walking

Today I walked around the work site where the E&N Rail Trail will bypass the Esquimalt Indian Reserve at Thomas & Admirals roads. 'Work site' is a misnomer inasmuch as no work is taking place on this Wednesday. While excavating the grade beside Admirals Road for the connecting ramp some bones and/or artifacts were unearthed which immediately turned the whole exercise into an archaeological dig. Guess we'll just have to go back to cycling the E&N single-track 'till the dust settles on this issue and the workers can do what they do best -- work.

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Labels: e&n, railtrails, walked

Wednesday we walked 4km roundtrip from the Four Mile Pub northbound to Fort Victoria Mobile Home Park along the E&N Rail Trail.

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After receiving directions from the friendly, park manager, we found our friend's site but no one was home.

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We arrived back at the 4Mile at noon and had lunch in the pub.

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We then drove to the kids' home in View Royal to check out the hired-man's stone work in the back garden. Bentley gave us the grand tour and everything looks just swell.

Labels: e&n, railtrails, walked

Thursday I cycled the newly paved part of the E&N Rail Trail from Portage Park in View Royal to Atkins Station in Colwood.

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E&N Rail Trail VIDEO

Labels: cycled, e+n, railtrails

Today we drove to the Capital Regional District's (CRD) Parks Headquarters on Atkins Road to renew our annual parking pass.

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While in the area we started walking southeast along the Esquimal & Nanaimo (E&N) Railway tracks from Westwind Rd.

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We walked 2 miles (3.3km) to Atkins Station on the Galloping Goose Trail (GGT) then crossed the train bridge to see how the paving of the E&N Rail Trail (ENRT) is progressing. It appears to be progressing exactly as it should.

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Just another, beautiful day in paradise.

Labels: crd, e+n, ggt, railtrails

Friday we walked 2100m around the southern half of Cedar Hill Golf Course under overcast skies at a balmy 14°C (57°F). We had bigger fish to fry this day than walking.

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The island Corridor Foundation's newsletter of February 4th included notes from the minutes from their last meeting. It stated in part: "Capital Regional District is working on finishing the section from four mile bridge to connect to the galloping goose trail. Phase 2 of the E & N Trail will be opening in April. Wilson Road to Esquimalt Road is under construction set to finish in early summer."

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This is not true. No work of any kind is presently underway along the section of track between Esquimalt Road and Wilson Road. Yes, we have pictures-to-prove-it.

Labels: chgc, e+n, railtrails

Today I cycled 8km roundtrip from Spinnaker's Pup along the E&N Rail Trail (E&NRT)northwest to Maplebank Rd. at the Songhee Wellness Centre.

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Currently, this is the farthest northwest one can travel on the new E&NRT due to the fact the Songhee leaders will not permit further construction through their lands. Even though Canadian taxpayers invested $24 million in strategic financing to complete the Songhee Wellness Centre for them, they don't seem to appreciate the benefit of walking and cycling the E&NR through this section. The wellness centre opened January 22, 2014.

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What a beautiful day to be outdoors! B. walked Songhee Way while I cycled under sunny skies and the temperature was 10°C (50°F).

Labels: cycled, e+n, railtrails

Friday we rode the Alberni Pacific Railway (APR) Steam Train from its downtown station (formerly Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) station) in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, 4.2 miles out to the Chase & Warren Estate Winery. After we left the winery we continued our steam-train ride out to the McLean Steam Mill; but we'll leave that part for another day.

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Chase & Warren are a father-and-son team who are the owner/operators (presumably with other family members) of the vineyard and winery operations. In conjunction with the Alberni Pacific Railway (APR) Steam Train, this professional team of vintners runs a marvelous operation at there estate situated adjacent to the CPR railway tracks at MP34.6 (7km from the train station).

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Please enjoy this two-minute VIDEO as the estate is so beautiful and the hosts so generous and gracious it's beyond description. And yes, the wines are perfect!

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Chase & Warren Estate Winery GPS Coordinates: 49°17'18.60"N 124°49'39.41"W

Labels: portalberni, railtrails

Sunday we walked 2½km roundtrip along the E&N railway tracks from Humpback Road xing southbound to the MP10 (MP= mile post) marker. After guesstimating the Humpback xing was located at the 10.75 mile location the only way to find out was to locate the 10 mile post; this we did and have a picture-to-prove-it.

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We noticed the nearby powerline trail is in pretty good condition for cycling. Southbound it's a only a short distance before arriving at WestHills Subdivision and Langford Parkway but it would be fun to ride it anyway.

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We were surprised to see how close the Goldstream subdivisions -- like Kettle Creek Subdivision -- are to Westhills, Langford Lake and Irwin Park. Once all the new construction in these areas is completed it is going to one heckuva fine neighbourhood to live in; especially, for those who like to get out and walk or cycle close to where they live.

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GPS Coordinates E&N MP10 (Mile Post) 48°26'57.15"N 123°32'19.85"W

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For those not wanting to walk the two-kilometre roundtrip from Humpback Road to get to the E&N 10MP marker, Golden Spike Place in Kettle Creek subdivision has access within 300m. GPS Coordinates Golden Spike Place: 48°27'3.44"N 123°32'30.08"W

Labels: e+n, railtrails, walked

Friday we walked 3km on the Beaver Lake trails. Sunny morning but winds are still sharp. We parked first at the Equestrian Centre parking lot and checked out the still-flooded trail north of the Beaver Lake Ponds.

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We left there and parked in the main parking lot at the southern end of Beaver Lake. This parking lot is actually built right over what were formerly the filter beds when the Victoria Waterworks drew water from this lake to supply Victoria's needs. Many remnants remain from this 1910 major undertaking. The purpose of these filter beds was to remove any unwanted fish and tadpoles from the water supply before it reached Victoria consumers.

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We walked northwestward along the lakeside trail until reaching the maintrail on the western side of the lakes. This trail is built atop what was the railbed for the Victoria & Sidney Railway (V&S). The trail today connects Beaver Lake Road in the south to Brookleigh Road to the north -- a distance of some 4km. We turned back southward once reaching maintrail and picked up another trail heading eastward back to the Beaver Lake Ponds. Today's photos was taken from the western side of these ponds.

Labels: elk/beaver lake regional park, railtrails, walked

Thursday we walked 4km along the Log Train Trail (LTT) in Port Alberni (PA), British Columbia. After not finding-out too much Wednesday regarding accessing the trail at various points along its route we decided to invoke the old adage of moving from the known to the unknown.

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The first stop we made even before entering Port Alberni upon our arrival on Wednesday was the turn-off from Hwy-4 at Old Nanaimo Rd where the southeastern LTT's trailhead is located. We returned there this morning and walked the trail a few kliks down and back for an hour.

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This is the start of what is hoped to my cause celeb reporting to a larger audience the benefits to the community in preserving and maintaining the Log Train Trail. Contrary to popular belief, not many local PA residents really know anything about the LTT nor can they advise visitors how and where to best access the trail. At least this has been my experience from phoning the local PA Cycling Club and talking with several PA residents.

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Wednesday we drove the limo 18km westbound on Beaver Creek Road looking for access points to the the trail. We found the parking area at the gate at the end of Bainbridge Rd and from there we returned to Beaver Creek road again and continued west. We had seen the published LTT maps by the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) so had some idea where some access points were supposed to be. We surmised there was one such point at the western-most trail head but did not know how to drive there.

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We came to a fork in the road at the 18km point according to our odometer. The lefthand road was gravel and the sign read Comox Trail. We opted for the righthand road which was paved and lead down a steep hill of Somers Rd. Had we continued a bit farther we would have found the the westernmost trailhead of the LTT -- within a kilometre. P.S. The trailhead on Woolsey can be viewed from Google.SteetViews.

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So there you have it. It appears we'll be making a few more trips up island before we put this one in the can. lol

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Recommended Reading

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Scott McKenzie's Alberni Times Article

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Port Harbour Quay Live Webcam

Labels: railtrails, walked

Today we walked 6km roundtrip from the Elk/Beaver Lake Park parking lot on the Pipline Trail to the 7km Marker. This trail forms the western section of a 10km loop around the two lakes. Thus, we were in essence walking the trail in reverse (although in a clockwise direction) arriving first at the 8km Marker then the 7km.

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To our surprise, the Strawberry Festival was being held this very day filling all the available parking for the estimated 400 attendees. Free pony rides for the kids and strawberry shortcake seemed the only ingredients necessary to fill the place. We didn't hang around there long once our walk was completed but headed for the Red Barn on West Saanich Road for their soon-to-be-world-famous panini sandwich. Awesome meal!

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Yes, we did nail down the GPS coordinates for the Victoria & Sidney (V&S) Railway situated at the 8.03km point along the trail.
Here's the skinny on GPS coordinates for the V&S Pipline Trail monument: From the LG L7 camera and the Magellan 210 the coordinates are within a few metres of each other. This is close enough for what we're doing.
V&S Stop from GPS Track: N48°31.198', W123°23.877'
GPS LGL7 Coordinates V&S: 48°31'11.64"N 123°23'52.62"W

Dustin Creviston has a photo of the monument posted on Google.earth (Panoramio) and it is located 35m north from the position reported here. (Eds. Note) The POI recorded by the M210 was off by several metres.
V&S Marker Mapsend POI: N48°31.177' W123°23.879'

Labels: crd, railtrails, walked

Today we drove to Duncan, British Columbia, to checkout the Tidewater Subdivision (TWS) railtrail. This former Canadian National Railway (CNR) line has not seen a train on its tracks since all the tracks and ties were removed during the late 1980s. The history and current state of this right-of-way (RoW) can be view at this Youtube TideWater Railtrail Video

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We heard rumors that the farmer who previously blocked the right-of-way for his personal use, had recently re-opened it to the public. This section of trail connecting Langtry Road and Seshia Road, meant trail users had to take a detour incorporating Glenora Road. Much to our chagrin, this is not the case. Both east and west ends of this short section of trail are still gated. Albeit a new eastern gate but nevertheless -- a gate. it appears the only other change is the addition of a computer-printed notice informing users not to climb over the obstruction but, rather, use the 'styl' provided. By this it is meant to use the narrow, fenced space, to negotiate one's way to the other side of said obstruction. This farmer still thinks he and his livestock's rights take priority over trail users. We'll see.

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We always part with some of our hard-earned (o.k., pension) cash each time we visit the Cowichan Valley and today was no exception. We bought some western garb at the Equine Emporium on the way out and stopped fro lunch at Cowichan Bay's Rock Cod Fish Grill on the way back. We also hit all the hotspots: The Butter Church; Cowichan Bay tidal estuary; Cobble Hill winery and Shawnigan Lake, BC. Cool.

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Labels: railtrails

The letterhead above was reproduced in PhotoShop as an exact replica from the original 1939 photocopy from BC Archives & Records Services. It will be used in the forthcoming re-publication to the web -- using MS FrontPage -- of Kapoor's Sooke Lake Mill operation ca.1928. One's computer can only reproduce to its screen those typefaces residing within said computer; therefore, replicating the letterhead exactly as a graphic image, eliminates this issue.

Kapoor Singh Siddoo
Mayo Singh started Mayo Lumber Co. in 1917. Later, Mayo Lumber Company Ltd. was incorporated November 21, 1924, under the British Columbia Company's Act, in Victoria, BC, Canada. Kapoor Singh Siddoo became a fifty-percent partner with Mayo Singh and these two men eventually became the sole owners of their company.

Kapoor Lumber Historical Website

Labels: kapoor, railtrails

Today I cycled 18.7km on the Cowichan Valley Trail (CVT) west of Duncan, BC. After heading westward from Lake Cowichan Road parking I arrived at Paldi, BC, 40-minutes later.

This 7.6km stretch has a 100m (328ft.) gain which slowed me down to approximately 10km/hr. But hey, it's my day off and out here enjoying myself. We made up for any lost time on the DH inbound leg hitting speed in excess of 20km/hr. Cool.

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The week prior to this adventure -- and contemplating where to ride -- I reflected upon one Rajindi Mayo and the significant contribution he and his family have made to the Cowichan Valley. I considered how nice it would be sit in the shade of the gazebo beside the Paldi Sikh Temple eating my soon-to-be-world-famous egg-salad sandwich and reflect upon Bubba's life and accomplishments.

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No sooner had I arrived at the temple and a woman drove and parked her vehicle in the driveway. After the obligatory niceties, she introduced herself as one Joan Mayo -- the widow of the before-mentioned, Bubba Mayo. Bernice and I have met Joan on previous occasions at events in the Duncan area.

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Now I'm not a mathematician, but one could reasonably calculate the odds of me deciding on Wednesday to cycle to the Paldi Sikh Temple to meditate upon the life of the late Rajindi Mayo the following Saturday and to meet his wife, Joan, there within three-minutes of my arrival, are, conservatively, in the area of a million-to-one. Ah, serendipity. Joan and I reminisced about the previous times we've met and phone discussions we've had regarding her wonderful published book: Paldi Remembered, Fifty Years in the Life of a Vancouver Island Logging Town. Joan was at the temple this day -- in the company of her son and daughter-in-law -- to make preparations for her granddaughter's upcoming wedding. Joan has her work cut out for her as the bride-to-be has invited four-hundred guests!

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N.B. To those paying attention a roundtrip of 7.6km does not add up to 18.7km. By adding an additional 3.5km (1.75km oneway) roundtrip to Holmes Creek Xing, the numbers do add up.

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After all-of-the-above we drove to Lake Cowichan for a cool one at our favourite pub then drove on to Mesachie Lake and Camp Imodene.

Labels: cowichan, cycled, duncan, railtrails

Today we walked with Tom Paterson's Friends of the Morden Mine tour with 14 others in his group. It was more standing (while listening to Tom) than actually walking. Having said that, T.W. Paterson is one of the wolrd's great story tellers and has the ability to engage and entertain his listeners. This marvelous gift he has developed over four decades is reminiscent of another wonder story teller I encountered as a boy -- Freeman King.

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The tour started at the Morden Colliery Historical Provincial Park parking lot beside the tipple at the end of Morden Road. Morden Road intersects with Vancouver Island's Hwy-1 at a traffic light south of Nanaimo, BC, located just north of Eagle Quest Golf Course. We drove our vehicles between the PCCM (Pacific Coast Coal Mines) Company's Morden Tipple and the other sites including: Fiddick's Junction; Canadian Collieries and Granby Colliery.

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Black Track Tour VIDEO

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We enjoyed beautiful sunny warm weather throughout the day. As we drove northbound through Duncan, BC, we took time to walk 600m along the Cowichan Valley Trail (CVT) from Holiday Lane eastbound to the new Bings Creek bridge crossing. This bridge was recently completed late last year and was sorely needed by users of this trail section. Thanks to the Cowichan Valley Regional District for accomplishing this task.

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GPS Coordinates Bings Creek Xing: N48°47.106', W123°44.554'
GPS Coordinates South Wellington Coal slack heap: 49° 5'19.41"N 123°53'42.76"W
Friends of the Morden Mine
GPS Coordinates Morden Tipple: 49° 5'40.82"N 123°52'21.94"W

Labels: cvrd, morden, paterson, railtrails, walked

Today we walked parts of the Cowichan Valley Trail after driving to Lake Cowichan, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada.

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We didn't walk much did take a lot of pictures on what was basically a reconnaissance mission to sleuth out the remnants of the old railways in the Township of Lake Cowichan. Jay & Suzanne joined us so we saw things anew through their eyes.

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We enjoyed lunch at the Irish Pub & Grill (as in Dermond & Dudley's) beside the river in Lake Cowichan. This is our habit as it is the best wateringhole and eatery in the valley.

Labels: cowichan, duncan, railtrails