FITNESS

We love to keep active and keep fit. We try to learn new skills and improve on the skills we already have. We find that each type of fitness activity supports other activities. For example, practicing ice skating and cross country skiing makes it easier to cycle. Cycling makes it easier to cross-country ski. People call this cross-training and it seems to work. Even a few days of serious gardening is like a fitness "boot camp."

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

We had both done some cross country skiing when our kids were young. One we retired, we decided to take it up again. We took lessons when we were in Craftsbury, Vermont. After we came home, we went skiing regularly at Mount Washington on Vancouver Island. It's 95 minutes from our door to the Alpine Ski Lodge.

SWIMMING

We are both trying to improve our swimming. We love swimming off the boat when the water is warm enough. We also took lessons at Nanaimo's two beautiful public swimming pools.

Here's Mike swimming off our boat .

CYCLING

Mike really loves to cycle. Penny isn't as good - but gives it her best shot. She's OK on paved bike trails like the Galloping Goose in Victoria or the various trails in Nanaimo. Mike can ride anywhere.

GARDENING

Gardening can be really good exercise. Over the years we have moved tons of rock and soil. We know that weight training is also important for fitness - but gardening gets things done.

HIKING

Penny and Mike love to hike and/or take good long walks.

Penny on walking tour in Italy .

ICE SKATING

Penny loved ice skating when she was a child in Manitoba and skated a lot when our kids were young. Once she went to work as fulltime, she stopped ice skating. One of the first things she wanted to do after she retired was take up skating again. To her surprise, she found she had completely forgotten how to skate. Mike had never ice-skated but was willing to give it a try.

Here we are about to begin doing "The Dutch Waltz." a very easy ice dance. Note our safety gear. One thing we've learned about challenging sports is that having the right equipment can make the difference between having fun and having a disaster.