Walk # 350 September 26th 2018 A walk along Swan and Colquitz Creek paths.
A nice mild and sunny September day for a walk along the paths that start near the corner of Marigold and Interurban roads. We followed Swan creek as far as the Mckenzie Ave. pedestrian overpass and then turned back and walked back to where we came to the big grassy park beside Columbine Ave. We walked down Columbine to Interurban Ave. and turned left so we could cross to the Colquitz River park trail where it comes out to the road. On that trail we then crossed the bridge and walked along this path all the way to the intersection of Marigold Ave. and crossed at the crosswalk. Straight ahead the path cuts off the corner of the two streets and takes us right to where the river crosses under the road near Hyacinth park. That's close to where we parked and started our walk.
Claudia's photos
Terry's photos
John's photos
Claudia's photos
Terry's photos
John's photos
Walk #351 October 3rd 2018 Walking the Colquitz River trail south from Mann Avenue
The CanRamblers parked and met near one of the trail openings about halfway along Mann Ave. This walk went south along the Colquitz River and about as far as the north end of Panama Flats. The trail starts off in a heavily treed area and follows the side of the River until it crosses a bridge and heads toward Cary Road. Then it goes across a large playground, but the river is still to the left hand side of the playground/park. At the far side of the playground the river goes into a very bushy area and heads down to the south. The path however comes out onto a residential street. You can walk the length of this street and it will lead you towards Panama Flats. The river is well off to the right of you if you keep walking toward Marigold Ave. and Hyacinth Park. The Colquitz River crosses Marigold near the end where it crosses Interurban Rd. I think that the group turned back at the end of the playground and walked back to the starting place. This would be about an hour's walk, They went to the Fireside Grill in Royal Oak for lunch.
Walk # 352 October 10th 2018 The Goldstream River trails during Salmon Spawning
A few of the CanRamblers went out to Goldstream Park and walked along the river in the hope of seeing some of the spawning salmon. Unfortunately we were too early, and the fish were not there yet. The autumn colours were beautiful though and the park was not nearly as busy as it gets when the salmon run is on. We only saw a couple of school groups this time. The Nature House was closed too as they were setting it up as a art gallery for local artists paintings. It was a nice walk anyway. We went to Ma Miller's Pub for lunch.
Terry's photos
Terry's photos
Walk # 353 October 17th 2018 A walk up Anderson Hill from McNeill Bay
The CanRamblers met at McNeill Bay in south Oak Bay and walked along to the corner of the Victoria Golf Club and turned up Newport Ave. to Island Road and turned left to go to Anderson Hill Park. It seemed like a good idea to get to someplace high on this October 17th day. The weather was perfect and so was the view. We walked through the trail that goes around behind some houses and through the stunted oak trees. We took the Centennial Trail down to Transit Road and back to the cars where we parked by the ocean. Total walk distance 2.75 k
Terry's Photos
Claudia's photos
John's photos
Phil's photos
Walk # 354 October 24th 2018 A walk through Portage Park and the E&N Rail Trail
The fall colours are very nice this time of the year. It was a very foggy day when we went out to Portage Park and toured the trails through the fall leaves. A heavy fog hung over the little bay which made the island seem to hang in space. We found a tunnel under the train tracks that took us to the other side of the E&N Rail Trail so we followed it all the way out of town to where it crosses Helmcken Road. We turned left there and walked up to the Old Island HIghway and back to the 4 Mile Pub for a nice lunch. This time we were seated in the restaurant in the downstairs part of the building. We had good service and a very nice meal. This was a 4.75K walk. It took us a hour.
Phil's photos
John's photos
Terry's photos
Phil's photos
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Terry's photos
Walk # 355 October 31st 2018 Walking the trails at the very south end of Beaver lake
We parked near the Equestrian centre area just off of Beaver lake Road. If you have never been there it's got it's own driveway off of Beaver lake Road that leads to a large gravel parking area. There was no horse activity in sight so we walked through a path that took us to the lakeshore trail and walked along towards the middle of the old V&S Rail Trail on the West side of the lake. We walked for about a half hour and then turned back. Those leading went past the path that leads back to our cars, but they didn't want to turn around and so only about half of us made it back to the cars right away. After about 15 minutes we finally found the rest of the group when they appeared at the parking place. Needless to say we were a bit late for our lunch reservation. But in the end we all showed up at the Med Grill for a lovely lunch. Over 6k walk today.
Claudia's photos
Terry's photos
Phil's photos
Claudia's photos
Terry's photos
Phil's photos
Walk # 356 November 7th 2018 A backstage tour of the McPherson Theatre
Thanks to Lois for arranging a tour of all the places in the theatre that the public doesn't usually see. This historic theatre was built in 1914 and ran as a vaudeville house for the first part of its history. It was also a motion pictures theatre for a number of years before going "dark" according to Adam who is the lighting and sound director who helped out on the tour. It is used exclusively for plays, musical and comedy acts and that sort of thing nowadays. The original theatre was bequeathed to the city of Victoria in the 1960's and the addition of the new entrance and lobby was added when the Centennial Square was developed at the same time. A high end restaurant was added just outside the main entrance. In the year 2000 the restaurant was demolished and the square was refurbished a bit to suit the times. The mens and womens washrooms have recently be updated as well. There are fewer seats than there were in the original theatre as the newer seats are bigger and more padded that the old ones. It was a really nice tour; and it was well attended by the CanRamblers. We didn't see either of the two ghosts that haunt the theatre.
Phil's photos
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos
Phil's photos
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos
Walk # 357 November 14th 2018 Our first visit to the Mary Lake Nature Sanctuary
The weather cleared just in time for nine of the CanRamblers to drive out to Millstream Road and find this gem of a nature sanctuary. We were met at the gate by Bob McMinn who is the property manager of the 40 hectare property. To find out more about this place click on the word link below. Everyone was delighted when Bob offered to guide us around the trails and tell us about the property. The sunlight through the trees on the moss was beautiful! Please take a look at all the photos, you'll see what I mean. The lodge; formerly a private residence is available for rent for private functions. The three little cabins need some clean-up and they will be available too someday. We made our way back to the Loghouse Pub for lunch. Although the brewery is still called the Axe & Barrel, the pub has gone back to the original name of the Loghouse Pub. The menu is back to the original food too. It was all good!
Terry's photos
Phil's photos
Claudia's photos
Download the following document to learn more about Mary Lake, a gem of the Highlands :
Terry's photos
Phil's photos
Claudia's photos
Download the following document to learn more about Mary Lake, a gem of the Highlands :
mary_lake_info.pdf |
Walk # 358 November 21st 2018 A return to Beaver Lake to see some different trails
We went out to Beaver lake again to explore some different trails that we have not been on before. The weather held off just long enough for us to walk past some of the smaller ponds at the south end of the lake and to walk some of the V&S railway grade back to Beaver lake road. John volunteered to lead the group this time as he knows this part of the Beaver lake trails very well. We drove back to the Monkey Tree Pub for a group lunch after the walk, and when we came out afterwards it was pouring rain.
Claudia's photos
Phil's photos
Terry's photos
Colin's photos
Claudia's photos
Phil's photos
Terry's photos
Colin's photos
Walk # 359 November 28th 2018 Rock walls and Mansions and Castles Oh My!
The Rockland area has a long history of development starting in the 1880's. Some large properties are still being subdivided and modern new homes are going up where gardens once were. We parked on Moss Street next to the Victoria Art Gallery where we could get two hours of parking. We walked up and down streets looking at the huge mansions surrounded by rock walls and really large family homes in this old area of Victoria. Passing by Craigdarroch Castle was on our walk too. We went to the Christie's Carriage House Pub for a nice lunch afterwards. Parts of this walk were an architectural walking tour.
Terry's photos
Colin's photos
Phil's photos
Claudia's photos
Terry's photos
Colin's photos
Phil's photos
Claudia's photos
Walk # 360 December 5th 2018 Saxe Point Park and area on a sunny winter day
It was a brilliantly sunny but cold day with little to no wind and a perfect day to explore the coastline of Saxe Point Park. We enjoyed walking through a few of the many trails in this Esquimalt park, then walked over to take a look at the new houses on the adjacent Royal Point to the east of the park. This time we did a very relaxed walk and talk and admired all the viewpoints along the way. Later we drove over to the Gorge Point Pub for a nice lunch afterwards.
Dave's photos
Colin's photos
Phil's photos
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos
Dave's photos
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Claudia's photos
Walk # 361 December 12th 2018 A visit to Outerbridge Park and Lochside Trail
The Outerbridge Park is a pretty little park in more than one way. The group walked all the trails and then headed over to the Lochside Trail to bag a few more kilometers of walking. As usual the rain held back until the walk was over and the group was heading to the Monkey Tree for lunch. Please check out the many photos of this walk. This group is lucky to have many excellent photographers to document the walks.
Claudia's photos
Phil's photos
Colin's photos
Dave's photos
Claudia's photos
Phil's photos
Colin's photos
Dave's photos
Walk# 362 December 19th 2018 Walking through Dave's childhood area in Gordon Head area.
The CanRamblers met at Majestic Park and started the walk there with Dave in the lead this time. As usual the rain stopped just as the walk began. Dave showed us the place where the first church in Gordon Head once stood. The church has been converted into a house now. Then we saw the area where old Mr.Hawthorne had his vegetable farm; the road is now named after that family. We walked down and up lanes and through much of the area between Majestic and Edgemont and up Ash Road and back to Majestic Park again. It was a nice walk! Most of the group went back to the Monkey Tree for lunch. Thanks for leading Dave.
Phil's photos
Colin's photos
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos
Phil's photos
Colin's photos
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos
December 21st. 2018 The CanRamblers and others Christmas party
Merv and Kathy hosted a combination Birthday party for Merv, and invited the CanRamblers and lots of Kathy's "Surf Sistas" as well. It was loads of fun as you can see in the photos that Claudia took. John performed some magic tricks and Martin provided the music for some carol singing. The highlight of the evening was a draw for some interesting prizes that raised $350 for charity. Thanks again to Merv and Kathy for hosting again.
Claudia's photos
Claudia's photos
Walk # 363 December 26th 2018 A walk along Dallas Road with Marion
As the CanRamblers started out on this day's walk it started to rain. The umbrellas came out and we walked from near the tallest totem on Dallas Road to the Ogden point area and back. Most of the walk was dry though. The rain stopped or there were only a few drops for most of the walk. We had a nice brunch at the Beagle Pub afterwards.
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos