Hiking the Niagara Falls Whirlpool Basin

Whipped into an aqua frenzy, the Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, passing over one of the world's most famous falls before it hits a 90 degree bend. The abrupt change of direction, coupled with an ancient river bed that was loosely filled with rocks and sediment, carved out the Niagara Whirlpool Basin.

The Aero Car makes the journey over the river

Remaining as one of the most under-commercialized of Niagara Falls many attractions, the gorge is crossed by the Whirlpool Aero Car which traverses the 540m span on six metal cables and at its lowest height is 61m above the fast flowing river. Several upgrades have taken place on the Aero Car system since beginning service in the year 1916. I found it interesting that the car crosses the U.S. border twice as it goes across in each direction.

I have taken the Aero Car several times in the past, but more often I stop at the lookouts to see the rapids and the many whirlpools that form in the water far below. Lately I have noticed some people down at the waters edge and I thought they were brave people that had found a dangerous way through the steep forest canyon. It is a popular location for local fishermen For a long time that was apparently true, but some years ago hard working individuals fashioned some wooden stairs that led down the initial almost vertical drop off the Niagara Parkway near Whirlpool Road. After the series of stairs, the mud and rock path on the canyon floor continues down to the river, crossing two small pedestrian bridges that wind over a small creek. After making the trip on two separate days I can confirm that the going down is a heck of a lot easier than the coming back up. On wet days or in winter the route would be best left alone.

Walking down to the middle of the Whirlpool Basin, you can continue following a meandering trail downstream along the gorge that takes you under the concrete platform and Thompsons Point lookout at the far end of the Aero Car, around the bend and along the Niagara Glen Trails. You can also wave across the river to the Americans that are enjoying nature in the same manner.

Great exercise, great views and a chance to do something that many millions of others don't. Take a welcome break in nature and enjoy something different in Niagara Falls.

GO Transit Toronto to Niagara Falls

The regional transit agency has a special weekend train service during the Victoria Day weekend and will also resume regular weekend trips to Niagara Falls in the summer. The two hour wine country run brings one of the world's best known tourist destinations to many more people in the GTA. There are even special bike coaches on the line to make it easy for some riding tours of wineries and Niagara area parks. Hotels along near the falls provide some spectacular views and night time colours are especially appealing - the casino lights are constantly changing, even the fountain out front.

GO Transit "Niagara seasonal train service starts Victoria Day weekend (Friday, May 15 to Monday, May 18), and returns for weekend service throughout the summer months from Friday, July 3, to Monday, Sept. 7. Service will pick back up for Thanksgiving weekend (Friday, Oct. 9, to Monday, Oct. 12)."

The flowers are just starting to blossom - see more in my post here

DND Best Photos of 2015

Canadian Armed Forces has published some incredible pictures of our military during training operations in the Best Photos of 2015, some of which are shown in this post. HMCS Fredericton looks toward the aurora borealis near Scotland in the photo at top by Maritime Task Force - OP Reassurance.

A February patrol in Labrador leaves a member of the 4 Eng Support Regiment covered in frost. Photo by MCpl Robert LeBlanc

A technician from the Royal Canadian Air Force guiding a CP-140 Aurora in Kuwait. Photo by Canadian Forces Combat Camera

CF-18 Hornet waits for a mission in Kuwait. Photo by the Canadian Forces Combat Camera

Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival

Toronto's love affair with pictures is celebrated with an annual month long exhibition of Canadian and international photographers during CONTACT. Founded in 1997, the not-for-profit organization event takes place from May 1st to the 31st in over 175 GTA venues.

"As a leading proponent of photography, the Festival increases exposure and recognition for local, Canadian and international artists and is committed to advancing knowledge, creativity and innovation in photography. It stimulates excitement and discussion among a diverse audience that has grown to over 1.8 million. CONTACT is the largest photography event in the world, and a premiere cultural event in Canada."

Comprised of Primary Exhibitions, Public Installations, Featured Exhibitions and Open Exhibitions, many of the works are in high profile public sites, while some are in established galleries and cultural centres. The Open works allow community members to display their works in parallel with professional exhibitions within galleries, community centres, other institutions and even restaurants and retail stores.

Myoung Ho Lee's works are showing at Brookfield Place "the photographs transform the common tree into a highly theatrical and mysterious entity. Since 2004, the Seoul-based Korean artist has photographed solitary trees by framing them against massive white canvas backdrops in the middle of their natural environments. Working with a production crew and heavy cranes to install a canvas, up to 60-by-45-feet in size based on each work, its support system is later digitally removed from the photograph, creating the illusion of a floating backdrop. Isolated from the environment, the tree’s contour, colour, and texture is heightened; every detail is cast in sharp relief against the enormous cloth. The illusory tension between the subject and its surroundings fluctuates—at one moment the tree’s sculptural qualities make it seem hyperreal, and at another the image appears to flatten into two dimensions."

Myoung's photos hang from the Allen Lambert Galleria

@HondaIndy Toronto track build 2015

Concrete blocks and sturdy metal fences that frame the annual Verizon IndyCar 11 turn, 2.84 km street course will start being placed on May 5th. The Honda Indy Toronto runs June 12-14, 2015. Charlie Johnstone and Sebastien Bourdais at the 2015 track build launch, photo at top by Richard Wintle.

Photo by Richard Wintle

Grandstands start to take shape. Photo by Richard Wintle

Jim Tario, Director of Track Operations, Charlie Johnstone, President of the Honda Indy Toronto and the 2014 Toronto race winner Sebastien Bourdais will officially launch the approximate month long track construction one month earlier this year to allow the race to avoid conflict with the Pan Am Games. Besides the course work which include a temporary pedestrian bridge, the off track festivals areas, paddocks and the grandstands require plenty of tents and scaffolding.

Tire barricades and fence installations help keep drivers and fans safe

2015 Honda Indy Toronto layout

The off track layout has changed a few times since the first Toronto Indy which took place on July 20, 1986. Ongoing construction of a hotel in the mid-field adjacent to the Allstream Centre had an impact on concert stages and beer gardens along Thunder Alley. It should prove helpful when fully built for both fans and race teams - you can't beat the location and the view.

"The Honda Indy Toronto race track is built by approximately 200 construction workers, takes 39 days to build, and 21 days to tear down and remove all traces of the race. It is comprised of over 2,000 steel-reinforced concrete barriers each measuring 12 feet long and three feet high. The total length of the blocks span over 12,000 feet and are each made using approximately 8,650 pounds of concrete. More than 1,200 sheets of fencing surround the track with each fence standing at eight feet high and 12 feet long. The track also features over 1,600 feet of tire wall, each one standing at five tires high".

2015 Grandstand locations

Start/Finish Grandstand along the Direct Energy Centre

Start/Finish line

Looking towards the Trackside Suites

The view from the covered Trackside Suites

Dr Pepper Grandstand looking towards BMO Field

Pit Lane view from the Dr Pepper Grandstand

Participating race series include the Verizon IndyCar main event on Sunday, July 14 at 3:30 pm, the amazing high-flying Robby Gordon's SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road trucks, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada, the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires, the Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires, the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship and the Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC).

Service dog at work

An adorable Jack Russel service dog carrying a @TimHortons bag in downtown Toronto. Poor little guy couldn't carry his double double at the same time.

I saw him walking south on Bay Street, on duty but still cute

Red Bull Girls back in Toronto

The @RedBullCanada Girls are off the ski slopes and back in town providing free samples of their famous energy drinks. I spotted the girls and their blue and silver Mini car with the gigantic Red Bull can on top, adjacent to the Toronto Eaton Centre and picked up a cold can of the Lime Edition beverage.

“Visualizes body and mind” is the tagline on the can, but the campaign is it “gives you wings”. In the big smoke you hope that the wings don’t turn people into pigeons, cause we have a few too many of those. Not only does this company give out free samples it also sponsors a lot of sports and lifestyle events, teams and individuals. They have ties to racing, running and even skydiving from the edge of space!

The Canadian Headquarters of Red Bull is on Queen Street West were you can sometimes find a fleet of the easily identifiable vehicles (http://www.torontograndprixtourist.com/2010/12/red-bull-graveyard.html).

Blossoms in Niagara 2015

Some of the fruit trees in wine country have started to blossom but the majority of trees need another week or two. If you want an area with a lot of blossoms, the southwestern region of Niagara would have few other serious competitors, plus you can sample wines.

Kensington Market Mona Lisa

All the city is a canvas for art, especially in the comfy confines of Toronto's eccentric neighbourhood near Dundas and Spadina. Mona has had pride of place in the area for quite some time, out of reach for more of the damaging tags that deface many other graffiti murals.

Kensington Market is starting to come alive again as the choking snow has given way to leaves that are beginning to bring green back to the trees. Pedestrian Sundays begin at the end of May and cafe and fruit markets are always inviting year round. The Toronto School of Burlesque is even on Augusta Avenue.

The area is still safe as the gang from Star Trek the Next Generation are on Neighbourhood Watch

Chalk Chick Mona Lisa

Another beautiful piece of art slowly degrades on the sidewalk in downtown Toronto. The artist known as the Chalk Chick worked her magic in the temporary medium outside the Eaton Centre and later people just walk all over it.