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.

--- ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - - - ANNUAL PARTY - - - LAST WALK EVENTS FOR THE SEASON

IMPORTANT NOTICES "Please mark on your calendar"

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The CB Island Hoppers Annual General Meeting will now take place on:
Saturday, 26 November
From 3:00 - 5:00 PM
McConnell Memorial Library
50 Falmouth Street, Sydney

The 2012 Schedule of Events will be available at the AGM and will be posted on the website thereafter.

Joe MacKinnon who is the fourth President of CBIH has indicated that he would now like to step aside after 4 very distinguished years as our club president.

Under Joe's stewardship we have had the Nova Scotia Marathon event arrive in CB for the first time (the CBIH is now on the annual list for this event) and we have hosted the Canadian Volkssport Federations National Convention and Annual General Meeting here as well, no mean feats as anyone who has worked at the national level can attest to.

Nominations for this position and other executives position can be sent to the past-president Rollie Coombes by email/phone or given to me at the next walk event.

We will also need nominations for Vice President,  secretary as these positions have been occupied with distinguish by the same persons for more then 4 years or more.

Our Treasurer Lucy Nardini has re-offered for this position and it is recommended that Lucy continue to do the job in the excellent manner that we have become accustomed too. Thank You Lucy, this is most appreciated.

It is now time for others to come forward and keep this club going beyond our 15th year and to ensure that Cape Breton has this very unique walking club that is not found anywhere else, lets keep this club going for many more years to come.

Other ways in which you can help out is by volunteering for: "Walk coordinator/scheduling" or "ways and means"  committees, membership and various other very important position that keep the club working as smoothly as possible. If you have the desire, just want to learn how the club works or the expertise in a specific field then please come forward and help your walking club.

ANNUAL END OF SEASON PARTY

The CBIH Annual Seasonal Pot-Luck Dinner will be hosted by:

Ann & Rollie Coombes

364 York Street, Glace Bay

Saturday, 3 December 2011 @ 6:30pm

Please bring your favorite style of cuisine or dessert to share with fellow walkers

Your favorite wine & soft drinks are optional to bring as well

Directions to 364 York Street, Glace Bay from Sydney:

For those with GPS the postal code is B1A 2N1

Follow the four-lane # 4 Hwy going East (Sydney/Glace Bay Hwy) continue through the community of Reserve Mines

where the #4 Hwy narrows to 2 lanes and continues as Reserve Street through the town of Glace Bay.

At the end of Reserve Street (Union St. Deli and a hairdresser are located at this T- Junction) turn right at Union Street, then left on Byng Street. 364 is located at the intersection of Byng and York.

Also note York and Union run parallel to each other, so any side street will take you to York.

Parking is limited in the driveway on Byng Street, you may park along York Street at the front of the house and use the front entrance.

We still have two great walk events remaining for the 2011 season, come join your friends at:

Coxheath Hills, Sunday, 6 November and Sydney Year Round Alternate Route on Sunday 20 November, see details on your schedule or on the website under Events.

Roland (Rollie) Coombes, past president, website&email coordinator

FOR JOE MACKINNON, PRESIDENT

Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club

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

www.walks.ca

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

SPECIAL NOTICE:
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The CB Island Hoppers Annual General Meeting will now take place on:
Saturday, 26 November
From 3:00 - 5:00 pm
McConnell Memorial Library
50 Falmouth Street, Sydney

Volkssporters On A Whale Of A Tour!

Sunday, 9 October the Volkssport Groups from Atlantic Canada take to the High Seas for a whale watching tour.

The large group required two boats for this exciting leisurely afternoon

 

 

 

Above: Gordon Aucoin Tour guide gives a briefing about whales and safety on board; Gordon also proved to be a great singer as well.

Whales at 3 o'clock!!

CHETICAMP - CAPE BRETON'S HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK, OCTOBER VOLKSSPORT EVENTS

SEE PHOTO GALLERY
http://cbislandtrailphotos.blogspot.com/

Volkssporters from many parts of Atlantic Canada, USA and Germany attended the CBIH and DVC combined walking events in the CB Highlands National Park from 7 -10 October during the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

Heading north into the highlands of Cape Breton

Friday morning, 7 October, the storm from the night before continues to bring high waves onto the shoreline in the park.

Fantastic Scenes along the Cabot Trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

SEE A LOT MORE IN PHOTO GALLERY
http://cbislandtrailphotos.blogspot.com/

Fishing Cove Trail & National Park Safety Seminar

The trail head sign at Fishing Cove & Looking down into the cove

All Members Atlantic Volkssports,

The CBIH and DVC continue to ensure that you will have a safe and wonderful experience of memories long after this 2011 trip to Cape Breton has been completed and to that end as the October long weekend of activities are fast approaching we look forward to having all of you visit the Island, for a fun safe filled weekend of adventure in the CB Highlands National Park.

Safety Seminar

To ensure your safety the HNP staff have arranged a Trail Safety and Coyote Seminar for 1:00pm Friday 7 October at the HNP West Gate Information Center or as commonly known as the Cheticamp Entrance to the park.

The CBIH walk leaders and the National Park staff invite you to attend this most informative seminar that has been arranged solely for the volkssport members attending this weekends activities. 

Due to the large numbers of walkers on the trail, we should not have any problems, however a seminar of this type will be a good learning experience for all of us whether a novice walker or a seasoned volkssporter that you could use when developing walk events in other areas as well. Please make an effort to join us

For those persons who have not taken advantage of the "early bird pass",this will be your opportunity to pick up a weekend park pass.

The DVC and CBIH cannot be held responsible for any violations of parking tickets incurred for the weekend.

The seminar will take about 45 -60 minutes and will give us plenty of time to proceed to the first trail/walk event for the weekend.

Hike to Fishing Cove

The CBIH Walk Leaders have recently completed a pre-walk to Fishing Cove!

Again, they want to impress on all walkers that this is not a trail for the casual walker, at best the walk will take at least 5 hours plus, therefore you will not be back for the whale tour at 2pm!

Fishing Cove participants should carry extra water and a lunch including snacks! Be prepared for weather conditions such as rain!

From Phyllis MacLeod, Walk Leader:

"With regards to Fishing Cove-please note the following:

- The estimated time includes having our lunch when we get to the Cove

- Folks should be reminded to wear sneakers/hiking shoes - sandals not recommended

- Due to the terrain, the use of walking poles is recommended. There are some areas that require careful maneuvering due to washouts etc.

- There are 2 entrances to Fishing Cove and we usually park some vehicles at the second

    entrance and shuttle back/forth. We will work that out when we meet in the morning.

- The trip out is mostly uphill-we take our time...it is not a race!!

Fishing Cove offers a beautiful cobblestone beach and breathtaking scenery. The trail starts at the top of MacKenzie Mountain and continues on an 8km descent. The Cove was once the site of a Scottish Fishing Community."

EAST MARGAREE WALK AND LUNCHEON

Fall adventure on the Marsh Brook Trail, photo is not dated, but could be about 2003!!

CBIH MEMBERS:

Kathi and Phil Rice have invited the group to their home after the next walk.

Message from Kathi and Phil Rice

"We'll be around and happy to help with anything in this neck of the woods for the walk on the 25th.  Also would like to invite the group to our place afterwards for lunch, if that works out.  ( We'll take care of the food and whatever as our way of showing our appreciation to the club and we'll keep it simple.)"

Kathi and Phil are located at 76 Hilltop Road, "Margaree Forks" less then 10 minutes from our Walk Start Point

For the most adventurous amongst us here are the directions or simply follow the carpool group or ["convoy"] to Hilltop Rd:

When departing St Michael's Church, turn right (N) on the East Margaree Rd then left on E. Margaree  Crossing Rd continue over the bridge,

then left (S) towards Margaree Forks and watch for the sign on the RIGHT - S.W. Margaree (Coady) Rd. (there is a  Scotsburn Store/Outlet at this corner as well.

Follow Coady Rd until you see the sign for Hilltop Road on the RIGHT, and continue to the "top" of the hill !

Please see details below on the Group Guided Walk Event

EAST MARGAREE

Marsh Brook Road/Trail
Date: Sunday, 25 Sept, 2011
Time: 2:00pm, Registration begins 1:30pm
Location: Rear of St. Michael's RC Church, T-junction of East Margaree and Marsh Brook Roads
B0E 1Z0
How to get to East Margaree!
From Sydney or Port Hawkesbury take the Trans Canada Highway (105), between Baddeck and Nyanza,turn at the "Red Barn" EXIT 7 - North on the Cabot Trail towards:
Middle River and to Margaree Forks about 43K then cross Doyle's Bridge and continue to East Margaree.

Note also if you miss Doyle's Bridge there are two other bridges going across the Margaree that will get you to East Margaree!

Simply, Just the fun of being an "Island Hopper" exploring this great little island!

Rollie Coombes for Joe MacKinnon, President

SUNSETS ACROSS THE CONTINENT!

Lee & Suzanne Lazaro sent the following photo near their home in Oregon:

Mary's Peak - Sunset River Float

Willamette River, Oregon, USA

 

From Lionel Conrad, Dartmouth, NS:

Sunset on the Salt Marsh Trail, near Dartmouth, NS

 

And not to be out done here is Cape Breton:

 

Fishing Cove, Cape Breton Island as seen from a "look off" from the Cabot Trail

Dominion - Lingan Beach Cape Breton, submitted by Suzanne Lazaro

Michael Haynes "The Business of Trails"

Dear members:
Nova Scotia's trail guru, Michael Haynes will be giving a presentation on Sept. 27, 2011 as per message below.  All are welcome!
Bethsheila Kent
Office Administrator
_________________________________________________________________________
Cape Breton Island Pathways Association
P.O. Box 328, Rear 65 High Street
Baddeck, NS B0E 1B0
Ph. 902.295.3177 |Fax. 902.295.1582 | www.pathwayscb.ca
--- On Wed, 9/7/11, Heather MacDougall <hgmacdougall@cbrm.ns.ca> wrote:

From: Heather MacDougall <hgmacdougall@cbrm.ns.ca>
Subject: FW: outline
To:
Cc: "Michael Haynes (activetransportation@rogers.com)" <activetransportation@rogers.com>
Received: Wednesday, September 7, 2011, 3:36 PM

Michael Haynes will be doing a presentation on “The Business of Trails: Policy that Works,” in the 2^nd floor boardroom of the Civic Centre on Tuesday, September 27, at 7:00 p.m.  His presentation will look at trails as they pertain to tourism, environment, recreation, health and transportation.  It will be the keynote address that he presented to the Australian Tracks and Trails Conference in Sydney, Australia a few weeks ago.  The presentation should be quite interesting to trail builders.

Please confirm with me by September 23^rd if you’ll be attending this presentation.

Thanks!

Heather

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

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND WALKS 7 - 10 OCTOBER

PLEASE SEE SPECIAL NOTES REFERENCE THE CHETICAMP AND THE CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK VOLKSSPORT EVENTS 7-10 OCTOBER, 2011

1. Correction for the Atlantic Blue Book – Delete Cheticamp Island Trail

Insert Cap – Rouge Trail Friday, October 7, 3:00pm 5k, Rated 3B – 12k, Rated 3B

(See more details on the weekend’s brochure)

2. DVC will be hosting a Meet and Greet on Friday 7 Oct from 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Location: Pilot Whale Chalets, 15775 Cabot Trail, Cheticamp

(Come hungry but not all at once!)

3.  For the Corney Brook Trail and Le Buttereau Loop on Sunday morning, Lionel suggests participants bring a lunch to enjoy between the two walks.  (We'll be walking the 8 km Corney Brook Trail first, followed by the 4 km Le Buttereau Loop)

4. An Additional Special Whale Watching Tour Adventure has been added to the already exciting weekend.

The tour takes about 2 - 2.5 hours; Cost is $20.00 per person, includes tax, if we have 30 or more (55 max) committed persons. Warm clothing such as jackets or sweaters is advised when at sea.

Time: Sunday 9th Oct @ 2pm (depending on weather conditions) 

Location: Quai Mathieu located across from the NS Liquor Commission, Canada Post Office & the Irving Service Station.

Whale Tour Website: http://www.loveboatwhalecruises.ca/

Please contact CBIH for the Sunday whale tour at: bretonhoppers@hotmail.com

5. Fishing Cove Trail Sunday 9 October please be advised that you will meet at the Northwest Gate Main Entrance parking lot of the Highland National Park.

After Signing-in for Fishing Cove, the group will follow or car pool to the trail head with the walk leaders Phyllis MacLeod and Karen MacNeil.

The trail head is approximately 30 minutes from the Main park entrance.

The parking area is located on the right (south side) of the Hwy and the trail head is located on the opposite side of the road!

This is a 16K, 4C walk event and is estimated to be a 4 hour return trip or more due to the terrain involved. (See more details on the weekend’s brochure)

DO NOT EXPECT TO BE ON THE WHALE TOUR IF DOING FISHING COVE.

SHIRLEY BOUTILIER ANNUAL WALK EVENT

The CBIH Memorial Walk Event, Sunday 4 September, 2011 was attended by 25 members of the CBIH.

The father and son team of walk leaders Bill and Glen Boutilier's' led us along the roads and trails of Ben-George Road and out to the Mira River to German Point.

After the 5 &10k trail members were invited to attended a potluck style dinner at Bills home where the walk started and ended.

  

Bill Boutilier with Joe MacKinnon welcoming walkers to the annual Shirley Boutilier Memorial Walk.

More photos available in "photo gallery"

SEPTEMBER WALK EVENTS

(1.) MIRA PINES TRAIL

Shirley Boutilier Memorial Walk Event

Date: Sunday, September 4, 2011

Time: 2:00pm with registration beginning at 1:30pm

Location:B1K 2H9, Marion Bridge, Ben-George Road off Trout Brook Road

There will be a potluck dinner immediately after the walk event.

 

(2.) OFF ISLAND EVENT

Marathon Walk Event with Central Nova Volkssport Club

Truro Nova Scotia

Holiday Inn Select, 437 Prince Street

Saturday, 10 Sept,2011

Various times and various walk distances, please see schedule

 

(3.) EAST MARGAREE

Marsh Brook Road/Trail

Date: Sunday, 25 Sept, 2011

Time: 2:00pm, Registration begins 1:30pm

Location: Rear of St. Michael's RC Church, T-junction of East Margaree and Marsh Brook Roads

B0E 1Z0

How to get to East Margaree!

From Sydney or Port Hawkesbury take the Trans Canada Highway (105), between Baddeck and Nyanza,turn at the "Red Barn" EXIT 7 North on the Cabot Trail towards:

Middle River and to Margaree Forks about 43K then cross Doyle's Bridge and continue to East Margaree.

An interesting bit of Trivia: Exit 7 and the Red Barn area is known as ???

Answer: Buckwheat Corner

LOUISBOURG EVENT

There's a storm called Irene coming up the eastern coast but this did not deter the CB Island Hoppers from completing our scheduled 10k walk event at the Louisbourg lighthouse, Sunday 28 August.

As seen in this photo the ocean along Havenside Drive was calm while the clouds drifted by. Only a light breeze made for a a very relaxing walk along the coastline and we were delighted not to be rained on for the duration of the walk.
The walk leaders Shirley Pettigrew and Carol Hiscock lead us from the picnic area at Kennelly Point then along Havenside Drive for a return trip to Kennelly Point, a distance of 5k.
After a short break we headed towards the Louisbourg light and then along the fairly new and much improved Coastal Trail for the additional 5k. to makeup for our 10k event. The coastal trail continues to Gun Cove, where General Wolf disembark large cannons that eventually were dragged along this same area to the lighthouse to be used against the fortress.
Normally, there are great views along the coast but the infamous fog banks at Louisbourg soon rolled in to take over and hide the small islands, and small outcrops of rocks that are numerous in this harbour. Unfortunately Fortress Louisbourg, that can normally be seen from different points along the trail was shrouded in the fog as well.

Elsie Buck & Lucy Nardini emerging from the forest and through the fog!

You Can See More At  Photo Gallery!
located at upper right side of this page!

HIKING/WALKING UP AND DOWN HILLS

HIKING/WALKING UP AND DOWN HILLS

Here are some helpful hints found on the website:

http://footmatters.posterous.com/hiking-up-and-down-hills

Up Steep Hills: The biggest mistake climbing the hills is to get up on their toes. Keep your heels down; this will stretch out your calf muscles and Achilles tendons and reduce cramping and strains and keep your soles on the ground where they belong for more traction.  Slow down by shortening your steps, don’t try to race up the hill, slow down and enjoy the view.

Down Steep Hills: Like going uphill, shorten your stride and slow your pace. Bend your knees slightly to lower your center of gravity downward but not back. Too much leaning back and your feet will slide out from under you.  Be careful not to turn your feet at an angle to the trail; it will increase your chances of rolling over on your ankle.  Keep your toes pointed down for the best grip and stability.

WHALE WATCHING TOUR IN CHETICAMP

7th - 10 OCTOBER, 2011 WEEKEND ADVENTURE: GROUP WALK EVENTS, THANKSGIVING DINNER AND NOW A WHALE WATCHING TOUR http://www.loveboatwhalecruises.ca/

CB Island Hoppers and friends!

Please help by distributing to our members who do not have email or access to the web as quickly as possible.

As the Thanksgiving long weekend (7-10 October) in Cheticamp Cape Breton, walking events will soon be upon us the CBIH (Cal Thistle) has been following up on an additional adventure for the weekend activities.

If you are interested in a Whale Watching Tour we have negotiated a 2 - 2.5 hour tour with a discount price of $16 per person, however we need/must have 30 or more (55 max) committed persons to ensure we have the discount!!

Our discount Whale Watching Tour will be (depending on weather conditions) Sunday 9th Oct @ 2pm with a possible alternate date Monday 10 Oct @1pm.

Please contact CBIH for reservations ASAP on or before this Sunday 28 August at:

bretonhoppers@hotmail.com or rajcoombes@ns.sympatico.ca

After this date we cannot guarantee a suitable discount price!

More details of the tour are available at:

http://www.loveboatwhalecruises.ca/

A brochure for the weekend activities in October is available at all walk events or may be sent as an attachment upon request.

Rollie Coombes, email website coordinator for

Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club

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

www.walks.ca

HIKING AT DUNDEE

Sunday 21 August, 2011 Dundee Resort and Golf Course

Kathi at Dundee!


More photos are found on "Trail Photos" http://cbislandtrailphotos.blogspot.com/

The adventure for this event began when driving from Sydney to St Peter's with road construction and then turning off HWY 4 in St Peters. The road to Dundee when not traveled very often seems quite long and has many SSSS turns! However there are excellent views along the way and once at Dundee there is a very nice beach area.

Today's walk was our first event at Dundee and was attended by 21 adventurous walkers who enjoyed the excellent weather conditions for hiking along the nature trail that borders on the Dundee Golf Course. The first part of the trail is a natural path through the woods with small bridges across two streams and continues uphill to the very edge of the golf course.

Where did they go?
After departing the forest the trail meanders along a gravel road with views of the Bras d" Or Lakes and the greens of the course ending near the club house.
This is a great walk for everyone of all ages and could be modified for all abilities.
Immediately after the event most of our members and guest enjoyed dinner on the patio deck at the club house and a surprise birthday cake was served in honoring  our long time friend Shirley Pettigrew.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIRLEY!

Congratulations to your club for this accomplishment!

The Island Hoppers on the trail at Albert Bridge, Mira Provincial Park during the annual National Walking Weekend.

The following message has arrived from BenoÎt Pinsonneault, President of the Canadian Volkssport Federation

Joe MacKinnon,

I finally made my choice concerning the 2011 President's Challenge winner.  My choice was the Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club.  Your club's name will be added on the trophy.  This recognition will be published in the next Volkssport Canada issue.

Congratulations to your club for this accomplishment!

Benoît

 

BenoÎt Pinsonneault, President CVF, National Convention, Whistler BC