Long, long overdue, but I am finally in the position to blog about my whirlwind trip to Ontario. Exams are over, and let me tell you, I could use another whirlwind trip right about now, but that will have to wait until my month long excursion out East in June and July.
So anyways, details of my trip. I should say, right off the bat, I crossed a few things of my list on this trip! I flew somewhere on my own(#317), I went back to Niagara Falls(#166), and I actually, incredibly, I didn’t think I could do it but did and enjoyed it at that sat in the window seat of an airplane(#270).

Adam was nice enough to drive me to Calgary so I could catch my flight, which left at 12:35am on Saturday April 5th. I took some Gravol and tried to sleep, but I woke up feeling sick. I don’t think Gravol and I get along to well, but ah well. The flight was quick and painless and I didn’t freak out. The best part was the flight was only half full, so the middle seat was empty (I was sitting in the aisle). I arrived at Pearson at sometime around 6am, and was ready to go. J (of J and Cal) was there to pick me up, on time which I LOVE in a person I must say, and we headed right to get coffee. I was then given the grand tour of the Loblaw offices, home of Superstore and the super adorable Galen Weston Jr., which was actually quit interesting. The place is totally done out, with cafeteria and gym and tennis courts. It’s crazy. I was also given a “sample” dog toy to give to my old man cat to replace the one he vomited on one too many times.

We drove around the GTA for a bit, heading in the general direction of Guelph, where Cal and J live. I was taken on the scenic route through Aberfoyle, which is the CUTEST town EVER! I would marry that town if I were a single eligible town. We drove around Guelph for a bit, and then decided it was time for breakfast, which of course meant all-you-can-eat buffet at the Golden Griddle (we do not have these, nor all you can eat breakfast of any type, in Calgary). It was soooo good and I got to eat waffles! Best breakfast food ever! We then arrived at their GIANT FREAKING MONSTER OF A HOUSE, and I got to see their kiddos, who are just the cutest things on the face of the planet (other than Aberfoyle). Cal’s friend Adam was staying at their house too for a visit, so I was introduced to him. Then I was shown to my room, which was amazing, Simple, yet so comfortable, with chocolate brown comforter, crisp white sheets and the softest mattress ever. I was given a tour of the house, with the help of their daughter Sydnie, which took like 4 hours because the house is so big.

I decided to grab some sleep when Cal went out for a bit, since I was exhausted from my flight. I woke up around 12 and got ready for the day and we headed off to Toronto and other adventures! I was given a nice tour of Guelph, and I must say the place has amazing architecture. The stunning Our Lady Immaculate Church (inset) dominates the skyline, and for good reason. The church is beautiful, and I think is one of my favourite parts of the trip. The amount of fabulous architecture just puts Western Canada to shame. Our Lady Immaculate, while the most outwardly stunning, was not the only gorgeous church in the city, or simple building for that matter. Guelph seems to relish in the preservation of old buildings, it seems every other house is a restored century-old work of art.

We did some shopping at the giant, crazy big Eaton Centre (pictured, inset) that was just filled to the brims with people and then some sightseeing. We grabbed some yummy light lunch, which we ate in a park near city hall in downtown Toronto. The downtown of that city is just fabulous. Even on a Saturday afternoon it was bustling and busy and just PACKED with things to look at. The people are nice and the blending of old and new buildings is phenomenal. I adored it down there. We couldn’t stay long, though, since we needed to head to Niagara Falls!!!

The drive there was a bit long, but I got my first glimpses of Lake Ontario in two years as we were stuck in a traffic jam. We followed the water most of the way down, going over several large bridges, and passing through Hamilton and St. Catharines along the way. We arrive at Niagara Falls as the sun was setting which made for a gorgeous, breath taking view of the falls. I was there so many years ago, I forgot the power of the falls. Just amazing. The mist was insane, I ended up soaking wet, which was awesome considering it was hovering around -1 in Niagara Falls that day. Still incredible, even if it gets me soaking wet! And the Canadian side totally kicks American ass. I said to J that all future wars should just be settled on the basis of who has the most kick-ass waterfall. We walked (or hiked?) up the hill to grab some dinner, and ended up at TGIF (something most of Canada does not have). The food was okay, nothing to get excited about. We wandered through the giant casino to warm up and keep dry, and then made our way back to the falls, watching the be lit up by giant multi-coloured lights (soo tacky!). We drove back to Guelph, still damp, and it was very very late. We ended up sitting around having a few drinks and eating some pizza.

Sunday I woke up and hung out with the kiddos for a bit. Cal was hosting a party over the weekend, and headed into Toronto early to get ready, but I was allowed to relax. Most of the morning was spent in the basement playing with the kids who have turned the giant basement into their play area. Soon, it was time to head on in to Toronto to help prepare for her soiree and such things. I ended up doing door for most of the night, which was fine by me because I didn’t know many people there, but I did get in some dancing and talked to several nice people over the course of the evening. The drive back at 1am was not fun, knowing the next day I had a flight to catch. But of course I didn’t go to bed right away, because there was cold pizza and conversation to be had.

Monday morning I was up fairly early, ready to go make good with my water whom I failed to visit. We drove around the GTA some more, landing in Oakville (where my dearest Irma lives, but I did not see sadly). I spent some time with Lake Ontario, but it was effin’ freezing, and I had a plane to catch at Pearson. How people can not want to live near giant bodies of water, I don’t know, it’s so wonderful and beautiful (even when the first kilometer is muddy brown!)

I got to the airport with some time to spare, but not much. I had a window seat and was sort of nervous. The flight was also looking to be packed, which it was. Luckily, a skinny little girl sat beside me, so it was a wonderful flight. I got a little picture crazy being in the window seat, but oh well. The flight was quite good and I managed not to freak out like I thought I would. We hit some just wicked turbulence over Lake Huron (I think?) and it felt like driving down a dirt road, just terrible. It was sort of fun though, despite my fear of flying. I spent the rest of the flight watching South Park and hoping Adam remembered to come to Calgary to pick me up from the airport

You can check out all of my pictures from the trip (almost 200!!!) in the new folder on my photobucket account!