Welcome to our site. We are Bushwhacker and Ranger. The purpose of this blog is to provide information to anyone interested in the history, or the hiking/walking trail systems, of South-Central Ontario Canada. Ranger is the historian, and Bushwhacker is the trail reviewer. There will be mention made of “The Wife” in Bushwhacker’s posts as she is an honorary “Old Guy” … not quite sure if that thrills her or not. We cover an area roughly from Perth across to the Muskokas, and South to Lake Ontario.
For a fuller introduction, please see the “Well, I Gotta Start Somewhere” posting in the category “Genesis”.
2 Old Guys Walking
PLEASE NOTE : We have shut off the mandatory e-mail address requirement to leave comments. Personally I don’t like leaving my addy just to leave a comment so why would you ? Mind you, I’ve retained the manual approval … so, if you do leave a comment, it won’t show up until I’ve seen, and manually approved it.
Enjoyed your info and wit!! Great web site icon (NO EXIT SIGN) You left me wanting more!
gff
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Have spent a couple hours reading all your blogs. Wish you, the wife, and Ranger lived closer so your li’l sis here could go on these walks with you. Keep blogging, I’ve enjoyed the time spent reading up on your adventures.
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Great blog! Love the one about the tomatoes. Nice to meet you and “the wife” today!
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Thanks kindly Eva. I look forward to Spring to do a write up on your winery’s history. As we said, your wines are the best we’ve ever had.
Bushwhacker
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Hey you 2 old guys I believe these blogs just keep getting better.I love reading the new ones and going back to read the older as well .Where does all this wit and great writing come from ?
li`l sis .Which one u guys will have to guess .
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Hey li l sis, Thanks for the comment, Will try not let all this praise go to our heads! How was your vacation last week?
The 2 old guys.
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Hi Bushwhacker and Ranger, love your site. I thought you might be interested in this mapping resource; it might serve your needs better than Google. The quality of the aerial views is often better and more detailed, and you can print some pretty good topos with it!
https://www.ontario.ca/page/topographic-maps
Keep on trekkin!
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Hi Bill,
Thanks much for your kind words of encouragement, your follow, and the map link. I’ve been playing with it, and it will certainly come in handy (particularly the topos – we’re in Oak Ridges Moraine territory).
Bushwhacker & Ranger
2oldguyswalking
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Hey there again! Another topo map resource you might like:
http://www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads
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Our thanks again Bill. Both for the URL and your exploration of our site (I’m assuming the last few days of “higher than normal” traffic has been you looking around). Enjoy.
Bushwhacker
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Hey Bushwhacker! Yes, that’s probably me. I was just reading trail reviews at first, but liked what I saw, so I started over from the beginning. I’m working my way through chronologically now… I’m nearly to mid-2014 or so. Great stuff!
By the way, “The Northumberland Nemesis” creeped me right out. I need to go burn some leather so I’ll recognize the scent.
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Heay Bill,
Keep it up and Ranger and I will have to declare you an honourary “Old Guy”. Though judging by your picture, you might not see that as the honour we would intend it to be.
Bushwhacker
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I’m absolutely fine with being called an “old guy”… kind of a badge of honour. I have a couple decades to go until retirement, though.
I was telling one of our interns last week that I felt like an old guy, and he said I should just claim to be in my late 20s… a couple decades late, that is.
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Noticed a “No Exit” sign today, fairly close to where I live. Drove to the end of that road and, sure enough, I found a trail. So, being inspired by 2 old guys that happen to blog about such things, I followed that trail. It ended up being kind of crazy (and perhaps not the safest trail I’ve ever hiked), but it was definitely fun!
The end of the road (photo): https://goo.gl/photos/abQRwMn272wEKDgx9
The trail (GPS track): http://my.viewranger.com/track/details/MzY2NDgzNQ==
What a fun hobby!
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While it’s true, that not every “No Exit” trail will lead to a pot O’ gold, they’ll often satisfy the explorer in someone. Keep your eyes sharp to the signs and discover just what might be out there … right down the street, or around the corner.
Bushwhacker
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Hey, long time, no comment. Hope you’ve both been well. Have either of you been to High Falls on Eels Creek? It’s just west of Petroglyphs PP… seems like your kind of place! http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MTE1NzI5
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Hi Bill,
Good to hear from you again. Yes we have been there. A very long time ago though. Almost 30 years back. It was one of our first forays together. Long time … thanks for the memory jog Bud.
2oldguyswalking
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Just found your site through Hiking the GTA. I look forward to reading it.
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Welcome aboard. We hope you enjoy and gain something useful from it.
2oldguyswalking
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hi. how grand to find your blog.!!
As a 60 something gurl who hikes all winter with her dog I am always searching for that trail less travelled!
I explore areas within one hour east and north of Toronto. …getting bored. next I will try that trail off Middle March Road.
I lost one of my loved lambswool fingerless gloves on a trail…went back 2 days later..and wow there it was!
Love how most items get lost and someone places them on a post or low tree limb to be easily found.
I’ve found 2 trails off Conc 3 north of Webb..
any other suggestions? i
ones not used much Mon to.Fri?
Do you hear gunshot much?
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Hello Martha,
I’ve edited your comments to make just one with the info from all three. Firstly, thank you for your kind words. We’re glad you found us. Yes, walkers are very thoughtful people. We’ve retrieved many a lost item by returning the next day.
The two trails you found off Conc 3 North of Webb, are just two of many in what we call “The Uxbridge Complex”. There are dozens of trails up there. At the bottom of every trail review you’ll find this link:
https://2oldguyswalking.wordpress.com/2017/06/07/map-locations-of-all-trails-on-this-site/
It will bring up a map of all 63 (thus far) trails reviewed by us. You can choose the numbered trail location and just scroll down to the link beside the number, to get exact directions on how to find the trail. We find most trails are not used much on week days, but the ones that are, will be mentioned in the review. We also avoid trails with gunfire, though the few where we’ve heard it, will also be mentioned in the review.
Have a nice walk on Crow’s Pass (Middle March Road), but read the access directions closely as that one was a real challenge to find.
Bushwhacker
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Hello,
I came across your blog while looking for my grandmother’s obituary. I couldnt help but notice you used my grandfather’s/grandmother’s headstone in your blog. It is a beautiful picture you have taken.
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Brook, truly appreciate your comment. The Fallis name is very familiar as one of Millbrook’s founding families. Your grandparent’s headstone picture from our post Millbrook’s Historic Churches (September 14, 2016) is very impressive and is located in the beautiful St. Paul’s Anglican Cemetery, both a photographer/historian’s delight.
PS: This headstone is featured again in a recent post: Some Grave Thoughts (May 2, 2018).
Ranger.
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I just discovered your excellent blog two days ago.
I’m a 74 year old retiree who moved to Stouffville September 2016.
Visited all the “tracts” west of Concession 7 so far.
Met some real characters on the trails: a guy on an electric unicycle who tipped me off about deer sightings in the Wilder meadow at post F4. Also a Korean guy who takes care of the horses at Pleasure Valley and who almost mowed me over at F4 while galloping through the meadow on horseback. He recognized me from a previous encounter and yelled “hello deer man” !!
Cheers, Ralph.
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Thanks kindly for the encouraging comment Ralph. We usually find people on trails to be characters too. Walking through the bush just seems to bring out the best in everyone.
Bushwhacker
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Hello old guys! I moved to Port Hope 6 months ago. I bought the house that Thomas Butterfield Chalk built and died in. It is very interesting to me historically and architecturally. Myself and the missus are renovating the place as she needs TLC. If you are ever in the area swing by for a gander.
All the best,
Steven Rennie
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Steven, Thanks for the great comment and welcome to Port Hope. The 2oldguys are honoured by an invitation to visit your historic Thomas Chalk home. These older homes are amazing in their quality and their attention to detail. Would be pleased to send you an email so that we can make contact and discuss a convenient time for a visit.
Regards, Ranger.
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Hi guys! A friend just told me about your site and it’s WONDERFUL!
I’m an ORTA hike leader and trail maintainer. You keep referring to our trails as being marked in blue. Actually, the main Oak Ridges Moraine Trail is marked with white blazes. Blue blazes mark side trails, mostly loops, that run off it. The main Oak Ridges Moraine Trail includes part of the Trans-Canada Trail.
ORTA offers group hikes on many of the trails you’ve written up, especially in the Uxbridge area. The hikes are free and open to everyone. There are hikes on weekdays and weekends. Some attract 30+ people while others attract 3-5. Hikes run throughout the year. There’s a calendar and schedule under the Hiking tab at www.http://oakridgestrail.org/.
BTW, 2 tips if folks feel lost:
1. The Oak Ridges Moraine Trail runs east-west. If you’re lost in the Uxbridge area woods and find a trail that’s marked with white blazes, it’s the main trail and will take you to a road.
2. The tops of the TRCA map posts were all cut on a 45-degree angle. The top of each post points north.
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Welcome to 2oldguyswalking Bruce. Glad to hear from you, and thanks for the kindly worded greeting. We are familiar with the blue side loop trail markings for the ORTA, as Ranger was an ORTA trail blazer and hike leader back in the 90’s, and for the GHTA before that. I just tend to recommend our readers use your blue markers for loop trails as they’re very accurate and reliable.
Thanks as well for the tips. I’m sure our readers will find them handy. But mostly, I want to thank you (and all trail maintenance people) for keeping these trails accessible for those of us who are getting too old to do it anymore.
Our thanks to you all,
Bushwhacker
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Have you guys been to Imagine the Marsh CA in Lakefield?
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Hello Gloria,
Yes we have. It’s quite nice with a lookout and all. However, you gotta walk a trailer park to get to the marsh trail, and the trail itself is very short. Nice to walk if you’re in the area, but I wouldn’t suggest a long drive to get to it.
Bushwhacker
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I enjoy reading your blog.
If you made a top 5 or 10 hiking trails list. What would be on your list?
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Oh Dear ! The question I’ve dreaded from day one. We have 126 trails listed on site already, and 16 queued-up waiting for their scheduled issuance dates. The problem is that I have so many different reasons for liking a trail, that I couldn’t place one above another unless they all had the same attributes for comparison. If we knew of a trail that had … flat, wide, easy walking surfaces, a magnificent lookout view of untouched wilderness, dozens of rarely seen wildflowers, bold wild animals that won’t run in terror at the sight of you, numerous ponds, a lake view, fresh forage-able berries and nuts, is secluded yet well maintained, just to mention a few … I’d recommend it. However, I’ll thank you for your question as it has prompted me to put together a write-up, listing trails which have commonalities for those who like specific attributes on a trail. It’s gonna take awhile, so please be patient with me.
Thanks again Jason,
Bushwhacker
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Good stuff
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Thank you.
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Hey, Ranger
Are you still “available”? I hate history; however, they say opposites attract. LOL
Great idea, guys. I stumbled across your site completely by accident. I’m going to see if I can enlist a friend to check out some of the trails. We may end up with a 2 Old Gals Walking.
Best
Lydia
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Why yes, Ranger is still available, but … we’re sorry … his heart belongs to History. So you’d have to settle for second place, and no lady should have to put up with that. However, a new blog entitled “2oldgalswalking” would be great fun to see.
Good to hear from you Lydia, and we hope you come back for more.
Bye for now,
Ranger & Bushwhacker – 2oldguyswalking
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Hi guys. Saw your comments in our guest log – thank you. Glad to find you and your site – great fun!
I’ll assume you saw our signs and took a brochure. My family donated the 500 acre Dahl Forest to the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust 10 years ago. It has become a popular place for casual hikers and nature lovers. Let me know if I can offer any further information, and please stop by (I live at DF most of the year.) if you ever return. Great work! All the best.
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Hello Peter,
Good to hear from you. We just returned from walking the Haliburton Cty Railtrail from Geeza to Howland today (we saw the trail from our visit to Dahl Forest). My review of your Forest is scheduled for September 22nd. We truly appreciate families like yours, donating and maintaining such beautiful properties for all of us to enjoy. You are so very kind. Thank you.
Bushwhacker
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Hi again fellas. Thanks for the great review of Dahl Forest. Gratifying that folks are enjoying a peaceful walk in our woods! You did not see ATV tracks at DF, that doesn’t happen here (or snow machines). We use a small Kubota tractor to maintain trails, clear fallen trees, mow, etc. Come back in the winter for a snowshoe. Thanks again. Peter
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My sincerest apologies Peter. You keep a beautiful forest and I should have known better. I’m just so used to (sigh) well, you know. Please note, I have corrected my review. Snowshoeing eh ? Hmmm I haven’t done that since my College days, and that was near 50 years ago. We’ll have to dust off our snowshoes and give it a try again.
Bye for now,
Bushwhacker
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Hi you two! How do you feel about speaking to a group of history lovers, about yourselves and a few of your outings? Talking about next year (I know I’m ahead of myself).
I’m with The Cobourg & District Historical Society. We are zooming these days but hope that by late summer or fall next year we will be meeting face to face again. We meet in Cobourg.
Look forward to hearing from you, Carla.
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Carla Jones, thanks for the amazing comment, it is a real compliment when history lovers like ourselves have other history buffs interested in our posts. We would consider this offer and we will keep you in mind.
Ranger.
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Hello again and here it is August 2021. We’re still not doing “live” in person meetings as yet however we hope to start October this year with Maureen Jennings of Murdoch Mystery fame. I am presenting Lydia Pinkham, via Zoom for our September meeting, and have read your piece on the website. There are a few comments I loved and wondered if I might quote them in my presentation. You will get full credit absolutely. The last paragraph about the businesses that came after Cobourg Pinkham were interesting. Would that be okay and perhaps you’d like to join our Zoom. If so, I will make a note to have you invited. That evening, we are also presenting the history of Leticia Youmanns from the Temperance Union, just a tad ironic considering Pinkham’s compound was suspended in 18% alcohol.
Please let me know, thanks, Carla
Carla Jones, President, on behalf of Cobourg & District Historical Society
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Carla, thanks for your comments. We would be happy to have you use any information from our Lydia Pinkham post. Regrets on your Zoom offer, the history of Leticia Youmanns of the Temperance Union sounds very interesting and especially the Murdoch Mystery by Maureen Jennings.
Ranger.
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Hey, I would love to chat with you about the Cat Hollow piece! Do you have an email address I can reach you at? Thanks!
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2oldguyswalking can be reached at: saphyregemstone@yahoo.com
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Hi 2 Old Guys. Many thanks for all the(Covid) walks we’ve done this summer based on your wonderful blogs. We’ve rediscovered how fabulous Southern Ontario is.
Our recent walks(Nov 2020) #1…. Sylvan Glen Conservation/devastation Area, N of Port Hope. The whole abandoned Conservation area has been wrecked by our “thoughtful” friends, the ATV-ers.
However, right across the Ganny river, is Dr Harris’ pleasant, well-maintained property and trail, a pleasure to hike, compared to the mud-mess on the other side. Didn’t see any eagles, but what-the-heck….can’t have it all !
#2…. Nonquon River Nature Reserve/Educational area. Just N/W of Port Perry. A large Wetland, with km’s of boardwalks. You were right about the friendly chickadees !!
Where the trail led through cedar thickets I was swarmed by crowds of chickadees, sitting on my outstretched hands. I had no seeds , so I chewed off pieces of my apple, and they snatched these from my hands. It was most heartwarming !!
#3 … Young Farm Hand in the 50’s. A memory trip for me , brought back my childhood years in Scotland growing up on farms in the 50’s. Milking cows, gathering eggs , feeding the orphaned lambs with bottles, picking potatoes on the annual fall Potato holidays along with all the other school kids. Impoverished, but no one realized it! We were happy, free-range kids.
Thanks, again,
Ingrid, retired nurse, Scarborough
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Great to hear from you again Ingrid. Also very happy our reviews provided you some places to walk during these difficult times. Should you be in the Port Perry area again, my next two issues will review a coupla more trail systems near the Nonquon. They’re all winter walkables too.
Bye for now,
Bushwhacker
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I’ve just stumbled across your site today. We have been trying to get out as much as we can with a 6 year and 8 year old who have lots of energy to burn off and love spotting wildlife. We live in the Clarington area, so have visited Darlington/McLaughlin Bay, Eniskillen, Long Sault and the Bowmanville Valley. We are enjoying finding new trails and to search for geo-caches as well.
I will be taking some time to look over your previous posts and reviews for what’s close to us. I’m excited. Thank you for your work and dedication to this.
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Welcome to our site Lisa. In a few days I’ll start issuing lists of all trails we know of within about 1/2 an hour of major centers. Since you’re interested, I’ll issue to ones near Oshawa first, many of which will be within your range. In the meantime I would strongly suggest Lynde Shores for the wildlife opportunities it presents. Be warned that Lynde Shores is very popular so might be crowded. Click on this link for our review of it :
https://2oldguyswalking.wordpress.com/2018/02/28/lynde-shores-conservation-area-review-a-winter-walkable/
Bushwhacker
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Love your website. I am hoping you can help me with something. I have old photos of a barn. I have been trying to identify the location. 😊
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Jill, if you could e/m picture, to our website, we will try to answer your questions, thanks.
Ranger.
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I just wanted to thank you all for your amazing site. I’ve lived in the Quinte region for most of my life, and I can’t believe the number of places I’ve never heard of before your site.
Anytime my family thinks about trying out a new spot, I always check in here for to see if you’ve posted it. Your material is always helpful and informative, and provides details you don’t see on a typical ‘google review’
Keep up the great work!
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Thanks for taking the time to comment Dave,
I’m very pleased we could help you. You just stated the two reasons I started this site. I became annoyed with inadequate trail location descriptions, coupled with inadequate trail experience descriptions.
Hence … 2oldguyswalking
Bushwhacker
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I just noticed your reference to Blanchard in your article on Elizabethville. It should have been E.G. Blanchard not F.G. Ernie George Blanchard 1879-1942 was my grandmother Byers’ brother. He ran the general store in Elizabethville for many years. The Blanchard family came from the Isle of Wight to Gananoque where one stayed and the other came to Bewdley. I had the pleasure of visiting the site of the workhouse on the Isle of Wight where the five Blanchard children were placed when their mother died, their father remarried and that is where the children were placed. The girl disappeared after being sent out to work. One grew up and stayed there in the Isle of Wight, two came to Canada and one died at the age of five. A few years ago I visited his grave at the site of the Workhouse which later became a hospital.
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Doris, correction: F. G. to E. G. noted and additional information and very much appreciated.
Ranger.
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Hi I am wondering about the Otonabee gravel pit conservation area.
Is it a conservation area still? Can we use it? There is a no trespassing sign at the top of the hill by the road (we were told some locals put that up).
There is also a closed gate at the top of the hill and one at the bottom. There are no signs that say it is a conservation area.
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Thanks for your notification Stacy. We haven’t been able to visit the Gravel Pit this year yet. I have sent an inquiry to the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority concerning the No Trespassing signage. Being this late on a Friday night, I’m sure it’ll be Monday at best, before I get a response. When I do, I’ll post the results on the review page. Thanks again for taking the time to post your question.
Bushwhacker
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Just wanted to say that I love the amount of feedback you give (and I have used it). Please keep it up. Thank you
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Glad we can be of assistance Lisa. We always try to respond quickly and accurately, as we very much appreciate our guests taking the time to comment.
2oldguyswalking
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