Canada Day in Fort Langley – Seventeen Walkers/Runners met at the Fort Pub parking lot to walk the 12k Fort to Fort trail, some added on the 4k Houston Loop. The day was slightly overcast with the odd drops of rain – not enough to dampen enthusiasm. After the walk, some of the group had lunch at a local winery, some went home and some had coffee at the First Nations Coffee Shop and then went on to explore the Canada Day events at the Fort. Great turnout – lots of fresh air and exercise to go with the excellent company. Once again, we had our professional photographer, John, to capture the moments.
Saturday July 2nd:Sgt Major Christina, Flora, RA Edie with canine April, Laura, Eoin, Larry, Rod, Ross on his bicycle and Bobtoc met at Rocky Point on the second of the three-day weekend Port Moody’s Golden Spike event, one that evidently was well-organized, the organization going on when we arrived at 8:00 am. The target for the nine was to run, walk or cycle to the north shore and return. Edie, Laura, Eoin and Flora set out, Eoin to walk; not sure of the distance for Eoin, but the remainder ran.to April Road before returning; Christine and Bobtoc also went the same route, although Bobtoc, moving slower than Christina, eventually teamed up with Rod and Larry to run to the pearly gates of Ioco; for Rod and Larry their second touch of the gates since they picked up Bobtoc on his way running solo west. Ross cycled to Anmore and return. The writer does not have times to complete for the groups other than his own, 2:10, some time lost due to the fencing of the Rocky Point area for the Golden Spike event as well as a minor collision with a cyclist on Alderside Road.. Distances for the above groups: about 10 k for those turning at April Road, for those returning from the pearly gates: about 14k for Rod and Larry, 12k for Bobtoc and about 18 k for Ross on his bicycle. The group reassembled at the ice cream store (surprise surprise) except for Christina who had to return home to take John to the doctor for meds. The group enjoyed the perfect weather. My thanks to dr. Flora who at the ice cream shop dressed my wounds. I asked Flora if I should put some of my maple bacon flavour ice cream on my wounds but she did not think it would be useful. By the way Rod and the undersigned kidded Eoin a wee bit about his prediction for the Wales-Belgian game yesterday, a game which was outstanding to say the least. His prediction that Germany would take today’s game was spot on.
Monday July 4th: RA Edie with canine April, Flora, Libby (on Monday?) , Senators Alex, Rod and Bobtoc met at and walked from the Centre on a rain-threateningbutnoshowevening, despite heavy rains experienced during the day in Coquitlam. The six walked the Forest Grove Drive route frontwards utilizing Eastlake, Underhill, FGD, the overpass etc. Distance 6.8 km, time, 1:27, all followed by insufficient stretching no doubt, at the rustic fence we all know. Not sure about loving it. Light rain commenced when the six reached their cars to go home. Doesn’t get better than that.
From Jennel: Tuesday evening, I did my first run in a year! Well, it feels like it anyhow!?! I did my first run in 2 months I guess since my injury. I warmed up my muscles before with a heating pad as the physio said, then did a 15 min. warm-up of my muscles & joints…then ventured out on FLAT land (which is hard to do up in Westwood Plateau), but I walked westbound on Panorama, then ran a 1 min. slow jog, then back to a walk for another 2/3 min. then did repeats back & forth on the flat sidewalk. I felt good; I did my stretches afterwards and more of the heating pad on muscles! Good grief, that was a lot of work for a 15 min walk/run. But I will stick to his instructions as he’s a very good sportsmed rehabilitation physiotherapist, so he knows what he’s doing! I’m not going to be told I’m not ever going to run/walk again! “hey, I’ve done this before, I can do it again!” Then, on Wednesday afternoon, Heather & Jennel met at Town Centre. We went for a slow run around the perimeter of Town Centre Park…..1 min. walk…a few min. run, just gradually getting back into running. Our husbands played volleyball and Jennel’s daughters played in the sand on the beach volleyball courts and watched Heather’s daughter, Sarah, play volleyball also! Fun family night for all! Heather & Jennel ran/walked 6.5km.
Bobtoc, Larry, RA Edie, Alex and Angela attended an event for volunteers for the Giro di Burnaby which will be held on Thursday July 14 – professional cycling races, on Hastings St. on Burnaby Heights. The fun starts at approximately 5 pm. That’s right, Hastings St. is shut down to car traffic between 4 pm and 10 pm between Willingdon and Boundary Road for the races. Come out and watch the action if you are interested.On Tuesday morning Edie plus her friends Maureen and June, and our Rachel who joined the others at Commercial Dr Skytrain station, walked from Burnaby Lake to Gastown, completing approx. 20 km. From Cameron Centre Wednesday evening Flora and Eoin did 6.9 km, time 1:33.On Thursday, the Coquitlam Cruisers Heather and Jennel met at Town Centre in the afternoon, did a SLOW run around the Town Centre Park., 1 minute walk then a few minutes run, one of the most recent outings for Jennel since overcoming her sciatic nerve setback; 6.5 km.
Saturday July 9th: R. A. Edie, Alex, Eoin, Ivan, Larry, Rod and Bobtoc assembled at the Centre Saturday under threatening skies, after a night of heavy rain. Following up on an email suggestion from Eoin to meet at Timmie’s for a meeting, taking into account the potential of rain, plus the upcoming final of the EUFA tournament conducted in France which merited serious discussion, the seven repaired to said Timmie’s at North Road. Edie and Bobtoc drove there; the remainder ran uphill to Coquitlam as far as North Road. Discussion ensued regarding the relative merits of the No. 7 players of France and Portugal. Prognostications were made regarding the final game forthcoming tomorrow. Ronoldo’s nice hair was mentioned, but the majority did not think it would make much of an impact on the game. The meeting adjourned after 1 hour and 25 minutes. No rain fell outside during the meeting. Pity.
about hills not being our friends, but good humour returned on the way down. We viewed the Community garden before the final descent. We are now guilt-free.
Monday July 11th: Alex, R A Edie, Eoin, Flora, Laura, Sherian and Bobtoc met at the Centre Wednesday on a balmy bestnightofthe year. Destination selected was Joe’s Trail, and for RA Edie and canine April, the Stoney Creek trail. Edie covered the 5 or so km on her walk to North Road and return. Sherian turned back just shy of the gate at the North Road end of Joe’s Trail; her time which included picking up some bottles was 2:13. Eoin walked the route; the runners bobturned to ensure his safety, also the others turned back to retrieve Bobtoc who was running solo, at the train tracks at Cariboo. Flora and Bobtoc arrived back at the Centre 2:21 time, and the others, about 2:28, having been waylaid by inspection of blackberries on Government Street to get a handle on expected time of ripening. Alex tried a few. Blackberries.From Jennel: Wednesday afternoon, Jennel went for a SLOW run around Town Centre and back home. Did my rehabilitation run/walk, so it took a VERY long time…(close to 2 hours)…I ran 9.51km, but felt great afterward…(we’ll see how it goes tonight!). Then Tony, myself & the girls walked down Parkway Blvd. for dinner and back up Parkway Blvd. That’s 4 times I’ve walked or ran Parkway Blvd….’’sucker for punishment” I guess!?! LOL Heather & her husband, James did the Running Room Challenge tonight…No details on the run, but Heather texted me she got some new shoes!!
Thursday July 14th: There are several small creeks that cross the trail. Some could get your feet wet if you were not careful to keep balanced while bouncing from rock to rock. There were several muddy spots along the route too, but generally it is a short great trail and the Falls is well worth the adventure to get there, our destination and turn around spot.
Alex, Flora, Larry, Laura and Eoin, Rod, Susan and Bobtoc appeared bright and bushy-tailed at the Burnaby Lake parking lot Saturday under dull skies, a hint of moisture which ceased, a temperature perfect for running, rogging and walking to take place. Alex, Flora, Larry, Laura and Rod carved out their group and position to run the usual route westward using the Central Valley parkway and the Skytrain pathway for destination Rupert St. Eoin, Susan and Bobtoc, moving more slowly than the first group, used the same route, although Susan’s destination was to the Gilmore Skytrain station from which she planned to Skytrain back to home. The first group ran to and ran back from Rupert St., their time about 2:04. Eoin and Bob used the same route but their rog and walk pace was slower than the first group; also the pair identified a lone guy who was In distress at Boundary on the Skytrain route. He had apparently been using drugs, and was just coming to, so to speak. Eoin in particular wanted Bobtoc and himself to aid the fellow. Bobtoc continued his run and met the two when they arrived at Rupert St. Eoin walked the young man, name Justin, got some of his life story; father of three children, ages 7 to 21; had a business, was a carpenter, a wife, all lost to him. Eoin obtained for him lots of coffee, a couple of chocolate bars, determined that Justin wished to return to detox centre on Hastings St. Eoin was magnificent throughout; recognizing the importance to help, describing the young guy as his brother in Christ. The whole episode was humbling, moving, an experience seeing a shirtsleeve Christian such as Eoin in action. We are blessed and privileged to have such a man as Eoin in our midst. Needless to say I was, and am, moved big time. God has blessed Eoin to be sure. Time for this duo, 3:06 including time with Justin. Distance for both Rupert-bound groups about 14 k. Thanks to Alex on his bike checking for Eoin and Bobtoc on their return journey.Wednesday July 20th: On Wednesday on a warm-to-hot evening RA Edie, Rod, Larry, Alex, Laura, Flora and Bobtoc met at the Centre. Taking into account the heat plus a destination we had not done for eons, the destination was Hume Park, using a route which included Erickson St, the underpass under Lougheed Hwy, the park south to Government St, crossing Government St. to the sidewalk leading to the Cariboo shopping centre, south on North Road, crossing into Hume Park, traversing the steps and trail immediately west of the road into Hume Park, following on it to the swimming pool and grassy area with tables, where we saw families enjoying the pool and their dinners, the weather, etc. The seven continued from there to the playing fields and dog-use area, from there down Larry’s hill back to North Road. Edie and Flora opted to run back to Cameron Centre north on North Road to Cameron Street thence to the Centre. The other five opted to use Joe’s trail and the usual route from there back to the Centre. All seven thoroughly enjoyed the outing. The evening clearly was, are you ready for this? The BEST night of the year. Distance for Edie and Flora, 6.8 km, for the other five, 8.2km. Times for Edie and Flora, 1:04, for the others 1:28 to 1:38.
Thursday July 21st: Flora, Edie and April scoped out New West Quay for a future run.
Saturday July 23rd: Stanley Park Seawall – Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This!
On Saturday morning RA Edie, Flora, Larry, Laura and Eoin and his bike by Skytrain embarked from Production Way enroute to Stanley Park, picking up Bobtoc at Holdom Station, then Alex near the Waterfront Station about 8:15 am on the year’s withoutadoubtbestday of the year; sun shine, comfortable temperature. The group proceeded west using the promenade leading to the Convention Centre and shops, all gorgeous, world-class, to the park’s seawall. Bobtoc left the group at the Empress of Japan prow to return home due to a commitment there, after recounting an experience with Japanese tourists and Joe Turtle a quarter century ago, using the road past the Vancouver Aquarium ; his distance
and time back to the Waterfront station 9.5 and 2:10 or so. The remainder continued on the seawall to 2nd Beach, then turned off the seawall to continue on the north side of Lost Lagoon back to the Stanley Park entrance to meet cyclist Eoin at Tim Horton’s; their distance 16 km with, for Alex and Larry, another 0.6 for bobturns. A GREAT day; saw the Holland America cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam at dock, and on the way home, countless tourists and luggage. $$$ for Vancouver’s economy!
Monday July 26th: Alex, Eoin and Laura, Flora, Rod and Bobtpc ,met at Cameron Centre Monday on a hot night. Shade was the order of the day, therefore the route chosen for a walk included the Stoney Creek trail, presumably to North Road and back. Flora however, had her trusty pedometer with her, needed more steps, therefore the pliable sextet continued past North Road to Chapman Avenue, continuing east to Clark Road and North Road, then south to Lyndhurst Street , west to Willoughby Avenue, thence to Cameron Street back to the Centre. Distance, 6.5 km, time for most, 1.24, and for Eoin and Bobtoc, 1.38, since they needed a bit more time to solve some of the world’s problems. The six benefited from some breeze from the east along North Road, not of their own making!
Wednesday July 28th: Alex ,Flora, Larry and Bobtoc met at Confederation Park Wednesday on a hot, hot evening to run toward the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. The route was north on Willingdon Ave to McGill Park via Eton St., west on the Heights Trail, used the north trail at the junction of the three trails; the north trail took us over to the west side of the bridge. Due to the heat, the blackberries testing and tasting along the route, the four returned using the underpass from Bridgeway, south to Eton St in Vancouver, up the hill on Eton, passing the “Res” on the north side, spent time talking to a realtor representing a house for sale for $3M. to the grassed area south of the Chevron Refinery, where we discovered a few apple and one pear tree, no doubt left over from homes which were removed eons ago. to provide a space between the houses on Oxford and Cambridge Sts. and the refinery. Some of the fruit was tasted and found to be OK, but the fruit was tiny inasmuch as no thinning had been done of the fruit on the trees. Time and distance, 2:09, 6.5 km respectively. 
Rod ran in the am from home using the familiar route including Eastlake, Shellmont, Forest Grove Drive, time and distance 1.18 and between 9 and 10 km respectively.Saturday July 30th: Stag morning but no Stagg at Cameron Centre Saturday morning. Alex, Ivan, Larry, Rod and Bobtoc turned up sharp at 7:30 am at the Centre. The five opted to run to Joe’s Trail plus add to that route time to explore the trail north of the entrance into Hume Park. The five did just that, found not too much interesting stuff on said trail except bits and pieces of City of New Westminster gear usable in water or sewer installations, also blackberry bushes, the fruit of which was subject to the taste test. Decision: Some berries sweet, some not so sweet. Distance, 10 km, time for Alex, Ivan and Larry, 1:41, and for Rod and Bobtoc, a more senatorial 1:50. Weather and temperature: Perfect. PS. Saw Robb Stagg at the Centre after the run.