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Toronto, ON
Toronto Previously known as York, Toronto received it’s current name in 1834. We came to Toronto to catch up with friends, as well as to make our way to Niagara Falls. Toronto is a big sprawling city in need of better public transportation infrastructure. With the baby’s stroller we walked to all the sights, no not to Niagara. We probably could have caught a bus to get around, but didn’t want to waste time trying to sort out the routes and payments. The airport is a whole level of weird. If you can’t clear immigration via the automated computer, due to a weird visa or something, then it’s always slow.…
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Niagara Falls, ON
Horseshoe Falls and American Falls We headed to Niagara Falls for the day from Downtown Toronto. The drive is approx. 90 minutes and 132 km drive away. We parked at Skylon Tower, 5200 Robinson St, and cost $10 for the day. To get to the falls we went down a level to the arcade and towards the south west corner and down the stairs, turning left on Murray St. At the corner of Murray St and Niagara Parkway is the Niagara Parks Welcome Center. Tickets to attractions can be pre-purchased here. Cross the Niagara Parkway and you be faced with the American Falls to the left, and the impressive Horseshoe…
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Vancouver, BC
Devonian Harbour Park After the warm blue days on Vancouver Island, and at Sea-to-Sky, our lucky streak in the weather continued to our stay in Vancouver. For a change of scenery from the usual built up cities, we decided to stay in the suburbs, near Lougheed Town Centre. The Skytrain is convenient and provided access to a number of areas, such as Downtown, Airport, Richmond and, Port Moody. Plus accommodation is expensive downtown. Downtown Vancouver mostly follows a grid system, and I was surprised at just how temperate the climate was. I was expecting a colder appearance more reminiscent of snowy cities such as New York or Sapporo. Popular areas…
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Vancouver Island, BC
Ucluetet Lighthouse Loop What do local Vancouvians do on the weekend? They go to Vancouver…Island. So I jumped in a car and headed to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, only 500 m (1500 ft) north of the border with the USA, and made my way to Swartz Bay. The ferry ride is rather scenic and you’ll see plenty of sea planes, and a view of Vancouver City with a backdrop of the North Shore Mountains. Once disembarking from Swartz Bay Temrinal it’s a quick and easy 30 minute drive along Route 17 into Victoria, the capitol of British Columbia. Victoria Victoria is a bustling town, larger than I had expected. I only…
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Port Moody Ale Trail, Canada
Moody Ales at Port Moody The Trail Murray Street is known for its Ale Trail, with four within a short three block stretch. These are Moody Ales, Parkside Brewery, Yellow Dog and Twin Sails. I managed to only visit three with Parkside missing out as I had too much at Moody Ales. Starting at Twin Sails I grabbed the Con Leche and Dat Juice and headed to the deck. At Yellow Dog I went for the Retriever Golden Ale. Moody Ales And at Moody, well they have a lot of choices, and judging by the number of people here it’s definitely the most popular. Here I sampled the Sociable Pale…
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Sea To Sky, BC
Howe Sound As an avid skier, the Sea to Sky Gondola seemed kinda corny and redundant. After all I’d been up many lifts and taken in many sights while skiing a mountain. But after visiting it turns out I was wrong. We got lucky with the blue bird day and warm weather, but have a jacket handy as 850m (2,800ft) it can get cooler. There was still snow in the shadows in May. If I had researched beforehand I would have found out that there are hiking trails at the top to explore. It’s even possible to hike up and skip the gondola fee if you are fit enough and…
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Montreal Grand Prix
Montreal Grand Prix 2017 Start The Canadian Grand Prix, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has seen many great races over the years. Originally called Ile Notre Dame Circuit and constructed in 1978, and renamed in 1982 in honor of Canadian Formula one driver Gilles Villeneuve, it has held a race since then, except in 1987 and 2009. Why did I come to this race? Because it’s a race that always excites, tight corners and long straights present a compromise in car setup between the slow and fast sections of the track. The weather can also add in a little something to create drama, like Jenson Button’s win in 2011 in a…