Sending advance good wishes to Arlene this coming Wednesday. Her day is flanked by two national celebrations (🇨🇦 on Monday and 🇺🇸 on Thursday). Maybe she should get a flag too?
Also, apologies to Cheryl who had a birthday on Thursday July 4. Missed that one when originally writing this post.
Island Walk
After rigorous polling, it looks like we’ve settled on Thursday July 4. We hope to catch the 6pm ferry to Hanlan’s Point and walk to Ward’s Island, from whence we will return. For those hoping for post walk refreshments and snacks, perhaps Irene’s near the foot of Jarvis? Please sign in to let me know as we may need to reserve.
All sighted in Taylor Creek Park during a weekday walk. More on that location below!
Trail Renovation
Construction is not only a feature of roads in the city, parklands are also getting an uplift. After months of work shoring up and redirecting Taylor Creek down from Stan Wadlow Park, that section of trail is finally reopened with an expanded section on the north side of the creek. Everything still has that new mulch smell.
Island Walk
It seems that every summer, we try to organize a weekday evening walk on Toronto Islands, and this year should be no exception. If the Bloorview race is not your thing, then a stroll and subsequent refreshment might be more up your alley. Dates might be tricky to coordinate as people have plans, don’t you know. Still, let us try. I will post a link on WhatsApp to the Doodle poll. Please indicate all available dates for yourself and we will try to pick a date that works for everyone, or at least the greatest number.
Weekly Walks
The not-always-accurate weather people are calling for an end to the heat dome by the end of this week, so Saturday morning should be pleasant, IF the rain doesn’t come. Unclear at this time where that’s heading. L@8!
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag to Rainer who celebrates this coming Wednesday.
Creature Feature
We’re not sure how to classify this creature taxonomically, but it sure is colourful!
On the Trails
Here are a few pics of people and places on recent walks. the last 3 pictures are from Hamilton. Some of us may go back for a weekday walk/ excursion. Keep checking on WhatsApp for news on that.
Say What? Race?
While races may have fallen out of favour, this event may merit consideration as the location is great, the cause worthy, and the distance manageable.
There are a few days left to register for the SuperPower 5K | 10K before prices increase in 3 days ($60 and $65). The event takes place on Toronto Island, on August 24th.
Proceeds go to support Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
Can we hope to see a good turnout this Saturday at L@8? It’s a good way to start the Father’s Day weekend! Conditions seem ideal—not too hot and sunny so don’t forget your sunglasses.
This photo was not on a “walk” but we were “walking”, so within the norms I suppose.
We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please do not adjust your nest.
Weekly Walks
So far, conditions for Saturday are looking cool and wet, and only marginally better for Sunday morning. This may be a case of “dress for the weather”. Let’s hope things change between this writing and the actual time. L@8 as usual. We’ll keep tabs and update in the comments.
Two coming up this week! Happy birthdays to Trish on Tuesday and Susan on Wednesday! Have a great celebration!
Creature Feature
This birdy spotted last Saturday during our offsite walk at Humber Arboretum. We’re happy to report that the drive there was faster than expected—40 minutes tops—and free parking. The gardens are lovely and the West Humber Trails an easy and pretty walk. Only downsides are some mosquitos, the occasional jet coming in for a landing at nearby Pearson Airport and an accident-caused slowdown (not us) on our return. Still, we’d do it again, although maybe come back to the east End earlier for brunch to avoid potential traffic.
As a follow up to a post a few weeks back, here is an article from Global News about avoiding tick bites, and how to remove them if they do land. Short version is to use products that have DEET, but there are other options, including tick-repellent garments.
Weekly Walks
It’s finally here, and weather permitting, we will be gathering for a lovely offsite walk at Humber Arboretum.
As mentioned before, it might be possible for some of us to carpool—this post is going out a bit earlier than usual t on give you time to organize that. Mustering locations and times I will leave up you as it could vary depending on where you live, but let’s try to rendezvous at the arboretum at 9. Keep in mind construction is hampering traffic to some degree but hopefully traffic will be lighter on Saturday morning.
Parking is free on weekends. Here are the details about it from the arboretum’s site. The link will show downloadable maps and directions.
WEEKENDS
Parking on campus is free on weekends. You may enter campus through entrance A or E and follow Arboretum Blvd to the back of campus where the Humber Arboretum is located.
There are two first-come, first-served spots and one accessible spot for Humber Arboretum visitors available off the turn circle at the Arboretum’ s main entrance (do not park within the turn circle; this is a fire route).
When those spots are full, Lot One is the closest lot to the Arboretum’s main entrance; the parking lot entrance is located off of Arboretum Blvd across from the residence buildings (towards entrance A).
Visitors choosing the parking garage may enter the Arboretum directly behind the garage and head down the stairs to the Humber River trail or explore the path behind residence that will take you past the Humber Food Learning Garden, the Bird Tranquility Garden, and the Garden of the Rising Moon on your way to the central gardens and the Centre for Urban Ecology.
Brunch is at EggSmart at 6795 Airport Road and Northwest Drive, less than 15 minutes drive from the walk and close to both the 401 and 427 for speedy return.
Creature Feature
This is a really good time of year for wildlife on the Spit. We caught sight of this pretty thing last Saturday. Sadly, it was too bashful to allow us in for a closer look, but perhaps this photo (thanks Morgan!) is clear enough to identify what type of bird it is.
It’s been extra challenging to get back into a race mindset after the whole COVID experience, which makes it even more commendable that this group of walkers participated in the latest Sporting Life 10k. Congrats to all!
WEEKLY WALKS
Saturday looks ideal for a walk, so unless you are out of town, you really should be at L@8! Consider also a Victoria Day outing from Tim’s 2 at 9. Please sign in with your status. Happy long weekend!
It’s Mother’s Day this weekend for all you moms or mums out there so please indulge yourselves with whatever treat(ment) you most look forward to. Whether a trip to your fave garden centre, breakfast in bed or a family-arranged evening out, make it a fun one!
Every Is Not Tickety-Boo
With the mild weather back, there is a down sides to walking. Specifically, ticks are making their presence felt so please stay on paths and avoid grassy areas. More information here.
Offsite Is Offside
The Humber Arboretum walk scheduled for this Saturday is postponed during to a sad and unforeseen event. An email should have reached you by now with the details for the memorial service on May 11. If you haven’t seen it, check your spam/junk folder first, otherwise reach out and someone should be able to forward it.
We’re now looking at May 25 as a possibility for the walk.
Weekly Walks
Given the above, it’s back to L@8. Weather seems agreeable enough, so let’s make it a walker’s choice for distance. Suggestions for where to go?
Due to Saturday’s memorial service (please check your email for that announcement, including your spam folder just in case, especially gmail users), would it be better to defer the offsite walk a week? That would put it on the 18th—Victoria Day weekend. I am posting early so there is time to weigh in and I can post an update before this weekend.
If we stick with the plan for this weekend, it may be necessary to head out to the Humber Arboretum earlier than initially planned so we can be back to prepare for the afternoon.
Please comment here, on WhatsApp or text/email me directly. I will go with the consensus.
Our Saturday walk falls on THAT day, so let’s have all our (sky)walkers out in force. L@8, and hopefully the rain forecast will hold off just enough. TBC.
Creature Feature
It’s that time of year again.
The midge swarms are out so the Spit may be off limits for a while. Here’s and informative article on what these pesky but harmless non-biting critters are all about.
Anywhere along the lake may be annoying for a bit so this could be a good way to use up some of those leftover COVID masks if you still have any.
Offsite Humber Arboretum Walk
Just a reminder that the May 11 walk starting at the Humber Arboretum in Etobicoke and along the West Humber Trail is so far still on.
More details in next week’s post and through WhatsApp and email as we get closer.
Please consider offering carpooling if you can or reach out to a walking companion to coordinate if you need a ride.
The plan so far is to rendezvous at 8 and head out. Brunch could be at EggSmart at 6795 Airport Road and Northwest Drive, but please feel free to suggest alternatives. This location is less than 15 minutes drive from the walk and close to the highway for our return.
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We are the Shore Things 