The 3:00 p.m. run started promptly at 3:20, giving even ZigZag nearly enuff time to start with the rest of the hashers. After the usual chalk talk (usual - this is important later), with thanks to BirdBrian for providing some REAL chalk, we went off in search of trail. Ten minutes later we found our first mark, a mere half kilometre from the Black Dog. Too bad that Ocean wasn't a chalk-sniffing bloodhound - we would need help today. Dead End had laid trail without adult supervision!
The neighbourhood was simply delightful, until we arrived upon a view check at a dead end court (pun intended) overlooking a marsh. Undaunted, Shadow proceeded down the hill into the marsh in search of any marks.
Upon reaching a check at Lawrence Avenue near the lake, it seemed we had reached yet another point of no return. But we then found some miniscule marks off to the east and proceeded toward the Rouge Marsh, down a LONG hill and then across the Rouge River on a pedestrian bridge (complete with a VC mid way along the span). At the far side of the bridge we realized that we had indeed entered Durham, and we found a hitherto unknown mark - TA - we went for the obvious but there were no tits or asses in sight anywhere. We were now completely lost. The hare then caught up and explained that TA meant 'Turn Around and go back'. Thoughts of tossing the hare into the Rouge crossed our minds, but how would we then find our way to the beer check? With insufficient marks the hare had guaranteed herself some temporary security.
So back across the bridge, past the marsh, and up the LONG hill we had just come down. The hare stayed with the front of the pack and created some more new marks to send us on the next leg of this day's adventure. The maze continued with some more hills, winding roads, nice homes, and then finally the BC! The beer check was at the West Rouge school where the walkers, led by Aims Low (and Scrunchie, aka Aims Lower?) were already devouring the precious Bumming Beer.
The home stretch took us back to the Black Dog Pub where we retired to the party room in the basement (except for Ocean who had to bide time on the outdoor patio). The room had been suitably adorned with a fireplace and even balloons (pronouncing the engagement of someone who had probably been there the previous evening). Wet Pussy was the acting honorary GM for the circle and he took advantage of the situation to hog-tie Hogtown's current GM, Shampoo, by forcing him to answer any and all questions with one-word only responses. Everyone did make it back, so Dead End was thanked for her efforts after considerable down-downs, and she will hare again.
