Walk #135 July 23rd 2014 Juan De Fuca Chip Trail behind the rec centre
On July 23rd the CAMRAmblers met by the JDF Regional library and walked the chip trail that winds around the perimeter of the property behind the many sports facilities that are located behind the Juan De Fuca arena complex. We enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of that area, and also watching the activities of the people who were at the Wild Play obstacle course that is located in the trees behind the velodrome. This walk only took us 55 minutes. We headed to the Six Mile Pub for a nice lunch after the walk. Although the sky was very cloudy we only got a few raindrops. Not enough to even get damp.
Here are Terry's photos Here are Laura's photos
Here are Terry's photos Here are Laura's photos
Remembering July 26th 2014 Celebration of Life of Suzanne Shaw
Many CAMRAmblers attended the Celebration of Life for Suzanne Shaw, who died June 20, 2014. There was perfect summer weather for the outdoor gathering of friends and family at the English Inn in Esquimalt. We heard from a cousin, younger sister and friends about what a sociable, warm person Suzanne was. John Adlersparre said a few words on our behalf about how Suzanne enjoyed our walking group. He got a good laugh from the audience when he told how we'd include Suzanne in our group photos on the walks and at the pub lunches by using the photo-on-a-stick that John made. We'll always remember our friend Suzanne. (Missing from the photo is Martin, who arrived later, and the McGroartys who left before the photo was taken)
Here is a photo of Suzanne
Walk # 136 July 30th 2014 The Swan Lake Loop walk
On July 30th the CAMRAmblers walked the Lake Loop Trail around Swan Lake. The weather was perfect and the sunlight on the lake made it sparkle. The geese and ducks were looking for a handout when we crossed the wooden walkway, but we didn't have anything to feed them. We moved at our usual pace and the walk took us about 90 minutes with leisurely stops at the floating wharfs to admire the view and the water. Marion and Diana were most helpful about directing us on the trails and identifying the waterfowl. A couple of people walked from there to the Monkey Tree Pub, and the rest of us drove. We all had a nice lunch.
Here are Terry's photos Here are Laura's photos
Here are Terry's photos Here are Laura's photos
Walk # 137 August 6th 2014 A Dallas Road beach clean-up walk
On August 6th the CAMRAmblers walking group did a litter pick-up along the beach and path beneath the Dallas Road cliffs as our way to pay back for all the lovely walks we have enjoyed. We equipped ourselves with rubber gloves, plastic bags and tongs to handle the cigarette buts, wrappers, dog poo bags and cardboard that we found and packed it all up the stairs to where we deposited it in the garbage cans along the sidewalk at the top of the cliffs. We had some time to spare so we walked over to the base of the tallest totem pole and then through a wooded part of the park to where it comes out near the corner of Cook Street and Dallas Road. We then walked back to near Clover Point where we parked our cars, then made our way back to the Beagle Pub on Cook Street for a nice lunch. Claudia took lots of photos in the pub and afterwards along Dallas Road. See below.
Here's are Terry's Photos Here are Claudia's photos
Here's are Terry's Photos Here are Claudia's photos
Field Trip August 13th 2014 A Day Trip to Port Angeles
On August 13th the CAMRAmblers met at the Black Ball Ferry terminal and got ready to board the MV Coho for a day trip to Port Angeles. We all had pre-booked our transportation on a package deal called the Craft Beer Explorer. It included round trip transportation from Victoria to Port Angeles and back and three vouchers for beer tastings at three different places in Port Angeles. The weather did a complete change from the hot dry summer we have been enjoying; and this day it was showery and very foggy. The first place we walked to was the Lazy Moon Craft Beer Pub. It was formerly known as the Peaks Pub. Under new management and ownership it is little different from it's Peaks persona. The brewpub equipment is gone and it seemed a bit cleaner, but more or less the same. We got a tasting flight of four 4 oz, glasses of the beers of our choice and that took quite a while to do for our large group. Next we walked down to the Next Door Craft Beer Restaurant. It is located pretty much in the centre of downtown Port Angeles. This is a very popular place judging from the crowd that was there. We had to wait more than a half hour to get a couple of tables to fit our group of 13 persons. The food was good though, and they had some good craft beers to choose from. At this place we got a pint with our voucher. Finally we looked around the downtown area for a little while before going down to the Barhop tavern that is across from the Black Ball Ferry terminal. It was once the train depot building, and the decor was pretty crude. Bare wooden floors with metal plates to stand on, not much atmosphere and a complete lack of tasting glasses meant that the bartender had to pour our tasting flights in large plastic beer cups. Some of the beers were pretty bad. A few were quite good. Apparently they make some of the beers in their own on premises brew facilities, but we didn't see any evidence of that. At five PM we went back to the ferry terminal and started filling out the customs papers for our return to Victoria. The fog on the way back across the Juan De Fuca straight was very think. This slowed the ferry down and we were over thirty minutes late getting back to Victoria. We were already coming into the Victoria harbour before I saw the breakwater appearing out of the mist. It was a good day-trip. Our first away from Canada outing for the CAMRAmblers.
Here are Terry's photos Here are Laura's photos
Here are Terry's photos Here are Laura's photos
Party! August 16th 2014 Summer BBQ at the Scottens
Keeping with tradition, we celebrated another wonderful year of walking at our summer BBQ, this year hosted by Larry and Linda Scotten. And what a wonderful time we had! Not only did Larry and Linda prove to be very gracious hosts and provided huge platters full of Moroccan chicken and homemade tzatziki ("to die for") to the potluck table, they also opened up their lovely home and large shaded deck to the invasion by hungry Cambramblers. We can't thank them enough. And we also thank all who did their happy sun dance beforehand as requested, because the clouds parted and the weather was perfect for the party.
Needless to say a variety of good beer and wine was flowing as was good conversation as we settled in for some serious visiting over appies on the deck. Special mention was make of Di and John's upcoming 40th wedding anniversary - congratulations! After sunset we headed inside for a circle sing-along led by Marion and Martin on guitar and Di providing soprano vocals. Larry treated us to his rendition of the classic Canadian Railroad Trilogy (by Gordon Lightfoot) on his new 6-string guitar - not an easy song to sing let alone play. Great fun! Here are Claudia's photos - what a great group of friends we have! Here is Larry's ipod video panorama |
Walk # 138 August 20th 2014 The Interurban Rail Trail to the Echo trail
On August 20th we met at the end of Elk Road where there is a small parking area near the mail boxes. When everybody was ready we walked out the Interurban Rail Trail to where is crosses the Prospect lake Road. Staying to the left we followed the sidewalk along to where there is an entrance to the playing field for Prospect Lake Park, next to the elementary school. We walked along the side of the field until we got to the far end, where we found a temporary fence was blocking us from going to the far end of the field. We ducked under that fence and at the corner of the field we found a small trail that headed off into the trees. This is the Echo right-of-way trail that was established in 1913. We followed that trail all the way to Goward Road near the intersection of Echo Road. Turning left we followed Goward Road all the way back to Interurban Road and very near to where we parked our cars. This six kilometer walk took our group only 75 minutes. We went tot he Fireside Grill and enjoyed a nice lunch on the patio.
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Terry's photos