Strathcona Park - Paradise Meadows June 5, 2009

I find that I am able to drive the standard although it is slow shifting as I don't have a lot of mobility in my hands - I know some reading this post probably think I am nuts and you are probably not far off the mark but when has sanity being one of my strong suites.

I finally make it up to the Paradise Meadows parking lot at Mt Washington and start out along the Meadows trail until I come to a junction - continue with the meadows loop or head towards Helen MacKenzie Lake - I choose the latter as it is a rekkie and I have done the meadows before - I soon meet two gals who were doing the Battleship - Helen MacKenzie loop - they suggested that I should give it a try and I started to do it but when my turn around time came I wasn't at the Lake and wasn't sure how much further it was.

By now the trauma of the spill was wearing off and the real pain was beginning and I wanted to hit a walk in clinic before they close for the day so I turned around and headed back to my truck.











I take the slower Oceanside Hwy #19A route back - stop at the Visitor's bureau in Qualicum Beach for info on walk in clinics and are advised that it didn't open until after the other doctor's offices close and that would be 5PM so I went back to the campsite and rested before heading to the clinic - took me a few minutes of find it - the directions given by the tourist guy were good - after checking in and being told it was a good 90 minute wait I head out for a bite to eat - found a fish and chip place called Yorkies - as in Yorkshire - where I had a piece of fish and chips - it was excellent - returned to the clinic and waited in the office for my name to be called. Won't repost the results - they are in the previous post.

Tomorrow - the Friends of Yellowpoint Lodge Director's meeting and BBQ - the latter I might skip if I don't feel too great.

Cheers

Dennis

Log Bridge Regional trail and the "Accident" June 5, 2009

After having breakfast it was time to get the bike and hit the road - while I have done parts of the Log Bridge trail before I hadn't done it completely and with a new Suspension Bridge across the Englishmen River a loop opportunity also existed as well as a visit to the adjacent Englishmen River Regional Park - the route that I took from the campsite and then to the start off of Industrial road in Parksville is the popular one. The first part is great for bikes but as you get closer to the water the trail becomes more technical and you have to push your bike - there are alternate starts where the bike is supreme.




This is one of the weirdest notices I have ever seen - dogs are responsible for the decline in the fish stocks in the river?



Some interesting rock formations where the river many eons ago carved out its route - by now you will be pushing your bike as staircases are used to navigate along the River.



Finally the new 2007 suspension bridge comes into view - this was a new attraction for me.

A little history - the name Log Bridge comes from a bridge that use to be in this place on the original Nanaimo - Port Alberni highway and was removed years ago.







It was here after crossing the Bridge that I went to do a little exploring - wanted to see where a logging road lead to - suppose to take you down to the river and the Englishmen River Regional Park - well while slowly cycling downhill I must have hit a patch of soft sand or something because next thing I know my bike and me parted ways - As I was falling I ended up landing hard on my hands and wrists - at first glance - some blood, scrapes and some pain but it didn't appear to be anything that would necessitate a 911 call.

After my initial observation I figured I better start to see if I can make it back to the Park which is about 6 kms away.

The bike appears to be in working condition.

I am able to ride back to the campsite but can't put a lot of pressure on my palms - cleaned up the wounds and relaxed - I knew that there was no hospital in the Parksville area - the closest emergency is Nanaimo.

I decided to see how I felt - because of the lack of intense pain I was pretty sure that nothing was broken and that some of the current pain could be from the shock or trauma from the fall - I still had a couple of things that I wanted to attempt to do and in a hour or so I felt better so I continued on with my plans.

POSTCRIPT:

They are detailed in my next post BUT I will state that I did later in the evening go to an after hours walk in clinic where after a two hour wait I was examined by a doctor who confirmed that I likely didn't have anything broken but if I wanted an x-ray - Nanaimo would be my option - she suggested a pain killer and lots of ice and try and keep the wounds try and covered.

As I am typing this a few days later - I still have some soreness but for the most part have recovered - the wounds are the swelling is going down.

An eventful day

Cheers

Dennis

The ferry ride over to Vancouver Island + camping at Rathtrevor Park June 4, 2009

In advance of having a FOYP director's meeting in Nanaimo on Saturday and wanting to take advantage of the cheaper mid week ferry fares I headed out on the 12:30 Coastal Renaissance ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay in Nanaimo - it was an uneventful crossing on one of the newer BC Ferries - while the car decks appeared full there was lots of room to move around - being sunny and hot and although there was a breeze I spent most of my time on the upper deck where I chatted with a group fo people mostly from down under who would be heading for Victoria and then back to Vancouver to board a cruise ship to Alaska.








Before I knew it Newcastle Island is in site and the announcement is made to return to your car and get ready to disembark- I then head up Island to Parksville and the Rathtrevor Provincial Park - which is one of the nicest parks anywhere - it is not to busy as I check in for a two night stay but am told that there likely won't be a spot if I want to stay over for an additional nigth - the warm weather has the camping crowd out - I opt to put up my tent since I am staying more than one night rather than sleeping in the back of the truck.

I am given site #141 - close to the beach and the trails.

After getting settled in I take off on the bike for a tour of the area - having been there before I knew most of the trails but it is always nice to get some exercise.

Tomorrow my plan is to bike the Log Bridge trail and then either out to Port Alberni or up to Mt Washington. It would turn out to be a little more than I bargained for.

Details in the next post

Cheers

Dennis

May 2009 - the month in review and June 2009 preview

I finished off a very busy month of May by talking a short walk with my camera in my pocket under sunny and warm conditions and just took my time and headed for English Bay where I sunned myself for an hour or so and just breathed in the nice sea breeze air.
Both the bike path and Seawall were very busy with people out enjoying the great late spring or early summer weather.

Here in review are some of the highlights of the month of May 2009.

1. Bike escort - Vancouver Marathon
2. Bike volunteer - Pacific Spirit run
3. Scrutineer and election official for BC General Election
4. Enjoying the fresh air with lots of bike rides and walks - over 300km on the bike and over 100 km of walking.
5. Bike escort volunteer wind up BBQ

Upcoming for the month of June

1. Vancouver Island trip and FOYP Director's meeting
2. Kelowna party weekend
3. Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat volunteer and windup party.
4. Volunteer for the Scotia half - marathon - a new event for me.
5. YMCA Heritage Club annual luncheon - one of the few times now that I need to get dressed up.

Cheers

Dennis

Bile escort wind up BBQ May 30, 2009

The wind up BBQ for the Bike escort team was once again held at Gord and Linda's place in South Burnaby and about a dozen of us made the trek out to there place - some of us including me biked out - it was a 19KM ride uphill most of the way to the Metrotown area from downtown and then a short downhill spin to the party.

Along the way I stopped at Windsor Castle to catch my breathe. This is actually a small rest spot at the junction of the Windsor and Midtown/Ridgeway bike routes - the rock formation looks like the top of a castle hence the name Windsor Castle - I was able to bike almost the entire route along dedicated bike corridors and it took me just over 100 minutes to do the trip.

This is our cooking vessel for the day.

Promoting the liquid amber product that we are drinking.

Sophie and Gregg cook while Gord - our co-host looks on.

Peter, Quinton, John and Ray relax in the sun enjoying their beer and supper.

We were to bring either salads or desserts - here are some of the latter.

His lord worship the knight of all good things biking and general LBS guru Brian giving his final speech for this year as he thanks us once again for commitment and welcomes us to join him again next year.
About 8PM and a couple of beers later I get back on the bike and start the mostly downhill ride back home taking the BC Parkway and Central Valley Greenway route.

It was a 35KM out and back ride and an enjoyable evening with some great people.

Cheers

D

Biking from Deas Island to Westham Bridge May 28, 2009

Another nice day so another opportunity to get out on the bike and enjoy the scenery of the Lower Mainland - today I will drive south of Vancouver to Deas Island Regional Park and get the bike out and go for a ride - there are a number of ride options but one that has interested me for some time is to bike from Deas Park through to Ladner townsite - for years this meant fighting the traffic on River road but a new trail was built a few years ago that takes you under the highway and into the Captain Cove's marina - I was interested it just where the trail left the Park but first I rode through the Park and caught these scenes.





In the corner of the Park as you enter it from River Road you will see this sign - this is the start of the trail that will allow you to ride through to Ladner. It follows Deas Slough where people where out kayaking and caneoing before it heads under the highway to emerge to a good little flower show on the other side - you have two options once across - the left one will take you by a golf course and reconnect with River Road - the right turn will take you into Captains Cove Marina and then onto Ferry Rd before meeting River Road and the trip into Ladner.





As you approach Ladner you start seeing the fishing boats that make up so much of there harbour - I am always impressed by how scenic this harbour is.






From Ladne Village I followed River Rd west and south until I came to the Westham Island bridge which leads to Reiful Wildlife Refugee - but that is a trip for another day. There is a houseboat Village on both sides of the river - this bridge is the last one on the South Arm of the Fraser River before it drains into the Strait of Georgia and also one of the last swing bridges still in existence in this part of the world.






I continued along River Road for some distance before cutting through the rich farm lands and coming back into Ladner where I picked up the trail back to the Park and my truck.

I picked up a bit of the summer tan on my face and arms so I guess that means that summer is coming

I biked a total of 33KM today.

Cheers

D

Catching up on recent events May 28, 2009

The new photo is from the west sidewalk of the Burrard Bridge looking towards the west end and the North Shore mountains.

There is a saying that us retired folks like to use - it seems that in retirement you are more busy than when you are working and never seems to have the time to do the things that you enjoy like updating this blog - well add in the fact that the weather has been very summer like and being a person who likes outdoor activities that will explain the recent lack of posts to this site.

I spent last weekend doing a number of city bike rides - out to our western beaches like Spanish Banks, a complete loop of the Stanley Park Seawall and a complete loop of the False Creek seawall - taking a fair number of photos.

I also attended a wind up volunteer party for those of us who helped our local candidate get elected - enjoyed meeting some of the people from the campaign and enjoying some free beer and snacks - we were disappointed in the lost of Wally in Delta South but happy to have a nice new member from this riding to go for any concerns etc. There is some speculation as to whether Mary will go into Cabinet or get a Minister of State posting but with 6 new female members elected and her having no elected experience the odds are a little against her. The Cabinet should be appointed in about 10 days.

I have also posted earlier about how I keep meeting people on the street that I knew from my working days and the past week has seen me bumping into a number of former members - in a couple of cases I was able to have some lengthy conversations and got caught up in there happenings in the world.

Cheers

Dennis