Club Events 2005

Trip List Calendar

2005-08-20 : COC - The Polyjesters @ Ironwood Stage & Grill


2005-08-21 : COC - River Float and BBQ: Cushing/17th Ave SE to Sikome Lake (Fish Creek)
Niagara, Mushroom and Chip upped the stakes by introducing "amphibious warfare". These are close combat attacks carried out from the water. Niagara (aka captain/ dictator / slave driver) was almost mutinied until she earned her crew's respect by assaulting an enemy raft from the water.

Stuart's (aka first officer) naval career was off to a rocky start as we found him huddled in the fetal position after the first bombing. But once he pulled himself together and learned to use his paddle he was a worthy mate.

Jordan (aka science officer) and his sister, Cesia, were a formidable team of paddlers, keeping our raft straight and true, while dishing out some water power to enemy rafts.

Matthew (aka weapons officer) also had great paddle control while keeping the boat afloat by pumping out the water intaked during battles.

Anika and Rachel, both brilliant tactical and linguistics officers aslo proved worthy mates.

Perhaps our raft should have been named "the bird of prey"...?

Between the 7 of us we had lived in about 10 countries and spoke about 15 languages. This still didn't help diplomatic relations with other rafts though. When food was low, we tried bartering with the locals for food or fish, but to no avail... the fisherman were not having a good day.

Exhausted and soaking, we made our way to the picnic area where a truce was called between all rafts, and food and stories were shared for ages to come... well, I left after 30 minutes.

-- Niagara (from "Kon Tiki")

Top notch! It was a great crew. Here are my "lessons of the river" for the trip:
"Paddles and bailers will always outgun a super soaker!"
"Always make sure your sunscreen is waterproof (ouch!)"
"Always be wary when someone calls a truce in a waterfight."

- Dave (from "The Good Ship, Lollipop")

We had a great time! The Green Nuts were especially good! Thanks to Mark for some great manoeuvring of the raft and attacks made on other rafts! We got everyone wet...except one raft that escaped our paths! Next year, we'll get you! Arghhh!

- Mushroom (from "Captains Bligh and the Bounty")

I am, indeed, a tactical genius. Not that I'm good for anything but choosing good people for my team, most notably Lisa Marie as captain and Chip as tactical officer. Of course, everyone pitched in, and I still took many a full-face of water, but compared to being completely unarmed and defenseless in the "Chicklet" raft last summer, I felt that I was ruling the river this time around!

Two rafters discovered just how long ten minutes could be when they decided they HAD to pee SOON, and were assured (several times) that the take-out was JUST ten minutes away. Finally, to their relief, we pulled the raft over to the bank for them to take care of business at a spot which was, ironically, about ten minutes away from the take-out.

I'm glad that Gen will never be known as "the girl who peed in her shorts". Not like Hoodoo's raft - I'll always remember that they took turns peeing in the river. I'll never swim in the Bow again, or splash anyone - promise.

- Lisa Marie L and Pudge (from "The Ruthlessly Recalcitrant Rhondas")

I want to thank all of you who organized this event! I can honestly say I would never have attempted anything like this, but felt comfortable trying it with such a large group. It was a great way to see this river that I have lived by most of my life. I will definitely come equipped with water ammunition next time; our raft (the dodo birds) was the inexperienced and wet bunch!

Thanks COC!

- Colleen (from "Dancing Dodo")

Right from the beginning, Hoodoo and her Blowfish knew they'd be in trouble. They were the largest group - 8 rafters total - so they ended up in the biggest raft, and were thus the biggest target. Hoodoo knew well in advance that Pudge would be her nemesis for the day, though Chip talked a good game too (interestingly, neither of them were particularly frightening once we hit the water). In a mid-river water war, Hoodoo and the Blowfish lost a paddle and a bucket to The Ruthlessly Recalcitrant Rhondas, but neither boat came out a true victor in that battle. The rest of the float was peaceful for Hoodoo and her Blowfish (we paddled along fine, despite being down a paddle) - no one bothered to declare war on them again, and when they came up on the Dancing Dodo, a truce was declared so that the Dodo could borrow one of the remaining buckets to bail their wet craft.

While Hoodoo knows for sure that she didn't pee in the river, she can't be so sure about the rest of her crew. Cindy led the plunge into the frigid waters, deciding to swim alongside the raft for a while when it got too hot. Darryl soon followed, and Heather, Susan, Patrick and Hoodoo all made the plunge a time or two to escape the relentless heat. Everyone got practice in hauling overboard rafters back aboard the craft - some just couldn't resist floating along until their limbs threatened to go numb!

All in all, it was a fantastic day. A great time was had by Hoodoo and all her Blowfish!

- Hoodoo (From Hoodoo and the Blowfish)


2005-08-22 : COC - Saddle Pass
We split into "fast group" and "enjoy the scenery group" at carpool, which worked out remarkably well. I wanted to make sure, since we were hiking in bear country, that I would have at least six people in my "enjoy the scenery group" (when reviewing the list, most of the people I knew looked like "fast group" types).

So, we set out with two vehicles for each group. One carpool missed the exit for Lake Louise. Obliviously drove right on past the signs for Yoho National Park... "Welcome to BC", and Lake O'Hara. Not mentioning any names or anything, but I think Frou Frou and Pudge may not be allowed to carpool together anymore. After we'd figured out our error and turned around, Frou Frou decided to go one step further and win the "dumbass remark of the year" award when she said "I wonder how long it would have taken us to figure it out" (gee, I think we just found out exactly how long it would take us....). :>

Once the whole gang was assembled at Lake Louise, the fast group set out and left us in their dust. A short ways up the trail we were joined by John and Barb from St. Louis who wanted to join us for "hiking in numbers" sake, but they stayed with us for the "hiking with the Calgary Outdoor Commedians" sake. A fairly unremarkable hike up, with a few nice views to the north on occasion, getting up to the pass itself pays off with the usual "two views for the price of one" bonus... a whole new view to enjoy on the other side of the pass. We saw the "fast group" going up Mt. Fairview, and rumor has it that there was a brief "full moon" display, although it was too high up for any eyewitness confirmation in our group. We joined Ed at the end of the Saddle Pass trail for lunch - he had gone partway up Fairview and then turned around when his knees strongly advised against continuing up.

Michael, the "new guy", got his nickname on his first event out - "Kielbasa", and was mostly cool except for the part where he thought we were being too mean to Crackers. I mean, is there really any such thing as being TOO mean to Crackers??

We left the lunch spot as the fast group was beginning their descent from Fairview, and I was surprised that they actually caught up to us by the time we were back at the Lake Louise shoreline. Seven of us enjoyed a trip to the K, where The Colonel and The Stalker amused us all with fascinating "who's the gassiest hiker" competition.

-- Rhonda (Pudge)


2005-08-23 : COC - Belly Dance Combos


2005-08-25 : COC - Beginner Inline Skating near Glenmore Inn


2005-08-26 : COC - Rockbound Lake
There is a reason my mother calls me "Grace"... and today I demonstrated that reason to four hikers when, shortly after beginning our descent, I did a fancy, multi-step stumble forward, hoped in vain that I would right myself before completing the tumble, and before coming to a final stop in a prone position, watched my pinkie finger on my left hand bend all the way backwards to touch the back of my hand. Back at the trailhead I showed it to everyone (it was back in a near normal position) but only three were brave enough to touch the inverted knuckle. Bunch o' wusses. As I write this, it is 6.5 hours later, and I am still waiting for the pain to kick in. The doc says not to worry... it will be here by morning. At least I didn't have to deal with the torture of sitting in emergency for hours and hours; Marg took me to a walk-in clinic, and they had me X-Rayed and patched up and home in less than an hour!

So, I guess maybe you want to hear about the actual HIKE, too. Well, it was fantastic. Definitely a keeper. It's a long slog in on a forested trail, gaining 700m of elevation over 8km. A nice gentle grade. Near the end, the boring trail opens up and you are rewarded with great views of the side of Castle Mountain, beautiful Tower Lake, and Rockbound Lake, which wouldn't really be that great except for the spectacular black cliffs providing the backdrop. Anyway, it was great. If you want to know more, ask me in person, because my finger hurts and I'm going to stop typing now.

Many thanks to those who helped take care of me today.

-- Rhonda


2005-08-27 : COC - Belly Dancing - Easy Beginner Workshop


2005-09-08 : COC - Staff Meeting


2005-09-12 : COC - Belly Dance


2005-10-01 : COC - Open House - Rothney Astrophysical Observatory


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