Gorge Waterway 26/26 weeks

Posing at the Admirals St. end of the waterway.

This was our 6th month mark on the 52week commitment blog. Our record stands at 26 weeks 0 blisters. So it was a happy little group who assembled at the Esquimalt Gorge park on Sunday. This park is known as the Kinsmen Gorge park and it lays just at the Gorge bridge on Tillicum Rd. We wanted to have a picnic celebration at the end of our walk and chose a park with picnic tables. We also decided to try a park with a relatively level surface. Deciding on the gorge waterway made this weeks outing more of a leg stretcher so we donned our runners and headed out.
Our group consisted of Mark and I, Hannah and friends Jon and Aaron. The gorge is a popular walkway with a variety of attractions. The level walkway makes it the perfect choice for people with limited mobilities and families with young children. There are plenty of park benches and low rock walls should you need to stop for rests.
We started our walk on the Esquimalt side of the gorge. This park boasts of benches, picnic tables and restrooms. There is also a beautiful slice of beach and extensive playgounds. Which reminds me that I had planned to share this playground blog because I think it is a clever resource for families with young children.

Jon and Mark heading for the Tillicum Road bridge at the beginning of the walk.

Looking out over the tranquil water.

The brand new sculpture honoring Camossung and the spiritual place at the meeting of the waters.

Looking for the sacred stone on the south side of the bridge, Hannah checked her iPhone compass application. It wasn't lost on us that our only compass consultation of the year was in one of the most civilized locations...

The walkway stretches from Tillicum Road to Admirals/Craigflower bridge. Along the way are well loved and impeccably tended garden spaces. This site is a popular one in Saanich for festivals. Canada Day Picnic on the Gorge is my favorite place in the city to celebrate Canada Day. Surrounded by small neighborhoods and close to the city, the Gorge attracts families and retirees alike. So the festival atmosphere is always relaxed and calm. If you havent experienced it yet Saanich invites 45 area artists to come together for Gorge on Art. It can be windy along the waterway and this event attracts quite a crowd so be prepared to walk slowly.

I will plant one of these delights at my house just as soon as someone tells me what it is. It looks as if brilliant dandelions are bursting from a little green tree.

We found a small cut from the bridge onto the Gorge road side. This popped out behind the rowing club.

Another view of the glass-like surface of the gorge.

We walked from the Esquimalt Gorge parking lot to Admirals Road and back again. We were on the waterway for approximately 90 minutes. There is parking along Gorge Road in certain places as well as a lot at the end at Admirals Road. The gorge is also accessible by transit with stops the length of the waterway.
So, heres to 26 weeks of outings in 2010. I have every reason to believe that the next 26 weeks will be just as fun and adventurous as the last. Cheers.

Ok. Enough messing around, picnic lunch awaits.

Next week: Sunday is PrideFest and Mark and I are hosting a massage booth at Fisherman's Wharf.  We will probably snatch a quick hike on Sat. afternoon.