acoustic western/blues crowd every Thursday evening.
Last night we also heard Amanda play auto harp, an instrument that found its time in the late 70's. She played a blues song with great style, as well she played piano and sang beautifully. Other musicians such as Alan played the tin whistle and played piano simultaneously. The stage flowed nicely, as artists rotated throughout the evening, and a wide variety of styles were displayed.
However, the musician of the night was Glen Hornblast who will be releasing his first CD in 30 years at the Winterfolk X, at Monarch's Pub located at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St. W. February 19th at 6:00 pm. Apparently there will be four bars humming with various musicians at the same time on that night. Glen sang a couple of Van Morrison songs, while being backed up by some great musicians, and superb harpist, Peter. Glen, has previously led the jam last week, when uncle Herb was in hospital. This group is friendly and cohesive as they support and rally and jam together in a beautiful cooperative flair that truly shows the beautiful harmony of the Toronto multi cultural theme.
For an evening of charm and acoustic grace, check out Glen Hornblast CD release at Monarch's Pub at the Delta Chelsea Inn.
Rock On,
The Adventure Guy
a neighborhood restaurant, that attracts a nice acoustic western/blues crowd every Thursday evening.
Last night we also heard Amanda play auto harp, an instrument that found its time in the late 70's. She played a blues song with great style, as well she played piano and sang beautifully. Other musicians such as Alan played the tin whistle and played piano simultaneously. The stage flowed nicely, as artists rotated throughout the evening, and a wide variety of styles were displayed.
However, the musician of the night was Glen Hornblast who will be releasing his first CD in 30 years at the Winterfolk X, at Monarch's Pub located at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St. W. February 19th at 6:00 pm. Apparently there will be four bars humming with various musicians at the same time on that night. Glen sang a couple of Van Morrison songs, while being backed up by some great musicians, and superb harpist, Peter. Glen, has previously led the jam last week, when uncle Herb was in hospital. This group is friendly and cohesive as they support and rally and jam together in a beautiful cooperative flair that truly shows the beautiful harmony of the Toronto multi cultural theme.
For an evening of charm and acoustic grace, check out Glen Hornblast CD release at Monarch's Pub at the Delta Chelsea Inn.
Rock On,
The Adventure Guy
Monday, January 30, 2012
Mt Tremblant - The Best In The East 2012
We had the good fortune to ski Mt. Tremblant, Quebec this weekend. This Laurentian mountain rated Number 1 in the East, for many years, has this year become the Number 1 for ski conditions in the East as well. The mountain known for its negateive 35 degree skiing in January and February and often bullet proof hard packed snow and ice conditions, has became a more temperate mountain due to the effects of global warming. The temperatures hovering between -2 celsius to -12 celsius, with regular snow fall has made this mountain a unique pearl in a winter of unseemingly warm conditions and without snow in the East.
Tremblant has received regular dumps of snow and has received approximately 250 inches so far this season. The word on the lifts, is that the snow grooming, and lift operating has declined since the new purchasers of Intrawest have taken over and started trimming the operational budgets. You don't see the cats grooming the mountain all night to deliver a top to bottom cordoroy experience anymore. Nonetheless, the mountain offers a mix of groomed and ungroomed runs, and this weekend, we found some fantatstic glade skiing that most visitors never encounter.
When we left the resort, we were in a winter storm, and by the time we reached St. Sauveur, it was blue skies. It appears the Tremblant is now attracting its own personal storm belt, bringing in the much needed snow and pleasant skiing experience.
If you haven't had a good season this year in the east. Go check out Mt. Tremblant. You won't be dissappointed.
The Adventure Guy
Tremblant has received regular dumps of snow and has received approximately 250 inches so far this season. The word on the lifts, is that the snow grooming, and lift operating has declined since the new purchasers of Intrawest have taken over and started trimming the operational budgets. You don't see the cats grooming the mountain all night to deliver a top to bottom cordoroy experience anymore. Nonetheless, the mountain offers a mix of groomed and ungroomed runs, and this weekend, we found some fantatstic glade skiing that most visitors never encounter.
When we left the resort, we were in a winter storm, and by the time we reached St. Sauveur, it was blue skies. It appears the Tremblant is now attracting its own personal storm belt, bringing in the much needed snow and pleasant skiing experience.
If you haven't had a good season this year in the east. Go check out Mt. Tremblant. You won't be dissappointed.
The Adventure Guy
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Akumal Beach Resort- Mayan Riviera- Mexico
We had the pleasure of being guests in this quaint and well managed all inclusive resort in the Mayan riviera. Akumal means turtle in Mayan, and this resort is located on an ecologically protected bay, in order to protect the sea tortoises, coral reefs, and other sea life in this bay. In fact the entire Mayan coast is protected with the world's second largest coral reef, making the beaches there safe for swimming and excellent for snorkelling. This beach does not allow any windsurfers, jet skiers or any other devices that might scare the wildlife or the snorkelers. This effect makes the beach a special place to turn off the blackberry and chill.
The uniqueness of this all inclusive is the tranquility of the bay, and the personnel that operate it. Everyone is in a cheerful pleasant manor and the general greeting of Olla is shared by all staff. The facilities are exceptionally clean, although the rooms could be updated in the older section of the development. The food is tastefully prepared in a health conscious manner with many steamed vegetables, lots of fresh fish and some of the best guacomole I have ever experienced.
The resort is surrounded by mayan jungle so entering it is like stepping into and ecological conservation area with entertainment and food. The young entertainers are charming and talented as they participated in all events from karaoke, to beach volleyball, to theater. They are all university students from different parts of latin America (there is one Canadian there too!)
For a lovely Mayan experience, without the hustle and bustle of the bigger locations, check out Akumal Beach Resort.
Olla,
The Adventure Guy
The uniqueness of this all inclusive is the tranquility of the bay, and the personnel that operate it. Everyone is in a cheerful pleasant manor and the general greeting of Olla is shared by all staff. The facilities are exceptionally clean, although the rooms could be updated in the older section of the development. The food is tastefully prepared in a health conscious manner with many steamed vegetables, lots of fresh fish and some of the best guacomole I have ever experienced.
The resort is surrounded by mayan jungle so entering it is like stepping into and ecological conservation area with entertainment and food. The young entertainers are charming and talented as they participated in all events from karaoke, to beach volleyball, to theater. They are all university students from different parts of latin America (there is one Canadian there too!)
For a lovely Mayan experience, without the hustle and bustle of the bigger locations, check out Akumal Beach Resort.
Olla,
The Adventure Guy
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Mount St. Louis Moonstone - The little Mountain that Could
I had my first ski day this season today, and the best conditions in Ontario happen to be at this destination. The uniqueness of Mt. St. Louis http://www.mountstlouis.com/ is that its roots are from its Austrian family ownership, with real mountain expertise. In fact the founder Josl Huter, who started and now operates Mt. St. Louis, was friends with the founder of Blue Mountain, Jozo Weider. The emphasis at Mt. St. Louis is a good mountain experience, not selling time shares, not retail shopping, not mountain biking. Just good old downhill skiing, with possibly the best terrain park in the province, and perhaps, the most consistent bump field as well.
However, this year's secret is the new 25 acre lake that they built atop the mountain to provide enough water for artificial snow making, and their state of the art equipment. It appears that global warming is starting to take effect this winter, with less cold weather and snow than I have seen in my lifetime. The winner in this new climate change, may be the one with the best snow making, and the luck of being in the snow belt as is Mt. St. Louis.
As a well travelled, ski adventurer, this local mountain cannot compare to its rivals in Quebec and B.C., for vertical, and size, but it makes it up with excellent uphill capacity, grooming, terrain parks, snow making etc. etc. For a day out of Toronto with some of the best snow in the GTA region this season check out Mount Saint Louis Moonstone.
The Adventure Guy
However, this year's secret is the new 25 acre lake that they built atop the mountain to provide enough water for artificial snow making, and their state of the art equipment. It appears that global warming is starting to take effect this winter, with less cold weather and snow than I have seen in my lifetime. The winner in this new climate change, may be the one with the best snow making, and the luck of being in the snow belt as is Mt. St. Louis.
As a well travelled, ski adventurer, this local mountain cannot compare to its rivals in Quebec and B.C., for vertical, and size, but it makes it up with excellent uphill capacity, grooming, terrain parks, snow making etc. etc. For a day out of Toronto with some of the best snow in the GTA region this season check out Mount Saint Louis Moonstone.
The Adventure Guy
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Selva Maya - Zip Lines and Cenote
I had the fortune of being introduced to this special adventure park by a local Akumal resident. Selva means jungle in Mayan. The company details can be found at http://www.edventuretours.com.mx/ . The park grounds is nothing short of excellent. The park is about 4 months old and is located about 20 kms north of Tulum in the Mayan Riviera. We were driven into the deep part of the jungle on a small ATV where we met our guide Brian. We were trained on zip lining, which I had done before in Costa Rica. However, this adventure was one step up. In the Costa Rican experience you had to wear leather gloves to control your speed when zipping from one tree top to the next. In Selva Maya they have a brake that the guides attach to the wire to slow you down before reaching the next tree top. Kind of like an automatic transmission in a roller coaster ride. One less thing to worry about. However, I noticed that all the carribeeners were brand new and high quality. The safety protocols were excellent as they hooked you onto a secure station before ever connecting you to a moving part. excellent safety training. The kids loved the adventure, and we went from tree to tree without a single incident.
From there we were brought to a cenote deep in the forest. There was a small hole in the ground which opened up into a large underground cavern with stalagtites, and beautiful clear fresh water to snorkel in. The fish were small and less colourful than what we had seen elsewhere. I suppose it has to do that they are not exposed to sunlight. The cave was lit up with electric lamps that allowed divers to explore without needing head lamps. The tour did supply powerful underwater flashlights that allowed you to see the rocks and fish below as well.
This is a great adventure and very non touristic. They bring about 20 to 30 visitors per day, so the experience is genuine and personable. A very worthwhile day trip at the Selva Mayan.
Ola,
The Adventure Guy
From there we were brought to a cenote deep in the forest. There was a small hole in the ground which opened up into a large underground cavern with stalagtites, and beautiful clear fresh water to snorkel in. The fish were small and less colourful than what we had seen elsewhere. I suppose it has to do that they are not exposed to sunlight. The cave was lit up with electric lamps that allowed divers to explore without needing head lamps. The tour did supply powerful underwater flashlights that allowed you to see the rocks and fish below as well.
This is a great adventure and very non touristic. They bring about 20 to 30 visitors per day, so the experience is genuine and personable. A very worthwhile day trip at the Selva Mayan.
Ola,
The Adventure Guy
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