Chasing Clean Air

Clean Air San Juan Islands! Welcome to Orcas!

I arrived to Orcas Island--"Gem of the San Juans"-- only moments ago, and had to share the beauty right away.

This island shot was taken from the Washington State Ferry enroute to Orcas Island from Friday Harbor where I enjoyed two days filled with kayaking, sight-seeing, and much more, which I'll write about soon.

For now, know that clean air and beauty is found everywhere in the San Juan Islands.

I'll have much more to say including photos but it's time to explore Pacific Northwest's paradise, beginning with Orca Island's Moran State Park known for waterfalls, 5 freshwater lakes, hiking trails, and one of the best views in the San Juan Islands at the top of Mount Constitution (2,409 feet).

I just adore life in the San Juan Islands! See you back here soon.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure to subscribe to the Chasing Clean Air RSS feed!

Adrena Line Zipline Adventure

The best part of chasing clean air, is finding fresh breathable air in remote areas where adventure meets nature in scenery that is ready-made just like a movie set.

Whoops!

My Los Angeles roots are showing!

But my mode of transportation has changed.

Zip!

Update: video now completed, click here to watch!

To say I was scared to swing like Tarzan between trees hundreds of feet above the ground on cables long enough to string 1000s of Laker's cheerleader outfits is an understatement.

So I thought I'd share the fear.

I invited my friend Deb, who lives in Victoria, and shares a fear of heights and zipping between trees.

Naturally, Deb was best suited to step forward with me and...

Fly!

Adrenaline Zipline is located in Sooke, about 30 minutes from where I stayed in Victoria. We drove in Deb's convertible Volkswagon Beetle along a windy road with Douglas fir trees hugging the shoulder; an occasional lake sparkled blue in the late morning sun.

Wind blew in our hair and I didn't have trouble breathing.

Yes, I drove in a convertible despite the fact in smoggy Los Angeles, driving a convertible could put one in cardiac arrest with fine particulate stew brewing in one's lungs, but here in clean air, I avoided potential allergies and asthma--de rigueur of the Los Angeles experience for even the hardiest of lungs--and made it to Adrenaline Zipline Adventure ready, set to go!

To begin we signed our life away--just kidding--we signed a release saying the company wasn't liable if anything should happen like injury or death. I'm getting used to these release forms, which are de riguour for adventure travelers.

That would be me.

Once I was outfitted in a snazzy yellow helmet and harness attached to my thighs and pelvis, I was good to go.

Now just tweak the attitude.

We started on a "bunny slope run" a short cable running between two trees, fairly low to the ground. This is where we separated the wheat from the chaff, the true phobics without a chance to those with one.

I had a chance.

A chance to go higher, zip further and fast!

I tightly gripped the chain attached to my body parts and the thin zipline cable, and held on for dear life. 

But it really wasn't bad. The fear. That was in my head. Not in the wide open air.

Everyone in our group, including young teenager girls, proceeded to finish the course, which, when you realize the only way down is to commit to zip or remain in the wilderness with bears and cougars, the whole adventure becomes relatively easy.

With each zipline my grip loosened and pleasurable moments increased along with the fun. By the time I arrived to the last zipline, I completely let go.

I put my head back, looked up at the blue sky and evergreen treetops and snow-capped mountain tops, and felt joy course through my relaxed veins.

My fear completely transformed to exhilaration.

Deb loved the experience too. Now we're seeking our next challenge.

Spelunking in a cave?

I can't wait to zipline again because next time I'll start relaxed, and who knows--those dancing skills of mine--next time above the trees.

To learn more about how you can feel the rush too, click here. And check back soon. I took video of my zipline experience, which I'll be posting as soon as I'm finished editing.

Right now, it's time to get ready for ferry to San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor. 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure to subscribe to the Chasing Clean Air RSS feed!

To Zipline In Clean Air

Along the road to clean air, occasionally I'm offered adrenaline pumping adventures like hanging on tree tops, hanging with bears, and waiting amongst buzzing bugs in a forest by a rushing waterfall for hours to see a salmon jump upstream (that was quite thrilling).

Hmmm.

Now I'm offered a custom designed harness and climbing helmet as I mentally prepare for my first ziplining experience.

I hate to actually say the word--ziplining--being that I'm a natural phobic, scared of bugs, heights, depths, and, occasionally, shopping malls, but occasionally I'm aware that by not doing something I may miss out on something grand.

I'm never sure until I try.

So I will prepare to overcome ziplining anxiety by practicing mental calisthenics.

"I enjoyed the Materhorn roller coaster in Disneyland, surely the excitement of ziplining in--nothing but clean air--is tamely the same. I enjoyed the Materhorn roller coaster...clean air... tamely....Ahhhhh!" 

Photo courtesy of Ziptrek in Whistler, where I courageously walked on a canopy of treetops last year. This year I'm in Victoria, B.C.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure to subscribe to the Chasing Clean Air RSS feed!

New Perspectives On Community Health and Air Quality Conference

If I were in Los Angeles, I'd attend the Community Health and Air Quality  Conference Friday July 24, 2009 regarding air pollution impacts and solutions for communities in Los Angeles.

Space is limited and the day long conference is free. Register by clicking here.

As it is, I'm in Victoria, British Columbia contemplating a zipline tour--that's as close to Tarzan-like behavior I could muster swinging through trees--and next week, I'll review the nearby San Juan Islands. Loads of clean air.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure to subscribe to the Chasing Clean Air RSS feed!

Let's Mobilize Californians Like The Civilian Conservation Corp

To create a better world, citizens could deal with California's $26.3 billion dollar deficit creatively.

There's enormous unused man, woman, and child power available in California--America's largest state and 5th largest economy in the world--to be harnessed for good environmental work.

In the Depression, there was a FDR New Deal program called Civilian Conservation Corp that utilized the energy of unemployed men and youth for the purpose of helping improve the environment. The young men lived in camps, were given clothes and food and in exchange they planted trees and took care of America's environment.

Think about what you can do in your backyard, neighborhood, town.

Canada Day 2009 Victoria, B.C.

It may sound obvious but the first thing I noticed on Canada's 142nd birthday--celebrated as Canada Day--is red and white, and G. 

Yes, Canada's birthday was celebrated in Victoria in an air of innocence, G for general audiences, as seen by these Los Angeles eyes and ears.