Lambton Outdoor Club
December 2021 e-Newsletter | With the New Year fast approaching, it is a time of reflection to our past year as well as looking forward to the new year with renewed anticipation and hope. This time to pause is important as we remember family and friends (some we lost this past year) that helped us experience the beauty of the outdoors and in some cases those memories make Christmas a difficult time for some of us. Our club has always had a great group of volunteers and leaders who step up to fill a need when called. Many new members shared their expertise at the events, and made the hiking, cycling and paddling trips even more interesting. I want to thank all the event leaders for continuing to provide opportunities for us to get together and experience the many interesting places in our province.
The year started with a lockdown and our Provincial Parks not opening until June for camping. Barb and I had our April trip to the Pinery and May trip to MacGregor cancelled. We made up for our lost RV camping by having wonderful trips to Charleston and Earl Rowe in June/July and Killbear in September and Arrowhead in October. Those were our glamping experiences with our trailer where we enjoyed kayaking, cycling and hiking. There were numerous events that we enjoyed in July as well since we had a good summer to be outside with club members on the water, roads and trails. We also enjoyed two wilderness canoe trips to Rocky Island Lake and Aubrey Falls north of Thessalon in August, as well Temagami with more challenging portages a week later.
We now look forward to a winter camping experience in a yurt at MacGregor Provincial Park January 2nd for four nights. Hopefully there will be lots of snow for cross country skiing. To get a site for camping we have to book a reservation five months in advance, which seems necessary because of the popular demand for campsites in the Provincial Parks system, especially the May long weekend and the summer holiday months. We are also going downhill skiing at Silver Star in Vernon B.C. from January 19th to March 2nd, so that will be our annual winter get away.
We hope everyone had a safe and joyful Christmas and hope to see you on our annual New Years Day hike which will probably be limited to an outdoor hike only, without the much loved potluck dinner and presentation inside the church.
With kind regards, Nico van Dyl
| The winter activities committee is planning a cross country skiing, snow shoeing and downhill skiing trip to Collingwood on February 14,15 &16. There are several areas where we can cross country ski and snowshoe, with Scenic Caves being the main one. Rentals are available there. Blue Mountain is there for the downhill skiers.
We will be staying at the Collingwood Days Inn again. Their rates are $130.00/night with two queen beds. If we book at least ten rooms the Days Inn will block the rooms out and we get a better rate. Due to the Days Inn Covid policy the sit-down breakfast is NOT available. They have a "Grab & Go" breakfast. That's a bag with milk, instant oatmeal, pastry, fruit cup, cereal bar and a bottle of water. Coffee is available in the lobby.
We will be following the LOC's Covid policy. Members only. For those who want to carpool and share a room you can arrange that on your own.
Submitted by Brian Seabrook
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Winter Adventures in B.C.
| A few years ago we happened upon the concept of housesitting in different areas, just about anywhere in the world; we decided to give it a try. You essentially make your way to the house sit location, live in their home and almost always look after one or more pets. You are not paid for this service but get to experience life as a local in many diverse locations. This concept has allowed us to stretch our retiree budget further by staying for no cost at some great destinations.
Most years we head south to the US for a few months to enjoy some warmer weather and maybe miss some of the harsh winter weather. Due to Covid-19, for two winters now, we have decided to remain in Canada. We had thoughts of maybe a destination like Vancouver Island BC where the winters can be relatively mild, but due to people not travelling as much the last couple years, the housesitting opportunities dried up a little. Much to our surprise and delight, we found a longer term sit of four + months, applied for it, and were accepted by the homeowners.
We made the long drive, so we’d have our vehicle and not have to rent (very expensive) in BC. Plus, we’d never driven west through Canada, which everyone should do at least once. We’re settled in now on Vancouver Island in the beautiful area of Ladysmith, BC in an oceanfront home with a beautiful Newfie dog in our care. As I write this article from the couch, I am looking out at the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver island and the mainland at the beauty of the sky and sea.
We knew to expect lots of rain, with our first month of November not letting us down. We were here for the three atmospheric river storms that hit the area and caused such destruction and heartbreak on the mainland. Luckily for us, we had a lot of rain, but no major flooding or washed-out roads. We can get out and walk thanks to technology and minute-by-minute rain forecasts. When there is a gap, we get out to a nearby trail or park and then hunker down with a good book when the rain hits.
We have been in awe of the beauty of this area and do not have to go far in any direction to find amazing, forested trails with lakes, streams and waterfalls. Some of what the locals call a city park, are areas with majestic, towering trees and lush rainforest foliage. They take trail maintenance seriously keeping the trails well-cleared, with planned drainage engineered in. We always expect mud after steady rains, but the trails are always very walkable.
This was never in the original cards for us, but we couldn’t be happier with our decision. Not only did we travel across this vast country to get here, but we’re staying long enough to thoroughly explore the area and appreciate all that is has to offer. The people of the region are extremely friendly, and they embrace the outdoors; on our daily hikes we see tons of people of all ages out walking or riding their bikes and breathing the fresh air and enjoying nature. It will be a different Christmas and New Years this year for sure – and we wish all of you the best!!
Note: At the time of this writing, we are experiencing record cold temperatures and lots of snow. Oh well!!!
Submitted by Chris and Rod Richmond
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Hiking through the mighty woods
on Vancouver Island
| | | 5th November 1991 - 2021
30 Years in the Outdoors
| This year the Lambton Outdoor Club celebrated 30 wonderful years of bringing outdoors activities to all its members.
Here is a brief history on the formation of the LOC.
In 1989 I met a gentleman by the name of Delmar Ellis. Delmar was a Scout Leader and an avid outdoors man. He would arrange canoe and hiking trips. He had a "list" of people whom he would call and invite on his many trips. On one such hiking trip I met a wonderful woman by the name of Barbara Ann Pitchford, 5'-2", eyes of blue and blond. We found that we enjoyed so much in common with canoeing, hiking and the love of dogs, cats and the outdoors. The outcome was inevitable.
Many on Delmar's list felt that a more structured format was needed and with Delmar's help, an advertisement was put in the local Sarnia Observer newspaper, under the heading " Sarnia - Lambton Canoeing and Hiking friends", announcing that a public meeting would be held with the intention of forming an outdoor club and the planning of activities and events for 1992. The first meeting was held on 5th November 1991 in Grace United Church. Most of the attendees were from Delmar's list. Approximately 60 people were in attendance.
It was my honour to be the chair person for that first meeting. The first order of business was to define the Group Mandate, which was in essence, the same as it is today, to bring people together with similar outdoor interests and share each others knowledge and expertise. Next on the agenda was to define the group name.
Many group names were suggested : Lambton Outdoor Adventure Group, Lambton Outdoor Activity Group, Lambton Outing Club, Bluewater Outdoor Association.
The final vote was; Lambton Outdoor Club.
Next a General committee was formed to coordinate and oversee the operation of the club. It consisted of a Chairperson, Co-ordinator, Membership Steward, Newsletter Editor and Secretary/ Treasurer. Then, committee groups were formed for each of the following: Canoeing & Kayaking, Hiking, XC Skiing, Cycling and Newsletter. We also had a Telephone committee. To cover the cost of the newsletter printing and mailing, it was suggested that those present contribute to the cost and $115.00 was donated. Barbara Ann Pitchford was the first Newsletter Editor and was also President in 1993 and again in 2004. In 1993 Barbara Ann and I married and have had many varied and exciting trips with the LOC over the years. LOC has also seen other romantic affairs of the heart blossom, Dorothy and Bill, Chris and Rod, Donna & Larry and Barb and Nico to name a few. The newsletter evolved over many years from being typed up, printed and mailed out to members to the electronic version that we have today. But the content remains basically the same, sharing the experiences and knowledge of all our members.
The LOC website has also seen a huge transition from the first home made version, which debuted in 1998, to the really slick and comprehensive version that we have today. Barbara Ann and I had the honour of being the first and second presidents of LOC and we are proud that we are still members of this wonderful club. From those humble beginnings in 1991 the LOC has now grown to around 300+ members and it is through the hard work and dedication of all you volunteers that we have such a fantastic club.
There are so many people to thank for helping to build the LOC to what it has become today and also for the continuing operation and success of the club, that it is impossible to name you all. But you know who you are.
So! a huge "Thank You" to all of you.
Without you the LOC would not exist......Thank you....Tony Arnold
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Highlights of Cuba by Bike - December 2021
| There was a narrow window of opportunity in the grim wall of COVID-19, and three of us flew through it for a 10 day biking holiday in Cuba. We took a chance and signed on with Enrique, an enthusiastic Cuban cyclist with aspirations of being more than a mechanic and facilitator. The result was a unique adventure and an escape from wifi and the endless reports on COVID-19. The tales could go on for days but for now I’ll share just a few of the amazing moments (in order of encountering them).
• Las Terrazas - a complete eco village in the Sierra del Rosario mountains, 80 km west of Havana. It was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1984. My highlight was the small natural lake with modest, but refreshing San Juan waterfall which was perfect after a long hot day of riding. The place is magical, the vegetation amazing: ferns of all sizes, fascinating trees, and birds soaring overhead seeming to celebrate a gentle rain shower and a cooling breeze. It was 4km from our lodging and the trip there was by horse and cart. The walk back was leisurely and lovely.
• Tobacco farm tour near Pinar Del Rio. I am staunchly anti-tobacco, but the farm and the process are awesome in scope and simplicity. Being in explorer mode I even tried cigars that were freshly made and could understand their appeal. Included in the visit were fresh fruit coladas and sugar cane juice which they extracted as we watched.
• Vinales Valley, also a UNESCO world heritage site. This was the nicest riding of the trip. We covered about 100 km over three days on winding, shaded hills. We encountered a cycling club having a race at impressive speed, explored incredible caves by boat and on foot as we learned their history, and had home grown herbal pina coladas at an eco farm with a spectacular view. Another plus was the fresh country air and casa with a breeze.
• Lunch at Green Sky restaurant. We came upon this with assistance of a Havana tour guide and when the music played I knew why I had come to Cuba. There were never more than 15 people at the roof-top venue and the band played up to us as showmen as well as musicians. I wanted more. Much more.
• The food. Yup. Defying Cuba’s well-earned reputation, the meals prepared and served to us at the Casa Particulares where we stayed and at the reputable restaurants was top quality, including frequent and generous helpings of fresh, natural fruit juice. Selection was limited but clearly talent and food was being directed our way; we were after all the first foreigners many of them had had in two years. We also had samplings of what the locals were having and one dish we tasted when we encountered (and joined in) a small street party was fantastic. The guys had to practically drag me away.
The thing about adventures is you don’t know what you are going to find. This was an adventure. I recommend them wholeheartedly.
Submitted by Sharon Crowe
|  | | Mike, Dave and Sharon with their Cuban guide
|  | | Sharon's piece of Paradise | | |
Lambton Outdoor Club has an opportunity for an energetic communicator to fill the role of Newsletter Editor. As a member of the club, it is a given that you are energetic, and as club outings are extremely social, it is also assumed that you are a communicator. Training will be provided, new ideas welcome and you will be a member of a supportive team. Familiarity with Word, and basic computer skills will be helpful. Interested applicants should contact Mairin Ring at lambtonoutdoorclub@gmail.com.
| As I reflect on this last year, the words of Queen Elizabeth II come to mind as she once described her year: Annus horribilis . This last year really seems to have been a horrible year as far as the Tuesday Easy Hikes have been concerned. The year started with the cancellation of all the hikes that we had planned from 5th January through to end of March. April through to near end of June saw no hikes planned at all.
Things started to look up on 22nd June when we started back with two hikes every Tuesday to accommodate all the new Covid protocols and decreased maximum numbers. These stayed in place till 2nd August when things started to relax a bit and we went back to one hike per Tuesday. Since then, the hikes have been quite well attended, it started slow but the numbers have been increasing.
Today I led the last hike of 2021 around the Dow Wetlands with a group of eight. It was a beautiful morning and the snow and rain stayed away. I would like to thank all my Tuesday hike leaders, without you these hikes wouldn't happen. Lets hope that 2022 will bring better times and the end of this darned Covid.
Hope to see you out on our Tuesday hikes.
Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy New Year.....Tony Arnold
| Please note that these courses are shown on the website but registration is not available at the moment. Details will be added at later date.
Introduction to Canoe Tripping
Mark this date on your calendar: Sunday 3rd April 2022, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
IMPORTANT: At this time, this event is only open to fully vaccinated LOC members.
Registration is not yet open.
Introduction to Kayaking
Mark this date on your calendar: Sunday 10th April 2022, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
IMPORTANT: At this time, this event is only open to fully vaccinated LOC members.
Registration is not yet open.
Basic Map Reading & Navigation Skills Course
Mark this date on your calendar: Sunday 8th May 2022, 2:00pm - 5:00pm.
IMPORTANT: At this time, this event is only open to fully vaccinated LOC members.
Registration is not yet open.
Map Reading and Navigation practice session
Mark this date on your calendar: Sunday 29th May 2022, 2:00 - 4:00pm
IMPORTANT: At this time, this event is only open to fully vaccinated LOC members.
Registration is not yet open.
Tony Arnold
| Local Clubs
Some of our members also support the Lambton Shores Nature Trails, an outdoor group establishing, maintaining and promoting trails in the Ausable Valley, Port Franks and Grand Bend area.
Here is a link to their November Newsletter. | | Join us on New Years Day for a small size group walk through either Canatara or Centennial. If you'd rather not walk with a group we encourage you to walk on your own or with your bubble, take a photo or selfie, let us know where you walked, and we'll create a photo album to remember the day.
Then join us by Zoom at 7:00 pm January 1st as Winston takes us along on his cycling journey on the G2G Rail Trail. Sharon will be doing a draw for a door prize as well. And get ready for the big reveal: who kissed on the last kissing bridge left in Ontario?? |
| Hike, Paddle, Ride... Smile! |
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Lambton Outdoor Club | P.O. Box 653 | Sarnia, Ontario, N7T 7J7
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