Exercising in a Cold Place

Summer is upon us and officially will start 2 weeks from now but for many the heat has already started its job. The temperature has not gone more than 25 degree Centigrade but I felt it one I was running down at the Bow River Pathway at around 09:30 this morning.

We had a plan to do our Ice Skating exercise so we hit the ice in Crowchild Twin Arenas for the first time in 3 months. The temperature in the blue arena was cold and felt so good when we took shelter from burning sun in the afternoon. There were only as many as 8 people on the ice for the entire time. It felt a bit tough at the beginning because we had not have practiced in 3 months but then it was fun and we were enjoying. I have no idea how much it costs to the communities to have their arena up and running in summer but it should not be cheap. I know they all have funds from municipality but how? I don't know. I know Olympic Oval takes the ice off in summer and puts it back in Aug. That's due to the cost of course. We hope we will be able to go for me practice during this summer as long as the ice is available. 

Bourgeau Lake

This weekend's climbing/hiking program was kind of screwed again. I have not been able to do a decent, lovely and joyful hike/scramble since I left Utah. The original plan was to go up Mt. Allan in Kananaskis. I read everything and prepared the information and even was ready to print the map but at the last moment I realized that the trail had been closed until June.21 because apparently this is Big Horn Sheep lambing season. Good for them!

I then switched the program to Bourgeau Lake/Mountain in Banff National Park, another hike that I had been wanting to do for a long time. I problems with this one were two, maybe even more: First of all I had to drop The Lady at her work. So by the time I reached the trail-head it was almost 10:30, at least 04:30 hours later than my usual commencement time. Then there's this entry fee to the park. Some $19. I wouldn't mind paying that much but that is good for a day and a half not a short hike up to a lake in between mountains and a solo hike.

Starting late has not always been a problem for me but at times was. In Lost Dutchman State Park I failed to reach to the summit mainly due to late start which caused heat exhaustion. On the other hand I did Middle Sister in the exact same fashion last year although I got lost and was not able to find the trail-head for 1 whole hour at the beginning. of the trip.

Anyways I parked the vehicle and went through a gate which Parks Canada has put to prevent wildlife coming out of the forest and hit the trail at the specified time. The first 55 minutes of the hike is in the forest and there's absolutely nothing exciting about it. You gain a little elevation and you have the chance to listen to singing birds and look at some beautiful tiny flowers. That's all. That's where you reach a bridge and then go back to the forest. There are a few nice waterfalls on the way with the biggest one closer to the lake but unfortunately I don't have a nice shot of them. After almost 2 hours yours a beautiful meadow and the geology of the area changes. I immediately realized that I have reached the lake. It was just less than 10 min. to see the partially frozen lake. 

Chipmunks are the permanent residents of the Rockies. They are familiar with human beings due to their frequent trips of them and they are at times are fed by them which is said is not something right to do. There were three of them around me when I got elevated a bit to have a shot of the lake and surrounding, sniffing the backpack and my boots (like this one) with the hope for a little bit of snack. I didn't give them anything though.

The lake itself and the surrounding is very beautiful. It beats the hell of both Rockbound Lake and Lillian Lake that I did them both last year but its hike is easier than both of them. The benefit of going to Bourgeau Lake is just after 2 hours you have a beautiful area to see and then you can continue from Harvey Pass and go to either or both of Harvey Lake and Mt. Bourgeau. I made excuses of being late and having snow on the path and didn't go. What I did what I tried to circle around and go to the end of the lake but I guess I was not feeling well because I ended up at the exact same spot! Then I thought I had time: Let me get up a bit and have a shot of the whole lake. So I climbed up a bit and the result is seen in the main photo. I guess it was almost 02:00 PM that I started descending. Nothing specific on the way back. Just ran to a young German couple whom I had also met on the way up but we did the last half an hour or so together and chatted. Ideally Bourgeau Lake is not a very impressive hike until you get to the lake itself and it will be a good hike only if you combine it with Mt. Bourgeau's. But it's me. I wanted to get out of the town for the day and get a little exercise and I did. 

(Photo, top: Bourgeau Lake form it's northeastern corner. Harvey Pass, which is not seen easily in this photo, is located above the trees and goes up and to the left to get you to the summit of Mt. Bourgeau which I'm hoping to reach one day, not that's it'll be so far-fetched)

Is BMW i3 a Complete Failure?

I saw BMW i3 in BMW Welt (German for BMW World), which is a free-admission showroom and exhibition in Munich, last year. I was generally excited about the place, going from this corner to the other, taking photographs and reading things. I read many positive points about this electric car including usage of recycled material and polymers to make it light and at the same time safe for the driver and passengers. There was not much about the electric power though until a few days ago I decided to have a look at the BMW Site. I'm seriously thinking of buying a BMW. My first thought was to by a 3 Series, a sedan which you can easily keep it under 40 K. Then when I realized that i3 could be well kept under 45 K, I said: Why not i3? It's nice. It's modern. It's BMW! 

I checked the available information as well as a few clips on Youtube. The result was quite disappointing and discouraging. Here is why I would not have bought an i3, Had I just decided to purchase a new car:

1- The vehicle has a limited range which can be seen on its console monitor. The cars computer calculates it based on the power left or better to say, available in the battery. That's the first disadvantage. Considering the charge stations are not available in cities. You are very limited to go places with this car. It could be good if you wanted to take your kid to the school or do a little grocery shopping at a local supermarket though. But for many including me who like to go outdoor at least once a week, it would be a disaster. 

2- The available power always could be reduced on the way. It's surprising that BMW has not provided at least, a small battery charger on board. Let's say you are on your way to a family party at the other side of the town and rain is forecasted. Black, thick clouds fill the sky just 5 minutes after you leave home. The vehicle automatically turns the lights on (even mine does that!) and you need to turn on the wipers. It's a Fri. day not and there's the usual traffic and rainy weather adds up and has caused many people who had decided to walk back home or to a nearby bar or restaurant, to drive. The car has to stop every few minutes. All of a sudden the range significantly shrinks and you realize you can't make it to the party unless you plan to leave the car there and ride a cab back home or tow it back to your garage!! That's absolutely a bummer! You would think: Why the hell did I spent almost 50 K on this junk!?

3- BMW has provided this so-called range extender. It's a small combustion engine, something quite similar to motorcycle engine that you pay some $4000 extra to be able drive another 140 km, I guess. That's one of the reasons that they tried to make the vehicle very light, as light as possible, so in case anyone wants to drive it longer distances, an small engine could be mounted on it while in a vehicle such as Prius the system is already there. 

4- I know BMW has tried to be as unique as possible, as always ans wanted to have a different shape car with a different design but the rear doors are really not comfortable enough for adults to get in a get out easily. It's good though, again as I stated earlier, if you're taking your kids to school. If BMW had intended to provide a school bus, I sincerely believe they would have succeeded. Considering the size of primary school kids, let's say grade 1 to 3, an i3 could be a perfect vehicle to take them to and bring them from school. You can fit 4 kids easily in the car and they'd love it! 

5- Price is a problem. Many might decide to buy the car despite all of the problems explained above. I could do that keeping my old car for my road trips and out of the city mountain adventures but then the price would be a problem. If I can buy a luxury 3 Series sedan for less than 50 K, why would I pay more than 50 K for an reliable vehicle which I'm not even sure whether it will take me to the final destination or not? 

6- BMW's market would be very limited. Generally BMW does not have a big market due to its vehicle's high prices but it sells very well because again of it's high price! If BMW sells one 3 Series it gains as much as Toyota selling two Corollas, even more. This one would be different. There would not be much demand for this vehicle in the US and Canada due to cheaper gasoline price, compare to Europe. Middle Eastern countries is another market that the price of gasoline would be a hinder for BMW to expand its market. The oil-rich countries would not mind drive their big SUVs and sedans. Europe would be divided to two parts. Poor countries such as former Soviet block and shity craps like Greece and such and at the other side western Europe. The second part would be the only market that BMW can count on. Would that be enough to make BMW happy? I kind of doubt that! 

(Photo: I took this shot from an i3 in BMW World in Munich last year. I guess you could book a time to ride a vehicle but I didn't take the chance)

From 20 min. to 30 min.

When I first started running and jogging back a few years ago, after the break I had of course, I set my goal for 20 minutes. Depending on the day I ran and time, as well, sometimes it was easy and at times difficult to do. 

Today was the second day that I increased the length from 20 minutes to 30. It was not really easy but I did it. But running for 30 min. does not prove anything. How fast you're running that 30 min. and how far you run is important. of course I don't want to push myself too hard because I'm 25 anymore but I've seen old people here running like a machine without even panting! 

According to the data saved by Fitbit (which I have problems with a will probably post them later) I ran 2.16 Km between the hours of 09:45 to 10:00 today. It makes my speed at 8.64 Km/h (Don't laugh!). There are lots of talk about the average speed, what is jogging and when it would turn to running. I think I will have to leave them for later but what I also have to watch is my diet. I had lots of Ice Cream, Cake, Chocolate Bar and Candy recently and I have to start going easy on them. I hope I can have a post in a few months declaring a better speed and lighter body! 

Turned Down

I applied for a position last Fri. This was the first one in the past 15 months. The answer was quick and simple and I received it yesterday: At this time they preferred to go with other applicants. 

The qualifications was a match for me and I didn't even have to change much. I was not very hopeful but was not really disappointed when I sent it either but I got disappointed when I received the regret letter! The good thing about the position was that it was at a site and while it might not seem very appealing to me, I would have had the opportunity to learn, had I been given the chance to join. I even might have been able to get my certificate credited. But it's gone now and I have to move on. I don't know for how long the job was but I was hoping to get out of this nuthouse. I guess I will have to try harder. 

Missed Photography Opportunity

I went for a walk and run today to Nose Creek Pathway around Bridgeland. That's where I started and walked up all the way to 32 Ave. It was sunny with no cloud and wind at all but it was fortunately not very hot. The area is now very beautiful. Wildflowers, grass, trees and birds singing and flying around makes it a perfect place for a morning walk and run. It's so beautiful that Deerfoot's traffic doesn't bother. 

I ran back for 20 min. just to see if my back muscle has become better or not. I feel much better but it's not healed completely. The only regret I have for today's exercise is that I had forgotten to take my camera. While I was on the trail, first I saw a couple of flightless bird which looked like Grouse to me. Then further down there was a Deer in the trees watching me passing by! It was hard to believe that it was there but I saw it and I had seen other similar or dissimilar animals previously. Then I kept going and of course there are always Robins everywhere and other types of colurful birds that I don't even know their name. A good Sat. morning.