CN Tower: EdgeWalk

Can you imagine walking outside along the edge of the CN Tower's main pod 356m in the air? It scares me even thinking about it. Adventure seekers will be able to walk hands free with only a tether saving them from being swept over the edge. You can see the system of supports built around the top windows waiting for some brave individuals to take a chance.

You can order tickets I believe starting June 1, 2011.

Welland Canal

Boats go up and down. I guess that's why they made the locks on the Welland Canal, also know as the H2O Highway. We were down in the Niagara area watching the large Canadian Steamship Line (CSL) Great Lakes Freighter squeeze tightly into the concrete lock number four.

GIF animations generator gifup.com

See more photos of the Welland Canal and a freighter after the jump.

Our Greener Side Celebration

Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) helps to promote green eco-friendly life options during their annual 'Our Greener Side Celebration' which will be held on Saturday, May 28th from 10am to 3pm at the Kortright Centre for Conservation. This community event focuses on sustainability, waste reduction, reducing water use, eating locally and green travel and has lots of family friendly entertainment and activities.

Amanda from the TRCA told me that the "Chevrolet Volt, the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV on display ... be one of the first people to see the latest EVs that will soon be available in Canada!" Electric vehicles, public transit and bikes (like the bike police, above) are excellent ways to reduce our dependence on those nasty hydrocarbons.

One step at a time is an easy way to make a difference and help our environment. And when the environment is happy it is bloomin' happy - including the trees at the Toronto Court House/Old City Hall.

Vacation in Frankenmuth

Bavarian Inn waitress in traditional Dirndl uniform

Willkommen, Hamiltons in the Haus! I enjoyed a mini-vacation in the lovely town of Frankenmuth in the American state of Michigan (MI). Known as "Little Bavaria" and located 5 hours from Toronto (west on 401 & 402, north on I75) this U.S. town is constructed in the style of the German State of Bavaria.

German immigrants from Franconia settled Frankenmuth in 1845 along the banks of the Cass River and the atmosphere and attractions make a great tourist destination. Even with the cool and wet weather we had a great stay and I can recommend a visit to Frankenmuth. I kept looking for the Bavarian Beer Garden waitress and I was happy to finally find someone at the Bavarian Inn who was happy to pose for me (picture at top). Who needs Oktoberfest when you have beer and girls in dirndl year round.

Wooden covered bridge over the Cass River. The dock for the Bavarian Belle is under water, below.

The spring rains and swollen river interfered with boat rides (including the Bavarian Belle) that we wanted to experience so we did a lot of other indoor activities such as shopping along the main drag and in River Place or at the nearby Birch Run Premium Outlet Stores. and enjoying plenty of beer. Highlights were the Bavarian Inn, the covered bridge, the Frankenmuth Brewery and the Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. The Christmas Wonderland was a little overwhelming with so many shiny Xmas decorations, nativity scenes, festive lights and all other things Christmas like.

Our temporary home was the Marriott SpringHill Suites Hotel which was on a slight hill on main street in the heart of downtown. The place was fantastic and the stay included a self serve breakfast which featured some yummy waffles that you cooked yourself. Shopping and restaurants were within easy walking distance so you can enjoy all that beer and wine,  without having to worry about driving. One thing I appreciated was that this town had very reasonable prices and parking was plentiful and at no cost. Samples were free or inexpensive and the people were very friendly and there were lots of free wifi hot spots.

We had to buy coats to survive the recent wet spell, drop in temperature and high winds. This time of year was a little ahead of the main tourist rush which probably starts with the Bark, Bike and Balloon Festival and the Great Lakes Hot Air Balloon Championship May 27th to the 30th, 2011. The fruit trees and potted flowers were in blossom so there was plenty of colour in the town.

See more photos after the jump.

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland

Bavarian Belle looking towards River Place

The Cheese Haus

The quiet streets wait for the summer tourist season

The Birch Run Outlet stores were a grand grouping of strip mall type buildings as opposed to an inside mall shopping experience. We shopped at tons of places like Nike, Yankee Candle, Eddie Bauer and a half dozen shoe stores. This place is especially good in the rain. I also liked Birch Run because of the oil rigs spread around the area. There was one right near the mall and it had a drum with gas burning, it was interesting seeing one close up.

You could also enjoy a horse carriage ride from Fantasy Carriage Company, take a tour boat or paddle boat with Frankenmuth FunShips. For dining we experienced the famous Zehnders all you can eat chicken dinners (it was fun because they brought the buffet to you), they even had a Tim Hortons near the downtown core.

Cranes at the Sony Centre's L Tower

Cranes are necessary for building high rise towers and there are plenty of them in Toronto. At the Sony Centre there is a set of the large cranes; one is the traditional horizontal type called a tower crane and one with an inclined arm called a luffing crane for use in tighter spots.

Daniel Libeskind is building the new condo called the L Tower right beside the Sony Centre building. The tower will be shaped like an L, or for Canadians it is a hockey stick and for Americans it is a cowboy boot.

Hockey Hall of Fame

I haven't actually gone into the Hockey Hall of Fame, I think it is because that if it has stuff from when the Leafs were any good I wouldn't want to be around all those dusty antiques! They do have a beautiful building with a great location at Yonge and Front Streets and they also have a 17 foot bronze statue titled 'Our Game' by Edie Parker in front of the building.

'Our Game' bronze sculpture.

Tim Burton - TIFF Exhibition

You would think Tim Burton had a store on Queen Street West, his wacky view of the world has produced some great movies with designs that only he could imagine. He has brought an exhibition to the home of the Toronto International Film Festival TIFF where some of his creations beckon the outside world into the show. I want to run into Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland - that huge forehead was so hot.

New York's Museum of Modern Art arranged the exhibition and you can drop by and see some of his work including paintings and sculptures - like the giant one in the window titled "Holiday Creature", until April 17, 2011.

Toronto Events 2011

Princes' Gates under construction at the entrance to the CNE

Toronto has so many great world class events going on every year that it is hard not to be excited at the prospect of the upcoming months attractions. Some of the best activities and other fun things to do in 2011 include the following must see events. (Schedule to be updated regularly - keep checking back here).

January

Canadian Motorsports Expo (CME) Fri to Sun, Jan 21-23. Great winter show for race fans.
Monster Jam Sat to Sun, Jan 22-23.
Toronto Rock Lacrosse Fri Jan 21, Sat Jan 29.

February

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Feb 5 - Season Opener. Great sport with beautiful women and lingerie.
Toronto Comic Con Sun Feb 6.
Toronto Rock Lacrosse Sat Feb 12, Fri Feb 18.
Winterfolk Festival Fri to Mon, Feb 18-21.
Canadian International AutoShow Fri to Sun, Feb 18-27.

Sexapalooza Fri to Sun, Feb 25-27.

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Feb 26.

March

International Bicycle Show Fri to Sun, Mar 4-6.
Toronto Rock Lacrosse Fri Mar 4.
Canadian Music Fest Wed to Sun, Mar 9-13.

Performance World Custom Car and Truck Show Fri to Sun, Mar 11-13.
Spring Fling March Break Fri to Fri, Mar 11-18.
Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Mar 12.
St Patricks Day Parade Sun Mar 13.
Canada Blooms Tue to Sun, Mar 15-20.

Toronto Comic Con Fri to Sun, Mar 18-20. Come for the costumes, read a few comics.

Toronto Wine and Cheese Show Fri to Sun, Mar 18-20.
Toronto Anime Con Sat to Sun, Mar19-20.
Earth Hour Sat Mar 26 at 8:30pm.
Toronto FC Home Opener Sat Mar 26.
Monster Energy AMA Supercross Sat Mar 26.
National Motorcycle Show Sat to Sun, Mar 26-27.

Toronto Roller Derby League: Quad City Chaos Sat to Sun, Mar 26-27.
LG Fashion Week Mon to Sat, Mar 28-Apr 2.

April

Toronto Blue Jays: Home Opener Fri Apr 1.
LG Fashion Week Mon to Sat, Mar 28-Apr 2.
Toronto Rock Lacrosse Fri Apr 1, Fri Apr 8.

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Apr 9.

Toronto Spring Motorcycle Show Sat to Sun, Apr 9-10.
Toronto Comic Con Fan Appreciation Event Sat to Sun, Apr 9-10.

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Apr 16.
Brazilian Carnival Ball Sat Apr 16.
UFC Fan Expo Fri to Sat, Apr 29-30.
Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Sat April 30.

May

Toronto Freedom Festival and GMM Sat May 7.

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat May 14.
Toronto Marathon Sun May 15.
Toronto International Circus Festival May.
Victoria Day Weekend with Fireworks on the Sunday, May 21-23.

Anime North Fri to Sun, May 27-29

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat May 28.
Doors Open Toronto Sat to Sun, May 28-29. Chance to see things normally closed to public or attractions with no entrance fee.
Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival Sat to Sun, May 28-29.

June

Luminato  Fri to Sun, June 10-19. Cool art installations.

Naked Bike Ride Sat 11 June. Right through downtown Toronto, nude.
Woofstock Sat to Sun, June 11-12. Cute dogs in costumes.

North By North East (NXNE) Music Festival Mon to Sun, June 13-19.
Toronto Wine and Spirit Festival Thurs to Sat, June 16-18.
Toronto Pro SuperShow Fri and Sat, June 17-18.
Northern Ink Xposure Tattoo Show Fri to Sun, June 17-19.

The Pride Week and Pride Parades Fri to Sun, June 24-July 3. The parades are things of colour and beauty.
Toronto Jazz Festival Fri to Sun, June 24-July3.
Dragon Boat Race Sat to Sun, June 25-26.
Toronto Roller Derby League: Clam Slam Thurs, June 30. Part of the Pride Celebrations - love the name.

July

The Pride Week and Pride Parades Fri to Sun, June 24-July 3.
Festival of Fire July. Fireworks at Ontario Place.
Chin Picnic July. Including the bikini contest.

Honda Indy Toronto Fri to Sun, July 8-10, 2010. Fast cars and beautiful women, including Ms. Budweiser.
Toronto Jazz Festival Fri to Sun, June 24-July3.

Caribana July-Aug. King and Queen Show and the famous parade down by the lake.
Toronto Fringe Festival Wed to Sun, July 6-17.
Just for Laughs Festival July - not this year!
Beaches Jazz Festival Fri to Sun, July 15-24.

August

Caribana Thurs to Fri, July14-Aug12.

Toronto Festival of Beer Fri, Aug 5. Hmmm, beer.
Taste of the Danforth Fri to Sun, Aug 5-7.
Rogers Cup Womens Tennis Sat to Sun, Aug 6-14

Canadian National Exhibition CNE Fri to Mon, Aug 19-Sept 5. Do you want to go faster.

Toronto Roller Derby League Sat Aug 20.

Buskerfest Thurs to Sun, Aug 25-28. Street performers at their best.
Fan Expo Canada Thurs to Sun, Aug 25-28. More costumes - that cosplay is great.

September 

Canadian National Exhibition CNE Fri to Mon, Aug 19-Sept 5.

Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) Sat to Mon, Sept 3-5.

Toronto International Film Festival Sept. Something about films and stars.

October

Nuit Blanche Sat Oct 1. The all night art thing with plenty of videos and light shows.
Toronto International Flamenco Festival Mon to Sun, Oct 17-23.

Zombie Walk Sat Oct 22. Take your brains and run for your life.
Toronto Fashion Week Oct

November

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Fri to Sun, Nov 4-13.
The Everything to do with Sex Show Nov?

Cavalcade of Lights Sat Nov. Music and the City lights up Nathan Phillips Square and sets off some fireworks.
Winter Woofstock  Sat to Sun, Nov 26-27. Still cute, now indoors.
Toronto Santa Claus Parade Sun Nov.

December

Kensington Winter Solstice/Festival of Lights Thurs Dec 22. A parade and a fire show.

New Years Eve Sat Dec 31.
and the next day
Toronto Polar Bear Dip Sun Jan 1. The Sunnyside swim.
Sears Great Canadian Chill Sun Jan 1. The Ashbridges Bay swim.

Toronto Sightseeing bus at Yonge-Dundas Square - take a guided tour around the City.

Photo Vault - Badlands

Now that you don't have to be good for Santa (for a little while yet) you can be bad - if fact you can be so bad that you have to stay in the badlands.

Maple Leafs skate to the bottom

Retired goaltender Curtis Joseph #31, better know as Cujo, in net

The Toronto Maple Leafs started the NHL hockey season on fire, winning game after game, everyone excited, counting the games to the Stanley Cup. The streak only lasted four games. Now they stand at 24 points, near the very bottom of the League and people are sad.

If you can get seats to the Leafs you are lucky, if you can afford to pay for those tickets you are even luckier (tickets for this weekend's game run from $160 to $660). The Air Canada Centre (ACC) fills up with Leaf fans, win or lose.

Electricity results in a massive display of Xmas lights

On a lighter note I happened to notice a bright glow in the sky and I tracked the source way up north, I mean North York. The light that shone so bright that I thought Rudolf was guiding the big guy's sleigh was in fact a large display called Downsview Park Trail of Lights. Bring your money because powering up those 400,000 LED lights takes a lot of coin - the minimum vehicle cost is $25.