I did finally reach Abbotsford Nov. 30 and just kept walking, now heading towards Hope: 87 km or 114,840 steps. Counting the steps since Nov. 30 I have accumulated 12,311 leaving me with 102,529 steps to go.
Some Hope facts: population is 6,181, from the 2016 census; the town gets very high amounts of rain and cloud cover, particularly throughout the autumn and winter. Their mayor is Wilfried Vicktor.
My plan is to try to remain as close to the border as possible. I have been thinking about Yahk, B.C. which is 628 km, 828,960 steps, via Highway 3. Yahk is an unincorporated hamlet just north of the Canada-US border, population 127 (2006). What do you think? I have never been there.
Sunday, Jan. 20, the Bulkley Valley Concert Association (BVCA) will present the Cheng 2 Duo, named one of CBC Music’s “30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30.” This is a brother and sister duo: 20-year-old cellist Bryan Cheng, recipient of the 2017 Canada Council for the Arts Michael Measures Prize and pianist Silvie Cheng, recipient of the Roy M. Rubinstein Award for exceptional promise in piano performance. Tickets available at Mountain Eagle Books: adults $25, seniors (60 plus) $20, youth (under 18) $16. BVCA tickets make a great Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanza/Solstice Gift! To check further events for 2019 go to bcca.me/201819-season. Have a listen to this duo: cheng2duo.com, facebook.com/Cheng2Duo.
A dramatic reading of Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales, performed by Valerie Laub. Music will be by Nicolette Davis and Cindy White. Wednesday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m. at Grendel Place, 3762 Second Avenue, tickets and treats by donation.
Bulkley Valley Insurance Services, 1139 Main, is asking for adult size jackets, boots, socks, long johns, mitts or gloves in usable condition for the Broadway Shelter. There will be a big box at the front of the office and anyone who donates an item is welcome to enter into a draw for a $200 gift card from Totem Audio. You can donate up until Dec. 14.
Saturday, Dec. 15 from 2-5 p.m. come visit Santa in his workshop at the BV Nordic Centre (8.5 km up Hudson Bay Mtn. Rd). There will be cookie decorating and hot chocolate available in the lodge. Everyone is welcome at this free public event.
A Christmas Carol Singalong, an annual Round Lake Hall event, Friday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. They will have hot apple cider ready, you bring some baking/snacks to share. Invite friends to a joyful singalong led by Cor and his guitar. Don’t forget your inside shoes.
Closing with: sandbag: to bank, stop up, or weight with sandbag. Also: to hit or stun with as if with a sandbag; to treat unfairly or harshly; to coerce by crude means; to conceal or misrepresent one’s true position, potential, or intent especially in order to take advantage over: to hide the truth about oneself so as to gain an advantage over another.