Sat, Mar 29 2008 - SLOWPOKES: Scotch Block - Vanderleck/Speyside Loop (View Original Event Details)
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Ooh, that was a good one
19 people went into the woods, completely eager and prepared for mud, beautiful weather and springtime. In fact, everyone's thoughts seemed to be much like springtime - looking toward the future, with budding hopes and dreams, starting life anew.....fabulous!
19 people came out of the woods - 6 hours later - with sunburns, muscle burn and about a half a cup of water in each shoe...AND...grinning from ear to ear!
Anyone witnessing this hike, who didn't know any better (ya know, like a Martian, who understands drinking but not hiking - it could happen?!) would have thought that 19 really drunken people had made their way into the woods that day. The snow was still quite deep but seemingly firm until you made a misstep and down you went, one leg (just ONE, mind you!) disappearing below the surface. It caused everyone to bobble and topple and crawl about. Because of this, there was an awful lot of laughter and giggling and the occasional "whoop" as they sank down on one side. Elliott, at the helm, was the most stoic - and perhaps the funniest because of it - as he would nonchalantly, and with oh so British reserve, merely repeat, "Ooh, THAT was a good one" - as his left leg sank down every 5th step or so. Those behind him - who were NOT laughing at him - cleverly tried to avoid his three foot deep holes but just made their own instead.
Sometime after lunch, and a bit punchy at this point(?), the TOC'ers stopped for water and a friendly "pregnant kangaroo race" (really can't explain that one, it must be seen, but Elliott is the undisputed champ so far!) and toward the end there was talk of a potluck "toe soup" dinner (you'll have to use your imagination for this, and, uh huh -- ewww!!!)(it was mentioned we were punchy, right?!).
Steph, responsibly bringing up the end of the hike, had an even worse trail to follow. With 18 pairs of soggy feet going through the snow ahead of her, she was left with little more than a deeply holed, Swiss cheese-like trail to navigate. Being a hiker's hiker, though, she carried on, without complaint, and got perhaps the best work-out of the group.
After finishing the 13K, several hikers went to Chalker's afterward where they met up with a couple of TOC'ers from another outing - and one of them also happened to be British. The "reserve" was definitely gone however, by this time, and some delightfully open, honest and lighthearted questions were asked and stories told. After much needed food and much more laughter, (the server mentioned she'd never witnessed a TOC conversation QUITE like this one!) they eventually parted and went their own ways.
The typical look of a TOC hiker as they struggled to emerge from the woods that day? Pink to red faced, with lighter laugh lines where the sun hadn't hit. Many new members mentioned they'd had such a fun time, they would definitely be back again.
So, the first SLOWPOKE HIKE of 2008? Well, what can you expect, really, when you start out with - not one, but TWO - women named Dorota on a hike? (What are the odds?!) It was full of fun, frivolity and utter silliness and yes, you guessed it, "Oooooh, that WAS a good one!"
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.