Christmas Hike, Tailgate Party and  Christmas Singsong.

Come and join fellow members for a hike followed by a tailgate party and sing-along to celebrate the Christmas season.  Christmas hats, colourful lights, etc are encouraged.  I will have my set of bells to add to the cheer!

Hike leaders :  Barbara Wilson 613-355-2377   barbarawilson142@yahoo.ca  Mary-Frances Brule (France), 613-791-0902 mary_frances_brule@hotmail.com

Date : Thursday, December 11, 2025

Time : 10:00 a.m.

Start location:  P6 (McKenzie-King Estates, off Barnes Road).  We will use the overflow parking area for more privacy.

Distance :   Approx 7kms +/-

Route:  We will follow the Lauriault Trail described as “… beautiful views, well-maintained paths, and a scenic waterfall. Challenges include rocky terrain and winter conditions may require crampons. Good footwear is recommended.”  Poles might be helpful.  Maybe spikes.  This trail is one of the few designated winter walking trails.

AllTrails Route : https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/lauriault-trail-6c7cd90

Ride with GPS Route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38138068

Group size: Unlimited

Lunch plans: We will have a tailgate Christmas party in the P6 parking lot with snacks when we return from our hike. Please bring snacks to share with the group. Ideas would be: sandwiches, cheese and crackers, cut veggies and dip.  Please go easy on the Christmas goodies.  Please wear a festive item for our tail-gate party!  Be ready to sing heartily!  

Other Information : Bring extra clothing to put on while standing around for the tail-gate part

Please print out your own song sheets https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yghlL5gjBi_xp3EeibRxo_gjOji7SeutIFuHk9wr6xY/edit?tab=t.0

Pre-registration times: Saturday Dec. 6 at 9:00am until Wednesday, December 10 at noon

Sign-up link:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xe3tpNrNsU70fpO7bil4_n7z-HTSGte_?usp=sharing

[HIKE] Jock River and Rideau River Trails from Beryl Gafney Park

Date : Dec 18th 2025

Start time : 10 AM

Name of Hike : Jock River and Rideau River trails

Hike Leader : Mary-Frances Brule (France), 613-791-0902 mary_frances_brule@hotmail.com

Start Location :  Beryl Gafney Park

Distance :   Approx 8.5 kms  +/-

Group Size : 20 maximum

Route details : Start from Beryl Gafney park and walk the path along the Rideau river to where the Jock River intersects. Continue along the Jock river to Stonebridge park section. Continue along Stonebridge trail to the end at the parking lot on Jockvale Rd. Return on the same path to Beryl Gafney park. The trail is flat and wooded.

Gear: Please hiking wear boots and bring spikes. The path could be wet and muddy in sections.

Lunch plans : 10 minute lunch stop during the hike, water and snack stops

Après-hike Stop : Equator Coffee, 1 Riocan Drive Barrhaven,  or another  group preference

Pre-registration times :  Saturday, December 13th at 9 am to Wednesday December 17th  at noon

December 24th Day Walk and Non-Time Concert

Event Leader: Dave Audette 613-601-2833 daveaudette3@gmail.com

Date: Wednesday December 24

Time : 10 AM

 Distance:  6 km +/-

Start Location: Meet and park at Brewer Arena ,151 Brewer Way, Ottawa, ON K1S 5T1

Group Size: Maximum of 24 participants

Details: We will leisurely walk 5.7 km along the scenic Rideau River paths and streets to take in a Christmas concert at Southminster Church, 15 Aylmer Ave, Ottawa.

Route :  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53445292

The Concert: A Jazzy Christmas Eve ; “The Mark Ferguson Quartet—Mark Ferguson (piano/trombone), Mike Tremblay (sax/flute), John Geggie (bass), and Jamie Holmes (drums)—swings into the holidays with jazzy takes on seasonal favourites.” 

Concert Details : starts at 12:00 ; lasts 60 minutes ; is by voluntary donation (cash only) ; usually has a printed program, free tea, coffee and cookies (no guarantees)

After the concert, join us at Bridgehead for a snack or go directly back, 2kms. For the return it’s recommended going west on the Colonel By Walking path to Seneca, turn left and follow it to Brewer arena.

Preregistration Times: Saturday, December 20 at 9 AM to Tuesday, December 23 at noon

Sign Up Link:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xe3tpNrNsU70fpO7bil4_n7z-HTSGte_?usp=sharing

New Year’s Day Mer Bleue Hike .  Start the New Year on the right foot! Or left, whichever you fancy!

Hike Leader: Barbara Wilson 613-355-2377 barbarawilson142@yahoo.ca