I Found Where Lost Toys End Up

A few months ago I was traveling around this wonderful Province of Ontario with a friend of mine and we came across this magical mountain of toys all over the place in front of this one house. There were older toys and some newer looking ones. Things I remember playing with as a kid and others that I would have loved to have. Still to this day I am sure why all these toys were left out but I am temped to see if they get left out all winter too. One thing is for sure someone must get into trouble for leaving out all of his toys and not picking them up after he had finished playing with them.

Snow has Fallen

Snow has fallen in the south part of Ontario over the past couple of days,  Toronto got some snow today that actually stayed and still around now.  It isn't much but it seems to making some people happy and others not so happy.  November we saw next to no snow at all .  The People who shovel snow I am sure weren't so happy to be having to get up early to actually go out and shovel snow when they had a relaxing goofing off time in November. Snow shoveling still cost people money even though there weren't any snow to shovel but I guess that is what people pay for in case of snow that will get removed a short time after they get up and before they leave for work in the morning.

here is a picture I took back in 2002 but I thought it was fitting to share what has happening around the province 

Remembrance Day at Queen's Park

On Wed November 11 2009, It was Remembrance Day here in Canada, I joined my friend Adam and his friend Eric at the Veterans' Memorial on the front lawn of the main legislative building at Queen's Park ( Queen's Park is where Government of Ontario Legislature meet ).
It was MC'd by Major-General Richard Rohmer (Retired), Premier Dalton McGuinty also spoke. It was my first time ever being at a Remembrance Day ceremony at Queen's Park.

I was rather surprised how close we were able to get ( within 30 feet of the podium ) , I guess I just expected a bit more visible security.

 It was a great way for me to remember and give support to those who have fought for Canada in many ways over the years. I remember as a kid in elementary school going into the gymnasium at school  to remember the Canadian soldiers who had fought in different wars. Even though my grandfather was a pilot in the Canadian air force I never gave much thought to it back then. I know growing up as a kid Canada really hadn't been involved in any kind of conflict that really made much news anyway. My grandfather and I never spoke about his time serving in the air force and what all he had seen. Thinking back I wish I was more brave to ask him to tell me a few stores about it. 

It IsThat Colourful Time Of The Year again

It is that colourful time of year again it seems but this year some trees were holding out by staying green as long as they could. We did not really have much of a summer this year as it felt more like Winter to spring to fall so no wonder the trees are confused as to weather they need to change colour yet as they are still waiting for more summer weather days before it becomes fall.

It seems so far fall is winning out and winter will soon be bringing what it has to offer us.

How Much Is That Birdy On The Pole

Over by Casino Rama near Orillia while driving a long a friend pointed out this huge thing on top of a hydro pole and I look up and what do I see...
A Huge bird nest on top of that pole. What size of bird would make a nest over 4 feet wide besides a Bald Eagle I am not quite sure. I know we have bald eagles here in Ontario but I've never seen one myself. I've seen a few Great Horned Owls from time to time but I have never seen nests like this before here in Ontario. Not sure how long the nest has been there but I do hope it gets used for years to come.

Clam after the Storm

The Southern Onartio got hit by some rather frighting yet cool looking to some... thunderstorms on August 20, 2009. There was also acouple confirmed tornado sightings that left one 11-year-old boy dead and ripped a part quite a few homes in Durham, Ontario.

I remember sitting on my laptop chatting away then seeing the storm sneak in the city very quickly as it got dark and lighting and thunder every half a second and rain drops blowing sideways shaking a few windows. Just as quickly as it came into my area only staying a few short minutes it was gone and heading towards other parts of Ontario.

For some odd reason after the storm had passed I noticed my plants needed watering so I gave them some water from the water pitcher. I am sure if anyone happened to see me doing this would have thought it was quite strange.

Below is a picture I took on a street in Toronto a an hour after the storm went though the city that just seemed so peaceful as if what had just happened never took place.

Bracebridge the pioneers of hydro-eletric generation

During one of my road trips around the highways and roads of this beautiful province a friend and I ended up driving though the Town of Bracebridge.

I always find it interesting when towns in Ontario have Rivers flowing though them like the Muskoka River does and how it effects how the town was laid out. Bracebridge for sure becomes alive during the summer with all the tourists that come up in the summer. As much as the Town welcomes the money and jobs from the tourists I am sure they are glad when a lot of them go home after the labour day long weekend.

I did manage to get a bit of fishing in while I was there but didn’t catch anything but I didn’t see anyone else who was fishing there catching anything either.


The town has a population of about 15,500 people. The Bracebridge falls located at the Silver Bridge in Downtown Bracebridge, they empty into the Muskoka River and that runs into Bracebridge bay. The Bracebridge falls is now made up of a hydroelectric plant that controls the water flow to produce electricity. Bracebridge was one of the first municipality in Canada to use hydro power as part of the towns power source.

Near the falls there is a plaque that reads

On October 5th 1894. the Town of Bracebridge purchased an 80 h.p water powered generating plant to supply electricity to the community. This plaque commemorates the far-sighted electors who early recognized the benefits of electrical living and in so doing made Bracebridge the pioneer in municipal hydro-electric generation in Ontario.

Erected by Ontario Hydro
Unveiled July. 1967

Camping with the moon

I went camping with a couple of friends this past week and it rained everyday, The weather in Ontario this year seems to be more like Vancouver winter weather then the weather we normally get in here in Ontario in July. I am sure this is the wettest July we have had in quite a number of years. I am waiting for August to become rather hot then people start complaining that it is way too hot and dry. We still had a good time camping considering all the wet weather and made the best of it. As the sun was setting one night I noticed that the moon was already showing itself. It was only a half moon but it still looked rather near sneaking behind a pine tree.

Big bass on Lake Scugog

On Friday I went fishing with a friend on Lake Scugog, It's a lake in Scugog Township between the Village of Port Perry, Ontario and the town of Lindsay, Ontario. ( I believe Lindsay is now part of the City of Kawartha Lakes ). We got to the lake quite a bit later then I wanted too but things happen. It was a partly cloudy day about 20 degrees Celsius (68 F). Not quite sure what the water temp was but with the Lake being a shallow lake averaging only 7 feet, I am sure it was rather warm compared to a lot of lakes in Ontario.

The lake was full of weeds all over the place. At first I was a little bit discouraged by this fact then I realized what love weedy lakes? Fish but more importantly Largemouh Bass. The first half of the day we were getting a bit discouraged as we didn’t catch much at all then all of a sudden when I tossed my line out as soon as it hit the water this bass engulfed my lure and took off swimming into the weeds from the pocket of water it grabbed the bait in. I was able to get it out of the weeds and into the boat. We guessed it to be about 4 to 5 pounds. I live released it back into the lake

Here is a pic of my bass

A hour or so later we were thinking of moving spots as my friend only had caught a rock bass and a smaller one pound bass. Then all of a sudden BAM!!! This fish grabbed onto his line that he thought was bottom at first then it took off running right into the weeds on the shore. He finally got it in after quite some time and it had to weight at least 8 pounds. very nice bass for sure. He live released it back into the lake.

here is a pic of his bass

New Country 95.3 Canada Day Jam

Pembroke native Jason Blaine

On July 1 2009 (Canada day) I went to Radio station New Country 95.3 Canada Day Jam, It's an annual Canada Day set of Free concerts put on by various Canadian New Country Artists. Most I must admit I have never heard of most years but I become an instant fan just like Jason Blaine 3 years ago. Jason Blaine is from Pembroke,Ontario. He is a Singer - songwriter that I just feel in love with his music. His personally just made him stand out, quite warm and humble to have the fans that he does. The Rest of the artists that played were quite good themselves but again Jason Blaine stood out from the pack.

Marshall Dane, One More Girl, Tara Oram, Amanda Wilkinson and Emerson Drive, Join Jason Blaine on stage over the course of the day.

you can see more photos that I took on my Flickr Canada day Jam 2009 set

The colours of the flames

There is something magical about a campfire. I’m not sure if it’s the over all peacefulness of the flames and the soft crackle of the fire. People just seem to get drawn into the memorizing experience of it. The magic of the flames just seems to open people up and talk about things they might normally never do. Just staring into the flames seems to relax people. Often we begin to forget about the rest of the world outside that special cycle around the campfire. The reds, oranges, blues and whites of the flames just sucks you in. The orange glow of the embers just seem to relax you as it gives you warmth to the entire body.
I know the campfire really isn’t just an Ontario thing but it has been a staple when camping in Ontario as for as long as anyone can remember. From ghost stories told around it to try and scare while entertaining others. Sharing moments of the past like they were just yesterday. Dreams and wishes just seem to come true around a campfire and that is enough reason for me to love them so much. So next time your around a campfire feel free to share stories and sing your heart out. I am sure those moments will bring memories that will last a life time. I am sure those moments will bring memories that will last a life time.

Grenadier Pond

I went for a walk with a friend yesterday in High Park Here in Toronto and took a few pictures as always. I really would be lost if I went anywhere without my camera. As we were walking along Grenadier Pond I remember the story I heard one winter when I was walking on the frozen pond from a guy who lives along the pond. He told me of the myth that in the early 1800's a few British Grenadiers (soldiers) fell though the ice during drill practice because of all the gear that had with them while trying to cross the frozen pond during the late winter and but a few drowned in the pond. I personally think it's just all a myth but still a fun story to imagine about even if there is not any record of such an event occurring.

A Mute Swan Nesting

Male Wood Duck, Female Wood Duck
Red Eared Slider , Midland Painted Turtle, Red Eared Slider 

Some say that some parts of the pond are bottomless because of the mud that is like quicksand.
My question is this, would the mud not in fact be the actual bottom of the pond even if you can't stand on it?

Ontario's Official flower

The White Trillium
Since 1937 the White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum ) has been the Official flower of the Province of Ontario, They tend to bloom during the month of May for only a few weeks.

White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum )

Even though it is not against the law to pick a white trillium in Ontario it is best to leave them where they are because a trillium plant can take up to 11 years to produce its first flower and should be left for others to enjoy.

Even though the White Trillium is the official flower, for fun I thought I would post a picture of a red trillium and if you look close in the background you can see the huge numbers of white trillium's

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

The Trillium erectum is the only red-petalled trillium in Ontario.

Manitoulin Island - Largest Freshwater Island in the world

I remember driving to Manitoulin Island for quite a few years with my mom and a friend of hers from work. The trip there was always an adventure, at least to me it was. We would sometimes drive across the bridges via city of Sudbury going there and take the ferry back to the mainland in the town of Tobermory or take the ferry from Tobermory to Manitoulin Island going there and take the bridges. I remember many times getting stuck in traffic along highway 69 on the way to Sudbury. Seeing so many different things along the way no matter which choice we picked. The town of choice to rent the cottage was always in Providence Bay. What a lovely beach the village had right on Lake Huron. It was there that I always loved the fact that I could go fishing, swimming, hang out with some new friends while getting ice cream at Harbour Centre, all within a short walking distance.

Some facts about Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world. It has a population around 13,000 permanent residents that balloons to 50,000 during summer, mainly because of the popularity of boating, fishing and cottages that the island offers to tourists.


A quote from Manitoulin Island born Isabel Paterson b.1886, d. 1961
( novelist, newspaper columnist, and political analyst )

"Most of the harm in the world is done by good people, and not by accident, lapse or omission."

Trumpeter Swan ( Cygnus buccinator ) Sculpture

This huge 2700 pound stainless steel Trumpeter Swan Sculpture was erected in the harbour of Midland Bay / Town Dock in Midland, Ontario in October of 2001 by the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre to pay tribute to the Trumpeter Swan, which the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre bring back from near extinct but now there are currently just over 1000 individual Trumpeter Swans in Ontario with the help of the Trumpeter Swan Program. The Sculpture helped bring in a lot of funding into their reintroduction program as it brought awareness to the Trumpeter Swan near extinction

Random Swan facts:

Swans have 25 neck vertebrae – that’s almost twice as much as giraffes, who only have 13

Trumpeter swans presently number more than 5,000

Ontario - It's Where I live

Welcome to this blog, I decide to try something a little different then other blogs I have done in the last. This blog is going to be about the province I love, Ontario.

I grew up in it, where I live, where I always find time to travel these roads, highways, trails, rivers, lakes and streams.

In this post I figure I’d talk about a waterfall called “Webster falls” in Greensville, it is in the area of the city of Hamilton.

The Webster falls is 22 metres/72 feet high and 30 metres/98 feet wide. The water fall is fairly accessible so most people can at least get a view of it from the top and those a bit more daring can even take a short walk down to the bottom of it and walk under it which I had the pleasure of doing when I took the above picture. Just make sure you bring a swimsuit or clothes you do not mind getting wet if you plan and walking behind it.