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Geocaching and the Transcona Adventure Labs pt. 2

 Good morning everyone.  Today we look at the first State listed alphabetically, Alabama, for it's oldest and most favorite geocache.  'L'hotel de Bogue de voyage (The travel bug hotel)' GC15QQ7 is the most favorite cache.  Placed in September, 2007, it has been found 1,211 times and has 522 favorite points.  The very first geocache hidden in this State is 'Trussville Civilian - Alabama's First Cache' GC126.  Hidden in January, 2001 (it'll be 20 years old next month), it has been found 1,937 times and has 486 favorite points.

This week I continue with the Adventure Labs I did in Transcona.  This one had me doing more reminiscing about my younger days.  Back to a time of innocence and disco.  A time before cell phones and geocaching.  This Adventure Lab was put together by PelikanKru and it's called 'Things to do Around Transcona'.


Our adventure begins at a pedestrian walking path.  This path didn't exist when I was growing up.  It was nothing more than an abandoned railway bed.  Growing up, this path was the place to ride your dirt bike in the summer and snowmobile in the Winter.  Today, it's a corridor that stretches 6.7km and is used by many to go for a walk, run, or ride your bicycle.  


The next stop on this AL intersects with last week's AL.  Technically not at the same spot, but both ALs bring you within steps of each other.  This stop is something else that's new since I moved away.  A stage/bandstand/pavilion area.  I want to say that a hardware store once stood where the stage is now, but I'm not that confident about that fact.  This was part of a revitalization project for downtown Transcona.  I have to admit, I didn't really hang out or shop much in this downtown area.  I do remember the bowling alley where 7-11 is now located.  That's a different trip down memory lane.  Getting back to this Adventure Lab.


For those unfamiliar with Transcona, the older section is divided into East and West with Day st. acting as the divider.  I mention this as the rest of this adventure takes me to more familiar territory.  East Transcona.  This is where I grew up, went to school and hung out.  

Stop number three is at a war memorial in a circular park simply known as Park Circle.  The memorial has always been there and the local Legion holds it's Rememberance Day services at this location.  As a kid, it was something you didn't really pay much attention to.  I hung out at the park with friends, playing and just passing the time away.


Our next stop is a place you probably wouldn't find me when I was growing up.  Transcona swimming pool.  Back in the day, it was just an indoor and outdoor pool.  I only recall going here once or twice with friends and a couple of times with the school.  I spent more time down the street at the Transcona Stadium watching baseball games (can be seen in the background of the picture), or next door at the Roland Mitchener arena watching the Transcona Railers hockey games.  Today, the outdoor pool has had a total makeover with water slides and a splash pad.  If this was here when I was younger, I may have spent more time here.


Our last stop brings us to a place where I spent a lot of time, although it actually isn't a part of the Adventure Lab.  The skateboard park in the foreground is where we need to go.  The skateboard park didn't exist back then, but the hill did.  Many memories of sitting at the top of the hill in the evenings with friends.  There use to be a play structure at the top of the hill as well, but that doesn't exist anymore.  I did go tobogganing here, like most kids do in the Winter.


The hill is known as Murdoch Hill.  That is because of what is across the street.  It isn't part of the Adventure Lab, but it will forever be a part of my memory.


Murdoch Mackay Collegiate.  My old high school.  The school was expanded while I was there and opened up when I was in grade 12.  My high school days.  Back when I had shoulder length hair (not much is left of that mullet) and the new music then is called Classic Rock today.

That's the second Adventure Lab in Transcona.  Next week I'll feature the third one.  Do you ever wonder why parks and buildings are named after people and why?  Until next week, be happy, stay safe, wash your hands and wear a mask (it does help flatten the curve), but most importantly, have fun.  Peace out.



Tinkers and Sassy keeping me company as I write this blog.

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