Powell River to Sechelt

Road trip. 🙂

Yvonne picked up a rent-a-car. We left Parksville 8am for our long planned circuit via the Sunshine Coast.

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ferry #1 – Comox to Powell River

Powell River is a virtual island on the mainland, accessible only by water.

… Powell River was at one time the largest pulp and paper mill in the world. In its prime, one in every 25 newspapers in the world was printed on paper from the Powell River mill. However, since then it has significantly cut back on production …

We turned north to Lund, the end of Highway 101, mile zero.

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Lunch at Nancy’s Bakery.

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Ferry #2 – Saltery Bay to Earl’s Cove was the highlight of the day for Mom. Gorgeous weather. It reminded her of the fjords of Norway.

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The highlight of my day was learning of the Sunshine Coast Trail.

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… a 180-kilometre trail that stretches from Sarah Point in Desolation Sound to Saltery Bay. …

… this epic trail now boasts seven huts with two more planned this year, making it the only free hut-to-hut hiking experience in Canada. …

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No fees. No registration. Easy access from multiple trailheads means you can resupply en route. Next year. 🙂

___

We’d decided in advance not to plan our road trip, but make it up as we went along. One B&B had a weird vibe. We ended up instead drinking wine at sunset outside the Driftwood Motel in Sechelt.

… known for its natural beauty, being a popular destination for those interested in kayaking, diving, snowshoeing and skiing, hiking and backpacking, camping, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. …

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We enjoyed a terrific dinner at the Driftwood.

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more photos

Gymnastics TRIP to southern Africa

updated September 15, 2014

If interested in taking part on this tour June 2015, you’ll need to decide soon. I ask for a verbal commitment by October 12th. I’ll email each person who’s expressed interest personally by that date.

So far I have only 2 people committed:

Rick McCharles – organizer
Wesley Chirima – coach at Calgary Gymnastics Centre

estimated BUDGET (each person pays their own costs)

I’m certain that CDN $4000 would be more than enough for 2-3 weeks. As we’ll be hosted by Gym Clubs en route, we’ll have opportunities to save money by billeting with families, if we wish.

$1600 flight Ottawa JoBurg return
$150 flight JoBurg to Capetown
$200 flight Capetown to Windhoek
$200 flight to Windhoek to JoBurg

$200 for 3 nights hotel Capetown

$500 for 3 day tour of Kruger Nat Park (we’ll get a good deal)

Opt-in Etosha or Skeleton Coast trips would cost less than $500 each. We’ll take a big African camping truck.

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Questions? Suggestions?

RickMcCharles@gmail.com
___
Gymnastics is a great excuse to travel. I’m hoping to organize a gymnastics holiday in Namibia and South Africa for gymnasts, parents and coaches.

• training in Johannesburg, South Africa
• training in Swakopmund, Namibia

• big game safari to  Kruger

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• optional or Etosha or Skeleton Coast side trip to see the desert elephants

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•  side trip to Capetown

Two weeks minimum, your trip could easily be extended.

Accommodation with gymnastics families or hotel.

One good window for the trip is the month of June 2015:

GYMNASTICS TRAINING WEEKS

wk 1 – fly to Johannesburg
… transport directly to Kruger National Park for 3 day safari (while jetlagged)
… 4 days training / sightseeing at Visions Gymnastics, Johannesburg

wk 2 – fly from Lansaria Airport, close to the gym, to Cape Town
… 3 nights sightseeing
… fly to Windhoek, Namibia
… transport to Swakopmund on the coast
… 4 days training / sightseeing at Swakopmund Gymnastics

depart
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wk 3 options include:

• desert elephant safari
• safari to Etosha National Park

One of the gymnastics families in Swakopmund runs Ondjamba Safaris. I’ll be doing one or both of those tours.

Stay on longer, if you like. Or travel earlier and meet us in Johannesburg. I’ll be doing that myself, most likely hiking Fish River Canyon in Namibia. Possibly Blyde Canyon near JoBurg.

___ Notes:

There’s a low risk of malaria in Namibia and southern South Africa, but check with your local travel clinic for “official” advice.

June is winter in southern Africa. Johannesburg will be temperate. Cape Town most probably windy and blustery.

 

Fill out the form below if you want to be updated by email on dates, costs and details.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

zebra

 

Ron and I cycling Whistler

In the heart of Whistler lays Lost Lake Park; a recreational wonderland just steps away from the village. Summer activities include hiking, walking, swimming, canoeing and cycling.

The park boasts an incredibly fun network of mountain bike trails referred to as Zappa Trails. This extensive network of manicured pea gravel pathways, along with fun rocky and rooty singletrack trails take the rider from one end of the park to the other and provide ample opportunities for families, beginner and intermediate riders to explore Lost Lake on their mountain bikes.

The Zappa Trails are a favourite among locals looking to get out for a quick cruise after work or when short on time. The trails are well marked and maintained year round by the Resort Municipality of Whistler, making them relatively easy to navigate. If you do get lost, you’ll find maps at all the major junctions to get you back on track.

The Zappa Trails are well suited to families looking at exploring Lost Lake on two wheels. …

Bike Pirate

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more photos

(via Best Hike)

visiting Quesnel, B.C.

My first visit to the north, central B.C. town. I was there for a 5-day Gymnastics course.

Located nearly evenly between the cities of Prince George and Williams Lake, Quesnel is on the main route to northern British Columbia and the Yukon.

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The sunsets were brilliant due to forest fire haze. Forestry is the town’s lifeblood.

It’s on the confluence of the Fraser and Quesnel rivers.

I mostly walked and jogged the North and West Side Quesnel Trails when I wasn’t in the gym.

farewell Port Townsend

I had another wonderful visit hosted by Doug and Diana Davis.

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I was there finishing final videotaping of Gymnastics Games. They should be released SOON. 🙂

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Port Townsend is for outdoor adventure. I spent a lot of time on Doug’s excellent road bike.

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Doug just invested in a company producing Elf bicycles in the USA.

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I had one issue. An ingrown nail blew up. For some days I considered fleeing to the socialized Health Care of Canada.

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It quickly healed after we released the pus. A-OK now.

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Farewell PT. I should be back after New Years. 🙂