Allan Gardens

Allan Gardens is another beautiful reminder of the Victorian Era.  Founded in 1858, it is one of the oldest parks in Toronto and features a children’s conservatory, a playground and the main greenhouse (conservatory) which houses rare tropical plants from all over the world.

In total there are 5 greenhouses covering 16,000 square feet.  They include two tropical houses containing a waterwheel, orchids, bromeliads and datura.  Incredibly humid inside, the windows drip with moisture, but as you pass through the exit doors you enter into the “Cool House” featuring a waterfall, a little pond with goldfish and citrus trees. 

The “Palm House” is my favorite, housing plants I’ve never seen up close such as tall banana trees, bamboo and Screw pine.  Finally the Cactus house has some lovely arrangements of cacti and succulents, such as aloe.   

Allan Gardens is open every day of the year and is free.  It’s also an ideal location for field trips in Photography class as there are so many great photo opportunities to hone your skills and perhaps learn some new ones. 

Located at 19 Horticultural Avenue in Toronto (corner of Jarvis and Carlton Avenues).  It's amazing you can live in a city all your life, and I'm still seeing things for the first time.

Royal Ontario Museum

No trip to Toronto is ever complete without visiting the Royal Ontario Museum.  It is ingrained in our childhood memories; either from school trips or going there with our parents.  Over the years "the R.O.M" as it's known by locals, has taken on many changes mostly due to a transfer of management.  The great thing about local attractions is that they DO change by introducing different themes all year long.

You are able to see the same exhibits that made the ROM world renown including the ever- popular Dinosaur exhibits and the staged African savannas showcasing some serious talent in taxidermy.  They literally have everything there on every floor of every corner from ancient jewellery of precious stones and gems to exotic clothing of different parts of the world to ancient relics of weaponry including armour of steel, iron (too heavy to fight with) and tin oh and of course massive rooms of gargantuan dinosaurs!

You will remember the famous "king tut" display that held the interest of massive crowds from all over the world? For some people it was the first time they had ever come to Canada or ever heard of King tut.

We visited when the "Pompeii - In the shadow of the volcano" exhibit when it was spot-lighted.   Pompeii was an ancient Roman city which was buried under hot ash and rock by the sudden and violent eruption of Mount Versuvius.  
The archeological remains discovered the culture and every day life of the city and the people who lived there many years ago.

If you have an interest in discovering pieces of history you may have or have not heard about already, you can plan out a list of exhibits there now or will be in the future.

https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/exhibitions

Rouge Valley, Pickering

 I can't even remember a time when I loved nature so much.   My footsteps guided me to this place.  I know it's not spring, or summer but what a feeling one can feel being a part of the rouge valley in any season.

The paths are cut, the skies are vast and colourful and even in the grey of twilight, there isn't an error in it.

Kew Beach

Kew Beach seems like a forgotten dream of summer these days as it winds it's icy trail along the board walk.  A silver and blue stream of water is seen as the sun hits the horizon.

For several kilometres from Silver Beach avenue to the curve of Ashbridge's Bay, Lake Ontario is brewing with bubbly waves and ice sculptures along the rock crags.
 
 



Kew Beach has been a long time summer resort area since 1793 when the 'Beaches' area was first developed.

In the summer, this place takes on a different looks with its volley nets, sun bathers and kite flyers.  

For now, we'll just take in to reminiscing of the green parks that run along the boardwalk filled with laughing children showing off for moms and dads.  Tennis hackers, lawn bowlers and sunny swimmers at the Donald Summerville pool fill this place.  Don't believe me?

Check back in a few months and I'll show you.