Dale and friends trekking adventures

2010-03-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

The northpole expedition starts in 3 days. Follow us at

http://testyourlimits2010.blogspot.com/

We are skiing last 100 km. to northpole.

dale

2009-09-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

Come to the kick off for the Testyourlimits-northpole at th Palais Royale on October 8

More info at www.testyourlimits.ca

Paris to Frieburg

2009-04-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

I am now in germany visiting Kate. It took 3 trains and 4 hours to get here including a ride in a high speed train doing 220 Km. per hour. The trains here are fantasitic. They leave on time and arrive frequently. Kate and I have had several days of hiking. Yesterday we went to an area near the rhine that has a lot of vineyards and good walking trails. Spring has been here for a while, The trees are in full leaf and cherry trees are finished with their blossoms. Today we walked up into the Black forest above Frieburg and had coffee and cake at a forest restaurant( according to Kate Cake and Coffee on sunday afternoon is a German tradition)

Thunder Bay to Paris.

2009-04-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

The flight was uneventful except for the fact that I flew buisness on the new AC777. In this plane you don´t have a seat you have a "pod". It is almost like a small room. You can recline to a position that is very close to a bed. The movies are good and the drinks better. On arrival in Paris I took the metro to my hotel and started sight seeing. A long walk down past the Arc de Triumph and down the Champs de Leyses.

The presentation went well with Dr. Ross retelling the Antarctica adventure. I think it was well received.

I did the required trip to the Louvre and the Eiffel tower. Both were very impreeive and I think it would take a week to do the Louvre justice . I really just scratched the surface.

Hiking Lake O'hara Fall '08

2009-02-11T06:56:00.001-08:00

Here are some pics from our hiking in the area around Lake O'Hara in sept. We spent 6 days and covered most of the trails as well as a traverce from Lake Ohara to Field .

http://picasaweb.google.ca/gabe.lamarche/GabeSOHaraPics

Scuba diving in Cuba

2009-02-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

Just got back from a week in Cuba. We stayed at Breezes Jibecoa. It is half way between Varadaro and Havana. A very beautiful spot lots of tennis with Ruth ,Gilles and Kenya

Great food ,walking and of course a few cocktails

Great snorkeling at this resort and I went Scuba diving. This is the first time I have dove since my transplant . I was a little worried but thanks to a little help from"Woody" a expert diver from canada I fumbled my way through. I wasn't sure how the new heart would react but there was no problem. We dove to 80 feet. Beautiful fish and coral.

The new heart has been tested fron 16000 to -80 and still keeps ticking.

dale

We leave on sunday

2008-05-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

The trip is about to start. Dr. Ross will be doing the blog for this adventure as she did for Antarctica. The address is www.testyourlimits.ca

5 weeks to Nepal

2008-04-03T20:12:00.000-07:00

On may 11 the next adventure begins. We will attempt a 21000 ft climb of mera peak in nepal. Dr.Heather Ross and I will join a team from the Montreal Heart institute. When I have the address for the trip Blog I will post it here.

dale

Arrived in Santiago.

2007-10-11T05:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we arrived at the cathedral in Santiago. The pilgrim mass was just getting out and we were met by many of our travelling companions. There were hugs all around and I think everyone was happy on arrival but realized this adventure was almost over. We went to the pilgrim mass today and the priest acknowledged all the pilgrims and the various counties we were from. The mass had an extra thrill. A few Brits had paid to have a special incense burner used(not sure of correct religious name.) It was suspended by a huge rope from ceiling . The burner is about a metre high and swings in an arc of about 50 feet. Quite spectacular. We have a 2 bedroom flat for the next 2 nights and then we head for home.

We have been to many sites of miracles along the Camino . It seems to me that it is a miracle that I have come from waiting in the ICU for a new heart to walking 800 Km, through Spain with a pack on my back. Thanks to a life saving gift and the hard work of so many people before and after my surgery. Thank you so much.

Dale

Palas de Rei to Arco do Pino

2007-10-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

We have done 46 km in last two days. The pilgrimage is quickly coming to a close .Tomorrow we will be in Santiago. There is a lot of talk among the people we have met about finishing this journey. its seems to have gone by so quickly. We have been travelling through beautiful countryside on quiet trails. Many small farms with cows chickens and small fields. Also large patches of forest. The mornings have been misty and cool but the afternoons hot and sunny. Everyone is in good spirits and physically holding together. It will be great to get to Santiago and I´m sure another adventure will be just around the corner.
Dale

Portomarin to Palas de Rei 26 km

2007-10-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

Another great day on the trail. It is just like Thunder Bay where the trails are full of folks of all ages, all sizes and all nationalities! Stories galore. The boys thought it was a good opportunity for the gals to experience the ¨Municipal Albergue¨, sleeping with 60 people in a room where they prefer the window and door closed and the lights are on auto on-off. Off at exactly 11pm so don´t try to go to sleep earlier...and on at exactly 6:30am so don´t try to sleep in!!!! Today was filled with a continuous climb in the dark shrouded in cloud but it kinda adds a special feeling to being with a group of people on the trail for various reasons but all heading towards their goal. Mary Ellen

This is Peg and and all is well hope everyone had a good turkey dinner .We had a pilgrim dinner which was good too. Enough food and enough wine. We are all holding up ok .My leg is getting better to the point that I can think about other things . Miss everyone back home.

Pegxoxox

Hola

The Camino is a great social walk through Spain. We have walked for 29 days and in the evenings encounter many of the same folks we began the day, the walk with! Each walker have wonderful stories of home and experiences on the Camino. Of course there are walkers who are faster and slower than us, but the core remains the same.

It is an international group who walk the Camino...there is Ivy from Brazil, Johnny from Equador, Elizabeth from Denmark, and of course our Spanish Supper Club friends-Emilio is a great cook! This is a cultural experience all would enjoy.

Triacastela to Sarria

2007-10-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

We did 25 km today and saw unbelievable scenary. Dale and Al are like so in their element. Everybody knows them and we are the wives. So far, Im not crippled but it came close. Thanks Jamie for the Naprosin. Al and Dale look like a couple of thin holy trekers in somewhat of a holy trance like state. I figure it will take about 2 or 3 days to snap them out of it.Going to check the laundry. Its flying in the breeze up on the top level of this place. The wet underwear gets the view.

Peg, and hi to Sam ,Jamie,Kate,Dale and Travis and of course Austin.

foncebadon toTraiacastila

2007-10-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

In the last three days we have had little access to a computer and this one was on the arc. We have had to go over two mountain ranges to meet the girls but we managed to connect this morning,
Al and I started the day at 5 am with a 4 km walk down the mountain to nearest bus stop to pick them up. Luclily because Al had to wake them on bus or they would have missed stop. We walked up the 4 km. with them Bck to the mountain top and did another 21. Both Peg and Mary ellen are having a nap
as jet lag has set in.
Todays hike was through beautiful a green and hilly countyside.
More tyo follow . Picture is of our Spanish friend Jose
Dale

Estoega to Foncebadon and Foncebadon to Pontfera

2007-10-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

We did 27 km each of the last 2 days. Yesterday we encountered our first rain of the trip. As we climbed into the mountains it began to rain. We were in fact in the cloud I think . We stopped at a village that has everything made of slate . The walls are dry stacked slate and the roofs large slate shingles. We had are best meal so far here. The restaurant was a small slate building set into the side of a hill. It was warm.(we were still damp from the hike and our auberge in a church building with no heat). The atmosphere was celtic as we are getting into an area of Spain with celtic roots. Al had venison stew and I had a sea bass( to my antarctic friends I hope it is PC to eat sea bass¿) The food was fantastic. Wine was good and the bread was crusty and delicious. A wet cold day makes food even better.

We passed over a mountain range with great views . And passed a cross at which people leave a small stone or memento. I left several Gift of Life Pins.

Today Was a little cloudy but it did not rain.

We are eating with our Spanish friends.

Dale

Villar de Mazarife to Estorga

2007-09-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

Today we did 30 km. We have left the Mesada and are now climbing some hills with small mountains tomorrow. We passed through grain and are now in corn farming. Corn as far as the eye can see. We had some beautiful trails to walk today. We also passed through a town with and ancient and famous bridge,Phente de Orbigo. Apparently a knight in the 1400 century had his heart broken by a fair maiden and challenged all knights to a jousting match on the bridge. They came from all over Europe. He had broken 300 lances before it was over. He also got over the fair maiden. It is reported that the character Don Quiote is based on this fellow who had a similar name. we are in an alberge in the centre of Estorga. A very nice place Our room has 30 or 40 Beds.

Dale

Manzilla to Leon and Leon to Mazarife

2007-09-28T04:10:00.000-07:00

Last 2 days we did 40 Kms. In the last few days we have been finding the true spirit of the Camino. The night before last a group of Spanish guys we have been meeting at most Alberges invited us to have dinner with them at the auberge. One of them took charge and organized the cooking and the rest helped. There was a lot of wine and laughing and I think some at our expense. no one spoke a word of English. I think we have a standing invite if they cook. But you never know because we use our bad spanish and it can be confusing. The walls of the courtyard of the auberge were covered with geraniums in pots and in full bloom. The auberge was filled with people we had met along the way and we are now friends. Last night and american couple Lisa and Ari, with Lisa leading gathered a bunch of us up and we all went out for supper . Again a lot of fun and telling of stories. Today we are at a great auberge with a beautiful courtyard and all conviences. Two Thunder Bayers have caught up with, Suzanne and Rachael. They seem to be keeping out of trouble so you can pass that on to their parents.

This morning we saw frost in a few places so we can expect chilly mornings but the sky is blue and our spirits are high.

Dale

Terradillos de los Templarios to Mansilla de las Mulas

2007-09-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

The last two days we covered 27 km each day on the prairies. The landscape is completely flat and it gives you a lot of time to think. I have been thinking about all of the experiences of this journey so far and all of the incredible things I have seen and all the fantastic people from around the world that I have met. All of this would have been impossible without the gift of life that was given to me. I have to say thank you to the Doner family for saying yes when asked the tough question "will you donate your loved ones organs". As my journey continues I will often think of the doner and quietly say thank you.

On another note Al and I were able to save another damsel in distress Louise. A young danish lady came down with some gastro problem on the trail. Al carried her pack to the albergue and I helped her along the trail. A little cipro seemed to solve the problem.

Dale

Carrion de Los Condes toTerradillos de Templarios

2007-09-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

Today we did 27 km. Last night we slept in a convent that St. Francis of Assisi stayed in on his pilgrimage in the same 13th century buildings. The walk was through grain fields all day. Great sunrise and a BBQ ( first we have seen in Spain at trail side after about 10km. What a treat. We are staying in a great auberge. Supper was a great bowl of lentil soup. A small trout fried with head and tail ,salad and a piece of fruit for desert. Of course there was red wine and great bread also. The day ended with a perfect sunset. Pics to follow

Dale

Fromista to Carrion de los Condes

2007-09-23T09:56:00.001-07:00

Today we did 20 km. Most of the walk was beside a quiet stream. We pasted several villages and visited a knights templar church. We complain about taxes in Canada but in this area during the moors control of this area they reportedly taxed the local christian population a 100 virgins a year! That makes our sin taxes seem minimal. Today I discovered the dangers of drinking (Cervesa) in the sun and had to take a nap before dinner. Dale.

Castrojeriz to Fromista

2007-09-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Today we did 25,3 km. We entered a new province Palencia. The province is bordered by two rivers and there are lots of canals and irrigation systems. The land is very productive and lots of farming was evident. I saw this statue of San Telmo the patron saint of sailors. Since I am now a pilgrim I am allowed to do blessings and I blessed Bob and Bills boats from a far. Enjoyed a pilgrim dinner. A few people have unwanted visitors in their beds (bedbugs). Luckily Al and I have not had the pleasure yet. Dale.

Hornillos to Castrojeriz

2007-09-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

Hola

Today we hiked mostly dirt track over the plains of wheat fields and down into valleys to the villages on our journey from Hornillos to Castrojeriz. We pasted a natural spring on the way that is said to heal the damaged feet of weary pilgrims...needless to say we did not need the assistance of this spring. The spring marks the site of San Baudillo, a village that was mysteriously abandoned in 1503, possibly due to disease or possibly after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain.

On our journey we also passed through the ruins of Gothic ruins of Convento de San Anton, whose dramatic arches span the Camino. The Orden de los Antonianos rose out of a miraculous cure for San Anton´s fire, a burning disease similar to leprosy that was rampant in the Middle Ages.

Burgos to Hornillos del Camino

2007-09-20T05:55:00.000-07:00

Today we did 19 km. We climbed a high ridge out of Burgos and found ourselves on the open prairie. Much like looking west from Winnipeg. The going was easy. We saw the sunrise over the Messada and arrived at our destination town early. It was a perfect setting . Small town square a few tables in the sun and cold cerveza. We heard some bad news a German Pilgrim had died in his sleep a few days before in Belorado in a auberge. Apparent heart attack. The day ended with a Shepard bringing in his sheep to the village with 3 dogs helping and a mule trailing along with side packs to carry any lambs that could not keep up. It was totally silent except for the bells on the sheep and as the sun set frogs began to croak. It is a good life on the trail.

Dale

Ages to Burgos

2007-09-19T05:28:00.000-07:00

We did 24 km. The first part of the day was over a high ridge with great views. We soon found ourselves in a construction area and then light industrial. At this point many pilgrims took buses or taxis for the last 9 km. But not Al or I , we walked the whole way. Burgos is a beautiful city with a magnificent cathedral , We toured the cathedral and were in awe. It was too large for one picture. We enjoyed the day looking around and the auberge was in a park on the edge of town. A great day.

Dale

Belorado to Ages

2007-09-18T06:13:00.000-07:00

Today we did 27.7 km. The hike today was through small villages and over 2 high ridges, we climbed 1500 in total. It was raining in morning but stopped soon after we started. The climb took us into a low lying cloud. Most of the day we were in pine forest. Towards the end of the day we left the forest and returned to farmland and walked through a herd of cows but they ignored us. We are in a small town 300 people approx. Our alberge has a small bar and Al and I are enjoying a large cervesa. We see the same pilgrams everyday and we are all travelling at approx. same speed. Tomorrow we get to the town of Burgos and after that the Mesada or praire.
Dale

Santo Domingo to Belorado

2007-09-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

Today we did 24 Km. We have settled into a pilgrims routine. Up at 6:00 am. We quietly pack . many of the others are already gone. We leave the auberge and walk through town to get to the trail. The only noise you hear is the odd dog and the pilgrims footsteps on the ancient cobblestone and echoing on the medieval walls of the stone buildings. Pilgrims in the middle ages stayed in the same buildings and heard the same sounds. In about 30 minutes we get to see a beautiful sunrise .We walk to the next village 5-10 km. and have a cafe con leche and croissant and continue on our way. Lunch is cheese and bread at the trail side and we arrive early and rest for the afternoon getting ready for the next leg. Tonight's alberge is run by a couple from Switzerland. They volunteer to 2 weeks a year. This is common in many of the auberges. The fee to stay is a donation ( commonly 5 euros). The swiss fellow speaks 5 languages and Al and I are the only ones on the pilgrimage who speak only one language. We should have studied more
Dale

Najuria to Santo Dominico

2007-09-16T05:21:00.000-07:00

Today we did 21km. so we had the afternoon off. Sore feet. We passed a Camino marker or¨rollo¨. It is made of granite and placed in the 15th century. See pic cannot rotate it sorry. Also major irrigation in above ground pipe. The grapes are very thirst and the area has little rain. We passed out of grape area and into more potatoes ( very rochy soil)and grain. The town we are now in Santo Domingo has a great legend that the town is famous for and keeps it alive by having several live chickens in the cathedral in their own special nook. The other chickens who take turns at the cathedral live in a pen behind the hostel we are at. The story goes that a husband and wife and teenage son are doing the camino. A young lady of the town fancies the son but because he is on a pilgrimage he turns her down. She plants a chalice in his bag and turns him in. The parents meanwhile have moved on and do not know of this. The son is hanged and on their return several months later they find him hanging but still alive. They go to the local magistrate to report this. He has just sat down to a chicken dinner. He states that their son is no more alive than the chickens on his plate. The chickens jump up and start clucking. They run to their son and he is OK as he was saved by Santiago(St. James) I,m not sure if this is a story of the power of St. James or a warning to beware of the local girls.

Dale

Najera to St, Domingo

2007-09-16T05:14:00.000-07:00

losangro to najera

2007-09-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

Today was29 km. We had a good walk and arrived in an unbelievable town. Visited the church/monastery. Part of it is in a cave. The church is massive. Built in the middle ages in is unbelievable for such a small town. Probably a smaller city than TBay. You cannot help but feel the spirituality along the Camino. Every town has a cathedral and today we walked along a page wire fence and people had stuck in twigs to form crosses for a half mile. There were thousands of them. Pics to follow.
On another note, today is a celebration in this town . The town square had a large stage and a great band complete with flamingo dancing and all. I had to leave 10:oo for curfew to bad.
Dale

Los arcos to Logrono

2007-09-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

We did 28 kms, today. Beautiful walk with many valleys and small fields. We visited Viana a town famous for taking in Cesare Borgia when he got chased out of Italy in the 1500 century. Illegitimate son of a pope at the time he was a patron of leonardo Davinci and apparently quite a rascal in tha area. He died defending Viana . The town was in the middle of some large event but we moved on. We passed many small shelters made of stne along route( pic to follow). Luckily we didn,t have to resort to one of them. This refuggio has a beautiful court yard and we are enjoying the late arternoon sun.

dale

Estella to Los Arcos

2007-09-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

Today we travelled 21 km. On our route was a winery with 2 spigots on the outside wall. One was for water the other was red wine. It was too early to have more than a small taste. We walked all day through farmland with grapes and olives. Internet is proving to be a small problem. The refuggios have internet but you cannot get at usb port to send pics. Will send all when we get to a proper internet cafe. Also some letters are worn of off the key board so it takes some guess work. Many of the pilgims are suffering from foot and leg prblems but I guess that is the price you pay to be a pilgrim. Peg and Mary Ellen- Crank up your distance. A day here starts at 5 or 6 am. People start packing up. On road by 7 or 7:30 and in bed lights out at 10:00 pm. Guy in bunk below me last night had major sleep apnea. I spent most of the night reviewing my CPR . Was it 15-2 or 30-1? The up side bed and breakfast 5.5 Euros. Looking forward to tomorrow
Dale

Uterga to Estella

2007-09-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

We walked 27 km today. Beautiful orchards and vineyards. Not to tough a day but it was very hot. Met the McNabbs tonight The are former Thunder bayers who have moved to the left coast. We are in a beautiful town that has a lot of Roman building and today we walked on a road originally built by the Romans over 2000 years ago. Thing are going well, Except we miss are sweeties

dale

Arre to Uterga

2007-09-11T06:27:00.000-07:00

Today was a little shorter. We walked through Plampona.No bulls chasing us . Travelled over a high hill covered in wind turbines and through several villages before our Auberge. a lot of legend and history of Camino in this area. One of the pics of beside water spout is in the spot that a pillgram was dying of thirst and the devil offered him a drink for his soul. He refused and just before he died St James( Santiago ) showed him this sping. The closest I came to dying of thirst today was Al being a little slow with the draft in Uterga. Dale

Rocesenvalles to Villiva

2007-09-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

Slept in a hostel (one room 160 beds). Everyone up at 6:00. On the road by 6:30. Great hiking through forests most of the day. First hostel at 27 KM. closed so we had to go 10 more. 37 Km was way to much. Both of us were tired .Staying in church tonight.

Dale

St. Jean to Roncevilles

2007-09-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

We started out the day with a berating from our hostel housemom. It was in French and it seemed that someone got up to early. They were refused breakfast (coffee and two slices of baguette) and the rest of us had to listen to her ranting, calling us "enfant et irresponsible." It seems as though the problem extends to most refugios. The day progressed well after that. We started in fog, but soon climbed above it into glorious sunshine and vistas. We climbed approximately 3000 feet over 25 km. It was a beautiful hike and we met lots of people. So far we have talked to people from Brazil, USA, Suranam, Lebanon, France, Germany, England, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium and more. It was truly a multicultural experience. Even though the day was a tough climb, my heart never skipped a beat. The fields as we climbed were filled with sheep with bells and the ringing was music to my ears. The day ended with a Pilgrim´s meal and Pilgrim´s mass in Spanish. Al and I are already looking forward to tomorrow. Pics to follow.
Dale

We got here

2007-09-08T11:18:00.001-07:00

Arrived in spain by way of new york, stopped off at Central Park for a hike, and had a look at strawberry fields; an inspiring memorial to John Lennon.( The picture is of a mosaic with the word, imagine. The rest of that part of the park is set aside for quiet contemplation The trip went well, and we start hiking tomorrow. Al and I were able to perform one heroic rescue. Ivy, a girl from Brazil, shared our cab to St. Jean and had lost her luggage. I lent her a hiking pole for the day and she was able to continue. I had a great supper of French wine, bread, cheese and salami. Can't figure out the camera, pictures to follow.
Dale

Summer project-Wood fired bread and pizza oven

2007-09-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

I am packed and ready to go. I still have a lot to learn about Blogs and my camera.

This is a photo of my summer project at camp. Thanks to Warren, Walter and Nathan for the help in building it. Hot pizza and warm fresh bread next summer for all visitors.

Dale

Preparation continues

2007-08-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

We have less than 2 weeks before we leave and the packing has started. The trick with this trip is "go light". The final pack should weight less than 25 pounds. Not much for a month on the road. I am getting excited and am ready to go

Dale