Longest Day fundraiser - 6th annual

Again, we lucked out with the weather! Cloudy skis, but nice and warm with no chance of rain.

Thank you to everyone who attended in supporting The Travel Group and the Vancouver Downtown East Side. We raised $500 towards our charities.

Colleen started things off with a welcome and thank you to everyone whom helped her organizing the event. Thank you to Lawrence from Starbuck for the coffee and Madison Avenue Shampoo Bar for the gift prizes.

David followed by telling everyone which charities we'd be supporting this year, WISH, The Potluck Café, and a new one of Saint James Music Academy.

It was great to welcome back Marie from Insight to Wellness, she did a pre race stretch and then we were off.

Alisha was the first to cross the finish line, as the fast runner or the group, with a time of 38:00. 

Most of our walkers were doing a lot of socializing along the way so Joan took the prize with a time of 50:28.

When Clarissa walked up sporting a Viking hat, it was a sure win for her, until Darren put on his Turkish hat and tied up the "wild hat" category.

There were so many sexy shorts that Tara and Karen both took a prize. Tara with colourful girly shorts with fringe. And Karen in her silver metallic shorts and an "I hate running" tee completed her outfit.

The dogs ran and played with their new squeaky toys, with snacks and great conversation to round out the day.

Thank you everyone for your efforts and coming out this year, we hope to see you next year.

 

Sea to Summit

A few weeks ago the gondola opened in Squamish, with mixed reviews about if this was a good thing to cut down tress and make it a tourist attraction, we put our views aside to check it out.

 

With clouds in the forecast and potential rain for the entire day, we still put on our hiking boots and rain coats on an adventure up a new trail to a new peak behind the Squamish Chief.

 

We were a group of 8, all in good spirits! Starting out early we all met a the parking lot. The FREE lot at Darrell Bay, walking past Shannon falls and onto the Sea to Summit trail.

 

The trail starts off as the same trail as the Chief, so be prepared for a good 20 minute hike UP (like the grouse grind.) It then tapers off giving you a chance to catch your breath before heading up again, this time not quite so steep.

 

The trail is lovely passing all sorts of different terrain. Big stair like rocks, squishy dirt pathway, there is even a chain as well as a rope pull yourself up near the top.

 

Near the top, at marker 332, the trail splits. You can go right or you can go left along Wrinkle Rock Trail (this is the way we took).

 

We finally arrived to the top wet and dirty, after about 3 1/2 hours. There were no views that day, we could not even see across the suspension bridge. Not wanting to get a chill we bought our download ticket ($10 plus tax) and squeeze into the gondola (it holds 8) for the ride down.

 

It looked like a great place to spend the day on a sunny afternoon. There is a lookout at the chief after a small walk, a few other trails to explore. The suspension bridge and a great big patio for a nice pint on a sunny day.

 

You're able to take your dog in the gondola, or even buy them a pass. Complete with their own headshot!

 

We'll be doing this again for sure !