Hope Floats Journeys Around Canada

  Our team had a great 1st week on our walk to Vancouver.  The team enjoyed some wonderful weather with summer like sun and temperatures!  We collected a few pictures to share.  

 Boy, do I ever get around on my cycle. Ann M again. Did you know that Welland has an Amphitheatre? What's that you ask? It's a floating dock that hosts some amazing concerts throughout the summer season. Due to Covid this past summer they were cancelled. Let 's hope for more great music on the water stage next year!

 Here's also a couple pics of the world class "Welland International Flatwater Center" which is home to many competitions of several water sports.  Brenda here, jumping in on Ann's blog about the Flatwater Center.     You can check out the WIFC's website by clicking here.    They have an amazing indoor paddle tank that might open in January.    Our club's dragon boat members have everything we have two of crossed!     In a normal year the paddle tank has a capacity of about 40 paddlers, but with covid-19 the capacity will be 10 in the tank, with 10 in the gym at one time.  2018 a few of our sisters from Buffalo's Hope Chest BCS crew crossed the border to paddle with us indoors. 

 Missing our team in these dragonboats so I decided to cycle over to say hello to our friends better known as "Green boat", "Blue boat" and our beloved "Jackie Harper boat" that was dedicated in Jackie Harper's memory. I also am dreaming about being back on the water at some point. Go away Covid! We will have 2 brand new dragonboats to add to our existing inventory, which means more people joining us. Build it and they will come! Ann M.

 Hi again! Ann M. By now you can see I am on a great cycle adventure. Go away Covid blues, I just want to explore. My next stop is one that gives me goosebumps (in a good way). I love local history. This one is truly an amazing find. I'm at the "Dorothy W. Rungeling, Niagara Central Airport" that yup is in Welland. Oh, if you don't know who she is, I'll give you a tiny bio on her. Dorothy was born May 12, 1911 & died Feb 17, 2018 which means she lived to the ripe old age of 106. Her last residence was in Fonthill. Picture this....year is 1949 and Dorothy is a female pilot. Not just any female pilot but also a female pilot racer! She is renowned in the 99ers! She also received the very prestigious Order of Canada! I'm inspired by strong women like Dorothy Rungeling to complete this journey and I am so excited to see more of the great trails as we trek onwards to Vancouver.  Here's a link if you want to learn more about Dorothy.  https://g.co/kg.txt

 Hi all! Ann M again! Wow, what a great cycle workout today. The weather was warm but the wind was incredibly challenging at times. Continuing on my cycle journey just near Parker's Wonderland on River Rd in Welland,  I came across this monument to let us know about the history of O'Reilly's Bridge. The bridge has a lot of history which I thought you might enjoy to read about. 

 On making my way up to Canada's Wonderland, I got detoured today. The sign says Parker's Wonderland! What's up here? Found this little gem of a place on our cycle today. It's on River Rd along the Welland River. The sign intrigues me. I can see a railway crossing sign complete with crossing lights further on the property.  This is all adorned on a residential property.  Guessing maybe the homeowner is a retired train conductor or just a super train enthusiast or??? I'd love to know more. Anybody know anything on Parker's Wonderland? 

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”                   Lao Tzu Nine years ago today, I entered NGGH with my daughter to have my breast cancer surgery. Just 11 months after the death of my husband, I was on a true journey into the unknown. After my surgery, and 27 days of radiation, I began a new journey alone. I got on a plane and flew to Panama. I packed my tube of third degree burn cream and a stack of white men’s Stansfield tee shirt. I walked the beaches and followed the route  the Panama Canal to its source. After the first journey, I have travelled thousands of miles alone. November 1st, I began yet another journey. This time I am walking to Vancouver with friends. Although, I am walking by myself, I am not alone. Friends and family will walk beside me with faith and support. This is a new journey! This is an adventure! The road ahead is clear! - Audi Johnston - Hope Flo...

Hope Floats member and essential worker, Anne Reid walks with a client through a Niagara Falls neighbourhood, they came across this delightful  little Smurf Town. You don't know the Smurfs?   Well, you MUST check out their youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeY4C8Sbx8B4bIyREPSvORQ   A page out of the Smurf Olympics To help you understand their language, here are some well known sayings translated into Smurf. I smurf, therefore I am May the smurf be with you  I came! I saw! I smurfed! To smurf or not to smurf, that is the question A smurf a day keeps the smurf away Better a smurf you know than a smurf you don't know. Speak of the smurf and he will come Smurfs will be smurfs

I am fortunate to have a wonderful support system, among them my sisters Bernita and Barbara. Bernita  & Roxy have a couple of great little trails that they enjoy almost daily.   They are already racking up the km for our journey!     You can check out the 12 mile creek trail by clicking here. Short Hills is another amazing place in the Niagara Region that Roxy and Bernita like to spend time at.   There are several hikes to be had.  Check out Shorhills by clicking here. Roxy, Lara & Trent at Shorthills The weather around here was insanely windy, blustery, and blistery the first two days, so I dusted off my wii fit.  I hadn't used it in three years, and the first thing it did was remind me of that!  lol This is a very old system, but it is working like a charm for me.   Mind you, Miss Wii is a bit of smarty pants.    The second thing I did was a fitness test and this is what she had to say about that: Yet,...