Xavier Icardo joined our
group about 20 months ago to no fanfare. Lots of newbies
come along and disappear as quickly. Not so Xavi. He quickly
joined our Wednesday Running Room group and immediately
commenced initiating change. Group trail run pics were
always a part of our running experience but Xavi made
it commonplace. So much so that a few participants began
carrying their I phones and we would purposely search
out a photo opportunity on our trail excursions.
Rocks!! on Laurentian
trails
Rocks!!
at St. Charles Lake
Xavier's greatest challenge
and contribution to the group was the introduction of
the Hydration Station. When Xavi first joined the group
he would end the day by inviting all to Buzzy's for a
celebration brew. Nobody accepted...initially. Not to
be deterred Xavi continued to solicit and finally after
3 weeks he broke through some barrier and we found ourselves
in the bar ordering beers. The evening has become a welcome
tradition and will live on and prosper.
Apres Run at
Buzzy's
Apres Run at
Buzzy's
It was Xavier's greatest
hope during our many off road excursions that we would
cross paths with a bear. Being a southern urbanite Xavi
had never seen a bear in the wild. It's rather difficult
with a group our size tramping through the bush to encounter
anything let alone a large animal. We did come close once
when one was spotted below an apple tree but it had disappeared
by the time Xavi and the front of our troupe could be
made aware.
The drama finally concluded
when the bears, obviously feeling sorry for the gentleman,
got together and wandered up the main walkway of the TownPlace
Suites on the Kingsway in Sudbury and displayed themselves
in all their splendor, even posing for photos. Xavi is
manager of the facility and was onsite for the viewing.
This was one of his northern highlights. But not the only
one. On a recent trip to Manitoulan Island he got to witness
the chinook salmon run up close at Bridal Veil Falls.
(not Xavi's
bear)
Chinook salmon
at Bridal Veil Falls
While the wild bear encounter
and run of salmon were something very special Xavier was
never satisfied with the status quo. He was always looking
for a little chaos. His 2 summer Ragnar events indicated
to us he was searching for the unique and unusual. Something
with a little flair. Something that people would talk
about for time to come. Perhaps a pub run.
Thus was born the "6
Pubs in 6 Kms. in 6 Hours".
The ambitious plan was to
start at our local establishment (Buzzy's), drink 1 beer,
travel approximately 1km to the next watering hole and
repeat same until 6 spots had been visited and a way home
had been worked out... hopefully in advance.
A special treat awaited the
group when member Ania ordered Buzzy's management to have
French beer on hand for the event start. Since our Apres
Runs commenced months ago Xavier let it be known EVERY
week that he if he was to drink beer he would prefer it
to be French beer. The waitress always smiled and promised
to take his concern to management but the French beer
never materialized...until Pub Run Day. Buzzy's finally
came through and special ordered a case of Kronenbourg
1664 French beer. What an excellent way to get the party
on their lubricated path. Take a look at the photo and
link below to see the Pub Runners in action. Further description
not required...or wanted by the pub runners.
P.S. They didn't stick to
just one beer per location and they all arrived home safely.
Buzzy's with
Kronenbourg
All
Pub Run Photos Here
Time marches on and unfortunately
for us, so does Xavier. A new opportunity in hotel management
has opened up for him in the GTA and he will be leaving
us within the week. Fortunately for us he is not going
quietly into the night. How fortunate we are to have our
good friend organize his own Farewell Xavier party and
invite all his friends.
In his farewell speech Xavi
was heard to say:
"Loose
translation from this French movie quote I have in mind
" regarding that particular town, one cries twice
: when you arrive and when you leave" pretty much
how feel about leaving Sudbury this week."
Thank you for joining
me tonight ! It was truly great and I hope you had as
much fun as I did ! Thanks again for everything !
Thank you
Xavier. We'll miss you and until we meet again here are
some more memories.
Xavi pointing
out suspected bear scat (the closest he got to anything
ursine in the wild)
Cake by Ania
D.
