NATIONAL WALKING WEEKEND

MIRA PROVINCIAL PARK, ALBERT BRIDGE:

MONDAY 21 MAY, 2012

One of the many nice views of the Mira River!

CVF NATIONAL WALKING DAY/WEEKEND - MONDAY WALK EVENT

The Canadian Volkssport Federation continues to celebrates the annual national day/weekend of walking.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the CVF and during this time the Annual General Meeting and Convention will be held in Ottawa ON 18-21 May, 2012.

Some of our CBIH members including the club president Elsie Buck and our past president Joe MacKinnon will be at the convention and AGM. Elsie and Joe will be available to represent our club at the general meeting/workshops and promoting Cape Breton as a place to enjoy walking and hiking.

While The presidents away we will continue with our walking program here on the island.

The CBIH will have one walk event this coming weekend on Monday!!!

Our next scheduled guided walk event:

National Walking Weekend -NWW-

For most members collecting Distance and Event awards your stamps will be annotated with NWW for this occasion only.

Location: Albert Bridge, 439 Brickyard Road, Mira Provincial Park

Date: MONDAY 21 MAY

Registration begins: 1:30pm

Start Time: 2:00pm

Walk Leader: Shirley Pettigrew - 737-1006

or for further information you may contact the club at

 bretonhoppers@hotmail.com

Walk Distance(s) 5/10k and is Rated as 1B (easy trails, wheel chairs and strollers could be used on most of the trail with some minor adjustments, very little hills, no steps) "its a calk walk in the park!"

WALK TO UISGE BAN FALLS

At the Start Point, Diane Clark, Pam MacGillivray and Shirley Pettigrew

Diane Clark ready to hit the trail!

Never judge the weather across Cape Breton when looking out from your own windows at home!!

The road trip to Baddeck was not very promising as we headed up Kelly's Mountain where the fog was as thick as "Pea Soup". The wiper blades labored and moaned to keep the rain off the windshield. The small group aboard were very optimistic that we would be okay once we were on the trail to Uisge Ban and we would be sheltered from the rain by the forest.

The sky was cloudy and a mist hung about the valley and hills of Baddeck.

We were on our way at the posted time along the North Branch Baddeck River Trail. Posted signs along the trail informed us that the big bridge near the falls was not safe to cross however our walk leader, Don MacKenzie, kept to his plan to get as close to the falls as possible and make an additional loop within the trails system to ensure we got our 10k/2 hours of walking completed.

In the background is Don MacKenzie and behind him is the bridge across the "North Branch Baddeck River" and the last portion of the trail that would have led us to the "White Falling Waters".

The weather held off from raining on the small band of walkers and we arrived back to the picnic area as dry as we had departed!

North River Loop Trail From here we could hear the rushing noise of the falls and the river. A fantastic adventure!

CBIH NEXT WALK EVENT:

National Walking Weekend

Monday 21 May Mira Provincial Park, 439 Brickyard Road.

In 2011 the CBIH was awarded the CVF National Presidents Award for this event, Come on out and lets do it again!

CVF President Benoît Pinsonneault who will retire from this position at the next CVF Annual General Meeting. He will then become a Past President and will continue on the CVF board as an adviser.

Kennington Cove/Simon's Point Walk Event

Sunday 29 April, 2012
Wonderful weather for a walk out to Kennington Cove and Simon's Point near Louisbourg, CB
Walk Leaders Cal and Barb Thistle introduced the club to some of the history of this area that included the location of the invading forces that eventually captured Fortress Louisbourg, and the whereabouts of local Soapstone for carving, ship wrecks and sinkholes that can be found in this area.

 
Above Photos from the files of Carol Ann Critchley 29-04-12

Above photo from the files of Barbra MacDonald 29-04-12

Kathi and Phil

 

2011 gathering at Kathi and Phil Rice home.

Phil and Kathi Rice sold their home in Margaree.

Their Message on Facebook read:

"On our way to spending our first summer in Asheville."

"Good-by Cape Breton for now (we will miss you) and hello to NC. It's all good."

"House has a new owner to care for it and I'm retiring for real !! "

Kathi and Phil had been CBIH's first USA members (for about the past 12 years of our 15 years as a club) and we had several after walk events at their lovely home in Margaree.

Thank you Kathi and Phil for the many fond memories and "will ye no come back again" to our fair isle!

GREAT WEEKEND OF WALKING! WHAT'S UP NEXT!

Above:Some of the CBIH members and walkers from Atlantic Canada.

A great weekend of walking with friends who attended these two weekend walk events. Excellent weather along the trail at Irish Cove/Uist Lake on Sunday 22 April.

Please note: this was a previous walk along the brook at Rotary Park

The weather was even better and the trail much drier on Saturday, 21 April when we strolled through Sydney and Rotary and Wentworth Parks and visited the "Big Fiddle along the Sydney boardwalk. It was T-shirt weather!!

Above: Atlantic Directors Meeting held at the Cambridge Suites:

L - R: Iain Allen - Trails Coordinator DVC (Dartmouth), Heather MacLeod - President CNVC (Truro), Lynda Kanne VP Valley Trekkers VC & Rick Kanne Trails Coordinator for the Valley Trekkers, Sue Banks - Atlantic Director for the Canadian Volkssport Federation, Rollie Coombes -Acting Trails Coord for CBIH, Elsie Buck - President CB Island Hoppers VC, Joe MacKinnon - Past President Cape Breton Island Hoppers VC.

Above: Joe MacKinnon is presented with his well deserved Past Presidents Pin. The pin was presented by Susan Banks Atlantic Director for CVF.

Congratulations to Joe MacKinnon who had led the club for the past four or more years! Good job my friend!

WHAT'S UP NEXT:

Above: Barb Thistle, Cal Thistle (Photo taken in the Highland National Park)

Barb Thistle and Cal Thistle will lead the walk event on Sunday, 29 April 2012 at 2:00pm.

Walk Distance: 5/10k Rating: 2B

Registration will begin at 1:30pm

Location: Louisbourg - Kennington Cove

Direction to Start/Finish Point:

From Sydney follow hwy 22 to Main Street in Louisbourg, at Riverdale and Wolfe Street (near the fountain) "watch for" the CBIH "WALK SIGNS" signs indicating the direction to Kennington Cove area.

"Come on, its time to get outside and walk with your friends, have some fun and get a little exercise at the same time."

There is "no rain date" with the CB Island Hoppers, after 15 years of walking we haven't had anyone melt away on the trail due to a little or even a lot of rain!!!

APRIL WALK EVENTS, DIRECTORS MEETING, DINNER

Rotary Park, CBRM - Sydney

Special Information about CB Island Hoppers next walk events and a Dinner:

(1) Saturday 21 April at 10am

Registration begins at 9:30am

Start and finish at the Cambridge Suites, 380 Esplanade

For this particular walk event we will have  Volkssporters from other parts of NS who will also be attending the Atlantic Directors Meeting.

The Atlantic Directors Meeting chaired by Sue Banks is open to Atlantic Club Presidents, trails coordinator from each club.

CBIH Members and other volkssport club members are invited to join us for dinner after the walk event at about 5pm; this is in conjunction with the Atlantic Directors Meeting that is being held this weekend.

This is not a formal dinner, We are ordering from the menu.

We have booked several tables at Cambridge Suites, Trios Restaurant:

Please call Rollie at 849-0747 after 4pm Mon-Fri or email:  bretonhoppers@hotmail.com to reserve a seat.

(2) On Sunday, 22 April, 10:00 am we will  be in the Irish Cove area, Hwy 4, and we will be walking the road/trail towards Lake Uist.

This is the very end of CBRM boundary on Hwy 4, there is a small road/trail on the left only a few metres from the Richmond County sign and Uist Lake Road;

Continue for 100m or less to a parking area on the right (west) side of the road

We will also have a "Walk Sign" located at this intersection.

(3) After this weekend of walk events we get back to our regular schedule:

Sunday Apr 29, 2pm, Kennington Cove, details are on the website: Events Calendar

REMINDER: please call or email to ensure you have a place at the dinner on Saturday 21 April. 5pm.

Rollie for Elsie Buck, president:

Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club

Walking for Fun,Fitness & Friendship
www.capebretonislandhoppers.com

www.walks.ca

Fall walk, along the trail/road Seal Island, in New Harris

WALK EVENT SUNDAY 25 MARCH 2012

GREAT SPRING WEATHER FOR A WALK!

COME, WALK FOR THE HEALTH OF IT!

Come join your club members and bring along a friend and introduce them to volkssports and the Island Hoppers!

North Sydney - Clansman Motel, 9 Baird Street

(Please go to the far right side of the parking lot so that we do not interfere with Motel patrons)

Sunday, 25 March

Registration begins at 1:30pm

Start Time/Step off at 2:00pm

Clansman Motel has a very nice restaurant with an excellent menu to select from:

SEE THEIR WEBSITE:

http://www.clansmanmotel.com/restaurant.html

Phone number if you would like to contact the Clansman for a room or dinner reservations1-902-794-7226

CAPE BREASTONERS DRAGON BOAT TEAM MEETING

From the Cape Breastoners Dragon Boat Team:

Breast cancer survivors are invited to meet the Cape Breastoners Dragon Boat Team at the Riverview Y’s Men’s Hall, Westmount Road, on Saturday, April 14, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  The Cape Breastoners Team is looking for new paddlers, so they want to acquaint breast cancer survivors with their program, and encourage new membership. 

The Cape Breastoner’s mission is to show that one can lead an active lifestyle after breast cancer diagnosis. 

During the April 14th Meet and Greet, information will be provided on team membership, activities, a demonstration on paddling, and an opportunity to meet fellow survivors. 

For more information on the Meet and Greet program or the Cape Breastoners, contact  Heather at 562-0586, email  capebreastoner@yahoo.ca   or check out http://www.facebook.com/events/400632646620259/?ref=ts

Heather MacDougall, BPR, BTHM

Program Coordinator

Cape Breton Regional Recreation Department

320 Esplanade, Sydney, N.S. B1P 7B9

1-902-563-5512

hgmacdougall@cbrm.ns.ca

Distance and Event Books (CVF Awards Program)

CB Island Hoppers,

Please note that Lea Tocher will be 'retiring' as of  May 1, 2012. please hold onto your Awards Books for the month of May.

Books can be taken to the Convention and given to the Executive Assistant, Donna Sullivan or mailed to the office in Ottawa.

The Canadian Volkssport Federation

PO Box 2668 Station "D"

Ottawa, ON K1P 5W7

You will be informed of a new address later.

Lea Tocher
Awards Coordinator

rfc for Elsie Buck, President

Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club

Walking for Fun,Fitness & Friendship
www.capebretonislandhoppers.com

www.walks.ca

CB Island Hoppers First Event For 2012

Come out and shake off the winter "Blahs"!
2012 FIRST EVENT
The CBIH first event for 2012 will take place:
Sunday, 12 February
Registration begins at 1:30pm
Start Time: 2:00pm
Location:
Albert Bridge, 439 Brickyard Rd., B1K 2R9, Mira Provincial Park.
Depending on weather conditions this will be a:
 XC skiing/Snowshoeing/ Walk Event
(if the weather remains the same the park should have ideal conditions for snow shoes and or XC skiing!!)
Your choice of 5k or 10k
Contact Info: Elsie Buck 562-3117
 
ANNUAL SCHEDULES
Paper copies of the clubs annual schedule plus the Atlantic "Blue Book" are available at all events
In edition All walk events are now published on the club website:  http://www.capebretonislandhoppers.com/
Our events and other Canadian Volkssport club events are published online at http://www.walks.ca/
 
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Some other exciting news happening in the CB Regional Municipality-
Grand Lake Road Multi Use Trail, a signature project of the CBRM Active Transportation program" linking the Communities of Sydney and Glace Bay to the Cape Breton University will be unveiled at:
An Open House explaining the project on Wednesday 08 February from 4-8pm with a presentation at 6:30pm.
Location: Cape Breton University - Credit Union Boardroom next to the Art Gallery and the Great Hall

HOLIDAY GREETINGS

The Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos)

 

On behalf of the Executive Members of the Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a "Very Merry Christmas" and a "Happy New Year"!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO OUR MEMBERS AND ALL FRIENDS OF THE CB ISLAND HOPPERS!

Elsie Buck, President, CBIH

Walking for Fun, Fitness and Friendship!

 Nativity scene in Spain

LAST GROUP WALK FOR 2011

The CBIH annual walk schedule for 2011 has come to an end as of Sunday, 20 November.

Photos of today's events that began at the Cambridge Suites in downtown Sydney and through Wentworth Park and into a portion of Rotary Park along Wentworth Stream.

Two angels!!!

3 new walkers join the CBIH for the days walk event.

We stop at the Tennis Court before heading on to the trail.

Along the trail in Rotary Park

Nip Hillier and Joe MacKinnon

Wentworth Park

On the return trip through Wentworth Park we meet up with our good friend(s) Phil Irons (forefront with Joe MacKinnon). In the background is (L) Anne Irons with Nip Hillier.

COXHEATH HILLS TRAILS 6 NOVEMBER 2011

A great day for a walk on the Coxheath wilderness trails:

A very sunny day with a light breeze at our backs.

Above: Joe MacKinnon President CBIH welcoming walkers to the 10k event.

 

Above: (L) Bruce Clark walk leader for this event introduces Andy Pitman chairmen of the Coxheath Trails Association. Andy welcomes the group and gave a short comment on the trail and other activities taking place now and in the future.

Up the hill we go! Carmel Coffin and Phyllis MacLeod enjoying the surrounding view.

Our newest member just below the Pitman Cabin enjoying the stroll along the newest loop trail.

The new picnic kiosk along the North loop.A very scenic area with a small stream nearby. On the far right between Bruce Clark and Elsie Buck is our latest visitor,Holger Kirkman who comes from Germany. This was Holger's first walk with the CBIH and unfortunately he will be returning to Germany on Monday. Holger will be back in Cape Breton next June and promises to join us again.

Above: (L) Cal Thistle (R) Barb Thistle

Barb Thistle standing on the bridge and next to the badge of the 45 Field Engineers who constructed the bridge. The 45 Field Engineers are located in Victoria Park, Sydney.

Our sincere thank you to the troops who spent their time here to ensure we all have a safe bridge to cross.

Bruce shares his Hallow' en treats with the gang!

The view of Sydney River area as we head down the hill and say "farewell to the Coxheath Hills" for another year.