Dog days of summer!
August 2nd: Alex, Larry, Laura, Rod and Bobtoc ran/walked Saturday at Rocky Point at 7:30 Saturday on a day that promised to be a sizzler. RA Edie and Nancy met the group before they set out for their run.  Edie looks great! On the run, the proximity to the Inlet and the shade on the trail helped bigtime re: temperature.  The five ran past Orchard Park to April Road, continued to the “pearly gates” at the former Ioco refinery and returned to the pier as is our custom; time and distance 2:00, 12 k.  The four guys topped the run off with ice cream at the ice cream parlour at Rocky Point.  No Kona Lava Java there, unfortunately.  
In Coquitlam:
Jennel ran from her house on Sat. evening 8:30 and ran down Panorama to Parkway Blvd.  This time, I ran UP Parkway Blvd. toward Westwood Plateau Golf Course, ran 3 km past the course, did a loop and ran back.  WOW, GORGEOUS HOMES up there!  I was listening to an appropriate song on my IPOD as I ran past these homes…”If I had a Million Dollars” ….Unfortunately, that is not nearly enough for those homes up in that area…..as I ran down, I saw the MOST beautiful view ever of Vancouver!  WOW, I’ve found a spectacular route with a “Mother of all Hills” imaginable!!!     When it got dark I sprinted back to my street and did hill reps until I reached 10km.  Tony kept watching me from the window going back & forth down our street!?!  It was nearly 10:00 when I walked in the door!  Oops…didn’t know it was that late.
August 4th: Alex, Rick, Len and Miriam Soet, Larry, Rod and Pat, Bobtoc met at the 500 Steps parking lot 8:30 am Monday for the trek up the Steps and trail firstly to the Horizons Restaurant on Burnaby Mountain, then continued on the Trans Canada trail system south, then west and north, eventually leading back to the parking lot situated at Takeda and Barnet Highway intersection.  The weather was hot, sizzling, but the forest along the trail provided some shade and respite from the heat.  Rick headed the pack, followed by Alex, Rod and Pat, Larry, Bobtoc, and Len and Miriam.  The views of tall trees, fern, the inlet including the north arm were plentiful along the way.  Near the end of the trek, blackberries were picked and tested.  Since no dogs were evident, some of the low-hanging fruit was picked too.  Nancy Stagg may have a fit in that regard.  Did not see any bears either.  All completed the trek, times ranging from 1:20 to 2:14, most being 2:03; distance, 9:55 km.  The quietness and views were great; all this literally in our own back yard.  Tax money well-spent.
On Monday evening, Jennel ran aprox 7km down Panorama then DOWN Parkway Blvd. this time, up Johnson, to Panorama and back UP that hill to home.  PHEW, it was HOT out, even after the sun when down!!!  Had to get a run in as my husband just bought a HUGE pack of Chocolate covered ice-cream bars from Costco!  (Great priorities)
August 6th:Action at  the Centre by Cruisers Wednesday evening, report courtesy of Larry:

On Wednesday night, Edie, Larry and Rod met at Cameron Centre and walked the Stoney Creek trail to North Road and back, taking advantage of the cooler temperature and the shade.  It was nice to see Edie and she is recovering quite well.  Time 1 hour, distance about 3.5 km.  For the benefit of those enquiring minds that want to know, after the walk, Larry and Rod went up to North Road and Cameron to watch the move of the guideway crane that supports the concrete Evergreen Skytrain pieces while they’re put in place for the train line (referred to by some as the giant Meccano set).  The guideway crane was moved further down North Road, towards the Shoppers Drug Mart and liquor store.  The move and setup were very carefully and methodically done, and the process was surprisingly fast.  Rod was to go back at midnight to check if the system was all set up and ready for more concrete movement, however no report has been received (!!).   


On Thursday, Edie joined John, Christina and Ken Blowey on an outing to Cates Park and Deep Cove.  Absolutely stunning scenery on a perfect summer day.

 August 9th: Saturday morning:
Larry, Len, Rachel, Rick, Rod and Bobtoc decided on a relatively turned north to view the progress on the giant Meccano set underway on North Road and Cochrane Ave.  The six saw some of the concrete parts being placed, preparatory for application of expoxy between the crossword-like ends.  The equipment in use is mind-boggling, particularly for older chaps!  The weather was sunny, temperature pleasant.  Time to run, about 54 minutes, total time including back to the Centre, about 1:10.  Distance, maybe 5 km.  A photo Len this a.m. at the Evergreen Skytrain action at North Road is sent concurrent with this update. 

 Mind-boggling!  Thanks to Len for his photo.
Rod also ran on his own during the week locally, approx 8 km, but have not received his report at press time. 




 Jennel decided to do the Coquitlam Crunch Mon. evening alone.  Heather was busy with her family.  So I geared up and left for “the Crunch”  Just starting off, I went to go set my watch and was saddened that I forgot it at home.  Luckily, when I looked up I saw a fit lady standing off on the side in a BRIGHT orange shirt fixing a watch of her own!  I thought, perfect….I’ll go ask her the time etc.  Low & behold…the fit watch lady in the bright orange shirt happened to be FLORA!!!  Oh gosh!!!  So after a huge hug, we decided we were going to hike this thing tougher.  I had to run to the “biffy” and it was a little further than I had anticipated, so I had to RUN full tilt to catch up to Flora!  We hiked a good steady pace to the top and then back down.  1:06….GREAT HIKE and GREAT company!!!  You could probably see us from your run in Burnaby?  Flora was in a FLUORESCENT orange shirt and I was in a FLUORESCENT lime green shirt!  We were the “FLUORESCENT glowing duo”!!!
August 11th: Monday’s activities:
Adele and Bobtoc walked Monday from the Centre on a hot, steamy evening to the Stoney Creek trail on the search for shade.  We had a catch-up conversation re: our respective families. 
Rod’s run:
Went from home this morning through Lake City to Shellmont, up Shellmont and back through Forest Grove. Time out 1h15, distance 9 km.
August 13th:  RA Edie together with canine April, Larry, Laura, Louise and Bobtoc ran/walked from the Centre to Joe’s Trail; Edie and Laura walked, Larry, Louise and Bobtoc ran, albeit Bobtoc running a much slower pace than the others.  The walkers went to a trail leading to North Road, but did not go to North Road, then returned to the Centre.  Larry and Louise were first in followed by the older chap.  Times ranged from 1:05, 1:18 and 1:25.  The conditions were warm and humid.

August 16th: Seven Cruisers met at the Centre Saturday on a +16C, humid morning. Edie reports : Walkers  Christina, John Saremba and canine  April and  I did 7k in 1:32 on the Forest Grove loop.  Great to be back on the regular route with wonderful company and perfect walking weather. And coffee when I got home….who could ask for more?  R A E. 
The destination for runners Alex, Larry, Rod and Bobtoc was west to the Kensington Ice Rink.  Alex ran as far as the Westridge Elementary School before returning, having another engagement to attend.  The remaining trio continued to the rink found it locked, so trundled to the BNSS track to use the nearby facilities and ran 1/3 of the track before turning east for the return to the Centre.  Distance for Alex, about 14 km, for the trio 16 km plus for Larry and Rod another 1 km for  bobturns, after which that duo continued to North Road for an inspection of the large Meccano set there.  They reported construction is just past the Tim Horton’s site near Cochrane Ave.  Times were high;  for Bobtoc, 2:51 including said pitstop and a conversation on Beaverbrook with a participant from the Central Valley West SunRun training courses; for Larry and Rod, 2.35.
 Heather & Jennel got an unexpected run in Saturday.  Heather’s husband, James put together a volleyball tournament (and of course Jennel’s husband was in it),  Jennel’s entire family went to the volleyball tournament which was held at Minnekhada Park.  Heather family was also at the tournament assisting James.  Heather’s teenage daughter & friends took Jennel’s daughters for a walk to the playground, and Heather & Jennel took that opportunity to RUN around the 400m track.  We got in 5-7 laps until they returned and Heather was needed back to “run the show”.   It was a HUMID day – but the tournament was EXCELLENT and very well organized!!!  James & Heather do a fabulous job at running these tournaments!  The time & energy put into them is amazing! They were at the park at 5:00am setting this up!  Now that’s dedication!!!  
Jennel ran solo on Friday afternoon while her kids were on a playdate.  Jennel ran down Panorama, up Parkway Blvd., past the Golf course, up to the VERY TOP of the Hill to Upper Panorama, then running on top of the world (it felt like it), turned down Plateau Blvd. to Johnson and home. 9km total.  GREAT RUN, but felt I was  little underdressed for the area I was running on.  Maybe next time, I’ll glue some jewels on my runners & hat!?!   Some pretty FANCY homes up by Westwood Plateau Golf course.
To Shiraz Mohamed:  Welcome back to our Cruiser mailing list!  Per Edie, he is busy with his twin boys, now 3 years old, and hopes to be back on track with the Cruisers.
 August 18th: Four Cruisers:  Alex, Laura, Rod and Bobtoc met at the Centre Monday on a +26C , humid evening.  The four opted to walk the familiar Forest Grove Drive route backwards, i.e., tackling the Gaglardi pedestrian overpass first from the Centre, proceeding west to Underhill, south to, oh, you know the rest.  Distance and time, 6.5 k, 1:35 respectively.  No recce of the large Meccano set was made.
In Coquitlam:
Heather & Jennel met at Town Centre Park on a HUMID Monday evening, we proceeded to run 2 full laps of the park, then Jennel decided not to do another as it was starting to get dusk.  So we ran a little bit more, then Jennel went home.  Heather’s husband was there playing volleyball, so she went back and mingled with the crowd.  My GPS did not work for part of the run, but from Jennel’s house to the park was 4km, there & back is 8km and I can’t recall what the perimeter of the park is…maybe 3km?  so maybe 14km tonight? “it sure feels like 14?!?”
I think Heather probably caught a ride home with her husband James.

August 20th:  The twitlet Cruisers:  Larry, Rod and Bobtoc turned up at Cameron Centre Wednesday on a warm, humid evening.  The trio opted to walk, their route being the Stoney Creek trail to North Road, east on Chapman Ave to Clarke Road, south onto North Road to view the large, very large, Meccano set.  The construction is opposite the Goodyear Tire store.  The action was observing the transport of the concrete pieces, the uplifting of one from a flatbed trailer to line up with others hanging from the grantry.  The machinery in use is great, ie large plus ingenious.  The time and distance to the construction site were 1:24 and guestimate 6.5 km respectively, followed by 45 minutes of gawking at the work in progress.  The twitlets then walked back to Cameron Centre.  A great evening.
From Alex Lau re the Grouse Grind:

I have just completed Day 5 of the GG 7 Day challenge about an hour ago, Tuesday..
Day 1 was last Friday. For the last 5 days, I started the hike at around 5:00pm and finished between 65 and 70 minutes. Day 2 was the slowest ( Ran 14 km with the Cruisers Saturday morning) and  today is the fastest.
5 down 2 to go.
Anyone interested to join me tomorrow and on Thursday ?  Edit. note:  Sorry for not picking up on this earlier, Alex.
From Jennel Wednesday:
Jennel has to move to somewhere that has FLAT lands to run on!?!  Good grief, there’s no getting around hills here!  Jogged down Coquitlam Crunch, then ran back up Lansdowne to Guilford, East on Guilford to Johnson, up to Parkway Blvd. to Panorama, then home.  9km.  Nice run, but those hills are tough in humid weather! 
 August 23rd: On Saturday morning Alex and Angela, RA Edie, Larry, Laura, Rick, Rod and Bobtoc met at the Bby Lake parking lot.  Alex and Angela, Edie and Larry chose to walk, the others to run.  The eight set out via the old Sperling Road north to the Central Valley Greenway west to Douglas Road, continuing on the spiffy new road surface on Still Creek Road to Gilmore Ave.  Three of the walkers returned to Bby Lake and Alex ran to catch up with the runners, going like a house on fire.  The runners continued to Renfrew St before returning.  In the meantime Alex commenced his run from the parking lot west and met up with the other runners who were on their return leg between Renfrew and Rupert Sts.  Rick joined Alex to Renfrew St. and turned back therefrom.  The times and distances for the
runners, between 2:35 and 2:50,  and 14.5 km respectively, including time to stop and talk to Alex Turkington, retired VFD firefighter, 90 years young, sharp as a tack, who was walking his two dogs, one being 16 years old,  near the archery fields.  Distance for the walkers, 9.5 km.

August 25th:  On Monday evening Rod and Bobtoc only showed up at the Burnaby Lake parking lot.  The two opted to walk, again due to the heat.  The daring duo walked south on  the road leading to the south perimeter road as far as the power poles then hung a left leading back to the trail which passed the rowing club pavilion parking lot, and onward back to the rugby club building.  Estimated distance, 5 km, time 1:07.
From Coquitlam:
After the kids were asleep, Jennel went for a short jog down Parkway Blvd. Sunday pm and ended up doing 7 reps of hill work.  “similar to what Libby used to MAKE us do!”, then ran home.  It was almost dusk and she made sure she was noticed by cars, so she wore her flashy vest……her uncle gave her a longshoreman’s vest with the bright orange & yellow X across is, with reflectors!  She got some honks!!!  lol.  “Better to be seen than not”.  Bob, this vest even has more reflectors than yours!!!!  You may be a little envious of this one!?!=(N.B. No photo proof by Jennel–Bobtoc)

August 26th:  Edie, Linda, Darlene, Christina and John walked the Pitt Meadow Dike, about 7k on a hot, sunny morning then rewarded ourselves with coffee at the Osprey Village.  Pitt Meadows is changing!  



  August 27th: Confederation Centre to Boundary walk.  Alex, RA Edie, Larry, Rod and Bobtoc met at the Confederation Park oval Wednesday on a hot, steamy evening.  Confederation Park was alive with people; bocce ball, strollers and joggers on the oval, folks in lawn chairs near the library.  The five walked a lap on the oval then continued north on Willingdon Ave to the trail west and north into McGill Park, continued on the TransCanada trail to Boundary Road and Fellows St, to the lane north of Edinburgh St, turned east thereon to Gilmore Ave, north to McGill St. to rejoin the trail back to Willingdon Ave and Confederation Park.   The five greeted Kathryn Ford on the Trans Canada trail who was running back to Confed.  Time 1:22, guestimated distance about 5 km.  Memories for Bobtoc; Confederation Park is close to his first and second places of residence when a kid in Vancouver Heights as it was then called.   

 August 30th: On Saturday morning Alex, RA Edie, Larry, Laura and Bobtoc met at the Burnaby Lake parking lot again to walk or run west using the Central Valley Greenway Urban Trail.  The five set off, Edie plus canine April and Larry to walk, Alex, Laura and Bobtoc to run.  The five experienced without a


doubt the best day of the whole year for their activities- cooler temperature, a breeze from the east.   The walkers’ route was the Greenway to Gilmore Avenue and return to the parking lot.  The runners’ route was to Renfrew Street and return.  Time and distance for the runners including pit stop at Renfrew, 2:25 and 15 km.  Distance for the walkers, 10km.     

From Kathryn Ford responding to my reference to her in the last update regarding our meeting on the trail enroute to Boundary Road Wednesday evening from Confed:
“That was a bit of a slog, my run.  I was doing session 3 of Week 12 of the Sport Med Run 10K program – it’s how I’ve been rehabbing my broken ankle!  (Highly recommened as a way to get back to running after an injury sidelines a person for several months, incidentally.)  Anyway, I was glad when I got back to Confed Park!  I think I ran the same approximate route as you guys, and my GPS showed 6K.  Feel free to add this report to your next bulletin, if you like.” 
Edit. note:  Kath looked good.  Had no idea she had broken her ankle.