Walk # 43 July 18 2012 Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt
We met at the main gate at the end of Esquimalt road after parking where we could and walking for blocks. Our guide Drew met us at the gate and took us on a walk through the base stopping at many interesting and historic places. He told us about the ghosts that haunt the Admiral's old home and the cell of the old jail. We climbed on the gun turrets, looked at old cannons and at the graving dock, (dry dock) plus several frigates that were in the base. We saw the submarine across the harbour that was out of the water, and walked a big circle through the base until we ended back at the starting point. Drew gave us CD's of the music of the Naden Band, and posters of all the Canadian naval vessels. Then we went to the nearby Tudor House Pub for lunch. To view the photos that Terry and Laura took click on this link: https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5766652131928597185
Walk #44 July 25th Ed Nixon Trail around Langford Lake
On a nearly perfect day twelve of us met at the Westhills Arena parking lot and walked along beside the E&N tracks to the end of Langford Lake. After a false start, we got directions from a local and headed around the lake via the Ed. Nixon trail. Parts of the trail are on boardwalks and parts are in the forest. The trail ended at Goldstream Avenue and half the group decided to walk back via the road around the lake while the others walked back by the trail that we just had been on. We met back at the Glen Lake Inn for lunch and a pint.
To view the photos that Terry took click on the following link: https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5769284747794259329
To view the photos that Terry took click on the following link: https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5769284747794259329
Walk #45 August 1st Cedar Hill Golf Course Perimeter trail around the golf course
On this perfect summer day the group met at the parking lot near the clubhouse and walked counter clockwise around the golf course on the chip trail. Di brought along one of her greyhound dogs for the exercise. We met lots of other dog walkers on the path. At King's Pond we saw lots of mallard ducks and at the smaller pond near the east side of the golf course we saw a large turtle sunning it's self on a rock. We completed the 4.2 kilometer walk in under one hour. Lois called ahead to the Maude Hunter's Pub for a reservation and we met there for a nice lunch.
To view Terry's photos please click on the following link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5771831944487739681?authkey=CJ77mJC4qam9ZQ
To View Phil's photos please click on this link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5772309091138746961
To view Terry's photos please click on the following link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5771831944487739681?authkey=CJ77mJC4qam9ZQ
To View Phil's photos please click on this link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5772309091138746961
Walk #46 August 8th Bear Hill Regional Park Elk Lake Area Saanich
This was probably the most challenging walk/hike that we have done to date. We set a pretty good pace going up the fairly steep trails and rested for a few minutes at the scenic view points. The forest changes from Douglas Fir to Arbutus trees and then to Oak Trees at the summit. The trail down to Bear Hill Road was steeper in places and it took us just as long to make our way down. A walk along Bear Hill road took us back to the parking area at the north end of Elk Lake. A good workout for sure. The group voted to try the Beach House at the old McMorran's site but it was fully booked and we didn't want an hour wait so we went back to the Cordova Bay Golf clubhouse for a nice patio lunch. To view Terry's photos please click on this link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5774438740282903777?authkey=CJru77CUz-fFWA
Walk #47 August 15, 2012 China Beach and Juan de Fuca Trail Jordan River Area
We picked another perfect day to car pool out to China Beach. It was sunny and warm with no wind. We explored the hidden waterfall that is set into a cove along the right side of the beach beyond the cliff. We had to avoid the tide coming in so we couldn't stay for too long. When we found a place to sit and have our picnic lunch some of us went into the water up to our calf's. It was cold! After lunch we hiked back up to the parking area and decided to find the suspension bridge on the Juan de Fuca trail. A twenty minute walk over roots and small sections of boardwalk and we were at this impressive bridge. After posing for photos it was time to head back to the van. John did a great job of driving us back to Sooke where we found out that the Castle pub is now closed. It is just a cold beer and wine store now. We realized that we didn't have time to stop at another pub as John had an appointment so we headed back to the Juan de Fuca arena area where we parked the other cars. To view the photos that Terry took click on this link https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5777073098919802625?authkey=COak-cO9qpT4AQ
Walk #48 August 22nd 2012 Rockland Architectural/History Walk Victoria Area
This was the third walk we have done in the Rockland area. This one was much shorter than the last two. Lot of old houses to look at though. We started at the corner of Rockland and Pemberton and walked toward Fort street. We turned right on Fort and walked to St. Charles turned right again and followed St. Charles back to Rockland taking a few side trips up some short streets to find a few more old houses. There certainly are a lot of interesting old homes in this area. Most have been divided into several suites. To View Terry's photos please click on the following link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5779635871569841169?authkey=CMKhrvHLrtOxSA
Walk #49 August 29th 2012 School to Songhees Point Esquimalt Area
This walk started near the Victoria West Elementary School and followed Langford Street to Catherine Street and then to Spinnakers Restaurant and beyond to the Songhees Point area. This was one of our shortest walks to date. I personally was disappointed with the amount of historical information and actual historic historic buildings that were available to see. Some of the descriptions were wrong and the buildings just weren't there to see in many cases. We had lunch at Spinnakers brew pub but the service was really slow today even though the place wasn't busy at all. We had a short visit to the brewery room to see where Tommy, the head brewer makes all the ales. I was surprised how tiny it is! To view the photos that Terry took please click on the following link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5782301639039662961?authkey=CKzrncGSkrDDoQE
Walk #50 September 5th 2012 Gordon Head / Glencoe Cove Saanich area
This walk started at the homes of two of our walking group families and walked through parks, down trails, along sea shores and along several trails before we arrived back at our starting point. Thanks to Merv for leading this walk as this was in his regular walking area. The weather couldn't have been better. I think that everyone enjoyed seeing this part of Victoria that we didn't know existed. To view Terry's photos please click on the following link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5784903597612063041?authkey=CP6_tMOJxub6fA
Walk #51 September 12th 2012 Millstream Creek Trail Langford Area
This trail starts along Selwyn Road near the Millstream Village Shopping mall. It leads down beside the creek and follows the creek upstream over two bridges and ends at a residential area. We turned around and walked back along the trail to our cars. We decided to try the West Coast Tap House that is part of the Sheratan Hotel on nearby McCallum Road. We sat on the patio as it was a nice sunny day. The service was slow but the food when it came was spectacular and tasty. All agreed that it was a nice day out.
To View the photos that Terry took please click on the following link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5787437150406393057?authkey=CKq7gdWLmIrOYA
To View the photos that Terry took please click on the following link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5787437150406393057?authkey=CKq7gdWLmIrOYA