Crothers' Woods (The Bike Trail)

Back at Crothers' Woods.  This time to check out more of the bike trails, and not just the natural, untouched settings surrounding the forests.  Some of the trails are really challenging and not for beginners.  When I am not feeling sure of some the hills, I remain on the foot trails at times when I'm a little less than confident.  I'll just use my bike as an excuse.  


The forest is a cool place to be in an otherwise hot day though.  I am not looking forward to when I can't go riding anymore, since I find myself always anxious to get back out and ride again.  


Click here to see parts of the trail: Crothers Woods Trail 
Note: dear Reader don't think it's me, or ever will be me in the video :)

Overall, the trails are safe and are usually fenced off after if the conditions are too muddy).  Generally just respect the conditions, as well as your own limitations and other riders who are less agile (like me)...  

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Heading out, while crossing the train tracks, I noticed a truck up ahead riding the 'rails' to do some weekend maintenance.  He thought it was pretty "hilarious" laughing his head off while I squealed as he let out a loud honk <wiseguy :P>

High Park and High Park Zoo (Summer)

Enter park - Modern art

It was a great day to go for a walk and leave my bike at home and decided to check out High Park out in the west end.  High Park is stunning in the summer.  Entering the park, it won't take long before you'll meet up with some friendly squirrels.  They're so cute and are especially friendly and trusting in these more public park settings..friendly High Park squirrels

Like any other public park, you are bound to run into some modern art, there was a very strange piece of metal artwork bolted in the ground ... 

Dog-walk path / free path

Capybaras/cattle/emu :)

High Park Gardens

Entering the northwestern part of the park you will get into a structured path outlined with steel/wooden fences for dog walkers basically designed so the dogs can run free.  This opens up into an older, yet boundless path that leaves you to explore in wooded areas if you want. Once you cross the park where you'll probably see people having lunch at picnic tables, you'll find the zoo. 

Out and about (not around in the spring) I saw a couple of capybaras.  Not sure what they are? I wasn't either. They originate from South America and are the largest rodents on earth!  To me they have the face of a beaver and a body of a small hippo but they're cute nonetheless.  The Highland cattle were out again like in the spring along with the Emu which kept following me everywhere I went along the fence.  Everyone thought it was funny but I think we bonded :)

Huge rhubarb in 1st pic!

Finally the famed High Park gardens that I'd never been to and lived here my whole life.  The pictures pretty much speak for themselves.  A couple of things not in my favour, a camera that is of low quality and an overcast sky, but you can get the idea of how beautiful the grounds are.  I can't believe how large rhubarb can grow..!

They have a landscape and gardening training centre on the premises and judging by the results, I would say its working.  Finally just before heading out for some food, one last stop to look at the famous Grenadier pond which looked like glass.  A few signs a long the pond warn of poison ivy so you're safe to to roam anywhere where signs are not posted because Parks and Rec are always scouting for unsafe plants.