I'm baa-aack!

[agt_spooky]

Didja miss me? :-)

So my Canadian adventure in Toronto has come to an end [sob]. But I had an amazing five days with my very good friend gina_stormgrant. And I miss her (and the city) already!

My main reason for going was to attend an all-day writers conference which turned out to be very insightful and productive. We had to do several writing exercises which got me excited about working on my next book, having gotten words down on paper for it for the first time. Plus a brainstorming session with Gina. I also got to see my new Canadian friends Sherry, Susan and Sarah, who I met here in Chicago a couple of weeks ago. They're the ones who told me about the Toronto conference.

I flew in late Thursday night and on Friday I got a tour of the city from Gina, complete with a trip up the CN Tower. It was pretty much the first thing I saw when the plane landed and I had a Forever Knight flashback immediately. :-)

Views of the skyline:

Billy Bishop Airport. Check out how tiny it is! One runway! And it's on an island, so see that ferry going across? Yep, that's how you get to it. It's literally a one minute ride.

Oh, I also found a couple of Mounties! They were very friendly and didn't mind having their picture taken. ;-)

The conference was on Saturday, and then on Sunday we headed out to Niagra Falls. OMG, it was stunning! The sheer size of the Falls just takes your breath away, both the Horseshoe and the American:

The weather was absolutely beautiful and we had a lovely day both looking at the Falls and walking through the over-the-top tourist streets. I bought a bunch of shirts and postcards and magnets. We also stopped for lunch where I got to have poutine for the first time! And you know what? It was really good! LOL!

Then Monday afternoon came around much too quickly and it was time for me to head home. :-( I'm so glad I made the spontaneous decision to go up to Toronto, because I absolutely loved the city and I know I'll be back. Thanks again, Gina, for being such a great host. Can't wait to see you again!

Comments

[jimbobjoe.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love poutine, even though I've never been to Canada. Your trip sounds just lovely!

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Poutine is so yummy! I didn’t think I’d like it at all, with the cheese curds, but wow, it tasted great. Where have you had it outside of Canada?

[jimbobjoe.livejournal.com]

Uh, actually, my hubby and I saw it on TV and he made it himself. He does that a lot. :)

[deanvica23.livejournal.com]

The photos are magnificent. I heard of poutine meal its good? I adore with the big bear canadian.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Glad you like the pics! Wish you could see the Falls in person because my photos don’t do it justice. Simply magnificent.

Poutine is so yummy! I didn’t think I’d like it at all, with the cheese curds, but wow, it tasted great.

[adelheide.livejournal.com]

Do you still have cravings for plaid and maple syrup?

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

LOL! For maple, for sure! I tried to OD on Tim Horton’s maple donuts the entire trip!

[tracys-dream.livejournal.com]

Yes!
I love your mountie pics and the scenery pics are stunning!
Glad to gear you had a great time!

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetie! Aren’t those Mounties the cutest guys you’ve ever seen? ;-) Wish you could see the Falls in person because my photos don’t do it justice. Simply magnificent. Had a fantastic time. Great city, great food, great people. God, I love Canada. :-)

[gina-stormgrant.livejournal.com]

You are welcome to come visit again any time.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

You know I’m going to take you up on that! :-)

I'm thinking maybe not Coast Guard for my next book, but Mounties instead! Gotta come back to do research! ;-)

[gina-stormgrant.livejournal.com]

Did someone say Mounties? I might have some research on that!

Beary nice!

[feldspar2.livejournal.com]

Glad you had a good time...the poutine looks yummy!

Re: Beary nice!

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Had a fantastic time! Great city, great food, great people. God, I love Canada. :-)

[cadia58.livejournal.com]

Welcome home :-) Hope you´re a little refreshed and ready for all those other new adventures waiting for you!!

Thanks for confirming the yumminess of the poutine - couldn´t quite tell from the pic...those fries must have lost any crispness ;-)

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetheart! Wish I could say it’s good to be back. ;-) Funny you say refreshed, as my co-worker commented that I looked exactly that way yesterday when I went back to work. See what a few days off can do?

Ha, yes, you need to eat poutine rather quickly before the fries get completely soggy. :-)

[celtprincess13.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you had fun in T.Dot! I've never been, but I'd love to go sometime. I have several friends in the general area, so one never knows.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

You should definitely go if you get the chance! Great city, great food, great people. Oh, and I got you that postcard. :-)

[maguie.livejournal.com]

Awesome!! of course we missed you,,

hey, Is that a ship in the one picture before the food,, can they go so close to the Niagara falls?

And how is the weather in Toronto? is still cold?

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Hey Maggie!

Yep, the boat gets really close to the Falls. It’s called The Maid of the Mist, since you get soaking wet if you’re on it!

The weather was actually beautiful the entire time I was up there, in the low 70’s.

[donelbo.livejournal.com]

I missed ya of course ... what a question ;).

I'm glad you had a wonderful time! Toronto is on my "places I want to see"-list, but I didn't make it yet ;).

*hugs*

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Well if you need an incentive to get to Toronto, there's always the SPN convention! LOL!

[vala3.livejournal.com]

Envy you so much. I would love to visit Canada some day, but after last years trip to Maine have to wait awhile. I imagine it is quite expensive.
But you look as if you had a world of fun.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Canada is not cheap, but thankfully the US dollar is stronger so I actually made a little extra money when I converted it. If you ever get the chance to go to Canada I highly recommend it. Vancouver has stunning scenery and Toronto has a great city vibe.

[lausbub0402.livejournal.com]

Hey there sweetie, I'm a "little" late as always lately, but of course I would never miss the chance to read about your adventures and see some of your amazing photos ...
Toronto seems to be a real nice city and I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. Love those pics of you and the Mounties, they suit you well and vice versa ;-)
Yes the Niagara Falls are just magnificent - I felt so small just standing there, looking at the beauty of nature.
Those fries look like something I would eat without hesitating, I guess I'll have to go on a culinary trip to Canada one day.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Hey sweetheart! Always nice to see you pop up here. :-)

Glad you liked my Toronto report and pics. I had such a great time! If you ever get the chance to go, I definitely recommend it.

I was totally stunned by the Falls. So magnificent! I was kind of overwhelmed by it all. And like you said, I felt so tiny!

Oooh, you'd love poutine! I also had some amazing fish and chips up there, too.

Ha! Yes, me and the "Mounties". They were so friendly! ;-)

Thank you

[winchesterwoman.livejournal.com]

for sharing all these pictures, indeed Toronto is beautiful

Re: Thank you

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed them! I hope to visit there again someday soon. Lots more to see and do!