Doors Open - Our Visit To The Normally Off-Limits Places In Our City

 Have you ever wished you could go inside a building that is normally off-limits to you?  Well, once a year in Toronto you can.  There is an event called Doors Open where selected buildings are open to the public that are normally closed.  This year there was a list of over 200 buildings and sites.  We chose to visit two on the Toronto Island.  We took a ferry boat to Hanlan's point (named after Ned Hanlan who was a rower).  This is a beautiful part of the island chain.  You can come here for a picnic or BBQ or even a dip in the water at the beach.

Our first stop was to see Gibralter Point Lighthouse.  This lighthouse was completed in 1808 and is the oldest standing structure in Toronto.  It was in active use until 1958.  The first keeper was named JP Rademuller.  Neal has wanted to go inside the lighthouse for as long as I can remember.  Apparently this lighthouse is suppose to be haunted.  Who know if it is or not but it was really interesting to climb the 90 steps up to the top.  The stairway is extremely narrow and stops part way up where you must climb a ladder the rest of the way up.  If you have problems with small spaces this is not the place for you.  The steps are narrow as is the passage all the way up.  Once you reach the top where the light is you have the most amazing view of the city.  It's well worth the climb.

 Here is a photo of Neal and I with the current lighthouse keeper.  This fellow still maintains the lighthouse and is the historical story teller.  This lighthouse is no longer functioning as it is now landlocked as the sand has built up around the lighthouse.

 Here is a beautiful photo taken at the top of the lighthouse of our city's skyline.  You can see the CN Tower (the tall building) and the Roger's Centre (the short dome next to the CN Tower).  That is where the Jays play baseball and where you can go for a concert.

 This is the light inside of the lighthouse.

 Here we are trying to catch our breath after climbing up all 90 steps.

 Our next stop was directly across the walkway from the lighthouse.  This is an artist colony.  All sorts of painters, sculptors, writers and various other artists can rent out space to do their craft in a quiet and peaceful environment.

 These are two examples of some of the installations we saw while we were there.  We even got to meet a few of the artists and talk to them about their work.

This is on the ferry back to the city.  If you should ever be interested in seeing some of the cool places that Doors Open has to offer just check out their website.  There are some very fun places to visit.

Our 7th Anniversary - Fish, Sharks, Rays And Lots Of Water

 Seven years ago tomorrow Neal and I will have been married.  The theme of our wedding was beaches and lighthouses.  Each year we try to celebrate using some form of our theme.  This year we decided to visit the brand new Ripley's Aquarium Of Canada.  They just opened their doors this year.  They are located at the base of the CN Tower and are one of the best new attractions this city has to offer.  My advice to you, if you should want to go for a visit....go early in the morning and buy your tickets online before you get there.  When we got there we did not have to wait in line at all, but when we left, the line was getting rather long and it was only mid-morning.  Your visit should take you about 2 hours but with kids it may take longer as there is a play area there.

 Here you can see some of the smaller fish and coral.  So many beautiful fish and colourful coral.

 This is a sea pen.  It really does look like a quill pen.

 Here we see just one of the many different species of sharks that swim all around you as you walk through the shark tunnel.  This, I think, was the best part of the entire visit.  I mean where else can you see so many different kinds of sharks and rays and you are perfectly safe and dry?

 Neal petting a ray.  He says it's kind of slippery.

 Me getting my hand bit off.  Ha ha not really?  You can feel inside the shark to see what it ate and then try to identify what you felt on a chart next to the exhibit.

Here are some jelly fish.  I liked seeing them swimming gracefully in the tank instead of stinging my leg while swimming in the ocean.  That was one painful introduction to the jelly fish while snorkeling in the Bahamas as few years ago.

Well, I hope you enjoyed our visit to the aquarium.  The next part of our day was to the Eaton Centre.  We walked around the mall for a few hours and ate lunch at the Urban Eatery.  They have one of the best food courts I have ever seen.

For dinner tonight we went to Oregano in Richmand Hill and this is a really great restaurant.  They have all kinds of Italian food (pizza, pasta, chicken and fish).  I highly recommend it if you are ever in the area.  YUM!!!

Well sweetie, Happy Anniversary.  I love you and hope for many more fun anniversaries to come.

By the way, stay tuned our next adventure next weekend.  We are going to participate in Doors Open.