Message - Charles Bryan

Charles Bryan – Carrying Place Ontario

Musings on the first anniversary of the Russ Kisby Fit walk.

On the week prior to “Russ’ Walk” we
were staying at a country house in the historic town
of Carrying Place located on a bay of Lake Ontario.
In common with many lakeside properties the house is
on a dead-end road which had been built on an island,
now joined to the ‘mainland’ by a causeway. It is
rural.

The weather forecast for the 20th of July was not good
so I considered that I might make my walk during the
previous evening. The weather was fine – warm,
cloudy but with clear cloud patches. The moon was
just past full and low on the horizon. Ideal for a
fitwalk.

My female companion was with me. She accompanies
me on most of my half-mile/mile, almost daily fitness
walks. We set off west for the easiest but least
interesting part of the walk We walked on a good
asphalt pavement, narrow but allowing two cars to
pass. From the noise that she made when walking on
the road – which was not often – my companion needed
her toenails cutting. This is not surprising – she is
an active and inquisitive West Highland Terrier,
answering to my name of U Hoo. In this rural setting,
with very little traffic [none at this time of night]
we are joined by a seventeen foot retractable leach.
With this, I can walk down the middle of the road
while U Hoo can explore both grass sides. Over the
years she has learned just how far forward she can go,
how long she can explore before I have come to the
back extension of the leash and she must move. This
system allows a good brisk walking pace.

We walk uneventfully to the causeway and retrace our
steps past the house and on to the end of the road.
Fireflies are intermittently glowing, never twice in
the same location. U Hoo and I watch them for a
moment trying to fix where next they will shine.
Carrying Place is on a narrow neck joining Prince
Edward County and the mainland. In the many decades
of voyageur movement west it was a portage saving a
long paddle in open Lake Ontario water round the
‘County’. A legend is whispered that fireflies
represent the souls of voyageurs who paddled west but
did not return. There are many fireflies calling
mates on the warm summer night. A coyote yips in the
distance.

We continue to the turning circle at the end of a paved
surface. In the full length of the road there is but
one street light giving out a meager glimmer through the
years of crusted flies on the cover. Other than the
moon, low on the horizon and flitting out from the
clouds, the world is dark with a vast array of stars.

Beyond the circle at the end of the road, there is a
grassy track going into the swamp. I make an
executive decision – the moon is free of clouds, U Hoo
likes this part of the trip with its wonderful earthy
smells – we shall go on to inspect the beaver dam.

This is a strategic and physical mistake.

I am wearing a tee-shirt, short trousers, and Crocs.
U Hoo has had her spring trim. We have made no more
than three steps into the grassy track than the
mosquitoes rise in clouds intent in taking advantage
of this unexpected windfall of blood to assist in
their fertilization process. We beat a very hasty
retreat, slapping and scratching [me] and rolling in
the damp grass [daft thing U Hoo]. We make our way
back to the house with many imprecations [me[.

I have the thought that perhaps if I dip my legs in
the lake it might cool them down. U Hoo and I sit at
the end of the dock - me with my legs in the water.
I think deep thoughts. Who knows what U Hoo thinks
about.

As we sit watching the reflection of the lights from
the far side of the bay, the moon comes out, and not
ten feet from us - on the water - a silent convoy is
passing.

Every year at this part of the bay a pair of Mute
Swans have a nest and raise a brood. This is their
current production – out for a late-night stroll. All
in a line – Mama, three half-grown cygnets, and Papa
acting as sweep – and totally silent. Even U Hoo is
dumfoundedly silent as they pass off back into the
silence of the lake.

We, on shore make our way back to the house, where U
Hoo and I share a banana.

This Fitness walk has had particular significance in
that it has pointed up how the world moves along in a
timeless manner with wonderful and interesting
activities. I thought a lot about Russ, his goals,
his constant devotion to the cause of leading and
exhorting the ever-present couch potatoes to greater
health and happiness. He devoted and dedicated his
life to this cause – even during his final
debilitation. I have found that it is virtually
impossible to speak to a Canadian about ParticipACTION
and its goals, than their eyes light up and they
recall the goals for us unphysical people. They may
not know the name of the leader of this organization –
Russ was a modest man - but within the international
field of “Sport for All” his name and fame was legendary. Russ’s
message was exemplary and has had a significant effect
on many, many people to the betterment of life in
Canada.

Alas, when the prophet moves from the scene, all too
often the message, and the memories, and the goals
grow dim – the focus changes. Merle, leading her team
of extended family, has brought together the dreams
and ideals of Russ in their concept and organization
of an Annual Fitness walk. They have worked long and
hard to bring this about. All of them deserve our
appreciation for their dedication. Well done to you
all!

I have personally benefited from the ParticipACTION
philosophy of ‘it is better to do a little and often
than not do anything at all’. I shall never manage
the 10,000 paces per day, but I can be regarded with
lesser years than the calendar tells me.

It has been an interesting Fitness walk.
I am sure that U Hoo appreciates the fitness walks,
regardless of weather and will join me in future
annual editions.