Seventeen Loopers gathered on Sussex Avenue in Burnaby at the west end of Deer Lake Park on a beautiful sunny morning.  This month’s leaders were Annie and Jan.  Once assembled and with the obligatory starting selfie taken, the group headed eastward into the park along a meandering forest trail.  Upon reaching Royal Oak we crossed under the roadway and entered the main part of the park.

We turned south, climbing a hill and heading east. Along the trail there were views of the meadows and Deer Lake below and the north shore mountains.  In true Looper fashion we ascended and descended several times before heading to the base of some steps leading up to the southwest. 

At this point we were charged with our Easter task of counting the number of orbs (eggs?) observed along the way to the top. The path consisted of a series of short stairways interspersed with level sections and small plazas.  The Oakalla prison occupied this area until 1991 when the area was turned over to parkland and residential developments.

There are just over 300 steps to the top.  At various points along the stairs was a series of plaques giving the Legend of Deer Lake as told by Squamish chief Joe Capilano to the poet Pauline Johnson.  On this day participants were more concerned about orb counting than reading the story, so an assembled copy of the plaques is included here.

At the top of the stairs was a plaza containing a collection of large silver orbs of various sizes.  At this point there was a discussion about the total number of orbs, including the silver ones and the stone stone ones along the path.  While the suggestions varied from about 55 to 59, the correct answer according to our leader was 60.  In any case, all participants were rewarded with small chocolate eggs.

After descending the stairs again, with some attempting to confirm the orb count, we continued eastward along the south shore of the lake. 

Partway along we stopped to admire the Baldwin House.  Located right on shore of the lake and constructed in 1965, it was an early commission by Arther Erickson.  It was originally a private dwelling and is now owned by the city of Burnaby and is currently used as part of the city’s artists in residence program.  For a time it was owned by the BC Land Conservancy and could be rented out.  Joette and Fred once hosted a party there and stayed overnight.

A short way past the house we found a pleasant meadow with seating options for the traditional mid-walk snack/lunch break. 

Post break we walked around the east end of the lake and returned along the north side of the lake via a series of boardwalks.  Near the west end of the lake we observed a group of turtles sunning themselves on a log.  Fun fact of the day: the collective term for a group of turtles is a bale.

As has become the custom, at the conclusion of the walk the group split for afters.  The beer bunch went to the Oliver Twist Pub, while the coffee crew chose a JJ Bean location for their libations.

Thanks to Annie and Jan for leading a fine outing and providing Easter goodies to the crew.

Photo credits to Angela, Jan, Jon, & Michael