This morning began with a walk to and from the Hyde Creek Rec Centre where Taylor had her dance class. After class, Taylor, her brother, mother and grandma took the bus to downtown PoCo to watch the May Day parade and hang out at the rides.
My escape plan included a ride to Coquitlam Centre from Taylor’s Dad (whose own escape plan involved a trip to the dump). I found a wash and wear shirt for Italy, then headed over to my other favorite food joint in PoCo — C-Lover fish and chips. A halibut chowder and halibut burger fortified me for the return trip.
After yesterday’s transit marathon, I decided to forego the bus and walk. Besides, I need to begin my walking training for Italy sometime. I switched on my Pedometer app and set out. I was reluctant to head down the congested bumper to-bumper Lougheed Highway, so decided to try out the back roads.
I knew the only impediment would be crossing the Coquitlam River, but remember a foot bridge from one on the two walks upriver I made in the twenty-three years we lived here. With an unfailing sense of direction I set out eastward. At the end of the cul-de-sac a sloping path led into the bush.
I rounded the corner and saw ashore bridge over a much-smaller tickle of water than I remembered, but crossed it and continue onward.
In the next block I encountered a yard filled with sculptures. ‘Am I in Italy?’ I wondered, but after looking closer, realized I was gazing at (what I hope will be) a far less inviting set of statuary than I expect to see in Rome. Still, folks here also must feel the urge to beautiful their surroundings.
A few blocks further along I came to another dead-end, but, once more, a path led off through the trees albeit in the wrong direction.
About 500 meters down the path, I heard the sound of rushing water, and crossed a blue pedestrian over a much larger expanse of water.
Safely across the river, I walked through a motocross track, past a ball-diamond full of shouting teams and spectators, a retired float from the morning’s parade and soon after reached my destination, 5446 steps from where I began. I had managed to avoid all the congested lanes of traffic, the buses, and experience a little taste of the natural world on a warm spring day.
- Posted from my iPad
Location:Port Coquitlam
