Month: January 2018

with 0 Comments Tags , , , , ,

Exploring is Never Boring – Mount Washington

“The best journeys answer questions that in the beginning you didn’t even think to ask.” – Jeff Johnson

My explorations on Tuesday led me to a place I know very, very well. A place I’ve been venturing to since I was a young lad growing up in Nanaimo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort, one of two ski resorts here on Vancouver Island.

As soon as I turn off the island highway onto the Strathcona Parkway, I feel like a kid again. It doesn’t matter that I’m 28 years old now and no longer that kid and I’m sure it still won’t matter when I’m 60 years old. The feeling I get while snowboarding or “charging” as I like to say is one of pure ecstasy… particularly on powder days!

I love Mount Washington because it offers me the easy-going island vibe along with some incredible terrain and deep snow. Although it wasn’t a famous “Washy powder day”, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face and I definitely couldn’t stop the “woooo’s” from coming out of my mouth! Finding fun lines and fresh tracks always keeps me returning year after year.

Mount Washington also offers some fantastic accommodation, but on Tuesday I chose to stay in “Rhonda”, my mobile chalet that sits in my truck bed. It may not have a 5-star rating, but it’s everything I need and the perfect mountain machine!

It was yet another awesome day spent on the mountain.
Pray for Snow.

with 0 Comments Tags , , , , , , ,

My Place – Brendan Muehlenberg

Everyone has a special place, a place where you have memories, where you can find peace and harmony. A place where you know you are just happy being there. For some it’s a quiet place, for others it’s a noisy place. But all of these places have one thing in common; they are places where you think of first when asked “Where is Your Place?”.

1. Who are you and how long have you lived on Vancouver Island?

My name is Brendan Muehlenberg and I was born and raised in Port Alberni, BC… well, Sproat Lake to be more specific. My dad bought 4 lakefront properties back in the late 70’s when lakefront property was the same price as a 2018 Toyota Prius. Growing up in a family with 3 brothers and 1 sister, no TV and an endless natural playground outside our front door made me into the nature enthusiast I am today. I grew up hiking, exploring and camping on the trails and mountains near Sproat Lake and Strathcona Provincial Park. We also had a 28ft Bayliner which we’d take up the Alberni Inlet into Barkley Sound, specifically the Broken Group National Park. We spent the entire time camping, fishing and exploring, which I think has translated into my love for the West Coast which is where I reside today here in Ucluelet, BC. I made the outdoors my best friend at an early age and I thank my parents every day for their decision to raise us in such an epic place (Vancouver Island).
Read More…