Virtual Sailing

I have been embarrassingly absent from my blog.  Embarrass is too strong of a word; disappointed would be a better way to put it.

Writing is a valuable exercise.  Writing a blog is too easy.  So, as is often the case, a student has inspired me to get back at it.

I have left out many adventures since my last post--so for the purposes of getting something out, I'll tell you about the  Volvo Ocean Race. This is an actual race that is taking place now.  It is an around the world adventure.  Being a sailor myself, I love following this race and have even joined it by racing a virtual boat.  The game uses real world weather and ocean currents and there are 7 real boats plying the high seas.  As a fan of geography I am enjoying plotting my route around the globe.  You might too.  The game is free and easy to join.  If you do join, search for berniemw -- and send me a message!

Computer simulations have come along way since my youth.  I still remember the Intellivision system.  Yikes.  Long before the internet, these games were limited to you and one friend on the same console.  Today's games benefit from the ability to play thousands of people from around the world.

To hone my real-world racing skills, I practise with the free online game SailX.  Getting up closer to the start line is one of my goals for the next sailing season.  As with anything--STARTING is the most important step.

Walk with Strangers

Ryan Travers a friend from work leads a group of friends on winter snowshoe hikes each Monday night.  He mentioned it to me--so I joined them, along with Chris Beatty.

The trail head is opposite Anita Avenue--across Hwy 17.  We followed one particular route--with Beatty leading--Ryan was off sick (I suspect a Bronco's fan).  Normally Ryan leads and according to group members, he takes them off-trail into the unknown regularly.  There were many off-shoot trails so the area is ripe for further exploration.  The snow was deep but the well-worn trail was easy to follow.  Some ups and downs, and except for one part where I felt we were running from Nazis, it was generally an easy walk.

We met at 7:30 and hiked for a little over an hour.  It was a clear night.  The stars were bright and visible.  A small crescent of moon--bottom half showing.  The temperature was about -17 but you couldn't feel it.  Everyone was warm from the exertion of snowshoeing. Everyone had a headlight but myself.  I like to walk in the dark.

There were about 10 people in the group including Ryan's wife Michelle and their two very happy dogs--all strangers except Clem Amyot and his wife Lise.  Clem's a local building contractor and after the hike, over coffee he relayed stories of building a school in Jamaica with local high school students.  Inspiring.

You never know who you will meet or what you will see on a dark night hike--go for it.