Walk # 139 August 27th 2014 The Rollicking Boomtown walking tour
On August 27th 2014 the CAMRAmblers walking group met at the Victoria visitors centre in the inner harbour and walked up Government street and around a few other streets near the location of the original Fort Victoria. We found out about the pioneer businessmen of early Victoria and where their buildings were located. We walked through several alleys and found the location of the Fort Victoria well. At the end of the walk we visited the new Drake Eatery and had a nice lunch and some great ales.
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Terry's photos
Walk # 140 September 3rd 2014 A Naden Tour by Dave Freeman
On September 3rd 2014 the CAMRAmblers met at the Naden Base Museum and were treated to a tour by Lt. Commander Dave Freeman (retired) whose naval history knowledge made this tour really interesting. Dave showed us everything in the museums, both Army and Navy, and then gave us a walking tour of part of this historic base. Everyone really enjoyed learning about the history of the base, Canada's involvement in the wars, how to interpret the badges on the various uniforms, and finding where to do more research into Canadian Naval records in the archives. We followed Dave back to the Officers Ward Room for a nice lunch. Thanks Dave for the wonderful tour and to John for helping with the photos.
Here are Terry's photos Here are John's photos
Here are Terry's photos Here are John's photos
Walk # 141 September 10th 2014 A walk around the Uvic Alumni Trail
On September 10th 2014 the CAMRAmblers followed the Uvic Alumni Chip trail from across the road from the Henderson Rec Center to the trail that leads all the way around the perimeter of Uvic and back to our starting point. We walked counter clock wise and it took us just over one hour. The only bad thing was that I dropped my camera right at the beginning of the walk and it didn't work at all any more. The photo that you see on the left is the only one that I got. So no photos of the walk; sorry. Claudia did join us for the lunch at Original Joe's at Tuscany Village and she took a couple of photos that I will include with this report.
Claudia's restaurant photos are here
Claudia's restaurant photos are here
Walk # 142 September 17th 2014 A trail hike in Francis/ King Regional Park
On September 17rh the CAMRAmblers met at Francis /King park on Munn's road and hiked some trails that formed a rough circle through the park. I say "hiked" not "walked" because it was a good workout going up and and down those trails and rocky out-crops. There were lots of huge first growth fir and cedar trees, ferns and other trees to admire. We found that the trails marked on the maps were not named the same as the ones on the sign posts, but we didn't get lost, and completed our hike in about 90 minutes. After the hike we headed over to the 6 Mile Pub for lunch and a pint. The rain held off for the most part; only a few sprinkles, and not enough to even get wet.
Here's Phil's photos Here's Terry's photos Here's John's photos
Here's Phil's photos Here's Terry's photos Here's John's photos
Walk # 143 September 24th 2014 Saanich - Tattersall Heritage Walk
On September 24th the CAMRAmblers met at the parking area for Playfair Park that is off of Rock Street. We started a long loop around from Tattersall to Reynolds and back through Playfair Park, looking at and learning about a number of heritage homes and learning about the famous and notable people who lived in them, As this kind of the walk takes more time to do, because of the stopping and learning about the various homes, we ran out of time to do the last part that would take us past the old winery on North Quadra and the Growers facility nearby. We walked through the huge Rhodos in Playfair park and back to our cars in time to get to the Monkey Tree Pub to meet Marion and Martin for lunch. The rain that had fallen during the early morning turned into a sunny and warm day by the time we were finished.
Here are Terry's Photos Here are Phil's Photos
Here are Terry's Photos Here are Phil's Photos
Walk # 144 October 1st 2014 Walking in Goldstream Park
On October 1st 2014 the CAMRAmblers met at the Goldstream park and walked down the trails and through the tunnel that goes under the highway. On the far side of the tunnel we walked up to the Niagara waterfall. Then we walked out on what we thought was the gold mine trail, but it turned out to be only a short trail that parallels the highway. We made a group decision to go back and through the tunnel and visit the nature house. When everyone had enough of the nature house we walked back to our cars and headed to the Log House Pub for a hearty lunch.
Here are Terry's Photos and video Here are Phil's photos and video
Here are Terry's Photos and video Here are Phil's photos and video
Walk # 145 October 8th 2014 Walking the Lochside Trail again
On October 8th the CAMRAmblers walked the Lochside Trail from Lochside Park to the farm where the pigs and chickens are. Then we turned around and walked back. It's always a nice walk along this old railway right of way. Partly because it's so straight and level; and partly because it's so scenic. I particularly like to do this walk when the fall colours start. maybe it's one of my favorite walks. The group voted to go to the Beach House (formerly McMorrans) for lunch. It wasn't busy this time. The food was good and the ale selection was adequate. A thick fog drifted in as we ate our lunch. I expect our days of dry walks are numbered from now on.
Here are Phil's photos and videos Here Are Terry's Photos
Here are Phil's photos and videos Here Are Terry's Photos
Walk # 146 October 15th 2014 The Lochside Trail from Uptown Center
On October 15th the CAMRAmblers met at the parkade at Uptown Center and walked the Lochside Trail from there to where it crosses McKenzie Road. Then we turned around and walked back the same way. The weather was showery, but not too bad. This was a 4.5 kilometer walk and we did it in just over one hour. (about 70 minutes) We all converged at the Boleskine Bistro for a nice lunch.
Here are Terry's Photos
Here are Terry's Photos
Walk # 147 October 22nd 2014 Galloping Goose Trail near 6 Mile Pub
On October 22nd the CAMRAmblers met at the park and ride area near the end of Atkins Road near the Thetis Lake overpass. We found the parking lot was being re-surfaced and had to park on the road. The stormy weather that lashed the area the night before had blown through and we had a nice dry and wind free walk all the way to Goldstream Avenue and back. The fall colours are out at last and there was lots of maple leaves on the ground. We went to the 4 Mile House Pub for a nice lunch afterwards.
Here are Phil's photos and videos Here are Terry's photos and videos
Here are Phil's photos and videos Here are Terry's photos and videos
Walk # 148 October 29tth 2014 Gorge Parks walk Saanich and Esquimalt
On October 29th 2014 the CAMRAmblers met at the Gorge Waterfront Park on Gorge Road just west of the Tillicum and Gorge Rd. intersection. Lois was the leader today. They may have walked from there along the waterfront path and across the bridge and into Esquimalt. Turning down into the Kinsman Gorge Park they might have viewed the Japanese garden and the waterfront paths before turning back towards Tilicum road and crossing to the Gorge Point Pub for lunch. They were lucky to get a break in the weather since all the other days of the week were rainy.
Here's Phil's report
A lovely day to stroll through the Gorge. We started off through the playground; met Camosung; crossed the bridge (passed the pub); along the West side there were fish jumping and a Harbour Seal in the water. The seal was camera shy. The garden portion of the walk was a highlight of a spectacular late October day. Lunch at the Gorge Pub; I heard many satisfied comments from the walkers. Happy adventuring to all those away or about to go.
Here's Phil's photos
Here's Phil's report
A lovely day to stroll through the Gorge. We started off through the playground; met Camosung; crossed the bridge (passed the pub); along the West side there were fish jumping and a Harbour Seal in the water. The seal was camera shy. The garden portion of the walk was a highlight of a spectacular late October day. Lunch at the Gorge Pub; I heard many satisfied comments from the walkers. Happy adventuring to all those away or about to go.
Here's Phil's photos
Walk # 149 November 5th 2014 Mt. Tolmie Trails
Today we started up at the summit parking lot, in case of inclement weather. We lingered in the parking lot and then descended the trail that looks out toward the Observatory and Sooke. The trails were only a little damp after the recent rains. We crossed Mayfair above Cedar Hill X and explored the East side of the park. Good thing Kathy was along to keep us from going astray. Back up to the Summit and the reservoir for one more look around. Lunch at Maude Hunter’s today, good food and drink.
Here are Phil's Photos
Here are Laura's Photos
Here are Phil's Photos
Here are Laura's Photos