IIDD, Chill November: Sunday, November 25th

Hatred - the anger of the weak. -Alphonse Daudet, writer (1840-1897) 

Jill Barber

This past Saturday we drove up to Squamish to spend the night with close friends, Ruth/Rick. I took my bike along as I hoped to be able to ride the Sea to Sky Highway back from there, weather permitting. 

 As things turned out, the day was simply glorious so I was able to cycle back to Vancouver. Had never ridden that section of highway before so it was quite an adventure. Very busy, with plenty of traffic so I had to really keep my wits about me. Fortunately, shoulder is reasonably wide for most of the way, (Quite narrow along cliff face near Porteau Cove, going north, and right next to railroad tracks, going south. Trains don't bother me, there are few in any event, but reasonably large stones from railway road bed often find there way onto the highway. It would not be a good idea to hit or even run over one as who knows what might happen, particularly since it is single lane traffic in either direction at this point!), and I managed to reach Horsehoe Bay without any mishaps. 

From there one takes Marine Drive and it is a reasonably quiet thoroughfare, particularly on the weekends. Furthermore, I am familiar with the route and enjoy it immensely. Arrived home just after 4:00pm to find Cora Lee and Dusty watching our Grey Cup! Thanks again. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics and Official stats: Squamish to home, today, 11:22am departure, with a few extra dipsy doodles, around Stanley Park, for a grand totale of 100.4K over 4:59:34, AVG 20.0KPH, MAX 50.2KPH. Ride fantastique! Non-Support Team outside the Squamish Waldorf with Rider Intrepide! Cheers, Il Conduttore!

I reached Horseshoe Bay almost 2.5 hours to the second with 51K on the clock. Learned later that Cora Lee had passed me at Lion's Bay, almost two hours from when I left. I didn't notice my car as I suppose I was pretty focused on the roadway, although shoulder is very wide and clean at this particular point. Was very pleased as I had been able to maintain an AVG of 20KPH to that point. The ride from The Squamish Waldorf into town itself is pretty much downhill, quite steep, in fact, coming out of Kintyre Heights, where the Squamiods reside, in more than palatial splendour, bye-the-bye, Dear Reader!

Long grade out of Squamish and the shoulder was littered with both gravel, pine needles and other bits of flotsam and jetsam washed onto the highway from run-off making progress somewhat worrisome at times, depending on traffic, which was quite steady as I left Squamish itself. Didn't find the hills too, too challenging as I had decided just to take things slowly. Once I reached the turnoff to Murrin Park and passed Browning Lake the shoulder was almost completely covered with black grit and so I rode just off the shoulder on the edge of the highway proper.  Another long ascent to the top of the grade leading down into Britannia Beach. Descent of the hill was a tad disconcerting as the shoulder is very narrow at this point and grade allowed me to pick up quite a bit of speed. Unfortunately, I couldn't take advantage of the downhill rush as I was very concerned about condition of shoulder and worried that I might encounter some debris which I might not be able to avoid if I was hurtling along, at over 50KPH or more.

Into Britiannia Beach itself and enjoyed flats as I made for the long climb I knew awaited me! Again, not having ridden this route before, I wondered about the width of the shoulder on the way up as I knew there was a fairly sharp hairpin turn about half-way up the hill, and was slightly nervous about clearance from passing vehicles. As I soon discovered, (having misremembered layout of highway at this point), it was two-lanes on the ascent so I really didn't have to be fussed. Most vehicles passed me in the lane next to the barrier as I plugged along, in lowest of low gears.

Next set of climbing took me to the top of the long, long grade leading into Furry Creek and this descent was more enjoyable as there was more room on the shoulder and no curves so I could see far enough ahead to notice anything that might pose a potential problem for my tires. Climb out of Furry Creek was long but not overly taxing and I knew that I had but one more real "obstacle" to overcome, the narrow passage around the cliff face leading towards Porteau Cove. As I noted above, I managed to negotiate the tight shoulder alongside the railroad tracks, constantly scanning for rocks and stones and fairly deeply inset run-off grates that spelled disaster of some sort if not avoided. 

Once I was on the grade out of Porteau Cove the ride became much more enjoyable as the highway returned to four lanes and the shoulder, almost without exception, was wider and almost totalll free of debris, all the way to the turnoff from the Sea to Sky onto the old highway leading to Horseshoe Bay. I knew that there was a fairly steep hill that one had to deal with, at this point, having driven the other way on a reconnaissance mission a few trips ago. To my great delight, it didn't present mush of a problem as I was able to gather a good head of steam on descent and didn't even need to shift into low gear to achieve the crest. Exhilarated, I slapped myself on the back, metaphorically, Dear Reader, and pushed on to the overpass leading to the route into the Horseshoe Bay Village. 

I had wondered, at the very outset of the ride, when still in Squamish itself, if I would have enough energy left to actually ride down into HBV and then be faced with the fairly demanding climb back up. Pleased to say that I really didn't feel overly taxed and depleted by the effort required to bring me this far so I headed on down into the Village, quite enjoying the rush and swoop of the descent, confident over a route that I've come to know reasonably well, in terms of twists and turns and potential slippery spots.

As well, had also wondered if I'd need to stop to use the park restroom but was more than happy to find that my trusty bladder was not crying for release, (I had studiously avoided having but no more than a small sip or two of java for breakfast at The Squamish Waldorf), and so I set off to "attack" the hill out of HBV. By this time, having tackled numerous inclines that I'd never cycled before, the work of besting inclines with which I was quite familiar seemed like a piece of cake, a walk in the park, a stroll on the beach, so I chuntered along knowing that the "worst" was behind me.

Steve Dawson

Furthermore, I felt reasonably certain that I would be able to maintain my hoped for AVG 20KPH over the duration of the ride. Focusing on this aspect I pushed myself whenever I could and before I knew it, Dundarave Village was in sight. The distance from our place to HB is roughly 35K so I knew, with 51K on the clock there, I would have to make up an additional 15K somewhere along the route if I wished to break the 100K mark. The easiest thing to do was to take another spin around Stanley park Seawall and so I did just that, adding a few incidental dipsy-doodles to Coal Harbour after the initial circumcyle was finished, and then "stormed" home to The Heartbreak Terrace with my goal realized: 100.4K! I must admit, Dear Reader, that I had thought, in passing, that I might try for an additional 10K but this mark was beyond my reserves at this point. The toll of the ride from Squamish was apparent but I took heart in the fact that it was a start. My next challenge will be to do the route from Vancouver to the Waldorfian's Palazzo but this ride, I fear, Dear reader, must wait until the Spring of 2013!

Back home to find Cora Lee anxiously waiting my return! enjoyed a cup or two of java and then took a long shower. We were to have dinner at The Electric Owl before the Jill Barber concert and about 5:45pm Chloë dropped us off near the door. Who should be first in line but Dinao! Ski had managed to obtain tickets for the show when we told her about it on Wednesday when the two of them had been over for dinner. Of course, we were delighted. Unfortunatley, they were unable to make reservations for dinner so we put our coats on a number of chairs just in front of our "ring-side" table to save them while they went down the street to find a restaurant. We were paired with Megan and Mornan, two lovely young woamen and we chatted amicably over dinner and before the concert started. Ski and Dinao and Al, (Ski's brother), returned about 15 minutes before the show was to start and we visited until the lights were dimmed.

As I mentioned, we had simply terrific seats, we could almost reach out and touch the musicians, yet the sound was not deafening, something foe which I was most grateful! All of us were simply overwhelmed by Steve Dawson and his Black Hen house band, the opening act, and then bowled over by Jill, backed by the same astounding musicians. Don't believe I've ever been to a live concert in such a club and enjoyed it so much. Venue is wonderful, not overly large, so there is a very intimate feeling to the performance. It goes without saying that Jill thrilled us with her takes on the classic country numbers while the musicianship was almost beyond belief. We kept looking at one another, goofy grins spread across our faces, shaking our heads in wonderment and amazement. The fact that we were able to share experience with such good friends made it even better than one could possible imagine!

[Cap Global Roots Series and Black Hen Music
 
Jill Barber: A Night of Hank Williams

Date and Venue 25 November 2012, 8pm | Electric Owl, 928 Main Street, Vancouver

Showing her eclectic range, Jill Barber will deviate from her signature lush retro-jazz repertoire for an evening exploring classic country tunes of the 50s with a special tribute to the music of Hank Williams. The evening opens with a set with Steve Dawson and the Black Hen house band performing both archival and contemporary country and Americana material to complement the full set with Jill Barber.]

Funnily enough, when standing in line, we turned around to find that Dennis O'Reilly, good friend from UBC, was standing behind us, with his wife, Claire, and their daughter and her boyfriend. Claire and Dennis were just back from a cycling holiday in the south of France and I was most interested to learn about both their accommodation and the outfit which supplied their bikes. If things work out, I hope to spend the two week so that The Sisterhood will be in Italy riding through the vineyards of Languedoc and lavender fields of Provence!

Visit chez Carr in Yuma Jan, '13

Like I said, I have no idea where we will be when. Phone or email and we'll hope our paths cross. Yes, there is lots to keep you busy here in the Yuma area. Maggie

PS Do you have any contact with Bart Sackrule? He split from his wife 2 1/2 years ago and I have lost him.
 

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Hikers+mauled+grizzly+were+wrong+place+wrong+time/7617410/story.html#ixzz2DUuUfaCL

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Hikers+mauled+grizzly+were+wrong+place+wrong+time/7617410/story.html

That was very nice.  Maybe your were a librarian but you should have been a writer too.  It isn't too late you know. Thank you for sending. Gail

Great!  Love to see you.  

Marco Island is located as far south as you can go on the west coast of FL b/4 you enter the Everglades.  If you are looking at a map hiway 41 goes from Marco straight across to Miami.  That is about a 2 hr drive.

Ft. Meyers is north of us and the airport is about 1 hr drive. 

North of Hywy 41 is  Interstate Hywy 75 which crosses the State from Naples to Fort Lauderdale and that is about 2 hr. drive.  Maybe a bit more but hiway is much better than 41 at a faster speed. 

41 if you are traveling at night you have to watch for gaters who like to cross or sleep on the road.  They make a heck of a speed bump.  We haven't run into any yet but always keep watch.  You might want to keep this in mind tho as there are a couple of "show & tells" to see along the way.  I would take a lunch and stop here and there, overnite in Miami and then fly.  That would give you time to store your car etc.  After you could drive north on the east coast to see those sites. 

 Miami Airport is the pits but it works.  Every hywy ends at the airport and I am always in the wrong lane even with the GPS giving instruction.  I think we have been there 6 or 7 times and still sweat it.  Leaving the airport by car is worse.  It is always nice if you aren't meeting a tight schedule so you are comfortable about going round & round a couple of times.  I understand Fort Lauderdale is much smaller and easier to get in and out of so if you have a choice I'd consider it. 

As for parking your car.......we don't know much about that as we haven't had to do it.  We take a limo to the airport.  You could do that and leave your car here but limo to or from Ft Myers is about $60, & we were quoted to Miame and Ft Lauderdale is about $175.  (all plus 20% tip)  $ may change due to season.  If you are interested we could give you names that we have.  I believe there may be a bus too.  Haven't used that either.


We could drop you off and pick you up at Ft Myers as we would shop on the way etc.  The problem with that idea is we will not be here from 2/5 to 2/18 so I guess that kapoots that idea unless you use the limo to come here 4 your car.  There wouldn't be a problem for you to overnite here while we are gone.  I must tell you up front, we aren't much interested in driving to Miami or Ft Lauderdale which would be a total 4 hr round trip for us.

hate to leave this on a sour note.  I think our being gone after you leave us kind of screws up those last suggestions.  Just can't be helped.  

Let us know your approx times as soon as you know them.  When you are on the road we can keep intouch via phone.  By the way, you might want to put both Jack's and My cell phone in our phone so you have them.  We don't have a house phone.

thanks for this patrick .a great night for sisterhood and brotherhood.thankyou for coming over

I hope our grandson, Elijah, is a as handsome as your two grandsons. There's something pretty handsome about a brown boy! Jeremy was much darker than Elijah, Jamaican born in the Grand Cayman. It's too bad he's not here to see what a great son he had!

Hi Patricio,

Those are great! You do have to admire some people’s ingenuity!! Thanks, Al

Ray,

Thanks for the link to the Guardian books. 

Let me know if you would like to ride Monday. G

George/Pat,

    Would like to ride tomorrow and hopefully I will be out of bed on time. Overnight  frost forecast so probably better if not too early.

Ray

Great!  Love to see you. 

Marco Island is located as far south as you can go on the west coast of FL b/4 you enter the Everglades.  If you are looking at a map hiway 41 goes from Marco straight across to Miami.  That is about a 2 hr drive. 

Ft. Meyers is north of us and the airport is about 1 hr drive. 

North of Hywy 41 is  Interstate Hywy 75 which crosses the State from Naples to Fort Lauderdale and that is about 2 hr. drive.  Maybe a bit more but hiway is much better than 41 at a faster speed. 

41 if you are traveling at night you have to watch for gaters who like to cross or sleep on the road.  They make a heck of a speed bump.  We haven't run into any yet but always keep watch.  You might want to keep this in mind tho as there are a couple of "show & tells" to see along the way.  I would take a lunch and stop here and there, overnite in Miami and then fly.  That would give you time to store your car etc.  After you could drive north on the east coast to see those sites. 

Miami Airport is the pits but it works.  Every hywy ends at the airport and I am always in the wrong lane even with the GPS giving instruction.  I think we have been there 6 or 7 times and still sweat it.  Leaving the airport by car is worse.  It is always nice if you aren't meeting a tight schedule so you are comfortable about going round & round a couple of times.  I understand Fort Lauderdale is much smaller and easier to get in and out of so if you have a choice I'd consider it. 

As for parking your car.......we don't know much about that as we haven't had to do it.  We take a limo to the airport.  You could do that and leave your car here but limo to or from Ft Myers is about $60, & we were quoted to Miame and Ft Lauderdale is about $175.  (all plus 20% tip)  $ may change due to season.  If you are interested we could give you names that we have.  I believe there may be a bus too.  Haven't used that either.

We could drop you off and pick you up at Ft Myers as we would shop on the way etc.  The problem with that idea is we will not be here from 2/5 to 2/18 so I guess that kapoots that idea unless you use the limo to come here 4 your car.  There wouldn't be a problem for you to overnite here while we are gone.  I must tell you up front, we aren't much interested in driving to Miami or Ft Lauderdale which would be a total 4 hr round trip for us.

hate to leave this on a sour note.  I think our being gone after you leave us kind of screws up those last suggestions.  Just can't be helped. 

Let us know your approx times as soon as you know them.  When you are on the road we can keep intouch via phone.  By the way, you might want to put both Jack's and My cell phone in our phone so you have them.  We don't have a house phone. What have I forgotten? Gail
 
 

CALGARY — A couple remains in hospital following a grizzly bear attack Sunday near Kimberley, B.C.
Peter Moody, 80, and his wife Susan Bond, in her late 50s, were walking in a remote area when they came across a mother bear and at least one cub feeding on a deer carcass.
The grizzly attacked the woman, then turned on the man when he tried to help her. The pair was airlifted to a Calgary hospital with serious injuries.
“They’re focused on recovering,” said Guy Moody, Peter’s son.
The couple was walking in a wooded area along Cherry Creek when they found themselves about five metres from where the bears were feeding, said conservation officer Sgt. Joe Caravetta.
He said there’s a chance the bears didn’t hear the hikers approaching as the animals were near a creek and the sound of running water may have masked the sound of footsteps.
“The female hiker was in the front and she was attacked first,” Caravetta said. “Her male companion tried to beat the grizzly bear off of her and the grizzly then turned onto the male hiker, knocking him down and attacking him.”
It’s not clear how long the mauling took place, but eventually the bears left the area, Caravetta said.
Moody managed to walk one to two kilometres to the nearest residence to seek help. The resident went to find Bond, then called 911.
The couple was taken to Cranbrook Hospital, then flown to Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Caravetta said.
He said both had bites to the legs, groin, head and arms and were distraught.
Conservation officers initially got the call around 3 p.m. Sunday but could not get to the scene until the following morning due to darkened skies. They remained in the area to monitor for public safety, before returning to the attack site the following morning, Caravetta said.
Following an investigation, this was deemed a defensive attack and the sow was protecting her young and her kill, he said.
Also, following a canvassing of the area, it was determined these bears had no previous history and had never been the subject of complaints.
As a result, officers have decided not to destroy or pursue the bears, unless they get into further situations of public safety.
“Basically, these bears were doing what bears do. It is very, very unfortunate for these folks to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Caravetta said.
He noted this area is known for grizzly, black bear and cougar activity.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers are assisting with the case.
cho@calgaryherald.com


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Hikers+mauled+grizzly+were+wrong+place+wrong+time/7617410/story.html#ixzz2DUuUfaCL

CALGARY — A couple remains in hospital following a grizzly bear attack Sunday near Kimberley, B.C.
Peter Moody, 80, and his wife Susan Bond, in her late 50s, were walking in a remote area when they came across a mother bear and at least one cub feeding on a deer carcass.
The grizzly attacked the woman, then turned on the man when he tried to help her. The pair was airlifted to a Calgary hospital with serious injuries.
“They’re focused on recovering,” said Guy Moody, Peter’s son.
The couple was walking in a wooded area along Cherry Creek when they found themselves about five metres from where the bears were feeding, said conservation officer Sgt. Joe Caravetta.
He said there’s a chance the bears didn’t hear the hikers approaching as the animals were near a creek and the sound of running water may have masked the sound of footsteps.
“The female hiker was in the front and she was attacked first,” Caravetta said. “Her male companion tried to beat the grizzly bear off of her and the grizzly then turned onto the male hiker, knocking him down and attacking him.”
It’s not clear how long the mauling took place, but eventually the bears left the area, Caravetta said.
Moody managed to walk one to two kilometres to the nearest residence to seek help. The resident went to find Bond, then called 911.
The couple was taken to Cranbrook Hospital, then flown to Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Caravetta said.
He said both had bites to the legs, groin, head and arms and were distraught.
Conservation officers initially got the call around 3 p.m. Sunday but could not get to the scene until the following morning due to darkened skies. They remained in the area to monitor for public safety, before returning to the attack site the following morning, Caravetta said.
Following an investigation, this was deemed a defensive attack and the sow was protecting her young and her kill, he said.
Also, following a canvassing of the area, it was determined these bears had no previous history and had never been the subject of complaints.
As a result, officers have decided not to destroy or pursue the bears, unless they get into further situations of public safety.
“Basically, these bears were doing what bears do. It is very, very unfortunate for these folks to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Caravetta said.
He noted this area is known for grizzly, black bear and cougar activity.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers are assisting with the case.
cho@calgaryherald.com


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Hikers+mauled+grizzly+were+wrong+place+wrong+time/7617410/story.html#ixzz2DUuUfaCL