Five fun outdoor ideas that not everyone thinks of » From weapons to waterfalls, we've got the road less travelled covered Alex Stanton Staff Writer ust as writers occasionally have writer’s block, sometimes block” Fun block is mostly just a euphemism for boredom, but it’s a most heinous sort of boring. I like to think being in a state of but also having absolutely no excuse for it. Fora good many of us, the Lower Mainland between late-June and mid-September is our oyster—and what an oyster it is. Vancouver gives us an excuse to go downtown and get weird with a week of fireworks and football-field-sized slip-and- slides, but that’s once in a blue moon. You could go throw a football around or something, but I can see that getting old in about 10 minutes. There are some things that are a bit more stimulating though. 1. Paintball: For a lot of people, this isn’t exactly what they’d call an underrated activity—it’s their life. Hardcore ballers spend $80 minimum ona weapon, and that’s just the gun. If you want to live out the rest of : your life with anysemblance of — : : depth perception, youre going to: : want toweara mask or goggles: : of some sort. Guns, armour, and : ammunition are all generally regular folks have what I call “fun : available for rent at any given : arena/field. If you’re cool with : putting in some work for your : play, I can’t recommend any : activity more than this, especially : fun block is not only being bored, : : if you place bets and wagers. 2. Beer league baseball: : If you’re reading this, I can only : assume youre a college student. : You're probably thinking “No : matter what I do with summer, : : chances are, it’s going to be better : : with beer” I'll let you know right : now that you can include sports : (baseball, specifically) in the : : crowded pantheon of great things : : todo followed witha refreshing: : drink. Whether with buds or : strangers, it’s always nice to get : to know others over a few cold : ones, and beer league baseball is ; extremely chill: you hit a ball and : following, like a Mustang ora : you run fora couple of seconds— : : then you make your way to the : pub. 3- Acruise: Not a cruise : ship, though. I mean a good ol’ : fashioned, sunny day, honest- : to-God cruise in your car across : the city/region/province. I love : to drive. My life changed when : I got my licence. This is an : especially awesome idea if your : vehicle of choice has a cult-like : think you're nuts, go ahead and 4. Cliff jumping: If you : prove it by jumping off the top : of a waterfall into a pool of water : : about as wide as a shed and as : cold as the North Pole. This is a : really thrilling, inexpensive thing : to do, with the only flaw being : Harley Davidson—you can always : : find other driving enthusiasts to : cruise with on the TransCanada. : Good beats, a full tank of gas, and : : the howling wind? Bliss. : the obvious issues with safety. : Do not attempt to cliff jump : unless you've taken every single precaution. Check the pool’s : depth first to make sure it’s deep : enough. 5. Tours: These seemed 4 Oo 3 2 a 4 cq “a G ra] @ -o 5 9° 2 ° G a : kind of lame when you were forced to go on them in school, : but really, there’s a lot of crazy, : interesting stuff that goes on in : your immediate area, namely, : nature. If you know of a rural area : close by, you can ride around the : trails ona horse oran ATV. For : you ranch-hating hipsters, a tour : of your own city can be insightful. : Bonus, you can use a tour to come : up with even more unorthodox : activities to do outside. Meatless Monday: A BBQ win for the veg-heads! Peanut butter stir fry » Mushroom burgers perfect for any outdoor grill _ Brittney MacDonald & Life & Style Editor M lifeandstyle @theotherpress.ca Wie summer comes the always savoured reign of the BBQ. For vegetarians this can be a bit of a crapshoot, since normally all the good BBQ- worthy foods tend to moo or oink : at some point in their earlier lives. : : be soft to the touch. If you would : like cheese, add it in the last two : minutes so that it is nice and : melted. Not to fear! For all my herbivore comrades I bestow upon you my signature recipe for mushroom burgers! Begin by cutting out the stem, careful not to break the actual mushroom cap as this will serve as the patty. Heat the barbecue grill, brushing some of the olive oil over the edges of the underside of the mushroom cap. Lay this side down on the grill and close the lid. Leave the lid closed for two minutes. Brush more olive oil over the top of the mushroom cap, : and then flip it so the flat side is : down. : : Mix the minced garlic in with : : the remaining olive oil before : pouring it into the frills of the : mushroom, then close the lid : once more. Leave the lid closed for : seven to 10 minutes, depending : on the size of the mushroom : ; . . : you're using. When it is done, the outside will have darkened significantly, and the surface will As you wait, toast your bun : if you wish and mix up the herb : butter. Do so by cutting the : basil into thin slices, and then : fold it into the butter, making : sure it is evenly dispensed. Once : that is done, spread it over both : sides of the bun. If you'd prefer : something a bit plainer just use : regular butter, mayo, and/or a : grainy mustard. Once the mushroom is : of greens— : my : personal : favourite : is sprouts. : Take the : vinegar : and drizzle : it over top of the : greens. Make sure you use an : aged balsamic because the flavour : is sweeter and the consistency is : a bit thicker. If you’re not really : a fan of aged balsamic you can : replace this with an equal parts : honey and sriracha fora sweet > and spicy kick. : finished, stack it onto the base of : the bun then cover it with your choice Finish it off with the top half of your bun and you're done! Ingredients 1 portobello mushroom ‘4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 ciabatta bun 1tsp. aged balsamic vinegar (optional) Photo via thinkstock Y% cup mozzarella (optional) \% cup sprouts, lettuce, or bitter greens 1 large leaf basil (optional) 1 tbsp. butter (optional)