Canadian Thanksgiving Day

             Canadian Thanksgiving fell on the same day this year as Columbus Day in the US.  One of these two gave me nothing, the other gave me miniature donuts and iced coffee with rum.  Canadian Thanksgiving, allow me to give my thanks to you.

            Anyway, the hash.  The hash comes rain or shine and this was without a doubt a day of rain, rain that began to pour about thirty minutes before kickoff but with Dave Wilkins as our hare this week, the crowds came out with expectations of a fun trail and they would not be disappointed.  We met at the Western Esplanade and it was a red and white feast for the eyes between the socks, t-shirts, hats, flags, and even little red/white maple leafs tied to the head.  The rain was beginning to let up as the clock ticked towards 6.30 and when the pack set off there was nothing more than a light drizzle coming down.  There was a three-way check-in to begin and the correct trail went in the direction of Arawak Cay.  At the intersection there was another check-in scattering everyone but the trail now went towards Bay Street where another check-in put us on towards the parking lot on the other side of the cricket field.  After milling around looking for the proper trail, it was found on the dirt track and we followed that further east until turning up that winding road towards Fort Charlotte and stumbling across a box waiting for us in the grass.

            From that point, we continued south past the Fort and than east on the curving roads that led us into the downtown area.  There were a handful of check-ins as well as a driver who slowed down to ask if we were all advertising for Kentucky Fried Chicken, and than we came upon… not quite a beer stop, but an iced coffee (rum optional) and miniature donut stop.  Now I love the standard beer stop as much as anybody else, but this was a very delightful surprise, one that I would not mind seeing again, though the second donut sat a little heavier than the first.  I could have stayed there all evening… but there was a trail to follow and follow we did.

            We split into two directions as we were at a check-in and after looping around on those quiet roads for a few minutes, there was a charge down West St that almost took us onto Bay St but instead the trail followed the curve of the road.  A side trip through an undeveloped field, complete with shaky rocks and vicious planks of wood, and than we were back on our way towards Nassau St.  A check-in sent some sacrificial hashers further into the island but the correct trail quite apparently took us down to Bay and another check-in took us over the street and up the stone steps towards the path running along the beach.  By now the sky had turned deep hues of blue – some might say black – and it was growing more difficult to spot the flour but fortunately the next mark found was the On-In and we all continued back along that beachside path.  Quickly, we were back at the start of the trail and after all respect was paid to Canadian Thanksgiving, we made our way to the Cricket Club to further celebrate.  Great run, Dave, and great donuts.