ISLAND HOPPERS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & LAST WALK OF THE SEASON

LAST WALK THIS SEASON:

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20th 2005
REGISTRATION: 12:30
START TIME: 1:00pm
NEW WATERFORD, COLLIERY LANDS PARK
ELLSWORTH AVENUE
DIST: 11K, RATING 1A

The last of Our Cape Breton Lighthouse Theme Walks!


The Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club Annual General Meeting

WHEN: Saturday, 26 November 2005

TIME: 2:00PM (14:00Hrs.)

WHERE: CHRIST CHURCH PARISH HALL

LOCATION: Sydney,Trinity Ave., off George Street

The Ways and Means will provide refreshments.

The Agenda for this annual club meeting will be published asap and all members are encouraged to attend.

All members are also encouraged to submit items for the meetings agenda; what information would you like discussed during the meeting?

One of the most important items to be discussed and voted on are club positions such as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurers, Trails Coordinator, Ways And Means Coordinator.

Some but not all, now serving on the executive this past year maybe quite content to stay in the positions and continue to serve their club, others may want to step down, such as the now serving president and secretary; you the members should be prepared to nominate and vote for these positions, it is now time for changes within the executive.

If you are willing to serve on the executive or be a member of a committee, please contact me asap or the nomination committee (volunteer(s) for this Committee??)

THE CANADIAN VOLKSSPORT FEDERATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND CONVENTION TAKES PLACE:

CVF/FCV CONVENTION 2006
GATEWAY TO WELLNESS
Edmonton, Alberta
12, 13 & 14 May 2006
Shaw Conference Centre

Information for this convention which is open to all volkssporters and interested groups can be found at the website to the right of this page-->


MESSAGE FROM THE AREA DIRECTOR AND THE VALLEY TREKKERS

Hi everyone:

The Valley Trekkers Volkssport Club has put a request into CVF Ottawa to host the 2008 Convention at Acadia University, Wolfville NS, May 23-25th.

It would be appreciated if they could have the support of all clubs in Atlantic Canada to follow this through. They will be setting up a committee at their Annual Meeting on Dec 1st. If you are interested in helping out please come out to their meeting and offer your support or if you are unable to attend but have an idea in mind or would like to be on a committee please let me know.

Lynda L Kanne
Atlantic Region Director
Canadian Volkssport Federation
97 Palmer Road RR#1
Aylesford NS B0P 1C0
(902) 847-1772
ricklynda.kanne@ns.sympatico.ca

CELTIC COLOURS INFORMATION

The following message has been received from Sue Banks, president of The Dartmouth Volksmarch Club; the DVC were our co-host for the 2005 Celtic Colours Walk Festival.

Hi Rollie: We had a wonderful weekend in an area of Cape Breton that most of us had not walked before. In past, driving through this area, I have often wanted to stop and get to know some of its trails and view points. The beauty of the area with the falls, the narrows, the neat communities and the hospitality are outstanding. In spite of the warm showers (rain), they walked! And they enjoyed! Even the Celtic Salt Cod! Accomodation in the area was excellent; I heard no unfavourable comments. I believe everyone enjoyed the whole weekend and I am proud that our club had some part in it. Memories will last forever. Unfortunately most of us did not have time to take in many of the Celtic Concerts. I have heard many comments that, another year, they would like to participate in a one guided walk per day, perhaps a longer walk and keep more time for concerts. Some would prefer afternoon concerts to avoid driving back to their accomodation late at night, in the dark. So, it was a good introduction of the Celtic Colours Festival. Pre-purchase of tickets is a must as you did tell them in the brochures, etc. and should still be emphasized. They will return and they will bring others. I believe that the Monday afternoon walk drew fewer participants because of the rain and the long drive back to Halifax/Dartmouth but, it also attracted new people to volkssport. Sharon talked with four people from Kenora, Ontario who were in the area for the music and found the walk really good. There are always hiccups when dealing with a large group of people and you dealt with it very professionally

Please Note:

We have already addressed the amount of guided walks, the 2006 schedule has 3 guided walks only for the Celtic Walks Festival and the YRE's will be presented as they were intended as self-guided events. The 2006 schedule is now available and I will have copies at the next event and at our Annual General Meeting which is scheduled for Saturday 26th of November 2005, the venue for the meeting will be posted shortly.

Our statistics on the weekend for both clubs are as follows:

CBIH: Saturday Morning 8th of Oct in East Margaree: IVV 39, free 4, Total 43

DVC: Saturday Afternoon 8th of Oct in Pipers Glen: IVV 53, free 3, Total 56

DVC: Sunday Morning 9th of Oct in Grand Narrows: IVV 73, free 2, Total 75

CBIH: Sunday Afternoon 9th of Oct in Iona: IVV 81, free 8, Total 89

DVC: Monday Morning 10th of Oct in Uisge Ban Falls: IVV 75, free 3, Total 78

CBIH: Monday Afternoon 10th of Oct in Denys Mtn: IVV 35, free 4, Total 35


The total GW for CBIH was 167


The total GW for DVC was: 209

TOTAL PARTICIPATION: 376

The above statistics included Walking Adventures International, a bus tour group of 26 who in addition to atttending our walk program and dinners at Iona, attended several music venues and museums throughout the week of Celtic Colours. This years group were led by Debbie Zimel and Sandy McNamara.

In addition to the above Guided Walks the CBIH hosted an early bird walk on Friday using our Year Round Event in Baddeck that attracted 34 participants and during the remainder of the week using our YRE's as Guided Walks, we averaged 8 walkers at 2pm daily plus 4 to 6 participants who signed in on their own.

When checking the "walk boxes" I noticed four names "from away" who had either signed in for our YRE's in the morning or the day before us. We should consider making Lily & Lionel Conrod from Dartmouth, Shirley Brogan Ontario and Ruth Pederson from Middleton, WI USA honourary Capers due to their support of our fall walking festival.

ENTRANCE TO HIGHLAND VILLAGE

CELTIC COLOURS WALKS:

THE 5K GROUP LED BY LIONEL CONROD APPROACH THE ENTRANCE TO THE HIGHLAND VILLAGE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON OCT 09/2005



YOU CAN SEE MORE IMAGES AT OUR PHOTO SECTION 9 (TRAIL PHOTOS>)

CELTIC COLOURS WALKS

The Big Events for our CELTIC COLOURS WALKS will soon be here beginning on FRIDAY, 07 OCT, in BADDECK and continuing until SATURDAY 15th of Oct. 2005.

The schedule is available on our regular website or on the Celtic Colours site.

Click on the sites to the right of this page.

Help support your club and come out and meet walkers (volkssporters) from different parts of Canada and The USA.

RESERVATIONS for the LUNCH and DINNER in Iona, on the 9th of October, are now closed, we cannot accept new reservations.

The directions for the Start Points on Saturday 8th of October:

Directions to East Margaree and Egypt Falls:

From The Village of Baddeck take the 105W to EXIT 7 “The Red Barn” and turn right onto The Cabot Trail Highway for both walk events:
Maps will be available at the afternoon walk in Baddeck.

· Go to East Margaree for the morning walk event at St Michaels RC Church.
· There are two entrances to the right, into East Margaree, there will be signs at both of these entrances.
· There will be one volkssport sign before the Margaree Information Centre and the second about 3K further on.

To Egypt Falls, the afternoon walk event:

· From the Margaree Information Centre:
· Turn right at Margaree Forks Irving Service Centre. (LEFT if coming directly from the "Red Barn")Exit 7
· Pass a graveyard on the left and cross a bridge.
· Turn left on Route 395, first paved road after the bridge.
· Drive for approx. 5 min. and cross a one-lane bridge.
· Just before crossing a second bridge, there will be volkssport signs, turn onto the dirt road on the left.
· Follow the dirt road for 2.2 and watch for Volkssport signs at a bridge and turn right.
· There are blue hiker signs as well; just before the trail to the falls there is an area we have reserved for a bus, the remainder of the cars can park along the right hand-side of the road/trail.

Please Note that you can also get to Egypt Falls by following Route 395 North at the Whycocomagh Exit #5 near Vi's Restaurant and Following 395 along the East side of Lake Ainslie (East L.A.)a short distance North of Scotsville and Egypt Falls Road to Pipers Glen Road.

WHAT HURRICANNE! OPHELIA WHO! CONVENTION NEWS!

Coming up next, our walk on Sunday, Sept 25/05
Cape Auget Nature trail
Check for details on our calendar of events.


MORE INFORMATION CELTIC COLOURS WALKS AND DINNERS

The Lunch and Dinner on Sunday 09 October 2005 during The Celtic Colours Walks deadline has passed,(19 Sept) anyone who has changed their plans about attending the meals will be put on a waiting list and will be required to pay the $33.00 before being considered for the waiting list. (returnable if you don't get a seat for the dinners)
There is now over 90 patricipants registered for these dinner special, The caterer is trying to arrange more seating, but they also must order and prepare the food, so it is imperative that members register for this and future events early.

The Highland Heights Restaurant is open during the following hours only:

From Management Kim MacAulay: Our dining room is only open for breakfast (8-10am) and dinner (5:30-8:30pm) - We do not serve lunch this year.

Please Note: There is no preregistering for the WALK EVENTS other then the Bus Tour Group who will be in attendance throughout the weekend of walking. All interested walkers can register at the Start Points as we normally do at any walk event. ----YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REGISTER FOR THE DINNERS TO PATRICIPATE IN THESE WALKS---


MIDDLE HEAD WALK

On Sunday, 17 Sept, 5 determined volkssporters met at the trail head behind Keltic Lodge for the hike to Middle Head.
At the Start Point we met up with Patsy LeBlanc the coordinator for the "Highland Hiking Festival" and Jocelyne Quann who is a trails guide for the National Park and who led us along the trail showing us the many diverse vegetation in the area and a brief history of the Middle Head Trail.
Prior to the walk I was asked to give a brief descripyion of our club and organization to the 15 or more hikers who were attending the "festivial", hopefully we have stirred up some interest with some of the locals in the area and more participation by the festival organizers to hold IVV Events in the future.

With Jocelyne's help we were able to get a better understanding of the natural world around us at Middle Head and the walk was highlighted by sighting a Minkie Whale very close to the shoreline. Jocelyne is a bag of knowledge and she also carries a "bag of knowledge" to share with us the visitors to the National Park. Thank You Jocelyne for a great day of walking!

Margaret Karrel (a club member) and her two daughters, Bailey and Whitney who are now official volksmarchers joined our group for the return trip to the start point.

The weather was great, cool, not hot and not cold and a light very light internittent rain; we were not "wet" on the return trip.

Yes,a small band of volksmarchers did attend this event but we had Fun and met a few Friends along the way including two ladies from Holland who tagged along to listen to the trails guide presentation.



The Convention 2008!

Graham Fawcett the president of the Canadian Volkssport Federation and our area director Lynda Kanne have contacted me wanting to know the status of our clubs position on holding the 2008 Canadian Volkssport Federations Convention on Cape Breton in 2008.

Regretfully my answer to Graham and Lynda is that we must decline this invitation, upon my presentations to the club and informal discussions with club members there was not enough enthusiasim or support at this time in our clubs membership for such an undertaking.

I still feel that it could be done but I must concede to the wishes of the majority of the club members as this has been made quite clear to me from the dinner at Glace Bay, The Trails meeting in July and when I have brought the subject up on the Trail. We must have most if not all members in agreement and I do not want this club and its members subjected to hard feelings about the issue.

This is now a dead issue in the club and will be for a future executive to ponder.

Start Thinking and Working to keep this club going, consider who should be on the new executive, is it you? and why not!

If you want information about the 2006, EDMONTON, ALBERTA convention go to the CVF website, located to the right of this page.

Conention Dates are:

CVF/FCV CONVENTION 2006
GATEWAY TO WELLNESS
Edmonton, Alberta
12, 13 & 14 May 2006
Shaw Conference Centre

Money Point! What an experience!

A wonderful Experience, see more photos at Trail Photos:

Lots of WALKING and a WHALE TOUR

TIME IS RUNNING OUT: PLEASE REGISTER BY 19 SEPT. FOR OUR CELTIC LUNCH AND DINNER ON SUNDAY 9 OCT 2005, details are on the Celtic Colours website.

LET's Continue WALKING:

When: Saturday, Sept. 17th, 2pm
Start Point: Keltic Lodge parking lot
Trail: Middle Head Trail and Ingonish Beach
Dist: 10K 2C IVV Sanctioned
Walk Leader(s): Rollie and a rep. from the "festival" Dupie Milne-Ashton.

From Hike The Highlands

Hello, Rollie:

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday. We are staffing a Hospitality Room throughout the Festival and we can distribute the information. Also, for anyone coming up on Saturday they may want to stay for the Barbeque/Bonfire/Singalong at the Glenghorm Resort from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The cost is $15.95 (great food) and to reserve a spot, people have to phone the resort at 285-2049.

Also, are we all meeting in the parking lot next to the stairs to the hike?

Please let me know. ANS. YES

Patsy LeBlanc
Coordinator
Hike the Highlands Festival
285-2289

BEFORE THE WALK EVENT!

Elsie Buck would like to have The Island Hoppers join her and Joe on a Whale Watching Tour in the morning before the Walk Event at Middle Head.

Call Elsie at 562-3117 and leave a message if she is not home at that time.

Please make the arrangements with Elsie, as I will be working that morning.

The whale tour begins at 10:00am, you should arrive 15-30min before departure.

The tour is: SEAQUARIUM WHALE WATCHING TOUR, Phone for additional details: 285-2103.

The cost is $25.00 + tax/person

If needed rain gear is provided, though the tour does not go if there is rough seas!

The minimum number of passengers is six and there is seating fo 40 on this 44 ft Cape Islander.

There is a 95% chance of seeing whales on a cruise which takes about 2 1/2 hours, so there is plenty of time to get to our walk at 2pm at the Keltic Lodge which is about 15 minutes from the dock, the whale tour is about 1hr 45 min from Sydney.


MORE SEPTEMBER WALKING

SUNDAY, Sept 25

Registration 1:30pm

START TIME: 2:00pm

Rollie, 849-0747

Cape Auget Trail, Village of Arichat---

Follow the "Lower Road" to Cape Auget Road to our trail head at the "Clearwater Lobster Holding Facility"

DO NOT GO TO BEAUDERVILLE where we have gone on previous walks, this event is in the opposite direction to make for a more interesting adventure if you have been on this trail in the past.

SEPTEMBER, PIPERS RESTAURANT GREAT FOOD, GREAT WALKING WEATHER

September is proving to be a great month for walking, the weather has been cooler and there is a walk every weekend for our members to pick from.
So far we have been to Inverness on Sunday Sept. 4th and then 11 of us accomplished a 16K walk or should I say HIKE into The Lighthouse at Cape North and Money Point.
From my previous post most of you now know that we Started at Bay Road Valley located between Sugarloaf and Bay St Lawerence.
The Start Point was located at a magnificient viewing point, overlooking Meat Cove and Bay St Lawerence villages.
The trek along the road/trail was spotted with some great views of the highlands and the beaches below near Cabot's Landing.
Along the trail we came across a number of Microwave towers and a coast guard communication installation; during the prewalk on the previous Thursday the crew here showed us photos of the facilities during the winter. The buildup of ice from one of the towers destroyed the roof of one building and the scenes of high snow banks was something that you would imagine only in the north of Canada, (well I guess you could say we were in the NORTH albeit Cape North, Cape Breton)

During the walk to the coastline and the approx 750m incline to the coastline we came across bear droppings and the signs of moose in the area. Fortunately we did not have to implement plan "A" if we had come across bear on the trail-we arrived back with all who came on this adventure!!

Slowly we made our way down into the coastal plain along a narrrow and rocky trail, there were many cries of OOPS!and more *@*@%!OOPS along the route as we upturned the loose gravel and rocks.

There was a strong N'or easter along the coastline as we then trekked 1.5k to the lighthouse with a view of St Pauls Island off the coastline and the Highlands to our left, this is apart of our island that very few will ever see, I and those who made this excursion could not give justice to really describing the area to others.

Lots of photos were taken and I hope to get them on the website soonest.

The return trip up the Mountain was definitely an endurance, a definite challenge, we proceeded by counting 40 paces, rest- deep breaths, 40 paces rest-DEEP BREATHS, after 7-8 stops we were all wondering if there was a top to this mountain and on a couple of occassion we sat for 5min.

WE returned to our cars exhausted but exhilirated, on a high, for accomplishing this 16k event. We started out at 10am and were back to our cars at about 5:15pm.

After the walk the entire group made its way to Pipers Trailer Court & Restaurant at Indian Brook, where the owner and our host, Charles MacInnis provided us with a great meal and a complimentary dessert with our dinner. Thanks Charles It was very much appreciated.

Check you schedule for Sept 25th and if you haven't received info about our walk at The Keltic Lodge on SATURDAY, 17 of Sept please contact me for details or continue checking the website for information.

Money Point, Correction to Start Point

CORRECTION TO START POINT/MEETING AREA and Special Notes about the Hike to Money Point. I was unable to get to the prewalk for this year until this past Thursday Sept 8th, SORRY FOLKS I have to work! The drive to our meeting point is 2 1/2 hours 175k,(from the Alexander Street Exit in Sydney) through the Highland national Park then into a winding stretch of road beginning at Cape North Village outside of the park (our club signs are now posted)

MONEY POINT/CAPE NORTH

Bay Road Valley

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th, 2005

The walk begins at 10AM

Directions to our Start Point:

Follow the Cabot Trail to Cape North Village by Morrison's Restaurant onto the un-numbered road to Bay Road Valley, DO NOT GO TO BAY ST. LAWERENCE and DO NOT FOLLOW the instructions in Michael Haynes book "Cape Breton Trails". That Start Point is deemed unsafe and much to rugged for our purposes. Our Meeting Point is the MT&T Garage at "Bay Road Valley" the Start Point is 2k along a dirt road Please watch for our signs in this area. I will wait at the MT&T garage until 10am.

This walk event is one of the most challenging we have ever attempted and Bill Boutilier our former Trails Coordinator has RATED this at 5C. At one point on the prewalk this past Thursday I was wondering if I could add a 6c! Expect to be on the trail 5-6hours plus we arrived home at 8:30pm without stopping for dinner on the return trip.

BRING LOTS OF WATER AND SOMETHING TO EAT SUCH AS an ENERGY FOOD, sandwiches, a BACKPACK WOULD BE MORE SUITABLE FOR THIS HIKE!!!

Lets have fun, take your time, lets be safe, rest as you require to do so, The map shows a height of 750m and the trail down into the valley (gorge) is extrmely steep and about 1k.

We all know our limitations, don't wait for the group to stop for a rest, do not try and keep up with the group, we are all going to the same place, this is a linear style trail; that is we turn around and follow the trail back to the SP.
On the prewalk we found that walking 40 paces, stopping for one to two minutes the better way to traverse this ascent to the top of the hill (mountain)

This should be a great experience this is the furthest North we can travel on Cape Breton

If you have bad knees, hip problems etc. and have not been walking this year please for your safety and the safety of the others in our club do not attempt this challenging event. Cellphones do not work in this area.

My sincere thank you to Bill, Shirley and Carol who prewalked this event with me; for Bill and Shirley this was their third foray into this area.

NEXT WALK PLUS THE LAST TWO EVENTS

CHECK OUT THE LATEST TRAIL PHOTOS
Click on trail photos to the right of this page>

The Cape Bretoner magazine has published an aticle featuring our club and other walking groups in the area. My thanks to Tom Ayers for taking the time and effort for this article and already I have had some calls asking for more info on our club.I will setup a link to this magazine shortly.

CORRECTION TO START POINT/MEETING AREA and Special Notes about the Hike to Money Point.

MONEY POINT/CAPE NORTH

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th, 2005

The walk begins at 10AM

Directions to our Start Point:

Follow the Cabot Trail to Cape North Village by Morrison's Restaurant onto the un-numbered road to Bay Road Valley, DO NOT GO TO BAY ST. LAWERENCE and DO NOT FOLLOW the instructions in Michael Haynes book "Cape Breton Trails". That Start Point is deemed unsafe and much to rugged for our purposes.Our Meeting Point is the MT&T Garage at "Bay Road Valley" the Start Point is 2k along a dirt road Please watch for our signs in this area.

This walk event is one of the most challenging we have ever attempted and Bill Boutilier our former Trails Coordinator has RATED this at 5C.

BRING LOTS OF WATER AND SOMETHING TO EAT SUCH AS an ENERGY FOOD, sandwiches, a BACKPACK WOULD BE MORE SUITABLE FOR THIS HIKE!!!

Lets have fun, take your time, rest as you require to do so, The map shows a height of 750m and the trail down into the valley is extrmely steep about 1k.
We all know our limitations, don't wait for the group to stop for a rest, do not try and keep up with the group, we are all going to the same place, this is a linear style trail; that is we turn around and follow the trail back to the SP.
On the prewalk we found that walking 40 paces, stopping for one to two minutes the better way to traverse this ascent to the top of the hill (mountain)

This should be a great experience this is the furthest North we can travel on Cape Breton and the view is supposed to be...... well lets find out for ourselves!!

What A great surprise!

Our walk at Gabarus on Sunday 28 of August was fabulous, a beautiful summer day,the first 1k is still the wettest portion but our walk leader Shirley Boutilier with Bill and Carol were on the trail earlier in the morning cutting brush to cover as much of the wet spots as possible and as a result we travelled across these areas with little trouble and not a damp foot amongst us.
Its dedication like this that has resulted in Bill and Shirley to recieve the Ron Colpitts award. The colpitts award is presented to members of a volkssport club who have worked on club committees and have shown outstanding performance throughout a five year period within the CVF.
There were 23 participants at Gabarus, three new members joined us for this event. All appeared to have a good time and we hope to see them on future walk events.
Welcome to the club folks...Elaine Cohen, Sonny Cluett,David Erwin.

Rising Gas Prices have not dampened our club members and guest from attending walk events on the sunset side of the island as 31 walkers joined us for our event on Sunday 04 September.

This was a pleasant shock to me as I approached the parking lot at the Rail Museum.
What a busy little museum! until I realized it was our walk event that drew all the people to this area for the day, including a couple from BC, others from Port Hood and Another new member for our club Sharon Proctor from Havenside.WELCOME!

Hopefully we are beginning to attract some attention on this side of the island!

Thank You to Anne and Phil Irons for giving us a very diverse and interesting walking event.
Phil led us from the Railroad Museum in the town of Inverness out to the railroad trail and then returned to the beach and boardwalk at Inverness. What a great sandy beach to walk on as the sand was well packed and easy to walk. Phil then led us to the new Inverness Art centre where a display of marble and stone artisan was well underway as we took and unprecedented 20min break to look at the displays.
Thank You Phil and Anne for a great walk and perfect weather, we should return to Inverness in the future as there is a rail trail we should continue to explore as well.
Another surprise was the dinner that some of us attended with Rilla and Jim MacLean at the Tommy Cat Bistro in Inverness, recommended for great food YES, just overlook the odd decor and layout!?

Walking for Fun, Fitness and Friendship!

DO NOT FORGET TO REGISTER FOR OUR CELTIC DINNER ON 09 OCT, REGISTRATION MUST BE DONE BY 19 SEPT.

A NEW IVV SANCTIONED WALK EVENT

The following walk is an addition to our 2005 schedule of events for this September, come out an support your club and the newest members of the (CVF) Canadian Volkssport Federation, "The Northeast Highland Hiking Adventures".

The Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club will host one (1) IVV sanctioned event during the Highland Hiking September 16 to 25, 2005.

When: Saturday, Sept. 17th, 2pm
Start Point: Keltic Lodge parking lot
Trail: Middle Head Trail and Ingonish Beach
Dist: 10K 2C IVV Sanctioned
Walk Leader(s): Rollie and a rep. from the "festival" Dupie Milne-Ashton.

If you want more information about the "Highland Festival" and a registration package for other walks or hikes during this hiking festival, contact pat.leblanc64407@ns.sympatico.ca at 1-888-897-4094.

REMINDERS:

The Cape Breton Island Hoppers are now featured on the Celtic Colours website with one full page dedicated to our Celtic Colours Walks program and you can even download a copy of our lunch and dinner registration form on the same site.

If you haven't already done so please register soonest for the lunch and dinner on Sunday the 9th of October 2005.

Registration must be done by the 19th of Sept to allow time for the caterer and the Highland Village to make the required preparations.

If you plan oncoming for the day and do not register for the meals we cannot guarantee you a place at the table(s). Preference will and must be given to those who have taken the time to plan the day by preregistering.

Two Meals For $33.00/person!!

The Iona/Grand Narrows area is one of the ideal picture postcard areas on the island, however there are few restaurants if any nearby especially in the fall of the year.

Come out and enjoy the walks (probably the easiest for this year) and have a good meal after the events and enjoy the friendship of fellow volkssporters.

I believe The quote that our Area Director Lynda kanne uses on her signature block sums it up quite nicely:


There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country.
A fine landscape is like a piece of music; it must be taken
at the right tempo. Even a bicycle goes too fast.
- Paul Scott Mowrer

GOOD NEWS!

The Island Hoppers are now associated with PATHWAYS CAPE BRETON who will be coordinating trails, walking, hiking, cyclist, snowmobile an ATV groups and almost anything to do with the outdoors and active people such as ourselves. You can go to their website for a more accurate description of their mandate and please note our links from their site to ours under walking/hiking.

ONE OF OUR MOST FAVORITE WALK EVENTS!

The next walk for the Island Hoppers takes place in Gabarus on the Gull Cove Trail.

Sunday, 28 of August at 2pm, rgistration begins at 1:30pm

OUR FAVORITE WALK LEADER for this event is Bill&Shirley Boutilier

If you require more info check our websites calendar of events.

YES, we are paying to much for GAS, so lets do something about it!

one solution, stay at home and we can all become couch potato(e)s!

OR another solution "CAR POOL" and enjoy the company of fellow walkers!

OR you could "Walk/bicycle-scooter" to the nearest "Year Round Event" with your event and distance book in hand and support your club.

Thank you to all who are supporting our "Year Round Events" during these hard over inflated gas price times.

A WALK ACROSS CANADA"s LATEST NATIONAL HERITAGE SITE

The 50th Anniversary of "The Strait of Canso Causeway" and our 10k walk began with a cloudy cool day, The Island Hoppers set up a Start Point across the highway from the "Gut of Canso Museum" and just left of the Skye Motel in Port Hastings on the Cape Breton side of the causeway.
Thirty-seven walkers signed-in for the event and we were led off by Piper Heather MacLeod and our Honouary Walk Leader Rilla MacLean. Rollie lead the walk across the causeway to the weigh station near Auld's Cove and as usual the weather cooperated with a light drizzle of rain as we returned to the Cape Breton side.
At the swing bridge there is a small isthmus of land where there is a lighthouse perched on a hill and a pioneer graveyard, where there is seven lonely gravesites of former settlers to this area. We had a short break in this area and when we entered the coast guard and DFO area Rollie and Lynda Kanne were interviewed by a local FM radio station.
We continued to the Trans Canada Trail/Ghost Beach portion of this event and by this time it began to rain; Rollie reminded everyone that this is a great beach and trail with a wonderful view of the mainland and the strait area on a more sunnier day.
Except for the rain everyone had a good time and many returned to the Port Hastings firehall for a cold plate dinner and then onto the official ceremonies and the official parade across the "Road to the Isle".

Sunday, 14th of August, 9am, Tanya MacNutt of the Central Nova Volkssport Club (CNVC)led 23 participants on a very nice 5-10k walk event along the boardwalks and beach at Pomquet Provincial Park.This is one of the hidden jewells of NS, the white sandy beach of this area had only four swimmers including the two lifeguards while we were there for our walk event.
My sincere Thanks to Tanya and Tom MacNutt for hosting this event on the mainland and then coming to our afternoon walk on Cape Breton at Craigmore.
At Craigmore we were hosted by Clare and Blaise MacNeil. Clare led us on another 10k beach walk (the mtn trail was cancelled due to a number of deadfalls along the trail) and Blaise led another group along the Ceilidh/Rail Trail for those who wanted a nice flat 1B trail.
After the walk event we had a BBQ/picnic where Lynda Kanne the Atlantic Area Director presented Bill and Shirley Boutilier with the 5 year Ron Colpitts award for exceptional volunteer work with volkssporting, along with the award Lynda read a letter from The CVF President Graham Fawcett thanking both for their time and effort in promoting The Island Hoppers and CVF.
Overall a great weekend of walking and socializing.

WANT TO SEE MORE PICTURES OF OUR CAUSEWAY WALK "CLICK ON TRAIL PHOTOS" --->

Fun, Fitness and Friendship

AUGUST 13th and 14th Causeway Celebrations

WALK PROGRAM, HOTELS, ROOMS, Campsites, BBQ/Picnic, Pot Luck.

There's a lot going on at the Causeway this year during the 50th Anniversary of this most important "Road to the Isle".

Check out their website at:The Causeway

OUR WALK PROGRAM FOR:

The 13th Of August (Saturday) we will start our walk at 10am, please register early 09:30am
The walk begins to the left of the Skye Motel, the property known as "Gut Of Canso Museum".
Please watch for our signs and follow the Parking attendants directions.

WHEN THE WALK BEGINS YOU WILL BE ASKED TO STAY IN SINGLE FILE WHILE CROSSING THE CAUSEWAY.

"SAFETY", "SAFETY", "SAFETY"

We will turn around near the weigh station and after crossing the bridge we will go into the lighthouse area for pictures then continue our event in behind the Coast Guard/DFO complex at the "locks" to the Trans Canada Trail and Ghost Beach.

The official Ceremonies for the Causeway begin at 2pm, there will be shuttle buses available, but please note this is not The Island Hoppers Responsibility; also note that I have published information on a previous post about a cold plate meal available at the Port Hasting Fire Hall, beginning at 11am.

NEED A ROOM:
If you are planning on going to Port Hawkesbury and Port Hasting for the weekend, please be advised that everything in the area is booked solid for the 12-14 of August (motels, cabins and B&Bs).

There are places still available in Antigonish for the weekend:

The Claymore ($125) and Coastal Inn ($75)

The checkinns number for NS is 1-800-565-0000.

Saint Francis Xavier University is also available for the weekend as Rollie & Ann have booked a room at a reasonable price.

The phone number is 1-902-867-2855 or www.stfx.ca

If you planned to do the Pomquet walk on Sunday morning, then Antigonish would be convenient for you.

The Pomquet Beach Walk starts at 9:00am, Sunday 14 of August

This walk is hosted by the Central Nova Volkssport Club and the Walk Leader is Tanya MacNutt.

Directions:

From Hwy 104, take Pomquet exit. Turn left at Pomquet Beach Rd. sign. Drive 3.5k to Pomquet Provincial Beach sign (turn right), continue to parking lot to SP.

This is a 5/10k, Rated 1B

The Cape Breton Island Hoppers will host a walk event on Sunday afternoon (14th of August) at 1:00pm

Creignish Mountain Trail, from Port Hastings follow Hwy 19N, approx 10-15min. to Craigmore, house #3086, home of Clare & Blaise McNeil who will also be our walk leaders for this event.

This is a GW, 10k, 3C event.

Blaise & Clare will also host our Annual BBQ and Potluck immediately after this walk event and if you need a camping spot please contact Clare at 1-902-625-2899, she maybe able to assist you in this regard as well.

This is a lot of work for one couple and I want to thank them for their efforts, please show your support, show up for the walk and check with the Ways and Means Committee if you can bring something or help in some way. This is part of the Fun of volkssporting and meeting and associating with old walking friends.

The weather will be great!! Let Us Pray.

GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK

The Chebucto Hiking Club invite all volksmarchers to a hiking adventure in Gros Morne National Park, 24-28 August 2005.

Fives Days Of Hiking in Gros Morne National park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The hikes are scheduled so that there is ample time to enjoy the cultural and other activities in the area.

The Walk Schedule in Brief:

24 Aug - 2p.m. Baker Brook Falls Trail - 10k - R-2B

25 Aug - 10a.m. James Callaghan Trail - 10k - R-3C or 16k - 4D

26 Aug - 10a.m Lookout Trail - 5k - R-3C

26 Aug - 1p.m. Trout River Pond Trail - 15k - R-3C

27 Aug - 10a.m. Western Brook Pond/ Snug Harbour Trail - 7/15k - R-2B

28 Aug - 10a.m. Green Garden Trail - 10k - R-3C or 16k - R-4C

There will be a banquet, a three course turkey dinner, 7pm on Saturday, 27 August at the Ocean View Motel

Details of this event are in a brochure that I have distributed at our walk events.

you can also contact:

Gerry Everard
c/o Chebucti Hiking Club,
PO Box 26018, Portland Street Market R.P.O.
Dartmouth, NS
B2W 6P3

Or email:

For Further details contact:

Judy Everard, President

judyandgerry@eastlink.ca

Chebucto Hiking Club

Fun, Fitness, & Friendship for all volksmarchers.

COMING EVENTS

SUNDAY, JULY 24th

Our first open meeting to help plan the 2006 schedule was held at the radar base on the Lingan Road.

My thanks to Barb and Cal Thistle, for arranging to have this facility opened for us.

Thank you, to all those who brought a small tray of sandwiches and sweets.

This was our first try at having an open meeting to help plan the schedule for the next year; I felt it was a reasonable success and a lot of good suggestions were passed onto me and the walk committee to help with the final schedule.

My objective was to get suggestions of where you the members want to walk next year.

WE got off to a slow start with trying to fill in the entire year within a 2 hour period; therefore we settled on trails suggested by the membership and the Walk Committee will fill in the blanks as it were; hopefully this will meet with everyones approval.

The walk committee will be opened for any other new trails that you feel we should try in the next year. "Your suggestions and opinions are important to us and your fellow club members".

Thank You to all who gave up their Sunday afternoon, your interest shows that the club has a continuing future here on the Island.

Little time was spent on talking about bringing the CVF's Annual General Meeting and Convention to Cape Breton in 2008, however a brief on the subject was passed out to the attending members, if you would like a copy please let me know and I can either email an attachment or have copies available at the next walk event.


Grand River Falls and Fish Ladders

July 31 at 2pm, registration begins at 1:30pm

Walk Leader: Rollie Coombes, 849-0747

Guided Walk 11k,Rated 2C

See our Calendar of Events for directions and watch for clubs <-Volkssport signs





CHANGE TO START POINT, 13 August, Canso Causeway Walk Event

Due to the many activities and limited parking at the original Start Point, The Tourist Info Centre Port Hastings we are forced to move our registration Point.

1. Parking will be available near the green space to the east of the Skye
Lodge in the village of Port Hastings. Go down the steep gravel hill (by the
sewage pumping station) and park on the left side of the road (that runs
parallel to the railroad track) to exit back onto the highway by the second
driveway.

2. We will try to reserve that area specifically for Volkssport people
but advise coming early (by 9:00 am to 9:30 am).

Volkssport signs will be placed at the entrance 09:00.

3. There is no charge for parking although The Port Hastings Historical
Society is a NFP organization trying to raise money for a new museum. Visit
our Gut of Canso Museum on Church Street just across the road from the green
area. There is a picture of Ole Olsen and Helene Veil with some Cape Breton Island
Hoppers at the Causeway in the Crossing for a Cause display.

4. The Port Hastings Historical Society is having a cold plate dinner at
the Fire Hall from 11:00 am until they run out. The cost is $10 for potato
salad, ham, tomato, cucumber, roll and dessert.

5. Some members of the Society are concerned about safety if you park on
the green area, There are some large rocks and old foundations that could
present some problems. Also they don't want any parking there if the grass
is wet. Finally, there will not be someone there all day, just for awhile in
the morning.

6. The Re-enactment will start at 2:00 pm from the mainland to Cape
Breton. Before 2:00 pm a parade of about 100 1950's era cars will drive
across the causeway. About 300 pipers and drummers will march across after
the ribbon is cut at 2 pm followed by dignitaries and invited guests. At 3
pm on the canal site, the official ceremony with speakers will be held.

7. On Saturday, there will be tours of the Cape Porcupine Quarry site in
Aulds Cove, Quilt Display at St. David's church in Port Hastings, and Canso
Canal tours.

If you have any questions call Rilla at 625-2411.

Thanks.

Rilla

CAPE SMOKEY BBQ + MEETING ON 24 JULY

The Ways & Means Committee chaired by Barb Thistle have announced that they will hold a BBQ on top of Cape Smokey immediately after our Walk Event on Sunday, 17 of July, at minimal cost.

Special needs diets please bring your own and "Cal the Cook" I am sure will let you use his grill.

Members are asked to bring a very small sweet tray and the Ways and Means will look after the rest.

Hope to see you all at the Top Of Smokey at 1:30pm for registration.


MEETING ON THE 24th OF JULY, 2PM

RADAR BASE, Schooner Curling Club

This is an open meeting for all club members to discuss the 2006 walk schedule

In the past we have allowed the president and walk committee chair to set the schedule, of course they will still do that but your input as a member would be most appreciated and welcomed. There will be coffee/tea and sandwiches available.

LIGHTHOUSE WALK EVENTS ACROSS CANADA

The Canadian Volkssport Federation (CVF) has instituted Lighthouse Walks across Canada for 2006.

Lighthouse Walks will be Year Round Events (YREs) or Seasonals (any type);

Walks must pass lighthouses that were or are the responsibility of the Canadian Coast Guard;

Lighthouse walks will be identified in Footpaths/Sentiers 2006;

A fee of $3 will be charged at time of application;

Application will be made to the CVF office;

A lighthouse pin and documents will be sent to the walker at time of application;

There will be Three Award Levels:

Any 6 lighthouse walks - Certificate as Assistant Lighthouse Keeper

8 lighthouse walks, with at least 2 from each coast - Certificate as Lighthouse Keeper

12 Lighthouse walks, with at least 4 from each coast - Certificate as Superintendent of lights.

My intentions for this program is to submit our Louisbourg and Baddeck YREs.
New brochures and applications for both YREs will be submitted to the CVF when we reapply for our Year Round Events, plus a new logo to represent these lighthouses will appear on the related documents.

-Leg Rash in the Heat -

The Following article was submitted by Ann and Phil Irons,the original article was taken from the walklist group program and is passed on for information only.

Leg Rash in the Heat - Golfer's Vasculitis

The common heat leg rash now has a name
Go to any multi-day walking event in the summer and you will see it - a red leg rash on the calves of many walkers. Often it starts above the sock line and makes red patches and splotches up their calves. It usually doesn't itch. We believe it is a heat-related leg rash as these same walkers don't get it in cooler weather.

What is it?

Golfer's Vasculitis

Ask most physicians about this common rash and they draw a blank. That is probably due to few people seeking medical help for it. By the time they got a doctor's appointment, it would have cleared up, as it commonly goes away in a couple of days. At last, a paper in the "Australasian Journal of Dermatology" has described it and proposed naming it "Golfer's vasculitis."

Causes of the Heat Leg Rash:

The research article said many people underwent extensive allergy testing, believing they must be having a reaction to some chemical or plant.
But it is simply an irritation of the blood vessels following prolonged exercise in the heat, such as walking for extended periods or playing 18 holes of golf. It is more common in people over 50. In my experience, walkers can't pinpoint anything new they used that may be causing a reaction. And so many walkers have it that they couldn't all have contacted the same irritant. The source is simply heat and age, your leg blood vessels getting irritated from the heat.

Prevention

The research offered no treatment or prevention. It seems to occur in healthy, active people and they suggest it should not be a health concern. They recommend not getting allergy testing, etc.

Treatment

FROM THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE:

In my non-medical experience at Breast Cancer 3-Day Walks and walking conventions, this rash appears on a vast range of walkers and commonly goes away by itself after a few days. Pampering yourself after a good day's long walk with a cool bath, sitting with your feet up, or using cool wet towels on the rash areas may be relieving.

Other Heat Rashes

Heat Rash - Prickly Heat

Unlike Golfer's vasculitis, prickly heat is itchy.It is caused by blocked sweat glands, and causes raised itchy red dots or bumps.It is best treated by getting out of the heat for a few days, and not scratching.

Itchy Legs Syndrome

If your legs are itchy during or after exercise, with no relation to heat, you may have exercise urticaria.

So now we have a name(s) for all that itching and scratching on the trail.

PATHWAYS ASSOCIATION OF CAPE BRETON

Please check out this fairly new association which I believe that we can work with to promote our club, volkssporting plus tourism and the trails of Cape Breton.

PATHWAYS CAPE BRETON

I have linked our pages to their site and in turn we are linked to PATHWAYS as well.

We will be registered as members in the very near future, you can read about the advantages of membership on their site.

Our next Walk Event is 17 July at Cape Smokey, start time is 2pm, registration 1:30pm