TOPS BC 2574 - Coquitlam Friday Mornings

08/05/2023

Latest message from our virtual walking coordinator.

Our Virtual walk around the equator

As some have expressed an interest in looking things up in advance of walking reports, here is some information in advance of my May 19 update.

As of April 28 we are nearly through Ecuador, all on a Google walking route.

As of April 28, we have walked 567 K. and need only 112 K. more to get to Puerto Riera near the border into Colombia and the end of the walking trail.

Don't forget that we have walked over the Andes. . . . and hardly noticed. . . . great to be in such good shape!!!

From Puerto Riera, Ecuador to the end of the route across South America at Macapa, Brazil is 2759 K. as the crow flies.

Here are a few places on or near the Equator some might want to look up for the rest of the journey through South America
Colombia: cities Puerto Leguizamo , Pacoa.

National parks such as Cahuinari

Brazil: The Rio Negro (tributary of the Amazon) seems to have some interesting towns along its banks

The Uaupes Basin articles on the human cost of deforestation Amazon Rain Forest wildlife etc.

Check out Arere hotels. You might never want to check out!

I will bring maps on May 19 and a few extra computer copies I was asked for last time, but can now provide.

Given that we will soon be flying over the jungle as free spirits, we might want to explore what interests the group along the Equator in and out of the order we might land on geographical markers. I will prepare progress reports, but hearing from those with relevant experiences or who have looked up something might be more interesting than having to push on to the next town or national park.

Let me know what you think about this idea.

24/03/2023

Share your favorite healthy recipes.
Please use the comments to share a recipe. 🙏

24/03/2023

Breakfast Cookies
https://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/dairy-free-breakfast-cookies

11/03/2023

Yesterday we celebrated our 45th year.

Our biggest losses of 2022 received a trophy for losing 18lbs and she looked fabulous. And another member was recognized for achieving 10 years as a KOPS member.

08/03/2023

Here was are (virtual) in Pedernales, Ecuador at the start of our virtual walking tour. I am excited to see what we learn as we take this virtual journey.

Pedernales is a coastal town in Ecuador. It is the capital of Pedernales Canton. Ecuador's Pacific Highway 15 passes through the town and Highway 382 terminates in the town.

08/03/2023

Thanks to a returning member, our walking program is back.

Each week at our meeting, members record how many kilometres they have walked*. As we accumulate kilometres, we go on a virtual journey and learn about the places we are 'walking.'

Usually, our walks are famous long trails/ walking routes. This month we have started a new virtual trip. Walking the land masses at the equator.

Our first leg is approximately 519 KM.
Starting at Pedernales, Ecuador, on a walking path outlined by
Google. We will be ending the designated on a walking path at Nueva Loja, Ecuador.

In between, we may take virtual side trips to Quito and/or nearby volcanoes such as Cayambe or Pichincha.

After the first leg, "as the crow flies" will take us about 600 KM through Colombia and into the huge National Cahuinari Park for more adventures.

The rest of South America takes us through intriguing Brazil to end at Macapa.

Next stop, Africa.

Once a month, members will share research they have done on the places we are traveling through. Making this virtual walking tour more interesting.

* 15 minutes of exercise counts as 1 km.

06/03/2023

This Friday is our 45th anniversary. Visitors are welcome. Join us as we celebrate 45 years and honor our biggest loser of 2022.