3310 Palmer Drive, Burlington ON L7M 1X /2018

Transcription

1 3310 Palmer Drive, Burlington ON L7M 1X /2018

2 09/2017 Presidents Message: "Let me be Frank" MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT As I write this message in the middle of the summer, I sit and wonder how quickly the time passes. AS Susan and I choose some summer outings, one cannot help but notice how many options club members have to choose during the week and on week-ends. Some week-ends have up to six options to choose from for your pleasure. Once again, I want to thank all the trip leaders and volunteers for stepping up to the plate and providing their expertise. What a terrific club we have within Halton. You certainly will not be bored during the summer months. With each trip that we register for, whether it is a multi-day excursion or free day trip, we become more efficient in the use of our computer system for sign-ups. It is also exciting to see the list of those who are registering for the same programs as yourself. I cannot thank our activity directors enough for the time, effort and energy that they put into their volunteer jobs. It is exciting and enjoyable to go to the executive meetings and listen to their different ideas and suggestions for new activities and trips. Please do not take these for granted as it takes many hours of research to put together a new trip or excursion. Please check this newsletter in the events calendar for upcoming outings both in 2018 and The Updater will continue to provide you with the most current trips and contacts. Our new executive members have settled into their new positions and Phill is working with Isabel to keep her up-to -date with the hiking program. The Executive would like to take this opportunity to thank Anne Armstrong for leading the Hikers Certification Course. The club now has nine additional certified trip leaders for hiking trips. The club has added a new hike in Brantford on Sunday, September 30th. This hike will be approximately km in length and will be a challenging and scenic excursion along the S.C. Johnson trail and the Grand River. Check the events calendar for more details. The Executive has been very busy with administrative items to improve the quality of the club. We have subcommittee's working on the Best Practices document (in your archives), the results of the club survey and soon we will be addressing the By-Laws and Constitution. Continue to volunteer for any job that sparks your interest in the club. The clubs Fall Fair will be in November this year. So, come on out and join us and see the fall and winter schedule. Best Wishes Frank Cooney, President Welcome New Members Bonnie Quinn September is a wonderful time to join The Halton Outdoor Club because members get to take advantage of end of season cycling, and paddling and they can begin to see plans for the forthcoming winter season which features Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. Hiking activities take place all year long. As a member, we hope you will take advantage of the various outings and trips that Club leaders have planned. Make certain to visit our website regularly and check on the schedules and events calendar found on the home page. This Club is mainly run by volunteers and our planned events can only be successful if you as a member participate. We offer you day trips, weekend trips and extended trips in all Club sports. Be certain to attend our Fall Information Night, held at the Mainway Arena, Laurie Branch Auditorium in Burlington from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, November 2, At this event, you will discover how the Club is run, meet the Sport Directors from each Club sport, sign up for trips and events, check out the latest in sports clothing and gear from retailers, and meet other Club members with whom you share similar interests. You will find a wealth of information on our website: Check out the events calendar which lists our day trips in all sports. By clicking on any event, you will discover all of the details you need to allow you to participate in the event. Next, click on schedules which will allow you to access information dealing with updates, how to register, extended trips and of course schedules and sport information sheets. In addition to our website, you will receive an electronic newsletter four times a year in the months of November, March, June and September. Also every few weeks you will receive via our Updater which as the name implies, keeps you up to date with what is currently happening. The answer to all of your questions can be found on the website, in the newsletter or in the Updater. That being said, you are always welcome to either me or give me a call with questions or concerns that you may have. I can be reached at info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca, or toll free Again, welcome to this wonderful Club. 2

3 09/2018 On a daily basis, one can find HOC members hiking local trails, paddling local waterways and cycling local roads and bike trails. The following people organized and led day trips in these sports: Hiking: Thank you Volunteers Bonnie Quinn The Halton Outdoor Club sports program could not run without the many hours of work willingly provided by volunteers. During this Spring and Summer season many members led day trips, weekend trips and extended trips. Many thanks go to our Sports Directors: Hiking- Phill Armstrong, Cycling- Paul Gautreau, Paddling- Dorothy Rideough and Jim Blair- Skiing. These people plan the entire season of trips and events, they take part in leading these events and organize schedules, and they organize lessons and other events to promote their sport. They promote sport safety and also have to maintain a current knowledge of current products relating to their sport. They provide assistance and support to other leaders who organize day, weekend, and extended trips. Phill and Anne Armstrong, Nancy Stevens, Paul Lewis, Lorne Carruthers, Jim and Patti Blair, Clive and Freda Wright, Isabel Bravo, Janina Vanderpost, Connie Rusynk, Lorraine Sherred, Carol Allam, Marian Fletcher, Bill Haartman, Terry Rose, Maureen Hills, Gord Morrow, Frank and Susan Cooney, Cheryl McCarney, Asia Shin, Gary Wrathall, Lisa Raftis,,Bill Pote, Ruth Merz, Richard Reble and Norman Young. Cycling: Heather Wilson, Paul Gautreau, Gayle Laws, Rick Brady, Susan Zeesman, Peter Ostrowski, Nancy Stevens, Sarah Compton, Patrick Hennessey, Elli Luciano, Micky Segal, Yves Tetrault, John Webb, Martin Lancaster, Anand Sinha, Betty Boudreau, Paul V. Special thanks to Heather Wilson, Yves Tetrault and Martin Shed for assisting Paul Gautreau with trips and schedules. Padding: Dorothy Rideough, Paul Humber, Donna Barber, Declan Treacy, Sandra Redfearn and Ralph Gardave It can take many months to organize weekend and extended trips. Jobs for these trips can include the hiring of coaches, booking flights, working with travel agents, researching accommodation, scouting trips, planning sporting excursions, organizing sight seeing, organizing land transportation, figuring out budgets and costs and on and on. I would like to thank the following individuals: Paddling Trips- Donna Barber- Belize, Dorothy Rideough- Philip Edward Islands, Sandra Redfearn and Sandy Nay- Fishing Islands and Cameron and Cypress Lakes, Paul and Peggy Humber- Haliburton, Kevin Jeffery- Silent Lake and Murphy Point, Jim McConachie and Jenn McNichol- Massassauga Provincial Park, Jim Clewlow- Minks and McCoys Cycling Trips- Susan Zeesman and Rick Brady to Monteregie, Quebec, Paul Gautreau and Gayle Laws- Collingwood Hiking Trips Phill and Anne Armstrong- Goderich, Jim and Patti Blair- Collingwood, Clive and Freda Wright- Limberlost and Algonquin, Teri Kramer- Scotland, Gayle Laws- Newfoundland, Isabel Bravo- Chili and Argentina Finally, thanks to Nancy Hubbard who spent countless hours computer programming so that all of these events could appear online, ready for registration. I know of no other Club that offers so many diverse activities to its members year round. This could not happen without the work of the people mentioned above. 3

4 What goes on at the Executive meetings of the Halton Outdoor Club? What do Directors do at these meetings? As a result of the responses of the members who took part in our recent Membership Survey, many responses indicated that members have no idea what goes on at our monthly meetings and/or how the Directors function. In response, I decided to write an article which hopefully gives members some idea as to the function of the meetings. Executive meetings are held 11 months of the year on the second Monday of each month at my home, the Club office. Usually either July or August is taken off so that Executive members can take a well -deserved vacation. There are 13 Directors plus the Club Manager who attend these meetings: President, Vice President, Manager, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Director, Promotion and Publicity Director, Social Director, Newsletter Editor, Communications Director and the Directors of each sport- Skiing, Hiking, Cycling and Paddling. With the exception of the Manager, and Newsletter Editor, each position is assumed as a result of a vote by you at the Annual General Meeting. Each elected Director can vote on issues at the Executive meeting. Those people who were not elected but who sit on the Board are not able to vote. 4 09/2017 A week to ten days before the meeting, each Director receives a reminder of the meeting and a request for a Director report which is turned in to me three or four days before a meeting. These reports indicate what has gone on in the past month with respect to the specific Director. For example, the hiking director will report on the hikes that have gone on during the previous month. The Director could also indicate any issues that have arisen, trips planned, policies that need revision, issues of concern, etc. Each Director will organize his report under Items for Approval, Items for Discussion or Items for Information. Items for Approval are generally specific issues that are discussed and then voted on in order to establish either guidelines or policies which will affect the whole Club in general. Items for Discussion are issues like trips, events issues where a Director feels he/she would like input from the other Directors. Items for Information are facts of required knowledge which do not need any form of discussion or approval at the meeting- example no. of hiking trips that occurred in the previous month, trip attendance etc. I form a meeting agenda from all of these reports and send it out before the meeting to each Director. In addition, each Director receives before the meeting, the minutes of the previous meeting. As a result each Director comes to the meeting having read all of the Director Reports and the minutes of the previous meeting and is thus able to bring questions or concerns to the current meeting ahead of time. A typical meeting looks like this: President calls to order the meeting at 7:30 pm Minutes from the previous meeting are approved with any corrections noted. Items or unresolved issues from the Previous meeting carried forth if any. Items for Approval are discussed and approved. Items for Discussion- usually there are four or five issues that will need discussion. Items for Information are never discussed but if a Director has questions or concerns about a specific issue, these can be raised New Business Meeting Closes at 9:00 pm Adjourn to the kitchen for some snacks, dessert, coffee, tea, and some social time. Here are a few other facts you might wish to know. For any trips that occur outside of the province or trips that require the use of a travel agent and/or airline, the trip leader comes to the meeting and must make a presentation to the entire Executive and after the presentation is made, Directors ask questions and then vote on whether or not a trip can go forward. The trip leader is given a guideline for use that helps the leader prepare and research the trip in advance before this presentation to the Executive.

5 Day trips and weekend trips are usually presented by the Director of the Sport but do not need approval from the entire Executive. The Executive of 14 people is a huge group and can be rather unwieldy- especially if new policies or guidelines need to be established. In recent history, here are a few major changes that the Club has made: establishment of an electronic newsletter, running all Club business on line including trip registration, membership and renewal, online communication of information to members, Club insurance and best practices policy, membership survey and putting the results of the survey into action, etc. All of these issues are worked on by a sub-committee of 3 or 4 Directors and these issues usually take months or years of research and discussion amongst the subcommittee. These sub- committees usually meet monthly outside of the regular Executive meeting and these sub-committees report regularly to the whole Executive. All subcommittee work involves research, plus planned presentation to the Executive, approval by the entire Executive and then planned implementation to the Club in general. Being on the Executive is hard work but very rewarding. I have been on the Executive now for 13 years and through all of the work, I have established some life- long friends. I have such respect for these people who work for you. The Halton Outdoor Club is a non-profit organization which relies on volunteers to run the group. All of those trips and events that everyone enjoys take planning and preparation and every Club member needs to feel obliged to donate time and expertise or experience at one time during his membership. There are jobs big and small that need to be done and I hope that everyone of you will feel obligated to give us a hand. We always need help to run our Information Nights, our social events, handing out flyers to local businesses, helping a leader with just one job etc. Our club has lasted almost a half century and I know of no other Club that offers so many opportunities to its members for 12 months of the year. From April to October we are running about 30 to 40 day and overnight trips a month. If you ever have questions or concerns about the club or how it is being run, please just send me an or give me a call. I always follow up on your concerns and they are reported to the Executive. When next you see a Club Director on the bus or on the trail, please thank that person because you have 5 09/2018 to know that he is working hard in your best interests. Bonnie Quinn:info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca or ContactInformation Bonnie Quinn- Manager info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Frank Cooney- President president@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Teri Kramer- Vice President vice.president@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Madeleine Davidson- Treasurer finance@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Cheryl McCarney-Social Director social@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Peggy Humber-Newsletter Editor editor@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Phillip Armstrong- Hiking Director hiking@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Jim Blair- Skiing Director skiing@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Peter Ostrowski -Cycling Director cycling@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Dorothy Rideough- Paddling Director paddling@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Nora Fulcher- Publicity and Promotion publicity@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Loraine Walter - Recording Secretary records@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Cherie Jackson- Membership Director membership@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Nancy Hubbard- Communications Director communications@haltonoutdoorclub.ca

6 09/2017 How to Renew All renewals are completed online through the website. In the renewal notice, there will be a link to the login screen on our website and a set of instructions on how to login, reset your password if you need to and complete your membership renewal and payment. Once logged in, please check your member profile and edit your profile if there are changes you need to make to your name, address, , phone number, etc. Updating your profile, especially if you have changed your address, keeps you in the loop. It is Time to Renew Your Membership September 1, 2018 Bonnie Quinn It is now time again for membership renewal. Our Membership year runs from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019 but you can begin to renew your membership for the new membership year now throughout the month of September. Membership Rates: Individual Membership: $75.00 Family Membership: $125 Important Dates: Mid Sept.- You will receive a renewal notice by indicating that you can start your renewal process Mid Sept. to Oct. 1- We hope to see most members renew within this two week time frame. Payment for Membership Renewal Once you have clicked on the button that says Renew to 01 Oct 2019, read and follow the instructions on the renewal pages. You can pay with Visa or MasterCard or with your personal PayPal account if you have one. Please note that HOC does not have access to view or store your credit card information. This is handled by the secure HOC PayPal business account. NO CHEQUES for membership renewals are accepted. In Summary For many members, the login process and on-line payment is easy. However for others who are not well acquainted with the online world, it could provide challenges. We are here to help on the phone or via . Should you require further assistance, you will be able to receive support by either calling the Club or ing the Club at info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Oct. 1-Oct. 31- The month of October will be given as a grace period for membership renewal. This is in the event that you are away or require assistance. Nov. 1- If you have not renewed, your membership will lapse, meaning you will no longer have access to members-only website features like receiving Club communications and signing up for trips or events. In closing I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Nancy Hubbard, our Communications Director, Marjorie Dieterman, valuable website technician who has assisted Nancy with data input relating to trips, events and finances, and Cherie Jackson, our Membership Director. Thank you Nancy, Marjorie and Cherie. Future Board Meetings Bonnie Quinn The next Executive meetings are scheduled to occur on the following dates: Monday, September 10, 2018 Monday, October 15, 2018 Monday, November 12, 2018 All meetings start at 7:30 p.m. and are held at the home of Bonnie Quinn, 3310 Palmer Drive, Burlington 6

7 09/2018 These clinics are designed for all Club members: skiers, snowshoers or any member who simply wants an alternative aerobic workout. Activities will include walking, striding and hill bounding but you can choose which is most appropriate for you. In other words you can train at your own level and at your own pace. Dry-land Preseason Training for Winter Sports Dry-land training clinics, led by Barry Carrique, a former club instructor, begin on Tuesday, October 9 th at 2:00 pm and the sessions will continue into the fall season as long as the weather allows. These sessions will take place twice a week: Tuesdays at 2:00 pm and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. All clinics will be held at Olympic Park near the corner of Mohawk Road and Scenic Drive in Hamilton. It is close to the Hwy 403 and Mohawk Road interchange. Meet in the upper parking lot at Olympic Park. Please bring a set of hiking poles or ski poles (most x-c poles are too long for this activity so if you have a shorter pair, bring these along). Running shoes will work well and bring a pair of gloves for hand protection. Dry-land training will be cancelled if it is raining. Clinics are free and there is no need to register. Just meet Barry at the location. Attend some or all sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Please contact Barry at barry.carrique@sympatico.ca if you have any questions or concerns. 7

8 09/2018 GASPE BAY HIKING TRIP September 4, September 16, 2018 Gayle Laws On September 4, 2018, the Halton Outdoor Club is offering a specialized hiking trip created by DeNure Tours, the same company that customized the hiking trip to Newfoundland for HOC in July Discover the natural beauty of Quebec by exploring the Saguenay and Gaspe areas by foot and water (whale watching and Saguenay Fjord cruise). The tour price includes airfare from Toronto to Quebec City, excellent accommodations, local guides, many meals and several excursions. Hiking options will be available most days, however this trip is suitable for intermediate and advanced hikers, due to some hikes having elevation. The HOC trip leader is Gayle Laws, and you can contact her for any questions: Gayle.Laws@rogers.com. Price - Double occupancy is $ per person. Single occupancy is $ per person. The price includes all applicable taxes and is based on a minimum of 30 paying registrants. Payment Procedures There are two steps to the payments: Register on line at and pay a $25.00 Club fee. Next, contact Lina Matturo at Islington Travel Agencies Ltd., 3025 Islington Ave., Toronto, M9L 2K9. You can reach Lina at or lina@islingtontravel.com to provide her with a $ non-refundable payment. The final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Reservations made inside of 90 days prior to departure will be subject to availability and a price increase may apply based on supplier pricing. Cancellation Policy 91 + days- $ non-refundable days prior - 50% of tour price non-refundable days prior - 75% of tour price non - refundable 30 days or less- 100% of tour price non-refundable Name changes inside 45 days prior to departure are subject to a $50.00 pp. administration charge plus possible additional fees from suppliers. This does not apply to new reservations. Reserve your spot today. 8

9 AUSTRIA / ITALY SKI TRIP Friday January 25 - Saturday February 9, 2019 AUSTRIA 09/2018 We are returning to Seefeld, Austria and Toblach, Italy to ski some of the finest cross-country trail networks in Europe. Both of these areas also offer opportunities for downhill skiing, snowshoeing and winter hiking, We will fly in and out of Munich, Germany and a luxury coach will transport our group between the airport and Austria and Italy. For our second week, we travel to Seefeld, Austria, which is in the heart of the Tyrol and is also known as the Olympiaregion. Seefeld proudly hosted the Winter Olympics for cross-country skiing in 1964 and In 2019, it will host the World Nordic Ski Championships, starting on February 19 th, just after we leave. We are likely to see a few superb athletes out on the trails as the training gets under way. In Seefeld, our home will be the comfortable Hotel Bergland, which is conveniently located near the bus station and the pedestrian mall in the centre of town. This family operated, four star hotel caters to cross-country skiers and offers a great all-inclusive package. To quote the Hotel Bergland website: ITALY The first week of our adventure will begin in the Dolomites, in the northeast corner of Italy, close to the Austrian border. We stay in the town of Toblach (German name); Dobbiaco (Italian name), which is in the very scenic Pusteria Valley. Our home for the week will be the Hotel Villa Monica which is a lovely three star, family run hotel located in the centre of town. The cuisine is excellent and there is a newly constructed spa area on the top floor featuring a Finnish Sauna and a Turkish bath, perfect after a day on the trails. From Toblach and the Villa Monica, the local bus and train system allows easy access to a network of 160 kms of beautifully groomed trails, some of which connect the various picturesque villages in the area. Depending on snow conditions you can also access ski trails right from Toblach. Along the many trails you can always find a charming inn, restaurant or mountain hut when you feel the need for an apple strudel or refreshment to boost your energy. If you want a day off from skiing, you can easily use the transit system to explore towns and villages in the area or take in local attractions such as museums, churches and historical sites. An outing to the city of Bolzano to visit the famous Iceman geological museum and the city market, makes for a great day trip. ALL-INCLUSIVE TOP QUALITY - that means for you an abundant breakfast buffet, a light lunch at noon, cakes in the afternoon and a 4-course dinner with choice and salad buffet in the evening. As well the drinks are included from 11:00am to 22:00pm in the public area. We set a high value on quality products. Our all-inclusive package also features the use of the Nordic Spa and Wellness Area with saunas, steam bath and indoor pool as well as an in-house laundry service and a heated ski room with wax station in the hotel. From Seefeld, you can access over 250 kms of perfectly groomed trails. A very efficient bus service allows you to explore areas further afield and visit a number of lovely villages along the way. For a day off, Innsbruck is easily accessible by train. This area also has an incredible network of dedicated snowshoe trails and specifically groomed winter hiking trails. In winter, Seefeld is a Mecca of winter activity. COST Based on 24 participants, the trip cost is $ for double occupancy and $4, for single occupancy. The single occupancy rooms will be limited in number to two. INCLUDED in this price: Airfare Toronto/ Munich return All coach transfers between airport and accommodations; gratuities included Ski passes in both locations 9

10 09/2018 Local bus passes in both locations Hotel Monica - 7 nights accommodation; breakfasts; dinners Hotel Bergland - 7 nights accommodation; breakfasts; light lunch (if you are on site), dinners; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages Most gratuities NOT INCLUDED in this price: Lunches while at Hotel Monica or if you are off-site at the Hotel Bergland Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages while at Hotel Monica Some gratuities Day trips to destinations other than x-c skiing i.e. sightseeing **PLEASE NOTE** This pricing is based on an exchange rate that conservatively reflects our best estimate. If there is a significant increase in the exchange rate we may have to charge a supplement to cover the difference. Similarly, if the rates drop significantly, we will refund you the difference. Please be aware that the air tax and service charges are also subject to change at any time without notice. In the case of currency fluctuation the airline reserves the right to adjust the rates accordingly. ** Payment for this trip may be made cheque or credit card. If you wish to pay by credit card there will be an additional charge of approximately 3%. Please advise Jill at Teachers Travel if you wish to pay by Credit Card. On-line Registration: Use the club website / Events Calendar and pay a $25 per person club deposit when you register on-line. The second part of the registration is to pay a first deposit of $340 per person to Teachers Travel Service. This may be paid by cheque or credit card. If paying by cheque it should be made out to Teachers Travel Service and dated for the day you register. The address is Teachers Travel Service, 21 St. Clair Ave East, Toronto Ontario. M4T 1L9. If paying by credit card you may call Jill Sanderson at , between 9:00-4:00 Mon, Tues, Wed, and 9:00-1:00 Thurs, Fri. to provide your credit card information. Second Deposit : due August 15, 2019 and is $500 per person. If you wish to pay by cheque, please make the cheque payable to Teachers Travel Service and date the cheque for August 15, If you wish to pay by credit card, call Jill Sanderson at Third Deposit: due October 31, 2019 and is payable to the travel agent. We will notify you if there is a change in the final payment due to fluctuations in the currency or additional air tax and service charges. Final cheque is also payable to Teachers Travel and dated for October 31. If paying by credit card, contact Jill at CANCELLATION Deposits are non-refundable. However, in the event of a cancellation, if a suitable replacement can be found (i.e. from a club waiting list), and the replacement can be made without incurring costs to the club or the travel agency, then you may be refunded. If a replacement cannot be found, you will be responsible to cover whatever costs the club has incurred on your behalf up to the point of cancellation. If the entire trip has to be cancelled due to lack of participation, you will receive a refund. INSURANCE The Halton Outdoor Club strongly recommends you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance. Coverage for your trip may be purchased through Teachers Travel. Call Jill Sanderson at REGISTRATION Feel free to contact either Patti or Jim Blair if you have questions. pblair24@cogeco.ca jblair87@cogeco.ca There are two parts to your registration. Your spot is not secured until both steps are completed. In other words, the first deposit is due at the time of registration. 10

11 . Future Trip South America Trekking Trip November 13 - December 1, 2018 Trip Leader: Isabel Bravo Come with us to explore South America covering the metropolitan capitals and some of the world s most beauful and prisne natural reserves of Central and Southern Patagonia in Argenna and Chile. You will have a memorable, acve vacaon and learn about the region. You will remember it for life! Time ies so before we know it we will be heading south. Highlights of your trip include 8 full days of trekking in Central and South Patagonia (Argenna and Chile). Seven of the 19 days will involve travel (including internaonal travel) and 4 days will focus on sightseeing. HIKE LEVELS Level A: Hikes are high*** diculty and physically demanding. Level B: Hikes are medium** to low* level of diculty. Both A and B hikes will be oered on ve of the hiking days. On three of the hiking days, the whole group will explore the region together. These will be Level B hikes. (Level B will be the only choice on those days). *Low : Many activities are optional and involve fairly easy hikes/ travel. Trips may include short hikes of 2-3 hours generally at low elevations. 09/2018 ***High: Hikes are demanding or strenuous. We will be hiking and trekking over steeper and more rugged terrain or higher elevations. Long hours of hiking with no drop outs. For example, base of Las Torres (day 14) is around 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) and that altitude is around the highest you would ever get in the park (unless you are a climber). Argentina (Day 1 to 9) Day 1, 2: We will y direct Toronto to Buenos Aires to discover the city of tango and Carlos Gardel, with a tango show/dinner and a full day tour. Stay at Hotel InterSur or similar (4 Star) Day 3, 4, 5: we will y to Ushuaia, the most southern point of South America which is the gateway to Antarcca. We will spend two days here; visit Tierra del Fuego Naonal Park with a boat adventure. Next day hiking to the Ushuaia Summit or Emeralda Lagoon. Stay at Los Acebos (4 Star) Day 6: we will y to El Calafate and drive to El Chalten to hike. Day 7: we will visit Mirador Capri with impressive views of Mount Fitz Roy and glaciers. You will hike the full day through the Lengas forest and along river de las Vueltas. Accommodaon will be at Hosteria Senderos or Hotel El Pillar. Day 8: we will travel to El Calafate for ice trekking and a boat tour. This parcular day trip, given its eort level is only suitable for people between years of age. People over 65 years of age will have an alternave hike and boat tour, but no less impressive to see the Glaciar Perito Moreno. Crampons are provided and you will receive ice trekking instrucons. Day 9: we will travel to Tores del Paine (5 hour drive). We will pass through Customs. Lunch at the Argenna-Chile border (on your own). Accommoda- on will be at the Hosteria Las Torres (or similar accommodaon). **Medium: More active trips involving hiking over moderate terrain with vehicle support and at elevations below 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). Trips are long hiking days with lots of wilderness and invigorating activities. 11

12 09/2018 South America Trekking Trip continued Chile (Day 10 to 18) Torres Del Paine Day 10: We will cross the Argenna border to Chile to start hiking the Naonal Park of Paine. Accommodaon will be at the Hosteria Torres which is in the middle of the park. Patagonia is considered one of the most spectacular places for hiking, mountain climbing, bird watching and photography. Days 11-14: We will hike the various trails and mountains in the Park. Be prepared for spectacular views, lakes, mountains, forest and wildlife. Day 11 for your hiking dreams you will experience your rst full day touring/hiking at the Naonal Park of Paine, with trekking and boat tour at Grey Lake and Glacier. Day 12 includes Laguna Amarga and Patagon (Hike B) to see the painng of Aónikenk people and the animal species like guanacos, rheas, foxes, condors, etc. Day 13 you will hike the Huella del Puma or Path of the Puma (Hike A) which includes a horseback ride and hike to the summit of Cerro Paine at 5000 feet). Aer passing the tree line, you will see breathtaking views of many natural landmarks such as the three towers of Paine, the Paine river valley and a few lakes that you may recognize from the day before. Lunch at the summit. Sendero de los Lagos or Lakes Trail (Hike B) is also very impressive with dierent views of the mountains and lakes. One way trip to pick up point with no drop out. Day 14 Hike A is a treat as you head to Ascencio Valley or Base of the Torres Lookout, which is the most characterisc hike in Torres del Paine but one of the most dicult trails too. On Hike B see Salto Grande, the park s most spectacular waterfall and hike the Mirador Cuernos (The Horns) trail. Day 15 is a long travelling day; we go by private ride from Torres del Paine to Punta Arenas airport. From there, we y to Sanago, Chile. Ground transporta- on takes us to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco 4 Star (or similar). The balance of the day is leisure me for you. Day 16-18: Discover Sanago with its colonial architecture, tour of the city, wine tasng and lunch at Santa Rita winery. Day 18: The morning is leisure me. Checkout at the hotel is noon. Travel to the airport in the late aernoon for your return ight to Toronto arriving in Toronto at 0600 hours. Please note that desnaons may change depending on weather condions and availability. ACCOMMODATION We are staying in rst/tourist class hotels and inns in the heart of naonal parks and central locaons. Amenies will depend on the dierent hotels but by and large may include WIFI, TVs, safe deposit box, meeng areas, and great views. Hotels will be conrmed at the me of the booking. TRIP COST Double Occupancy - $8635 CAD plus the cost of the international* and domestic flights Single Occupancy - $11,340 CAD plus the cost of the international* and domestic flights *International Flights from Toronto to Buenos Aires and from Santiago to Toronto: Price to be determined. Airfares available mid December 2017 Domestic Flights within Argentina and Chile: Price estimate is a total of $1363 CAD per person ($ $ taxes) which includes all 3 flights. There will be 2 flights within Argentina and 1 flight within Chile. Airfares available mid December 2017 WHAT IS INCLUDED 17 nights accommodaon at rst/tourist class hotel with buet breakfast 13 lunches and 13 dinners (meals as per the inerary-xed menu without drinks) including gratuies 12

13 09/2018 Access to 3 courtesy rooms to use on our nal day in Sanago aer you checkout of your room at Hotel San Francisco, Sanago, Chile. (We depart for the airport at 5 pm) Private ground transportaon in Argenna and Chile, including all transfers and tours as per the inerary Tours with English speaking guides Entrance fees to all sites Hotel porterage (1 piece of luggage per person) Gratuies to drivers, guides, hotel and service charges WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Ground Transportaon to and from Toronto Pearson Airport Internaonal Airfare: Toronto to Buenos Aires, Argenna and Sanago, Chile to Toronto Domesc Airfare: There will be 2 ights within Argenna and 1 ight within Chile Early check-in or late check-out at the hotels All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages purchased at the hotels or restaurants Gratuies to waiters for those meals not included in the package Gratuies to the housekeeping sta Addional excursions and extra meals not included in the package Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature Travel and Medical insurance. Cancellaon and medical insurance should be purchased at me of booking. Travel by Coco TPI will be able to provide each person with the cost based on their age and medical condion. Entry visa for Argenna: Consult with Travel agent about how to purchase. Canadians must purchase a visa before arriving in Argenna. As of Sept 20, 2017 the cost quoted is $ 92.USD. At this me there is no visa requirement to enter Chile. Items not menoned above Registration opened October 15, 2017 HOW TO REGISTER Go to haltonoutdoorclub.ca ; Choose Schedules from the horizontal menu; click on Overnight / Extended Trips to find this trip. There are 20 spots available. To register, make payment to HOC and to the travel agent as described in #1 below. PAYMENT SCHEDULE 1. Starting Oct 15, 2017: register online and also contact the travel agent. Pay the $25 fee online to HOC when you register and contact the travel agent to make Deposit #1 of $ Dec 14, 2017: Final day to pay Deposit #1 of $500 per person to the travel agent. 3. Mar 14, 2018: Deposit #2 of $500 per person is due. This amount is refundable up to 90 days prior to trip departure. 5. Aug 10, 2018: Full balance is due. Non-refundable. After this date all payments are non-refundable. Cancellation Notes: Full Refund: If the trip is cancelled due to a lack of participants, you will receive a full refund. Full Refund minus $25 HOC fee: if you cancel by Dec , Deposit #1 of $500 will be refunded. (After Dec 15, 2017, Deposit #1 is non-refundable.) 13

14 09/2018 $500 Refund: The $500 deposit you make on March (Deposit #2) is refundable if you cancel between Mar and early Aug (You can cancel up to 90 days before departure to qualify for this refund) No Refunds: are issued after the Aug 10, 2018 full balance is paid. TRAVEL AGENT Travel By Coco: Coco Toth Office direct line: Cell: Nottinghill Gate Oakville, ON L6M 1K5 Oakville office regional address and phone number: TICO# The Halton Outdoor Club assumes no responsibility for any advertising set out in the Newsletter or any other written material provided by other parties. Send articles and pictures for the newsletter to the HOC News Editor at Club Items for Sale Club Badges- $5 each. These badges contain the Club name and logo and can be sewn onto any cloth surface. Great for promotion of the Club. You may purchase these badges on the ski busses. Club I.D. tags- one for $3.00 or two for $5.00. These tags are great to attach to your back pack or your fanny bag, ski bag, pannier, etc. They contain on one side places for your name and identification. The other side contains information with regard to your health. They are meant to identify your gear and to let a trip leader know important health information in the event of an injury to you. You may purchase these tags on the ski buses. We are always looking for great pictures to feature in our newsletter. Just Point, Click, Send! But remember.. All photo must have a doc file attached to explain the photo And... Please note all articles must be proofed Before being submitted to the newsletter editor! 14

15 Collingwood Bruce Trail Hiking Trip Sat., October 13 Mon., October 15, 2018 Jim and Patti Blair 09/2017 Here is an inspirational quote that describes the Pretty River Provincial Park Area: Pretty River Valley has it all. It is stunning in all four seasons. Each time I explore this beautiful piece of the Bruce Trail my gratitude increases. Knowing I can walk amongst the creeks, ponds and melt water channels, that I can take in beautiful views from the heights of the Escarpment - it fills me with delight and a youthful energy. I encourage you to visit this special place. You will not be disappointed. - Hart Fisher Our accommodation: We will stay in Collingwood at the newly renovated Comfort Inn. It is located just outside the downtown area and is close to grocery stores, restaurants, bars and Tim Horton s. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, fitness room, and free WIFI. Rooms are not equipped with a mini fridge but this will be addressed later. Trip Cost: The trip cost is a very reasonable $340 for double occupancy and $475 for single occupancy. The Trip Package Includes: transportation by luxury coach two nights accommodation two breakfast buffets with hot and cold options We ran this trip in the early spring of 2017 but some unfortunate weather prevented us from completing the hikes to their fullest. We are keen to try again! The fall season is bound to offer some wonderful new perspectives. We also love that these trails are close to home yet they include some of the finest hiking the Bruce Trail has to offer. Itinerary: We are tentatively scheduled to leave Burlington at 8:30 on Saturday from our new departure location in the north east corner of the Mainway Arena parking lot. We will travel by coach bus up to the Collingwood area, stopping en route to hike the Dufferin Highlands section of the Bruce Trail in Boyne Valley Provincial Park. The second day we will hike the lovely Pretty River Valley Provincial Park, a short distance outside Collingwood. The shorter hike on this day may allow an early drop off back in Collingwood for those wanting to cruise the town. On the third day we will explore the Bruce Trail and the unique Metcalfe Crevice in the Kolapore region. After hiking we plan a stop at the famous Ravenna Country Market. The bus will return to Burlington before 6:00 p.m. on Monday. The Hikes: Our goal is to offer a long, medium and short option on all hikes. The approximate distances will be: long hikes kms; medium hikes 8 10 kms; short hikes 6-7 kms. Distances may vary depending on the terrain, weather, and availability of pick up and drop off points. Our hikes will take advantage of the beautiful escarpment landscape in this region, meaning there will be ups and downs. The long hikes will have more elevation change and if possible the short hikes will be less challenging. As is typical of the Bruce Trail Escarpment, the footing may sometimes be tricky. Our trails will take us through hardwood bush, open meadows, river lowlands to many scenic lookouts. Hikers should be prepared with appropriate raingear, waterproof and supportive hiking boots, hiking poles and should be able to carry a daypack with ample water and food for a day of hiking. one dinner at a local establishment, taxes and tip included (drinks and desserts may be extra) taxes and gratuities, except gratuity for room cleaning guided hikes everyday Not included in the trip package: one dinner (a list of local options will be provided, most within walking distance) snacks and lunch food for on the trail Registration: You will register and pay for the trip in full on-line. Registration opened on May Cancellation Policy: You may cancel up to September 10, 2018 and only be charged a $25.00 processing fee. After September 10, you will be responsible for any costs that the club has incurred on your behalf. This could include transportation, accommodation, meals, leader subsidy etc. If you cancel out of double occupancy you will also be charged for the cost difference for your roommate. In Summary: We are excited to offer a genuine hiking trip that highlights such a beautiful section of the Bruce Trail. We hope we get to see some of the sights that we missed on our trip in We hope you are excited to join us! 15

16 A Superior Ski and Snowshoe Adventure in Thunder Bay Registration and Payment Schedule 09/2018 Payment for your flight will be made to our travel agent. Payment for the land portion of the trip will be made to the club via our website. Here are the steps to follow. Trip is full but wait list has been started Here is an opportunity to enjoy a quintessentially Canadian experience in Ontario's north. The rugged terrain which rims the northern shore of the Lake Superior calls to the heart of what many of us see as an integral part of our Canadianism. A sense of awe paired with purity speaks to us through the image of clear blue water and white snow-covered hills. The area offers 110 km. of groomed ski trails and numerous hiking trails for snowshoeing. Winter temperatures in the Thunder Bay region tend to be quite consistent, so good snow conditions are likely. The Sleeping Giant International Loppet is an option for anyone who is interested in a little extra fun and excitement. You can ski 8kms., 20kms., 35kms. or 50kms. in the Loppet. Trip Leader... Teri Kramer Trip Date... February 26th 2019 to March 3rd 2019 Location... Thunder Bay, Ontario The cost of the trip is $1325. This price includes... - a return flight - Toronto International / Thunder Bay - 5 nights Towneplace Suites by Marriot in Thunder Bay - coach bus ground transportation - trail passes for skiing and snowshoeing - 5 breakfasts and 2 dinners The price does not include. - 4 dinners - lunches - alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (available for individual purchase) 1. Register for the trip on our HOC website. 2. Pay $ to the club with your registration. This amount covers the cost of land portion of the trip including a $25.00 processing fee. 3. Contact Jill Sanderson, our agent at Teachers' Travel Service 21 St. Clair Ave. East, Suite 1003, Toronto On M4T1L jill@teacherstravel.com 4. Pay a $ deposit to Jill by Thursday May 24, Provide Jill with the following information... - Full name as it appears on photo ID used to travel in Canada - Address for a confirmation - Phone number and address 6. Pay $ to Jill at Teachers' Travel to cover the balance of your flight cost. Payment is due by Wednesday November 21, Cancellation Policy 1. Flight costs paid to Teachers' Travel are not refundable after Wednesday November 21st, If you cancel before Friday December 14th, 2018, you will receive a refund for the amount paid to the club for the land portion of the trip minus the $25.00 processing fee. Your refund will be processed online. After December 14th this payment is not refundable unless a suitable replacement can be found (i.e. from the club waiting list) and the replacement can be made without incurring costs to the club. If a replacement cannot be found you will be responsible for the processing fee plus all costs incurred by the club on your behalf. If the entire trip must be cancelled due to lack of participation, you will receive a full refund. For information contact Teri at terikramer@gmail.com 16

17 09/2017 BRANTFORD HIKE September PADDLING PAINTED ROCKS GEORGIAN BAY WEEKEND SEP Short Break - 2 nights This will be a back-country camping and paddling trip on Georgian Bay so you will need to have your own gear for kayaking and for back-country camping. We will paddle up to 15km per day at an easy pace pace of 4km - 5km per hour. Our route will take us around a large selection of islands and rocks on Georgian Bay and possibly through a pretty nice river/marsh depending on conditions. Skill Level: B2 Enquiries: letsgokayaking1@gmail.com Trip Leaders: Declan Treacy Skill Level: B2 letsgokayaking1@gmail.com RESERVE YOUR SPOT: Registration is limited to 6 registrants including the leaders, and is open to members of The Halton Outdoor Club. Registration opens April BRANTFORD HIKE--S.C. Johnson Trail and Grand Valley Trail. Home of Alexander Graham Bell, Wayne Gretzky,Hazel Rook and Debbie Ford Hike Information: On Sunday, Sept. 30th at 9:00am, we will hike a section of the S.C. Johnson Trail from Waterworks Park to the SC Johnson parking lot at Powerline Road with an option to cover part of the Grand Valley Trail(extra 1 km). This 12 km hike will be on a combination of stonedust and dirt with spectacular views of the Grand River and some Historic sites along the way. The route is classified as an easy walk with a moderate section on the Grand Valley Trail. The pace of the hike will be 3 to 4 km per hour with stops for snacks and views. Directions: This hike is a car shuttle adventure. We will meet at the finish line and then share a car ride back to the start. Drive along the 403 to Brantford exit, at #33 - Paris Road. Stay right on the exit. Drive north on Paris Road to Powerline Road. Turn Left on Powerline Road to the very end. Park in the lot and wait. We will car shuttle back to Waterworks Park to start the hike. Instructions: The hike will have trip leaders and sweeps. Please bring your back pack,hiking boots, poles, water, snacks, suntan lotion, bug spray, bug mesh(optional), extra clothing,hat and sun glasses. Please do not leave your valuables visible in your car. This is a linear hike from point A to point B with no places to drop out until we reach the "finish line". Look up this trail on the internet for more information. Post Hike Information: We will all gather at the finish Line and drive back to the start to retrieve the shuttle cars. We will reap the rewards of our hike with a social gathering in a pub/restaurant in Paris overlooking the Grand River. Need confirmed numbers for the pub/restaurant by Thursday night Sept.27th Open to all members and is a good training hike for those going to Collingwood or other hiking adventures. Please register on line, even though there is no cost, so the trip leaders know the numbers to expect. Certified Trip Leaders: Frank Cooney and Hazel Rook. Sweeps: Susan Cooney and Debbie Ford. For further information contact Frank fscooney@hotmail.com 17

18 09/2018 Total cycle distance is 252 kms. Total Cost: CYCLE THE CAMINO PORTUGAL COAST TWO-WEEK ADVENTURE PORTUGAL AND SPAIN Includes a 7 day cycling trip taking the Portuguese Coastal Camino route that will appeal to both trail riders and road cyclists. Trip Leader: Madeleine Davidson: msdavidson0000@gmail.com of Teacher's Travel and organized with the assistance Cycling portion arranged and led by CaminoWays, a UK provider specializing in Camino excursions. Highlights Cycle The Portuguese Coastal Camino or Caminho da Costa; a stunning alternative route to the traditional Portuguese Camino Discover the wild Atlantic beauty and sandy beaches of Northern Portugal and Galicia Taste delicious seafood and wine Stay in charming seaside towns and fishing villages Double Occupancy: $5036 per person Single Occupancy: $5696 Airfare Toronto return all ground transportation bicycle rental luggage transportation on cycle days CaminoWays guide 14 nights accommodation all breakfasts 4 dinners on cycle days Sintra tour with lunch Fado show and dinner in Lisbon half day Lisbon tour club registration fee Price does not include: lunches dinners except where indicated items of a personal nature tips for hotel personnel (optional) entry fees to attractions except where indicated alcoholic beverages Feel refreshed by the coastal feel of this scenic Camino de Santiago trail. 18

19 09/2017 Continued page 11 cycle camino NEW TRIP Please appreciate that the Camino journey is a pilgrimage, and on the route when dinners are included we will be served The Pilgrim menu which is usually simple such as soup, pasta and dessert. It is a group menu so offers no choice. Registration opened July RESERVE YOUR SPOT: Complete steps one, two and three Step one: Gather your documents. When you are ready to register, to avoid last minute scrambling, make sure you have the following close at hand: your passport: This is information required by the airline: we need issuing country, your passport number, the passport date of expiry, the full name on your passport and your date of birth (date format DD MMM YYYY e.g. 01 FEB 1949) your medical insurance information: Do you want to purchase insurance through the travel agent? Do you already already have insurance? We need the name and contact number of the insurance company plus the policy number. If you decline insurance, please have your OHIP number handy. Step two: Choose "Register". Fill in the required information online and make your $25 non-refundable payment online. Step three: Contact the Travel Agent (see below). Pay a deposit of $500 per person to Teachers Travel Service no later than Aug 7, See Trip Information Sheet for additional payment details. TRAVEL AGENT: Teachers Travel Service ~ Cathy Kinloch ~ Office direct line: ~ 21 St. Clair Ave East ~ Toronto, ON M4T 1L9 SAVE THESE DATES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, FEBRUARY 17, 2019 Freda and Clive Wright Three days of skiing in the near North. The plan is to depart Burlington on Friday, February 15, 2019 at approximately 0800 hours. Friday afternoon will be spent skiing in Arrowhead Provincial Park in the heart of Muskoka. Arrowhead offers 28 kms of ski trails and 8+ kms of snowshoeing trails. Saturday, February 16, 2019 will find us driving to the North Bay Nordic Ski Club. The North Bay Club has a variety of trails ranging from easier to more difficult to most difficult. Skiers are rewarded with rolling terrain, long downhill runs and spectacular views, depending upon the trail one takes. The NBNSC offers a variety of snow trails totalling almost 8 kms. Sunday, February 17, 2019 we will be head to Georgian Nordic Ski Club in Parry Sound. This area is part of the Canadian Shield. I do not believe our Club has skied here so this will be a new experience. The GNSC offers 30 kms of skating and classic trails, plus an official snowshoe trail of 4.5 kms but with an option to snowshoe in the forest where there is plenty of open space. Our accommodation will be at the Holiday Inn Express in Huntsville, and will include a full hot breakfast each morning. We will enjoy a group meal in Parry Sound at the Wellington Pub and Grill midafternoon prior to our drive home. We plan to arrive in Burlington at approximately 2000 hours. More details will follow shortly with respect to cost, restaurants and cancellation policy, etc. This trip will be advertised in a future Updater and on the Website. We are hoping that registration will open the middle of September. 19

20 Worlds Largest Fresh Water Archipelago 09/2018 Peggy Humber Sept 2018 We stuffed our boats full of all the items we needed for our trip and then looked at our compasses ready to paddle our redetermined setting and make our way out to Cathcart Island. This island is crownland camping at its best. 1s0x4d2b9966e9cfdc3b:0x1718c d524!8m2! 3d !4d What is an archipelago, you ask? The Oxford Dictionary defines an Archipelago as an extensive group of islands, or A stretch of water having many islands Together, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay make up the longest stretch of freshwater coast in the world. Georgian Bay is a 13,000 square km water basin in eastern Lake Huron and is home to over 30,000 islands. It is an archipelago designated by the World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. We Could not have asked for better weather and the sunset every night provided the colours that only come from natures painbox. By the way, this is a short story because a picture is worth a 1000 words. Photo Credits Debbie Leishman//Paul Humber Georgian Bay is known for its extreme beauty and majestic scenery, but it is also a rich and diverse biosphere. The Archipelago hosts landscapes that are breathtaking and rough, and is loved for its organic terrain and clear waters. The area is also home to the largest diversity of reptile and amphibian species in Canada. It is home to the Massassauga Rattle Snake, Eastern Fox Snake, Eastern Hognose Snake, the Spotted Turtle and Ontario s only lizard, the Five Lined Skink. The Archipelago also supports much unique flora and many rare and uncommon animals that thrive in this area. To Paddle around this area is an opportunity to see and experience an area of Canada that very few every get to enjoy We started our trip from the Wasauksing First Nation marina. 1s0x0:0xc0da5a44eeb35893!8m2!3d !4d Their reserve constitutes the Parry Island in Georgian Bay. The island is about 19,000 acres of lakeshore, making it one of the larger islands in the Great Lakes. The Wasauksing First Nation now occupies the entire island. 20

21 09/2017 Extended Trip Report September 2018 Bonnie Quinn To check out the trips that the Club is offering currently, please go to our website: and then click on Members found on the home page menu towards the top. Then click on Extended Trips. You may click on the name of the trip which will then link you to an article that provides you with all of the trip details. To register for any trip, follow the registration instructions in the trip article. If members need to cancel out of these extended trips on or before the cancellation date, we will refund you your trip cost minus a $25 processing fee through PayPal. You will get your refund directly onto your credit card. If a trip is full and you wish to have your name added to a wait list, register for the trip but do not pay. You will be asked to pay, once you have been placed on an active list. Future Trips- Hiking Gaspe Hiking Trip- Sept.4 to Sept.16, 2018 Closed Collingwood- October 13-15, Trip full. Chili and Argentina Hiking Trip- Nov. 13 to Dec. 1, Trip full and Closed Future Trips- Kayaking Kayaking Barkley Sound, B.C.- Sept.7-15, Trip full Paddling Painted Rocks, Georgian Bay- Sept. 7-9, Trip full Future Trips- Skiing Italy and Austria Ski Trip- Jan. 25- Feb.9, Trip full. Huntsville Ski and snowshoe trip- Feb , 2019 Thunder Bay Ski and Snowshoe Trip- Feb. 26- Mar. 3, Trip full. Future Cycling Trips Cycle the Camino- Portugal and Spain- Sept. 6, Trip full. The Halton Outdoor Club assumes no responsibility for any advertising set out in the Newsletter or any other written material provided by other parties. Send articles and pictures for the newsletter to the HOC News Editor at editor@haltonoutdoorclub.ca 21

22 09/2018 Halton Outdoor Club Game Changer Page This is a new feature of the Newsletter and we would love to hear from all our members how the Halton Outdoor Club has enriched their lives. HOC enables us to meet with like minded friends that eventually become more like family then just activity aquantanese. We want to hear from our members so that we can sharing what this club means to the many members. Send to editor@haltonoutdoorclub.ca Who Could Have Known How Life Was About Change? My name is Teri Kramer and I am Vice-President of our cherished Halton Outdoor Club. Nine years ago I was Teri, retired teacher, looking around for a path back into crosscountry skiing. Here is my life changing story. Future H.O.C.Winter Activities, NO!.Just Kidding On a Monday in December 2009, I found an online listing for the Halton Outdoor Club. A phone call to Bonnie, our manager, set things in motion. After hearing about the ski program, I joined the club and signed up for a ski lesson on the coming Saturday. Tuesday, I drove to Tumblehome in Burlington and allowed myself to be outfitted with new ski gear from head to toe. Wednesday, I received a call from Brent, the ski instructor who would be teaching the lesson I planned to take. We chatted a couple of times during the week. When I arrived at the ski bus on Saturday morning, Brent met me at the door. I suspect that he didn t realize the prophetic nature of his words. He said, I am going to introduce you to some people that you will have fun with. I met a bunch of adventurous, fun-loving women. I ve never looked back. Many of those women are my good friends today. Cherie, who has been my sidekick in multitudinous activities, was in that group. We have skied and hiked, skied and hiked, and skied and hiked some more. Kayaking has been a part of the equation too. A position on the executive added another dimension to what had become a new way of living. Nine years later, here I am with many wonderful friends in the HOC, our special club. Each season presents new exciting opportunities to get outdoors and have fun. If you are not a member I urge you to go for it. Join. Your life will never be the same. By Teri Kramer 22

23 09/2017 Laughs & Links Remember to sign up for the Facebook Paddle Page Remember to sign up for the Facebook Road Riders Page 2017 Paddle Schedule Link 2017 Road Ride Schedule Remember to sign up for the Facebook Trail Riders Page 2017 Hiking Schedule 2017 Trail Ride Schedule

24 Membership Advantages 09/2018

25 09/2017 Membership Discounts Ancaster Cycle 365 Wilson Street East Ancaster % off regular priced parts, accessories and clothing. Does not include bikes or labour. Central Cycle 965 King Street East Hamilton % off regular priced items Brant Cycle 892 Brant Street Burlington % off all regular priced products. Does not include bikes, trailers or labour Adventure Attic 28 King Street West Hamilton % off regular priced items Pieriks Cycle 840 King Street West - Westdale % off regular priced items. Does not include bikes or labour. Grand River Kayak 2 Port Maitland Road % off regular priced items, lessons & tours 182 Concession 10 S, Clearview Township, P.O. Box 110 Duntroon, / % off on full priced items Rock and Road Cycle 2501 Guelph Line Burlington, Ontario (905)

26 09/2018 Hikers Haven Europe Bound 166 South Service Road East % off all equipment rentals, & regular-priced clothing, footwear and camping gear over $100. Rack Attack Mississauga 3145 Dundas Street West, Unit % off racks. Oakville Cycle and Sports Ltd 105 Cross Ave - Trafalgar Village % off all regular priced items. The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co. 199 Lakeshore Road East, Unit A % off of all "Woolpower" products, All The Right Gears 442 Millen Road % off regular priced items. Does not include bikes and labour. Bicycle Works 316 Dundas Street East Waterdown % off all in-store items. 15% off tune ups before April 15th. Does not include bikes or labour. A Big Thank you to Donna Barber for her beautiful picture on our front cover this edition. Thanks Donna Nice Shot! Share your great ideas that you have discovered to make your favorite activity with the Halton Club even better. Here is an Example I always bring kids swimming noodles from the dollar store with me on HOC Kayak trips. That way if I need to leave my boat parked on a rocky beach I just slip them under my kayak to avoid more dents and scratches on my kayak. Share your great inventions with other HOC members. Prize for the best idea! ideas to editor@haltonoutdoorclub.ca 26