In this issue

Message from the Chair, Maureen Healey

Fall is my favourite season with its cosy warm weather, the changing colours of the leaves and the ability to easily get outdoors to stay active. If vacations or other summer fun kept you from participating in the club this summer, there’s lots on the calendar this season, including looking ahead to ski & snowshoe trips this winter.

Plan to meet some new like-minded club members, get moving, and take advantage of the (usually) ideal weather this Fall.

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Thank you to Cheryl McCarney

by Maureen Healey

After five years as Halton Outdoor Club Manager, Cheryl McCarney retired from her role July 1. Cheryl remains as an active club member though, and you will probably catch her leading or sweeping cycling trips and participating in other sports.

During her tenure, Cheryl was instrumental in supporting the Board of Directors in navigating the impacts of the COVID pandemic, increasing the efficiency and use of technology in managing the operations of our 500+-member club, and driving the welcoming and helpful culture of HOC.

The Board of Directors thanks Cheryl for going above and beyond in managing the club and wishes her all the best in her next life chapter.

Melanie Baroch, formerly the Assistant Manager, has been promoted to the Club Manager role. She can be reached at manager@haltonoutdoorclub.ca 

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A Warm Welcome from your Club Manager

I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new members – you have joined a dynamic, inclusive, non-competitive and social club that is “active and energized together outdoors”. 

Make sure to frequently visit the website at www.haltonoutdoorclub.ca, as events are continuously added throughout the month in all sports. I suggest you check the Events Calendar every couple of days so you don’t miss a scheduled activity. If the event registration is full, make sure you join the waitlist. Typically, registration for most events opens 2 weeks in advance of the start date, however, if there is a cost associated with the event, then the registration open date will be further out. Check the event for the specific date that registration will open.

Consider trying something new: if you joined for cycling, consider joining a hike. We offer various levels/distances in our activities so we can appeal to a novice as well as the experienced. Be sure to read the general description of the activity and what to bring before registering. If you have questions or aren’t sure if you should sign up for an event, reach out to me or the trip leader for further clarification. 

Ask questions, we are here to help you in any way we can!

Some useful tips about our website:

“Home Page” provides a general overview of what the Club has to offer. Lessons are available for paddling and cross-country skiing. Consider trying out a new sport and participating in the lessons – even the best paddler/skier can improve on their technique, and we offer various levels of lessons for that reason. 

“Attend Events Tab” includes the Events Calendar, but also a wealth of information on how to self-cancel a registration, extended trips, sport guidelines, information about lessons, etc. 

“Members Tab” includes a wealth of information about the Club as well as access to Club Forums. Subscribing to the Forums will keep you updated on Club happenings (instructions are on the Forums page):

“HOC Talk” is an online discussion forum to chat with other members and is often used to announce new events added late to the event calendar.

“Marketplace” is the place to buy, sell or trade gear with other members

Mobile App  We encourage all members to take advantage of the "Wild Apricot for Members" mobile app, to make your Halton Outdoor Club experience even more convenient. Further information and guides on how to use the app can be found on our website under the Members Tab. 

You will receive the Club’s Newsletter quarterly. You will also find an Updater in your Inbox every few weeks. As the name implies, the Updater provides up-to-date information about current and future events. Make sure to update your profile so that you receive these publications. Contact me if you require help doing so.

You may also find our FAQ page helpful, with answers to common questions about the Club, activities and registration.

Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions or concerns at manager@haltonoutdoorclub.ca  905 332 4318

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In Memoriam – Harry Godau

by Lyn and Doug Scott

It is with great sadness that we are informing members of the death of Harry Godau, the first member of our club.

Back in the early 70’s, cross-country (XC) skiing was just becoming a known sport. A Town of Burlington employee in the Recreation Dept. thought it would be an innovative idea to start a club, and she called a meeting for anyone who was interested. The Brant Cross-Country Ski Club was the result. The employee lost interest rather quickly and asked for volunteers to take over. Harry Godau, a competitive kayaker, had experience with his kayak club and he quickly volunteered to step up and pursue an active XC group. At this point, Doug and I volunteered to help him. Harry became the treasurer, Doug was named president and I was secretary. The name was changed to The Halton Cross-Country Ski Club. The rest is history.

Going back to the early days, when ski season ended, Harry suggested we try to organize some canoe outings. Kayaking was not very popular back then, but canoeing was. Harry had knowledge of the waterways, so a number of local day trips were undertaken, followed by some longer overnight trips to Algonquin Park and the French River area. Harry, being an accomplished paddler, was always willing to help members improve their skills and he also tried teaching participants how to do a kayak roll in one of his kayaks.

The Godau family – wife Lore, and children Brian and Nanette regularly participated in club hikes, cycling and paddling outings as well as skiing. Harry could often be seen helping members whether it be giving a ski lesson, doing a bike repair or giving encouragement on a hike or backpacking trip. Their van was decorated a couple of years when HOC participated in the Burlington Santa Claus parade. He was always there to help with whatever needed to be done.

In 1988, Harry and Lore moved away from Burlington and no longer took part in club activities but always stayed informed about events. They returned to Burlington about 10 years ago but by that time they were slowing down and pursued more sedentary activities. They were happy to attend the Club’s 50th Anniversary Gala and be recognized for their contribution to the club. Sadly, Lore passed away last November and Harry was 92 in June. We miss their friendship and pass our condolences along to Brian and Nanette and their families.

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Hiking, Hiking and more Hiking!

by Patti Blair and Debbie Martin

As co-directors of hiking we are pleased to say that our hiking program continues to grow thanks to our dedicated group of hike leader volunteers!

This past spring, a group of members successfully completed the Certified Hike Leader program offered through Hike Ontario and it’s been great to have these new leaders onboard.

We can’t say enough about the benefits of hiking with the club. What a great way to enjoy some exercise that helps you improve muscle and bone health. Hiking is also known to improve mental health by lowering stress and lifting your mood.

By hiking with us you’ll discover trails you didn’t know existed (often close by), revisit some you really like and a chance to catch up with someone or meet someone new! You don’t need a lot of equipment to join us but you definitely need a good pair of hiking boots, a backpack, poles and appropriate clothing.

Hiking is a year-round activity and we’re always looking for an opportunity to provide new experiences for HOC members whether it’s through extended trips (Niagara in the Spring, Cobourg area in the Fall, International trips (England Spring 2026), Nordic Walking or a variety of “series” hikes for something a little different (Moonlight, Lookouts, Discovery, and the summertime Ice Cream Walks).

We are also thankful to our leaders who offer weekly hikes at various times during the year.

Hikes are offered throughout the greater GTA and Niagara region with varied distances and terrain and we encourage you to check the HOC calendar often as hikes are always being added. If you see a hike that is full, please join the waitlist.

We look forward to seeing you on the trails and staying active and energized together outdoors!

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Having a PEAK Experience

by Janice Tobia

I had participated in the England hiking trip two years ago and the locales we visited this year were completely unique. After travelling through the rain from the airport the clouds disappeared and the sun shone brightly for the last bit of our ride, lifting our spirits for this adventure to the Peak District. Peveril of the Peak was the name of the HF holiday house we stayed at. The first day was a perfect sampling of what was to come during our first week. Each day was a combination of both pastoral and rugged, the sun being optional. Stiles of every shape, height and width were a daily event, and we started to wonder if we were eating too much at the HF house. Other daily challenges were the fields of glaring cows, sheep, and the occasional dreaded bull. This was everyone's fear and you could feel the group’s sigh of relief when the field was bull free.

Hiking the U.K. – Peak District to Cornwall

by Michele Croteau

Leaving the Peveril of the Peak HF Holidays house after an incredible week in the Peak District was bittersweet. We had hiked beautiful trails through pastoral landscapes dotted with sheep, cows, and, of course, their poop patties! We had even “bagged” a few Ethels, like Thorpe Cloud and Mam Tor, which are two of the 95 peaks in the Peak District.

On our day off, many of us visited the spectacular Chatsworth House and its gardens in the Derbyshire Dales, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, which has belonged to the Cavendish family since 1549 and was used for exterior and many interior shots in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie.

Our journey to St. Ives continued with an overnight stop in Plymouth, a town steeped in English history. It was the port from which Sir Francis Drake, Captain Cooke, Charles Darwin, and the Mayflower Pilgrims set sail.

The next day, we arrived at Chy Morvah, the HF house in St. Ives perched on a steep hill, offering beautiful views of the sea. Each morning, we could truly feel, smell, and see the constant shifts in light, wind, waves, and weather patterns.

There were two types of hikes in Cornwall: inland hikes on narrow paths surrounded by sharp hedges blocking any views and through fields, or coastal hikes with breathtaking cliff and sea views. My favourite was a 17-kilometre hike on the coastal path from south of Penzance to Land’s End. We climbed and descended steep cliff paths for hours, with perfect weather—a light breeze and a sunny sky—making it ideal for such an adventure. I couldn’t stop taking pictures from every angle, as every turn revealed another stunning view.

On our day off, a group of 15 travelled by bus through the lovely Cornish countryside to the Minack Theatre near Porthcurno. After touring the gardens and eating our picnic lunch, we watched the two-hour play, Peer Gynt. Imagine sitting in an outdoor amphitheater carved into a cliff, with actors performing by the great blue sea. We were truly lucky to have a warm, sunny day as the weather can be quite unpredictable.

For those of us who needed a break from hiking, St Ives offered a variety of cultural attractions such as the Tate St Ives Art Gallery, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, the harbour with its restaurants and shops, and the old church of St Ia, dating back to 1410. We also indulged in ice cream and Cornish pasties.

Our final bus ride of the trip was to Ibis Styles in Gatwick where we spent the last night of our trip. We made a 2-hour stop in Salisbury to admire its beautiful cathedral and charming town and quickly snapped a picture of Stonehenge on our way by.

Overall, it was a truly enriching experience. We had great companionship, shared lots of laughter and great travel stories, enjoyed delicious food and treats, and felt satisfied from our physical exertion despite those annoying aches and pains (particularly knees!) and, for some, unfortunate injuries. The landscapes were breathtaking, the art, architecture and theatre were captivating, and some of us even indulged in some shopping at Marks & Spencer. What more could one ask for?

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Kingston - Hitting the Trails!

by Ellen DeGuerre

For our Kingston trip, Tessy had pre-ordered beautiful sunny but not too hot weather! The hikers came and off we went!!

The parking lot at Lemoine Conservation Area was full of vehicles with a plethora of bikes and kayaks – paddlers, cyclists and hikers shared a picnic lunch and joined the hike before arriving at the Queens University Residence on Thursday – a sign of the collaborative and inclusive nature of this fabulous outdoor club.

On Friday, morning hikers were led by Jim Blair and wowed by the fabulous lookout at Landon Bay Centre where the Canadian Shield meets the St. Lawrence River. Unfortunately, the osprey nest was unoccupied – where did the osprey go?? The pace picked up as Jim had to hurry back for the afternoon half day paddle with 1000 Island Kayaks which many of the hikers were attending including this writer (see, we can be flexible!!) Others continued for a Gananoque urban walk after a picnic lunch and guess what, ice cream and maybe beer too!

The excitement was building! Saturday’s hike was at the beautiful Frontenac Provincial Park, a true wilderness park with gorgeous rock outcrops and beautiful lake views, the Canadian Shield that we Canadians adore. The long hike (11 km) was led by Frank Vajda and had an unusual ratio – out of 9 hikers, 7 were HOC hike leaders and one a hike leader with another club! I left my first aid kit in the car.

An amazing wildlife sighting was 3 fishers from the weasel family bounding through the forest just in front of us. Frank spotted a deer waving its ears up ahead. Then it stood up and stared at us with curiosity as we quietly walked past it staring back in awe. What a Zen moment!

Hot and sweaty upon our return, Patti, Craig, Erwin, Suzanne, and I had a refreshing swim in the lake. After a bite to eat, the others hiked some more while yours truly relaxed and went for delicious ice cream at the Limestone Organic Creamery.

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Cheers to our Volunteers!

by Sandra Redfearn

Our club recently hosted a wonderful afternoon picnic to thank our dedicated volunteers for all their hard work.

The gathering kicked off with lawn games and social time, where participants tested their skills at bocce ball, axe throwing, and cornhole. The main event was an exciting "Amazing Race"-style team challenge, where groups went head-to-head to earn points across various stations. Friendly competition and plenty of laughter filled the air right up until the final winners were announced!

Throughout the event, teams took full advantage of the dedicated selfie station to snap fun photos together. Afterward, everyone refueled with a delicious spread of fresh sandwiches, crisp veggies, and fruit - followed by a selection of brownies, cookies, and squares that perfectly satisfied everyone's sweet tooth!

A special shoutout and huge thank you go to Sue Mansfield and her fabulous crew, the "Wiggies"! Sporting bright lime green wigs, they guided participants as station leaders, welcoming everyone warmly as they arrived and keeping energy high throughout the games.

Organizing an event for a huge group of club members is no small feat! We deeply appreciate all the hard work Sue and her wing woman, Rosemarie Albrecht, put into designing such clever, creative activities. Bringing together a team that shared their vision was key to running challenges that kept everyone engaged from start to finish.

It was a gorgeous afternoon to connect, celebrate, and live out our mission: Active and Energized Together Outdoors.

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Learning to Kayak the HOC Way

by Judy2 Gast

In January, I participated in HOC’s kayaking planning session. Having kayaked with HOC for three years, I knew many of the enthusiastic participants and, once again, they produced a terrific schedule of practice sessions, day trips, car camping, and wilderness adventures. I was excited, although my summer calendar was already overflowing with bike trips, family events, and other commitments.

Kayak trips fill quickly because of safety requirements and participant limits. I could not commit early, so I put my name on waitlists and circled a few sign-up dates, hoping something would work out. It did! I eventually joined the Temagami “scouting” trip with Judy1 and Viera and a Killbear trip with Ru and Liz. Both were fantastic—and both taught me a lot.

HOC rates trips A to C based on winds, waves, currents, open-water crossings, landings, and distance. Leaders carefully assess participants’ skills because “let’s call the Coast Guard” is not a desirable feature of any kayaking trip! We had pre-trip discussions about routes, alternatives, and weather contingencies, which made me feel both prepared and supported.

The Temagami trip was billed as “scouting”. We would figure out our routes together using maps, local knowledge, and a little educated guesswork. Judy1 and I shared the long drive north, which gave us plenty of time to chat.

My first camping lesson came immediately. One of my tent poles cracked and the entire tent collapsed. A few zip ties, duct tape and a stick came to the rescue. Then my butane stove fizzled, leaving me dependent on others for my morning tea. (There are few things more important to a camper than tea.)

Navigating Massasauga Provincial Park

by Lauren More

“Not all those who wander are lost…”    -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

There may have been some “wandering” off course during the paddling “Learn to Navigate” weekend at Massasauga Provincial Park (MPP) July 17-20, but I’m pleased to report that all eight participants arrived back safely.

We started our adventure gathered at the Pete’s Place access point. After stuffing 3 ½ days worth of food, clothes and camping supplies into our kayaks, we put in and started paddling toward our campsite. Using the park map, we crossed Blackstone Harbour, travelled through Woods Bay to the Captain Allen Strait, passed by Pleasant Island with its distinctive bay and then on to campsite #328 on Sharpe Island.

Fortunately, we set up camp and had dinner before the rain started and, well, it didn’t really stop. We were treated to flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder throughout the night, a first-time experience for this newbie camper.

On Saturday, putting safety first as always, it was decided the weather was too tumultuous for the planned paddle, so we hunkered down under the tarp to learn about using marine charts to plan a route, measure distances and determine directional bearings. In the late afternoon, a few of the group did get out to paddle the bay near the campsite and to scout a lily-pad-filled channel for the next day’s excursion.

Sunday dawned with perfect paddling weather, so we grabbed our charts, (don’t call them maps!) and plotted a route for the full day adventure. The group was divided into two teams of three. Team One was responsible for getting the group to our lunch spot on Wreck Island. They did a wonderful job of weaving the group through small channels, around islands and across Moon Bay to Wreck Island. After lunch, some participants headed out on a hike to explore Wreck Island and were rewarded with 360-degree vistas.

Team Two was charged with getting us back to the campsite. By afternoon, the wind had picked up, and Moon Bay had become a bit choppy, adding complexity to the first open water ‘turn’ for the second directional bearing. Blown slightly off course, we ended up on the south side of Murray Island, instead of the north side, but as luck would have it that meant we were on the leeward side so conditions were tamer. With a tail wind pushing us, we arrived back at the camp in record time.

The last night, we celebrated with an after-dinner campfire, lots of laughter and wonderful conversations. Having faced a few challenges together, new friendships had been forged, and new skills had been discovered.

On Monday, we confidently travelled back to Pete’s Place using a mix of charts and the park map. We now knew how to match a blob on the chart with the shape of an island, how squiggly red lines meant look for on-land power lines, and how to watch for channel markers.

A sincere thanks to our trip leaders Paul Humber and Dan Sidsworth for their infinite patience, knowledgeable guidance and kind leadership.

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Lessons in Leading Extended Cycling Trips

by Sue Dane, Cycling Director

This year, our three-day Ontario cycling trips gave Halton Outdoor Club members the opportunity to explore two beautiful corners of our province: Oxford and Elgin Counties in June and the Niagara Region in August.

As a relative novice in the world of multi-day trip leading, I’ve discovered that organizing a cycling trip is an excellent education. So, after this year’s trips, I thought I would share a few of my most important lessons from the road.

Lesson #1: Lighthouses make the best photo ops.

There is something about a group of cyclists, a beautiful waterfront and a lighthouse that practically demands a group photo.

Lesson #2: The cycling may be the official reason for the trip, but let’s face it—the stops along the way are a close second.

Sitting on the porch at Makkink’s Flower Farm, enjoying lunch at Ramblin’ Road Brewery, discovering local cafés and bakeries, and visiting the spectacular Niagara Parks Power Station all added something special to our rides.

We have learned that the formula for a successful HOC cycling trip may be approximately 50% great cycling, 30% interesting local stops and 20% figuring out where we are going to eat next.

Lesson #3: Announcing “There’s ice cream at the top!” is remarkably effective motivation. Forget sophisticated sports psychology. Apparently, ice cream is all you need.

Lesson #4: Farmers will literally talk until the cows come home.

We learned a lot about farming, enjoyed cheese curd and chocolate milk—and learned that when you ask a farmer a question, you may want to make sure the rest of the afternoon is flexible!

Lesson #5: The people make the trip.

The biggest lesson from this year is also the simplest.

Exploring Ontario with fellow HOC members is what really makes these trips special. The kilometres may eventually blur together, but the laughter, stories and memories made with friends are what we take home.

A huge thank-you to the Oxford/ Elgin ride leaders and sweeps Judy Gast, Judy Dragun and Melanie Baroch, who braved cold and rainy conditions, accommodation challenges and some rather late meals while helping to create and execute a terrific itinerary.

For our Niagara trip, a special thank-you goes to my co-trip leader, Heather Wilson, whose steady leadership and impressive weather-radar-reading abilities were key ingredients to a successful trip.

Thank you as well to our Niagara sweeps, Patti Morgan, Melanie Baroch, John McCarney and Cheryl McCarney, for keeping our cheerful gaggle of cyclists together, moving in the right direction and, most importantly, safe.

And finally, thank you to everyone who participated in these trips. Your enthusiasm, flexibility, good humour and willingness to see what was around the next corner made these adventures memorable and an absolute joy to lead.

After this season, I may still consider myself a novice trip leader—but I now know a few things for certain:

Find the lighthouse. Support the local stops. Watch the radar. And never, ever underestimate the motivational power of ice cream at the top of a hill.

Looking forward to seeing where our HOC cycling adventures take us next year!

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Pedalers Have Fun – and more Amigos!

by Judy Gast

Before I tell you how much fun the pedalers had in Kingston, I have two preambles.

First, I reread the article I wrote after the 2023 Kingston Multisport event. It was aptly titled, “My New Amigos”. It told the story of the wonderful people I met as a new member of the Halton Outdoor Club while pedaling, paddling, and hiking. I went to that event alone, eager to meet people and try all the sports. I was not disappointed.

Now, three years later, as a cycling leader, my goal in Kingston was to help Sue Dane ensure the cycling events met the four criteria for a successful HOC trip:

No ambulances, Coast Guard boats or helicopters required.

No near misses (they tend to spook everyone involved).

Non-critical incidents result in enhanced learning, or at least a funny story to tell over a beer or campfire. (Remember when someone forgot her clothes? Or when I borrowed a tent and discovered there were no poles?)

Lots of genuine smiles and laughter - the way friendships form.

The bicycling events in Kingston met all four criteria, especially the smiles, laughter, and new amigos!

Sue and I arrived early Thursday. About 15 of us enjoyed a perfect ride on the Cataraqui Rail Trail; not too hot, nicely shaded, and full of appreciative cyclists.

Friday, we rode the Thousand Islands Parkway Trail and immersed ourselves in the beautiful scenery along the St. Lawrence River. We enjoyed a swim at Booth's Bay, Gerry led water aerobics, and a heavy but short rainstorm arrived with impeccable timing.

Saturday brought rides on the K&P Trail and Amherst Island. The island was fun to explore, with artists' studios open throughout the community.

Sunday, we tackled another section of the Cataraqui Trail. Although it was hot, the shade meant one water bottle was enough. I spent much of the ride chatting with Debra, a new member who kindly carted both me and my bike back and forth in her van.

This year Tessy and Mark took over from Jim and Patti, and they did a tremendous job. Everything was well organized, the information was clear, the links worked, and they even helped match people for dinners.

The final gathering at the Riverside Brewing Company was a blast. Tessy and Mark handed out fun prizes including one for the person who spent time stuck in the elevator! They thanked all the leaders and volunteers and then came the highlight: loads of juicy local strawberries with whipped cream and my personal favourite, two-bite brownies. Thanks to Sue for this amazing dessert (there were some left over for breakfast too!)

I can't wait for the next Multisport trip. It is the perfect way to try new sports, share plenty of smiles and laughter, and come home with even more amigos.

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Please consider writing a short piece for your Club Newsletter 

Share your thoughts, experiences and photos with other members

Newsletter submissions are welcome at any time - share your experiences, photos or thoughts about the Club with your fellow members. And we like it short – no more than 500 words!! Preferably with some photos.

The Newsletter is published 4 times a year with submission deadlines of February 12, May 12, August 19 and late November (1-2 weeks after the AGM). 

Details, including where to send, can be found  at Guidelines For Newsletter Submissions 

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