JAMES GARDENS

71 Seniors met at the Old Mill Station for a circular hike to James Gardens. Barry and I led the members on a sunny humid day with the temperature feeling like 32c as the day progressed. Fortunately the Humber River Recreational Trail offered welcomed shade at frequent intervals

Before heading off Tonie "Two Shoes"and I modelled our new footwear

Leaving the station with Rosemary Wood attempting to control the crowd while conducting a count

Passing by the Old Mill. They no longer allow us to use their facilities en masse

A heads up for those crossing the bridge

Tony times us as we meet up increasing our numbers to 72

We make a comfort stop at the toilets in Etienne Brule Park. We have time to view the Indigenous Peoples camp site while waiting

On our way up the east side of the Huber River after a 20 min delay

We meet up with Mary & Doug. We are now 74

Taking a "gander" at the geese

Perfect spot to sit

Got it made in the shade

Passing under the Dundas Street Bridge

Some are happy others not so

Enjoying a walk in the woods

Bobbie makes her way to the front

A rest and lunch in the gardens

Meeting up with the Turtles

These guys looked "stoned"

Now that's a flower pot

Can't wait for some shade

Hares meet a Hawk 

Crossing the Humber pedestrian bridge

Tony gives it a final push up the hill

 Crossing over the Dundas Street bridge

The view from the bridge

Entering Home Smith Park and travelling down the west side of the Humber River

The final uphill trek to the culmination of today's hike

Barry led 29 drinkers to the Dark Horse Pub while I made sure the non drinkers found the subway. Not to be outdone I hopped the subway to the Dark Horse and was the first to get a pint in

Approximately 11 km plus a little bit more to the Pub

It was good to have Barry back after  his global hopping and to share the lead today. Thanks again to Kevin for his patient way of Sweeping. I did volunteer to sweep a longtime ago but it turned into a "weep" for me. Takes a special person to do it on a regular basis. That also applies to Counting. When ever I've done it it's turned into "ranting". Thanks Rosemary, you too are special. 

GARRISON CREEK

A warm sunny day coupled with a central location brought the Seniors out in numbers. 77 met across from the Christie Subway Station imbibing in coffee and using the facilities at the Tim Hortons in anticipation of the start of Mary Ayers led hike

Crossing Bloor Street and heading towards Bickford Park

It was only steps into the park

Mary welcomes the new members

Mary details today's route, lunch spot and where the hike will terminate to a attentive crowd

Fanni & Stanley demonstrate they are listening by remaining tight lipped

We are to follow the "lost river" of Garrison Creek which is now buried underground. Its name originates from entering Lake Ontario just east of Fort York, the military garrison for the region. It arose north of St. Clair Avenue West and flowed south through Christie Pits, Bickford Park, Fred Hamilton Park & Trinity Bellwoods Park. A total length of 7.7 km

Marching through Bickford Park

Leaving the park

"All aboard" at Harbord Street

Stanley wins the Art Eggleton Park invitational by a nose

Entering the Portuguese area of the city with it's memorial garden

Statue of Portugals greatest poet. His mastery of verse has been compared to Shakespeare, Vondel, Homer, Virgil and Dante

Pausing for those bringing up the rear at College Street

Walking through Trinity Bellwoods Park

Passing the Bust of Simon Bolivar

Getting some shade while Doug photographs Gilly from the UK

"Hang on Stan" as we pass through the gates of the Park

 A view of "Garrison Crossing" a new pedestrian/cyclist bridge under construction linking Trinity Bellwoods Park with the grounds of Fort York

Entering the Bentway for lunch

If you were aggressive enough you got to sit in a yellow chair 

Otherwise you dined on the rocks

Eaters in the Bleachers

Time to stride out along Lakeshore Avenue

Procession through Coronation Park

Pausing at the World War 11 memorial

Inuksuk dwarfed by Hotel X

Entering Trillium Park

Passing through "The Ravine", the gateway to the park with two beautiful stone walls with the Moccasin Identifer

Cityscape from the Park

Passing the "Bluff" made up of stacked boulders and rocks

Cruising on the Lake

Strolling by the Lake

Entering Ontario Place

View of BMO Field

Seeing Double (Cinesphere)

Japanese Bell

Leaving Ontario Place

Strung out along the Martin Goodman Trail

Birds eye view of Humber Bay Shores

Leaving Marilyn Bell Park

Crossing the Gardiner Expressway

Sauntering up Sorauren Avenue

No worries here

Tony & Tom having a Tipple

Having a rip roaring time

Mary goes to sleep and Doug stays awake

Big thanks to Mary for leading such an interesting and varied hike. Lots to see and learn about. Thanks again to Liliane, the Counter, who got a work out today and Kevin for bringing up and taking care of a huge rear end!