Wild Water Kingdom Water Park and Drive Inn

This weekend "The Plan" actually came together and all of the usual suspects managed to clear a few hours in our Saturday calendars for some summer fun. I threw a dozen bottles of water and some snacks into the cooler and met up with the first half of the usual suspects for brunch at Boom. My pancakes were yummy, sausage perfect but the best was the potato fritz that I stole of my neighbors plate.

While I was not looking the usuals threw a few beers into the cooler, and then we carried on to pick up the 4th of our party. We arrived at Wild Water Kingdom after 3pm as planned.  Paid the "late day" rate of $25.00 and moved onto the inner sanctum where the promise of water thrills awaited.  I know that most people skip the "shower before going into the water" but I'm a bit of a prude and usually follow this rule...at this establishment the line up for the working shower was too long so I went all rebel.  We had planned on sharing a locker but the lockers were so small that only one persons purse/backpack would fit into it so each of us had to rent a separate locker.  Once that task was completed we moved onto partake of wet fun. 

We walked around to see what the park had to offer.  There were 5 series of slides.  The kiddie slides...Short slides with a 2 ft drop to the pool.  We skipped that one. Three slides names corkscrew, sidewinder and something else.  There was only 1 lifeguard at the top and one at the bottom so the corkscrew (or was it the sidewinder?) was not being used.  I went down 1 and brother went down the other.  Unlike the guy who went down before me I didn't get stuck and have to push myself down the slide....but I did not go fast.  The other slide impressed as little as mine did.  So we moved over to the "Cyclone" slides.  Which were a slight improvement but not cause for any hoots, hollers, or squeals.  Being as we were not impressed so far, and neither of us were going to do the "straight fall" slides we sucked it up and rented some tubes" Admission, plus locker, plus tubes, each of which has failed to impress...but the tube rides the Night Rider (well actually it was labeled Ni ht Rider and Abyss) were both slided that we went on again.  While waiting our turn we seen the other half of the usual suspects going down another slide that made me squeal just watching them almost flip over the sides. Then I got pushed down an enclosed tube deprived of all light I wondered if I were going forward or backward and at times I felt like I was defying gravity.  I felt the joy that only comes from a good waterside. 

So all told, of the 12 watersides at Wild Water Kingdom only 3 of them are worth the price of admission in my opinion.  After a few trips we decided to check out the lazy river...midpoint we found the licenced section and stopped for a picture of beer... we seen our second case of "pants falling down" the first one was to reveal grey dingy Calvin Klein's this time was at least to something less offensive. After our picture we carried on my tube kept on objecting to me using it as a floater and spat me out. One of the others used the tube as a yoga mat and practiced his Buddha pose which just asked to be pushed off his tube.

Before we knew it we were being asked to leave the park and to take all of our person belongings.  I may have a few scruples about showering before entering public pools I have major scruples about showing with soap and water AFTER  using public pools....I waited for the shower to wash away the chlorine and whatever else may have been in that water. 

As usual; when the girls emerged the boys were waiting.  We went back to the car, grabbed some water.  When the sun set the parking lot was going to turn into a Drive in Movie with a double feature film.  We pondered where to move the car to and realized we were hungrier than the few bags of chips and nature bars were going to be able to take care of.  The "Snack Bar" was not open so we called some friends and suggested that they meet us for the movie and to show up with some Pizza. 

Friends thought things thorough and showed up with some lawn chair AND Pizza.   While waiting for the movie to start their kids chucked a baseball (parents think of these things) we ate Pizza and offered beer as a token of our gratitude.  When the movie started the boys didn't have to sit In the backseat....they sat outside, we rolled down the windows (fortunately I had some Off in my car to chase away the mosquitoes) turned up the volume on the radio frequency and enjoyed Captain America...after the movie we realized that "enjoyment" means different things to different people.  Marvel enthusiast thought it was a great movie...everyone else was amused at the hokeyness.  My example was that zip lining onto the roof of a moving train should involve some slight imbalance in posture.  Because the Marvel enthusiast gets to pick movies sometimes, I have seen X-Men (in spite of never having read comics) and Iron Man 1 and 2 (again never read comics) and enjoyed all the movies. But Captain America I was laughing "at" not laughter "with".  I am sure to see the Avenger movie when it comes out. I'm sure I will enjoy it one way or another.



Not sure if it was the filming or the full Moon or the back lights, but most of the film was indiscernible....the battle scenes were reminiscent of the time I had spent in the light deprived water tunnel a few hours ago....from the dialog the story could be followed but the action was black on black....

At the end of the day, the Water park failed to impress any of us and the Drive Inn Movie left u impresses as well.  As we parted company from the family at the end of the second movie we agreed that it had been a great night.  During the drive home we wondered how a water park that had mostly crappy slides and a Drive Inn that showed hokey or badly viewed movies could have ended up in such an awesome day....my recommendation...go with good friends.

Taste of the Danforth

This past week I have had it in the back of my head that I would be writting a post about the Taste of the Danforth.  I live within walking distance and once a year I am given a perfect excuse to not cook.

Friday afternoon I discovered was International Beer Day, unfortunatly when I called up all the Usual Drinking Suspects, but they already had Friday night plans with buds from work.  I opted to grab my beer on the Danforth and cruise the scene.

At any street festival I grab some roasted corn, dunked in butter.  At the IGA stand the table of seasonings was impressive, I had the lemon/pepper and it was yummy.  Then I had some Crab au Graitin and wished that I had of had more corn....I moved towards the Jones end, thats where they set up the ferris wheel and the one act....a rope climber.  Maybe there was something elese down there but I was bored and turned around. 

At Holy Name the sponsor tent was set up, historically this has been a beer tent, but last year it was a media/beer tent. This year it was an olive oil tent!!!! Was I disappointed? On International Beer Day!!!! No Beer.  I sat on the church steps and consoled my thirsty heart with a henna tattoo

Trusting what "they" say, this is Chineese writing for Rabbit, on my ankle

Having been gifted a balloon gun at the Beaches Jazz Festival a few weeks ago....only to break it a few hours later....I sought out the source of the bubbles floating through the air and when quoted $10 from the vendor I walked away dissappointed and returned a while later and paid $8.00.  Yeah bubbles.

My search for beer gardens proved fruitless.  The only one was at the Greek stage....I love Greek food but Greek music, not so much.  I finally decided to pick up some beer at the LCBO and celebrate at home.   

Not sorry that I attended but did not encourage anybody to go out of their way to attend.

Stopped to smell the Roses and other perenials

Usually when I travel the trails that wind around the Don River I am trying to burn as many calories in as short a time as possible.  While I appreciate that running on the trails surrounds me with a more pleasing setting than a treadmill, or sidewalk stands on Danforth, I don't have time to actually stop and smell the roses.

Monday I was feeling ill, weak and wobbly, by Tuesday I was feeling a bit better and had watched all the programs on the PVR and frankly cabin fever was setting in.  I was out of Tylenol and was wondering if popping expired Iron tablets was a healthy choice so I headed to the drug store to replenish my stock and clear my head.

The walk really helped clear the cobwebs; after convincing the pharmacist that I was not going to OD on Iron I decided that I was not ready to go home.  I grabbed a  free newspaper and headed to Riverdale park to sit in the shade and do the Sudoku.

My mind got to wandering and I thought that I would take the long way home and walk along the trail beside the Don River so that I could check the progress of catnip.  I harvest some every year for my cats, well this time it will just be Sooty, and also for friends who have cats. 

I didn't have to go too far to find catnip ready to harvest.  I plucked it and put it in the bag with the Iron tablets, Tylenol and water, thinking that was all I would see ready for harvest.  Being as I was not moving very fast I found myself appreciating things that I usually only notice in my peripheral vision.

I'm not sure what this is....the tree it was growing on looked like a Sumac (what I call weed trees) but the weed trees in my neighbors yards don't have pretty red things.

I rounded a corner and came upon kitty heaven.  I have heard that colony's of feral cats inhabit the valley.  I have never seen any but don't doubt it with so much catnip growing wild.  I stopped and filled up my shopping bag.  If I were not feeling the effects of anemia I would have skipped home excited to see Sootys reaction to my harvest.

But this was to be a leisurely stroll where, low and behold I would, in all honesty "stop and smell the roses".  As lovely as they are to behold I must say that this particular bush was not a fragrant one.

I am not sure what these flowers are called, bees love them, for some reason I think it is Honeysuckle but am likely mistaken.

I have an instinct to stay away from yellow perennials, that stems from an allergy that is sometimes mild and sometimes sever to the dreaded "goldenrod". But that does not come out till the fall so I got close to this.  Don't know what it is called but love the color.

Humm I was looking forward to writing this post until I realized how many times I was going to have to type "I dunno what this is"  My mother used to call them snake berries and told us they were poison.  I have never seen a snake eating them but our mother had 5 kids to cook for, if those berries were not poison she would have encouraged us to fill up on them.

More snake berries...if anyone can identify them that would be neat.

Tiny Daisy flowers but these are not your typical "he loves me, he loves me not" daisy's.  The flowers are tiny and the petals like little eyelashes around the yellow centre.

Finally something I can name, your everyday ordinary Daylilys.  Such a brilliant orange blossom but only for a day. So thankful there will be another one tomorrow.

LOL another something that I cannot name. Might be sage.

Getting tired of admitting I don't know the names of things so....tada. Ladies and Gentlemen may I present to you "The Don River"

And before our fat mayor spends a zillion dollars cleaning up all the dirty graffiti in the city...one of the rail bridges over the Don River.

Okay it was my Grammie and my other Grammie AND my mom who told me that these are purple thistles. So don't nobody tell me they are anything else.

And because I am on a roll of being able to name things with assuredly; this is the Don River

Now this is weird.  I decided to move off the main trail cuz there were too many crazy cyclers. There is a footpath that runs directly beside the river but it was blocked with this.

I went around it and met up with this

Not sure what the intent is but this is a trap or barricade or spooky Blair Witch warning that is man made from dead wood.  I have heard that first Nations People live in the Valley and are allowed to fish and hunt in accordance with their culture.  Maybe I stumbled upon something of theirs.  Eventually I had no alternative except to crawl up the escarpment or turn back....I crawled up, I'm not as evolved as some people I like a monkey challenge.

At the top of the escarpment there was railing that I could grab onto....and another flower that I know the name of....this is Queen Annes Lace, bunny lovers know it as wild carrot. (although I have never found a carrot attached to one).

Nearing my exit from the trail I take another look at the Don River

And look in the other direction

And then trudge through the construction on the veichal escarpment that is Pottery Hill Road.

Looks like they are digging to decrease the incline.

Its still a steep walk

And my own savage garden

Needs to be watered

Old Nick

Living in an area of Toronto where some of the best restaurants in the city are only a few blocks away I have never felt inspired to write about any one or another in a positive or negative light....after all if you don't like it there is an alternative right next door.  Not to mention the fact that there are countless others who will tell you where to dine in Toronto, I usually feel like my 2cent endorsement is pretty worthless.

But just in case someone has not read Tena In Toronto , or is reading a years old NOW endorsement, or thinks that the rainbow on the door mean something good, let me prompt you to look for the alternative.

I have been to the Old Nick on several occasions.  For those that are not partial to Greek food but want to meet on the Danforth, I have recommended it more than once on the grounds that the beer selection is pretty good and the menu has a few standouts, the service was friendly and attentive...back in the day.  The downfall began with less attentive service which has kept me away for some time.

This evening, post pedicure, I was feeling special and wanted to treat myself; so skipped across the street to Nicks. ...being as nobody came to seat me I crawled onto a barstool (I don't usually like being perched on a barstool) and ordered a  Boddington. After a while some live talent showed up.  The first act was nice enough so I decided to stay and ordered some of the homecut onion rings that I considered a sinful treat.  When they showed up it was a basket of rings that I could have got from Burger King and the live talent was guitar singer/songwriter who was syncing to his MP3 player.  

Shame that what used to be a great place is no more....but if you like Jazz come a few blocks north and get honest live music at Whistlers.

If the cats dont like me I have options

Everybody knows about my outdoor kitties.  We are on our fourth generation of fereal cats. Old Daddy White Kitty has been captured and sent to reform school to be rehabilitated, three of the females have been spayed, via the Trap Neuter Release program and we are hoping to get they whole gang set on the straight and narrow.  My next door neighbor and others of us on the street put out food for them,  in the back of our minds is the hope that they will come to us looking for love in addition to food.

Tonight I sat on the front step and threw primo treats.  The three kittens and three adults showed up.  For about an hour I threw treats and they ran for them and squabbled over them but would not come close enough for me to touch them.  When their bellies were full they moved on and I moved to the backyard.

Sitting in the backyard for a few minutes while the sprinkler ran, I read some of my book and eventually the raccoons showed up.  This was mamma and babies.  Unlike the kitties, this family was willing to beg, roll over and look adorable for a few leftover bits of kibble.

These guys appreciate my efforts.  I'm wondering if I should switch sides.

Feeling a twinge of guilt

I have a circle that includes some very good friends who I really enjoy spending time with.  These are my laughing buddies, my drinking buddies, and the people that I trust to take care of my babies when I have to leave them for a couple of days. 

Baba Haha, Boy D and Girl D planned a Best Buds getaway (combined with Girl Ds bday) to Ottawa last Canada Day.  I was not able to join them because the only people that   I trusted to take proper care of Stu were the ones going to Ottawa. This year I don't need a babysitter for Stu, and I feel confident in leaving Sooty with a big bowl of kibble and lots of water for two days.  So I am off to Niagara Falls for a couple of days to celebrate Canada Day and Girl Ds b-day....whoot whoot!!!

I'm really pumped, first non-employed weekend away from home I have had since bros wedding over 2 years ago.  there is a tiny corner of my heart is happy that I don't have the responsibilities of being a BunnyMummy.

I love you Stu, I always will, but mama is going to Niagara Falls.

Vancouver, Hockey, Riots and what comes after

You don't have to actually love hockey, but being Canadian, a natural Canadian undoubted means that you have accepted Hockey as our national sport.  The Media will inform you of all the primary stats of the NHL teams and if you live in a Hockey city, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary or Vancouver, your town is gonna go nuts if your team makes the playoffs.

When Vancouver proceeded to the Stanley Cup finals my patriotism soared.  Memories of Olympic Hockey glory that originated  in the same town, stirred feelings of a time of wonderful camaraderie.

We all know that what happened after the Vancouver Canucks were vanquished by the Boston Bruins last night was not glorious.  The reaction inside Rogers Centre was rude, the actions that happened outside were shameful. I am totally aware that the destructive actions perpetrated by a band of hooligans is not a reflection of the majority of the citizens of Vancouver; there can be no doubt that those actions are reflected on the city and its citizens  as a whole, and in fact have come to be a reflection on Canada and Canadians too.  This attitude cant be brushed away with the claim that "it was just a handful of dissidents". The city and the nation has to share this shame as much as we were allowed to share in the glory of a handful of athletes just over a year ago.

During the first games of the playoffs at the Rogers Centre, the singing of the Canadian national anthem was hijacked by the fans.  Today while keeping abreast of the fallout of last nights riots I heard the line "with glowing heart we see the rise" in my heart , when I heard of the call and answer for citizens of Vancouver to show up downtown to help clean the mess left in the wake of destruction.  Bystanders who witnesses the events last night are coming forward and presenting evidence to ensure that the people who perpetrated criminal actions last night will be charged.   Order is being restored and the guilty will be brought to justice, not only by city officials but in large part by the people of Vancouver.

They will not look for media attention and are unlikely to receive near the amount that the hoodlums got, but I think that when the dust settles the quiet perseverance and determination to be good citizens, to be a good city will resonate from Vancouver for the world to know and admire.