You have undoubtedly noticed the warming trend, but it’s too early to declare winter done. But the promise is in the air…
Given the rain forecast and factual from the time of this writing to Saturday, and just above freezing temps day and night, footing should be secure. Spit perhaps?
Let’s also keep our fingers crossed for the return of 50% off specials asap at the grocery store that shall remain No Nameless. So, 8 am at that place across the parking lot from Starbucks?
Raising Arizona
The PATH sometimes takes us much further than expected. Here we are tunnelling through to Scottsdale AZ.
No agave were harmed in the taking of this photo.
Remote Control
Starting next week’s blog will be (hopefully) uploaded from across the Atlantic for the whole month of February. Please keep me informed of the local goings-on, and I will try from my end to post some interesting walk experiences from the other side of the pond. As long as my data plan works, I will reachable.
One of the side benefits of meeting at Loblaw’s every Saturday has been the opportunity to pick up clearance food items. Well, in a grinch’s post holiday move, according to news reports, the food retailer will no longer offer 50% discount on expiring food products. Instead, the discount will be 30%. This is a clever financial move by Galen Weston, as it not only increases the profit from items that are imminent for the trash, but may possibly allow for these items to be written off at a higher value (accountants, please weigh in). Aspiring moguls take note.
Going Postal In A Good Way
So if the news above has you fuming, perhaps another way to go “postal” is to join the pod walking the PATH on Saturdays. For reasons of safer footing and comfort, this has been the choice for some of us when conditions make outdoor walks extra challenging. Of course, being outside is best, but bitter experience and broken bones tend to make one cautious.
One of the landmarks on the walk is Scotiabank Arena, housed in the former Postal Delivery Building, opened in 1941 and designed by Charles B. Dolphin. It’s worth noting the bas-reliefs and the bespoke typography that were luckily preserved when the building shifted from sorting letters to body checks.
If you are interested in trying out the PATH, note that it’s about 8k in total for the full run. We typically rendezvous at 8 at an agreed-upon location and carpool to share parking cost under City Hall ($9). As this walk is weather dependent, please check the blog and WhatsApp for last minute announcements.
Gig Alert
If you can make it out, my band is at the Dakota Tavern on Tuesday January 23. Our set is at 8 pm according to the poster. It’s PWYC so cheap if you want it to be. The Dakota hosts these Fourplay Tuesdays each week to showcase musical performers in a tight, 4-act evening, with each given 30 minutes. Doors at 7:30, music starts at 8.
Weekly Walks
So far, Saturday looks cold but doesn’t appear to be slated for precipitation. If nothing further descends on the roads between the time of this post being written and the walk, it would be doable outdoors as long as you have some type of secure footing (Yaktrax, IceBugs, or the like). Please check in often for comments as things could change.
Toes Froze?
For those with courage to get out there on cold days but still get cold feet (literally), these handy (footsy?) gadgets might just be a good fit. These neoprene (the same stuff they use to make wet suits) toe warmers are said to keep your tootsies toasty and dry. We haven’t tried them to confirm, but if YOU have, or know someone who has, let the group know what you think!
We are entering a bit of a trough for walking, as a few of us are escaping to milder climes for January and/or February. This means it’s even more helpful to let others know if you’ll be out for walks on Saturdays. Weekday walks are even more tricky so if your “pod” is open to it, consider reaching out to the “orphans” and inviting them to join your walks. Maybe even use the WhatApp message group if you want to restrict that info and keep it off the general web.
Summer Camping
Seems odd to bring that up now right? Well that’s because provincial park campgrounds book up to 6 months ahead and fill up quickly. We already have 10 people interested for Presqu’Ile this August. This means we will try to reserve three sites as soon as registration opens in mid March. There is limited space for more so if you’re interested, get in touch with me or Lou-Ann and we can add you to the WhatsApp group as well for pertinent information. We have extra gear if that is a concern.
Here we are entering the 20th year since the Shore Things name was first coined as a sub-group of Jean’s Marines. It became a walking-exclusive appellation 3 years later concurrently with the start of this blog.
The original STs in training at the Lions Clubhouse, Ashbridges Bay, August 2004. You can play “Where’s Waldo” finding those of us still at it.The payoff! Washington Marine Corps Marathon 2004
Birthdays
And speaking of important milestones, Olwyn and Jan have their birthdays Monday and Wednesday respectively, yoohoo to both!
Weekly Walks
So far a mild winter has kept the roads and sidewalks generally safe. The latest long-term forecasts say that may change later this month so be aware.
That said, with no precipitation predicted between now and Saturday, and sun to help sublimate, chances are fair that our footing will be secure for our first 2024 walk. Winds are not likely to be a factor so how about another Spit Walk? 8:00 at Loblaw’s, you know the drill.
We are the Shore Things 