Motivation from Everest-hiking Evil Czech owner, doc walks, bike rides and bluebirds

Need motivation? How about a Mount Everest climb from a man who may have fed you beer and food? Or a regular, easy-going walk with a doctor? Maybe a group bike ride? Or local Scouts who've done their part for bluebirds where you golf?

Here are some extra bits from this week's Outdoor Adventures column.

Evil Czech owner on Mount Everest

George Pesek not only climbed to the summit of Mount Everest recently. After returning to base camp, he went on to climb nearby Lhotse, the world’s fourth largest peak, also in Nepal.

At age 56, he apparently is setting some records for his age, his wife, Tammy reports, adding, “The Nepal Sherpas call George their brother and a legend.”

Locally, he’s known as owner of Corndance Tavern, Evil Czech Brewery and Jesus Latin Grill. Watch for a future story on Pesek’s climbs.

Walk with a Doc

Need to kickstart a walking habit? Got basic health questions? You can join this program at two local sites where you will stroll with a doctor. The distance and pace depend on the group.

In South Bend, walks are from 9 to 10 a.m. each Saturday starting at The Local Cup, 1009 Portage Ave., South Bend.

In Goshen, walks now through December start at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at Pringle Park, 1912 West Lincoln Ave. (meet at the main park pavilion).

Elkhart bike rides

To mark the city’s Bike to Work Day on May 20, bike to downtown’s Civic Plaza (or either Panera or Rise’n Roll in Elkhart) for free breakfast from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. Or join a family-friendly bike ride at 6 p.m. from Ox Bow County Park or Studebaker Park to the Elkhart Environmental Center for snacks or a hike, then a ride back.

Moonlight Over the Tippy

Pre-registration ends May 27 for this bike ride June 3 of up to 20 miles on the Panhandle Pathway, departing at 7 p.m. from the old train depot at Main and Logan streets in Winamac. Includes a rest stop and pulled pork sandwich meal at the end. Cost is $20 by May 27, $25 afterwards; it’s free if 15 and younger or 80 and older. Visit panhandlepathway.org.

Scouts build bluebird boxes at Warren

Eastern bluebirds now have 14 new nesting boxes at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course. They replaced some of the 56 existing boxes that were falling apart, which helped the course to avoid losing its certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Boy Scouts from Troop 122 of Osceola (led by Adam Heet) guided younger Cub Scouts from Pack 108 of Mishawaka (led by Michaela Duffy) to build the pine boxes.

Notre Dame reports that Warren had started with 25 nesting boxes in 2000, which grew to 56 in 2008. An estimated 2,000 bluebirds have hatched at the course through those years. Before then, the immediate area near the course lacked any bluebird sightings.

The main column:Hiker recounts 3,506 miles on foot and his weekly call in to WSBT radio show

Follow Outdoor Adventures columnist Joseph Dits on Facebook at SBTOutdoorAdventures. Contact him at 574-235-6158 or jdits@sbtinfo.com.