Today was packed with adventure and beauty, even if the hotel experience at the end soured things a little. I’ll try to set that aside as I write, because truthfully, it was a wonderful day. God is so good.
We got up around 8 and hopped on the 510 Queen streetcar, then made our way to breakfast at KOS in the Kensington neighborhood. It’s a cozy local spot with outside seating, and the weather was just right. A couple sat near us with their puppy, who was absolutely precious—we chatted a bit and enjoyed the relaxed vibe. I had French toast with fruit; the fruit was fresh and sweet, definitely better than yesterday’s, though yesterday’s French toast was the winner. Between the food, the company, and the atmosphere, it felt like a slice of local life.
After breakfast, we wandered through Kensington Place. The neighborhood had a bit of a “Little Five Points in Atlanta” feel—quirky, eclectic, and colorful. Not entirely my scene, but fun to pass through. From there, we found Graffiti Alley. Wow. The walls were alive with every kind of expression—some beautiful, some crude, some funny, some dark—but all of it skillful. The talent and time poured into those murals were remarkable.
Our next stop was Casa Loma, and it didn’t disappoint. A European-style castle right in the heart of Toronto, it was sprawling, grand, and full of surprises. The architecture alone was worth the visit, but the gardens and tunnels made it even more special. The underground passageway led to the stables and carriage house, and for the season, it was decorated for Halloween—honestly, I wouldn’t want to be down there during their haunted events! The rooms went on and on, and you could easily lose yourself in them. My favorite part was sneaking in a waltz in the conservatory, but the outside architecture was also great. I also loved the lady of the house’s bedroom balcony overlooking the city—I could imagine myself happily sitting there for hours.
From the castle, we took the subway over to the University of Toronto. Of course, we managed to ride in the wrong direction at first (what’s a trip without that happening at least once?), but we figured it out and got back on track. The campus was beautiful, with its own castle-like buildings scattered across the grounds. We strolled around a bit before our feet told us it was time for a break. Unfortunately, most nearby restaurants were closed for the weekend, so we ended up at Tim Horton’s. It’s a Canadian staple, mostly known for its coffee, but lunch wasn’t much to write home about—the pizza tasted like something from a freezer box. Still, the table was clean, the price was cheap, and my feet got a much-needed rest, so I’ll count that as a win.
After lunch, we grabbed an Uber back to the hotel, picked up the car, and set out for Niagara. Thanks to ChatGPT, I had a list of scenic stops for the drive, and we followed along the banks of Lake Ontario. We saw a harbor, a lakeside park, some stunning waterfront homes, and the Devil’s Punch Bowl. It was supposed to be a waterfall, but between the glare of the sun and perhaps the season drying it up, we didn’t see much water. Still, the overlook was breathtaking, and the large cross monument standing over the city was powerful—Christ displayed high above the skyline. Despite having several more stops to make, we decided to go straight to the hotel instead, as we were getting tired. We got here around 7.
Unfortunately, the hotel experience was… frustrating. I paid for a high-floor, full falls view, but what we got was a high-floor room with a giant roof obstruction. Sitting, you saw a roof. Standing, you could glimpse the falls—but it was not at all what I paid for. At first, they offered to “upgrade” us to the 5th floor (we’re on the 24th!), which made no sense. Only after I asked for a refund did they suddenly offer a higher-floor upgrade for tomorrow. So tonight we’re stuck, and instead of watching the falls while I write, I’m staring at my feet in bed, which is about as good a view as the chair in the sitting area. Grr. Jack said he could feel the frustration rolling off me, but I tried to handle it with grace and kindness. Hopefully, tomorrow they make it right, and if not, I pray the Lord helps me keep the kindness.
Dinner was another near-miss. We ducked into a local burger spot, but after sitting for a while without even seeing a server—and with prices on the menu that didn’t match the vibe—I decided I wasn’t in the mood to waste either time or money. We left and instead tried Zappas, a little pizza joint the front desk lady recommended. It wasn’t fancy by any means, but that’s what I liked about it. We grabbed a table outside, the evening air was perfect, and the whole place had a laid-back, almost neighborhood feel. The food itself was fine, nothing to rave about, but the relaxed atmosphere made it exactly what I needed.
The night ended on a high note—we set up chairs for the 10 pm fireworks. They weren’t really short, but they were sweet, and I’m already looking forward to watching again tomorrow night from a better spot where the falls will be the backdrop.
Here’s to a better hotel view tomorrow, but also to remembering that today was already amazing.
Random Memories
- The castle had feeders for the bees.
- The caste had outside dining pods - looked like mini greenhouses but for human dining.
- We did a little waltzing in the conservatory :)
- Jack fell asleep before I could get the miles walked; but I'll get it in the AM
The castle and its architecture.
My Favorite Thing of the Day:
Same as Jack—I loved Casa Loma. Waltzing was the highlight but I also enjoyed the architecture.
No comments:
Post a Comment