Wow, 2022 already! Amazing how time flies in an existential crisis!

This will be the last post on both Blogger and WordPress as the latter seems to have established itself as reliable. Thank you Blogger for being a good host for many years.

I will continue to add links in WhatsApp and direct emails until February.

Getting Our Cramp On

Thanks to Kim for bringing this alternative to the IceBug shoes to the blog’s attention. Despite the name, there’s nothing micro about these spikes, in fact, they could serve well as a meat tenderizer during the summer bbq season. Specifically made for very icy conditions, they will ensure safe walking on the iciest surface, although they are less versatile when dealing with mixed road and sidewalk conditions. They also carry less severe versions similar to the studded soles of the IceBugs but a removable sole. Prices in US dollars are $49.99 for the NANOspikes, $59.99 for the EXOspikes, and $69.99 for the Medieval torture version pictured here (click on it to link).

Explorations

As you know from chatting with other walkers, some of us generally prefer the same routes each week, while others like to find and explore new paths, at least occasionally. To let everyone know what options are available, I will try to post specific announcements for these alternative walks when they present themselves. Keep in mind that weather conditions can sometimes affect the choice, even sometimes the day of the walk, so check in with the key person if possible, or at least sign in here (a message on WhatsApp would also be good) to avoid heading to a location that may have been changed last minute.

Weekly Walks

Saturday looks possibly rainy (light), but we’ve heard that before. If too much after ringing in the New Year, or too soggy for a Hair-of-the-Dog experience, then Sunday is a possibility. Please sign in and keep checking replies. Either way, it’s the usual site at Loblaws. Tim’s has been sparse, so it remains an open option for post walk coffee, if you feel okay with that. Or we could go to Taylor Creek Park and huddle under the bridge. Any takers?

 Steel Studs On the Soles of Her Shoes

Apologies to Paul Simon for that title, then again he has come under scrutiny (perhaps unjustified) for “borrowing” somewhat from the music he recorded in South Africa for Graceland. 

 

So Helen got her IceBugs and took them for a spin on Thursday for 6 km. Condition were varied enough for a good test: a fair bit of bare asphalt road and concrete sidewalk, and plenty of icy bits both exposed and snow covered. The verdict seems very positive as she felt much more secure and could feel the grip. She had some concerns that the hard surfaces would wear down the studs quickly, but after the walk, they still seemed sharp, albeit a bit less than brand new. It may be best to only wear them when conditions warrant. I will probably order a pait too as soon as they have stock of the style and price point I want.

Weekly Walks

As Saturday is Christmas, there will be a hiatus for gatherings (still okay at 25 for outdoors so far), and resumption on Tuesday for pods. As next week’s Saturday walk falls on New Year’s Day, please let others (and me) know your inclination for a walk so I can post the consensus in time.

Meanwhile, Merry Christmas to All considering the circumstances. May there be boosters in everyone’s stockings!

Welcome to our blog’s new home on WordPress!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

Starting this week, the blog will be posted in parallel on Blogger AND WordPress, the latter as it seems to better handles email subscriptions. This will continue until I can feel confident the new host site can run smoothly. If you care to be a Beta tester, please subscribe using the “Follow” button in the right sidebar. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem possible to port all the Blogger subscriptions to WordPress automatically. I’ll continue to send Google Group and WhatsApp notifications in the interim as well.

Birthdays

Happy birthday and all the best to Eva on the 20th! Yippee!

More On Ice-Safe Shoes

Helen has a pair of the IceBug cleated shoes on order and expected to arrive next week, so we can report back on their effectiveness. This is not an endorsement (yet) as they will need the official HB I-won’t-slip-and-break-something seal of approval. As an FYI, this review by an Ottawa physical therapist was the one that convinced us they’re at least worth a try.

More About the PATH

For anyone who missed the post on WhatsApp, Helen and I checked out the PATH last Saturday. It opens when the subway runs, according to a security guard we spoke with. We found access to the southern bit that runs from Union Station over Lakeshore and to Waterpark Place on Queens Quay. Straight line (more or less) from City Hall to south end and back is about 4K. If you add side branches to CBC and CN Tower and there is plenty of PATH for a reasonable distance. Plus: all indoors, quiet on weekends. Minus: all indoors so masks, a few stairs, signage inconsistent.

Weekly Walks

As we near the Holidays, our schedules are likely to be a bit erratic due to Xmas commitments. Please do try to sign on to let everyone know whether you can or cannot make it out, or simply to reach out to others to organize impromptu walks. Saturday’s forecast calls for snow, so please dress appropriately, including good grippy shoes. Remember to bring your heath card and ID (for sitting in Tim’s, Loblaws or Starbucks after). Usual time and place, of course.