Here we are roaring into the third month of 2024 already. Good road surfaces, milder temps and returning snowbirds may lead to longer walks? Maybe…
Offsite walks are likely as well, but we will ease into these on weekdays. We will do our best to post these here, and of course on WhatsApp. stay tuned.
Weekly Walks
It’s back to L at 8 for discounted meals and a distance of your choosing. The conditions are promising, not superb, but comfy. See you all there are this roaming blogger and spouse will be back!
Cooley Mountains and Carlingford Lough in the background. Happy walkers on the Greenway up front.
Like what you see above? Here’s some info from Lee Scott, which may be of interest to anyone who didn’t make it to this past Saturday’s walk (or even to those who did make it) and up (literally) for an early walk. Thanks to Ruth for the link.
WINTER STATIONS WALK!!! I suggest a group walk* (11k) Sunday, Feb 25 to check out the whimsy! Because there is ALWAYS MAGIC at sunrise, I propose that we meet at at 6:55am at the washroom building immediately south of the east parking lot off Northern Dancer Blvd/ Lake Shore Blvd E. to be at the beach for sunrise at 7:02am. (Note: These washrooms will not be open 😥) We can check out all the beach installations and then continue through the Kew Gardens, enjoy a few hills north of Queen as we make our way to Ivan Forrest Gardens, continue walking a few more hills to make our way south to Balmy Beach Club, then follow the boardwalk/trail west to see the installations at Woodbine Beach. The earlier we get out there, the less likelihood for crowds!
One of the best coffee roasters in the city, Omnia Coffee, is on Queen less than a kilometre from the parking lot at Woodbine Beach. I’ll definitely be heading over there after the walk if anyone would like to join me and others! https://www.omniacoffeeroasters.com/pages/contact-us
*there is no charge to attend group walks. This is not a class..there are no intervals…although in this instance the hills on the route might have a similar exertion/exhilaration effect! Friends and family welcome. Also, you are welcome to start with us and choose your own distance.
Need A Challenge?
Barb sent this link to a short video of a couple hiking 3000 km. through New Zealand. Inspiring I’d say!
Weekly Walks
Saturday morning looks sunny but definitely cold so hats and mittens de rigueur. However, the long range looks good either way high next week reaching the low teens during tte week. These are the temperatures we’re seeing over here in Ireland and the UK right now, so we can vouch for how nice that feels. We meet at the same as ever. Please let us know whether “The Empire” has brought back the 50% discount.
Being followed during one of my walks by this strange British Post Box. It kept going on about “exterminate”!
From what we seen from way over here in wet Devon, it seems that the mild conditions that equaled and even surpassed those in the UK are over, replaced by the cold and snow standard for this time of year. Please be careful on the roads as transitions are always the riskiest time for slips and falls.
Winter Stations
A reminder that according to their website, this year’s Winter Stations are officially ready for viewing as of February 19. Please post pics or send me so I can include in next week’s blog post.
Weekly Walks
Saturday will be cold so bundle up. Same time same place, and a hot coffee to follow.
As it’s Family Day weekend, please let others know if you want to schedule a walk on Monday morning.
This coming Wednesday is special, not only for sharing our ❤️ for those special people in our lives but also as it’s Dawn’s own special day. Happy Birthday/Valentine’s day!
Weekly Walks
Saturday looks like a mild-for-February but unfortunately rainy day, although the forecasters claim “light rain”. Make it a walker’s choice? Still, it seems to be at lot less rain that what we’ve seen here in the Uk today (as of posting). Is there really no bad weather, just bad clothing? You decide.
A wee ramble in Dundalk, IELovely fields, skirting cow pies. St. Brigid, big deal in Ireland.
Barbara celebrates this coming Tuesday (and some of us will be with her “away” to pass on good wishes in person. Lou-Ann kicks up her heels in turn on Friday, February 9, so please wish her (and B) all the best on WhatsApp and/or in person Saturday.
Weekly Walks
There is a chance you might actually have sun this Saturday. If you’ve forgotten, it looks like this ☀️.
No change from the usual departure time and place. Last we checked, the “discount” was still only at 30%. I guess they’re still waiting for a fresh batch of stickers.
As a public service, here’s what they should look like.
Building Bridges
As hoped for, last Saturday provided an opportunity to see the newly re-opened routes in the Portlands, namely the three new bridges: two “reds” on a diverted Cherry Street near Lakeshore, and an “orange” spanning what will be the new Don River bed on Commissioners Street.
You can easily see where the future river bed, and the parkland and trails being created along it.
Winter Stations
The website for this year’s Winter Stations informs that the sites will be available for viewing as of February 19, themed Resonance. Please take photos and send me so I can include in a follow up blog post.
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.
Get ready to put up the latest Shore Things calendar if you have one. Another “interesting” year is nearly behind us. Let us enter 2024 with a resolve to stay healthy and active.
Gathering Caution
A quick reminder that COVID is still out there, so be careful when getting together with friends and family.
Weekly Walks
While Saturday’s forecast looks generous good, it will be preceded with a fair amount of rain so sidewalk and road conditions may be hazardous, or maybe not. We’ll just have to wait, see and decide closer to the day.
Happy New Year to All
Here we are again getting ready for another planetary rotation. Best wishes to all the Shore Things and loved ones for a healthy and prosperous 2024!
We are the Shore Things 