These Boots Are Made for Hiking

The Waterdown Trail to Smokey Hollow is a peaceful and beautiful little spot that connects to plenty of trails, and of course this main route. The trail takes hikers to the viewing overlook of the falls right at the beginning of the path, and if they keep walking a little the route will bring hikers to the bottom and they can fairly easily get themselves closer to the waterfall. This is a majestic trail, with plenty of variety and changes of inclines and declines and twists and turns.
Now that we are getting into colder, wetter weather it's important to come prepared. That means crampons, poles, lots of layers, water and food.
We hike all year folks so enjoy the winter with us but please come prepared.
Parking is 80 Mill St S, Waterdown, ON L0R 1R0

Xmas will be here before you can say HoHo Ho!
We hope to see you ready to move and groove, and to shake your xmas booty!
Come in your xmas best and dance to the great mix of tunes with DY Mike!
Dj will be playing from 8pm onward and snacks will be served between
8:00 pm and 9:30PM
Prizes will be given out, and if you have talent, reach out to Angie to show it off!

PS: It is a big room folks so I won't have to tell you you can't come,
Doors are open so please message Angie - the co organizer to arrange to send your dollars.
There are no refunds!

This "Boots" Meetup is about giving back! Every year we make sandwiches for the sheletrs in downtown Toronto through an iniative of my neighbort.
Last year "These Boots" made 450 Sandwiches. I would like to aim for 500. There is enough of us and it is not a huge ask for a fun afternoon.
What to bring: Each person brings 2 loaves of bread and filling for sandwiches. Filling can be
- peanut butter and honey
- cheese - (no cheese whiz)
- tuna, salmon
-egg
- chickpea
Whatever sandwich you would make for yourself. Please ensure the quality is adeqequate.
You bring the ingredients, and we set up stations to cut, spread, wrap and label!
It's fun, busy and rewarding. At the end we open up some bubbly and enjoy a drink to us!
If you cant make it, but would like to contribute, please consider donating $20. and we will buy ingredients and make sandwiches in your name.
Reach out if you would like to donate.

Hello! Well after much deliberation and many requests we are going back to Quebec for our Family Day Weekend. This is a popular weekend folks so confirm early. I have chartered a bus and based costs on 28 people. We have rented a bus! It has wifi, heat, and washrooms. If you need to work on Friday you can work on the bus.
(Since it's Valentines day we will be giving out Valentine cookies)
Please read carefully. Expect to budget approximately $575. for the 4 days
Quebec is far so we will be leaving on Friday, Feb. 14. - we will be your Valentine day honeys!
Itinerary

1. Friday, February 14 - Bus leaves York mills Station at 7am Sharp!
   We hope to arrive around 7pm depending on road conditions and number of breaks. Free time to grab a bite to eat in old quebec and check in at the hostel.

Option 1 - ICE HOTEL Some of us have seen the Ice Hotel but the bus will be made available for those who would like to see it again including me!
Hop back on the bus we charted and it will take you to the ice hotel - aproximately 40 minutes away and will leave at 10am!
Book you ticket here: $40.
https://www.getyourguide.com/quebec-city-l281/quebec-city-hotel-de-glace-ice-hotel-visit-t175428/?ranking_uuid=c61380ec-d88b-4cae-8e6f-6a2111ba0c37
(I am also working on a snow shoe option for those who would like to do that)
Option 2 - Explore Quebec old town
2. Skate at Place D'Youville (Bring your own skates); Zoom down the toboggan slides, Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec, Tour Chateau Frontenac, experience of the Holy Door.
Everything is within walking distance!
You also might want to consider the Siberia Spa!
We will meet for dinner and party at 7pm Saturday Night. Location to be confirmed
Sunday, February 16
Hike! Bus departs at 9:30am. We will be heading to Parc National de la Jacques OR Sentier des caps de Charlevoix
*Please note when you do an away trip hikes are mandatory - afterall we are a hiking group! Prepare for a full day hike based on weather conditions. Wear full winter weather gear including crampons, and lots of layers. Ensure footwear is waterproof and head and hands are covered! Poles are recommended.
Dinner you are on your own.
Monday, February 17
9:00 am back to Toronto

1. Cost - Bus is $360. (If more than 28 people join our bus cost will go down.
2. Hostel - Auberge International - 60. per night (180.00 for 3 nights) for dormitory style rooms. ( I am trying to get a lower rate)
TRIP OPENS UP JANUARY 3 for one week where we would need a commitment please and thank you!

So this year we have three away trips - 2 outside Canada and one inside Canada (not including family day weekend)
I wanted to do something a little different. Details are coming but this will be a combination of hiking Mount Fujju, and hiking the Nakesendo trail experiencing local culture and hitting urban night life.
We will have a zoom call in January with the details then we will move to a whats app group where a deposit will be required.
Tentative hiking dates are May 17-25 but it will be extended . I am just confirming my 2025 schedule.
Hold the date!

I love Canada, and we don't appreciate it. We are always in a hurry to explore other countries, the next adventure and thrill. I have travelled a lot and one of my best trips was right in our own backyard.
So every year if we do away trips it will always include a Canadian trek because lets face it, Canada has its own beauty.
We will be taking two groups - a more experienced group and a less experience group of treckers. What that means is the less experienced group will trek for three days -not 5 or 6 and they will meet up with the other group at the end.
As usual, details are on their way. Zoom call for this will be in February.

2025 is about exploring different places.
We are headed to Guyana - Guyana,is located in the northeastern corner of South America straddled by Brazil and Argentina. It is developed but not overly so and really, really, great natural landscapes.
Think pristine rainforests, sugarcane plantations, rice fields.
I am still deciding what I want this trip to look like but you won't want to miss this.
Zoom call is February.
Again details are comiung but do hold the date!