ANOTHER fire on Blackcomb?

Rumour has it that Blackcomb is on fire again.  Last year, apparently on this date, it famously caught fire for everyone to see.  It created a burn zone that made for some pretty surreal tree skiing.

Here's a webcam shot, taken this evening.  Is that fire, or something else, top right?

Today around 4pm we had a big lightning storm that included torrential rain and hail, so at first I was skeptical that a fire was brewing on Blackcomb.  Confirmation reports seem to be coming in though, so possibly it's true.

Gas prices rising drastically!

I'm working at the hotel tonight, and have been very busy.  Families are arriving for their summer vacations, single people are coming to check out our little town, and couples come to enjoy eachother's company.

Once such couple arrived from California, and recently came to me to get their keys.  I noted that the girl had a newish-looking wedding ring on, and they were both fairly young.

As usual, they had some questions about Canada, including gas prices.  They said they saw a sign that said gas cost $1.18/L.  I told them that the conversion was about 3.75 litres to a gallon. 

The girl then asked me, "So, it's one hundred and eighteen dollars a litre?"

Hmmm.  I'll throw her a bone here and blame this comment on newlywed euphoria, where presumably common sense is absent.

I think they'll need one of these while they're here.

Biking to work

I've begun riding my bike to work again, and I'm happy about that.

It's taken me awhile to get my 98 Schwinn Moab back in commutable condition, but I finally finished the job yesterday.  I needed a new drivetrain (front chainrings, chain, rear cassette/sprocket) and a new front derailleur, and it was a challenge to find the low-end parts I wanted in this town of high-end rides and wallets. 

My commuter was the third bike that I've shaped into rideable condition this summer; I got my downhill bike ready to go so I could lend it to a friend, and I got Celeste primed and ready as my own trail bike.  All the bikes needed attention, and it's a burden that's now lifted to have them all somewhat rideable again.

I rode into work this morning, from Emerald to Creekside.  According to google maps, it's about a 13K ride.  I'm feeling out of shape, but that's OK.  I hope to cultivate a set of iron lungs before the summer's over!  I left my house at 6:15am, and arrived at work at 6:45am.  I had hoped to have enough time for a shower, but that didn't happen so I settled for a shave.  I'll leave earlier tomorrow.

I feel like I still haven't woken up though.  I was hoping to feel invigorated and fresh when I got to work, but instead I feel tired and it takes me longer to do everything.  I look at all my keys and can't remember which one I need to open the front door; I stare at a blank sheet of paper fresh out of the copier, taking longer than normal to realize what I want is printed on the back.

It feels good though, and I'll make it habit to ride into work.  I'll use my car for sundry trips in the evenings.