Walk #52 September 19th 2012 Moss Rock Park South Fairfield area
This days walk took us to Moss Rock Park in the South Fairfield area. An easy walk into the park leads up to the rocky summit of the park, and a challenging scramble down the other side took us near the waterfront where we walked back along the sea shore. We followed the beach until we found the stairs that brought us back to the Dallas Road and Cook Street intersection. We walked back to the Beagle Pub for a nice lunch. To view the photos that Terry took click on this link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5790026435143306545?authkey=CLG-3KCMqoT52gE
To view the photos that Phil took click on this link. https://plus.google.com/u/0/117826671765550615361/posts
To view the photos that Phil took click on this link. https://plus.google.com/u/0/117826671765550615361/posts
Walk #53 September 26th 2012 Mt. Douglas Park Perimeter trail
This hike was around the Whittaker trail system that goes around the perimeter of the base of the mountain. We found that the trails did not match the maps that we had and were very confusing. We somehow found out way around the mountain anyway and were almost on the time that I had expected we would take for this hike. The last half of the hike was all downhill or level and was much easier. The fall colours are starting to come out and many leaves are already down. Twelve of us went to the Maude Hunters pub on Shelbourne for some lunch and a pint. The whole group sang happy Birthday to Teri Hyde, even though she is currently in Great Britain. She was in our thoughts on her special day. To view Terry's photos click on this link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5792615073414662625?authkey=CIuP0suIy62c7gE
Walk #54 October 3rd 2012 Return to Royal Roads Colwood Area
I asked Lois to lead this return trip to Royal Roads for all those who missed the first trip and for the rest of us to enjoy this special place. We had wonderful weather for an October day, and explored the main paths toward the waterfront at the Esquimalt Lagoon then headed into the trails up through the glen following the stream up to the castle. We went into the castle and had a look at the museum rooms then headed into the Italian gardens to admire the well kept and beautiful landscaping. Later we walked back through the grounds to where we parked our cars and went to the Country Rose Pub for a nice lunch. To view Terry's photos you can click on this link: https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5795251513248959217?authkey=CPif976z5ZrPew
Oct 5, 2012 Freeman's BBQ Party
Walk #55 October 10th 2012 Cuthbert Holmes Park Saanich
This day the sky was grey and the air was full of fog and dampness. Definitely the fall season has come. We met at the Tillicum Mall parking lot and walked counter clock-wise around the perimeter trail and back to our starting place. Most of us had never done a walk around this park before. The trails are in good condition, but there is quite a bit of litter that needs to be picked up. The level of the Colquitz River looked quite low and we presume that this indicates a low tide in the Gorge.
View Terry's photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5797814979512238049?authkey=CK64-5-KgZCKCg
View Terry's photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5797814979512238049?authkey=CK64-5-KgZCKCg
Walk #56 October 24th 2012 Esquimalt and High Rock Park area
Judy suggested this walk and volunteered to lead it up Old Esquimalt road and into High Rock Park. There is an amazing view from up at the summit. You can see most of Esquimalt from up there. We saw where Judy lives in this interesting area and looked at several historic houses on our way up Old Esquimalt Road. This loop walk took us back to our starting point at the Memorial Park, which unfortunately was being re-furbished, and was fenced off. It's getting fixed up for the November 11th ceremonies. We went to the nearby Tudor House Pub for lunch.
To view the photos that Terry took please click on the following link https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5803018263170613521?authkey=CKzrrNH00byFygE
To view the photos that Terry took please click on the following link https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5803018263170613521?authkey=CKzrrNH00byFygE
Walk # 57 November 7th 2012 Mt. Tolmie park and area Saanich
We had to cancel one walk due to storm warnings and extremely wet conditions; but we're back on the trail this week to explore the paths of this small mountain-top park. We met at the home of Larry and stopped for brief time to learn a bit about the history of this area before we headed into the trails. Larry was the leader of this walk. He led us up Mayfair Drive to the smaller reservoir and then up to the summit where we looked at the view and the cairn marker that is 120 meters above sea level. Then we went down a trail that led eventually towards Cedar Hill Cross Road. Larry led us along to Henderson and then through a residential neighborhood and back towards Mt. Tolmie the back way. The walk took about 75 minutes. We went to the Monkey Tree Pub for a nice lunch. To view the photos from today walk please click on the following link https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5808205270358598001?authkey=CP-EpcLujMy8XA
Walk #58 November 14th 2012 Banfield Park Vic West Loop Esquimalt
This day was nice and sunny for a change. We met at the parking lot at Banfield Park and walked away from town to Coventry Ave. where the rock walls and original gate house of the Dunsmuir estate are all that can be seen of this early millionaire's home. We walked down towards the water and Lois showed us where the Dunsmuir's mansion Burleith had once stood. It burned down in 1931. Then Lois took down the steep steps to her back yard waterfront area and showed us her the view of the Gorge waterway. The cement pilings that you can see across the way are all that is left of the boat house that was part of the Ashnola Estate. That was the home of Dunsmuir's daughter Emily Ellen Dunsmuir. That mansion was torn down to make way for the Gorge Road Hospital. We followed the waterfront path to the Selkirk Trestle and then turned up into the Catherine Street area where we loooked at a number of stately homes. We made our way back to Banfield park and then to the Moon Under Water for lunch. To views the photos that Terry took click on this link. https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/5811170518529454561?authkey=CLSR6JO5pZvZaA
Walk #59 November 28th 2012 Beacon Hill Park Victoria
This day was very cloudy, but we were eager to get out and see each other again and get some exercise so we met down at the base of the hill bellow the flagpole and started our walk into the park. I had forgotten to take my camera and luckily Alina had her's and she saved the day with her wonderful photos. The weather turned wet as we neared the half way part of the walk but it wasn't too bad so we continued on finding little details that we didn't know about the park before. The bridge that Emily Carr's sister had built in her memory, the mayor's grove of trees that were planted by visiting dignitaries. The fact that you aren't permitted to feed bread crusts to the ducks any more. (In the winter the parks staff don't want you to feed the birds anything.) We made our way to the Bent Mast Pub in James Bay for lunch. To view the photos that Alina took please click on this line._____ to bring up the link.