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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Top of the World

After all the stair climbing yesterday, we had three very tired kids last night. So they were a little hard to wake up this morning. We wanted to hit the road at a half decent time as we were heading into Toronto for the day. After a quick breakfast, we drove down to Oshawa to catch the GO train. About an hour later, we arrived at Union Station. The train ride wasn't quite as exciting as last year's trip - the boys are seasoned veterans at this train thing having been on it for the second time now - but they rather enjoyed themselves all the same.

We walked westbound on Front Street and found a restaurant for lunch. It had a nice outdoor patio so we relaxed there and enjoyed our meal. 

He takes after his father.
Then we headed a little further west to the CN Tower. Ri's been asking to go there for awhile so this was the day.

Posing under the tower
Now look up...look waaay up...
After paying admission and working our way through the 45 minute lineup (first thing in the morning is apparently the time to go - who knew) we boarded the supersonic elevator and zipped to the top. No idea what the hostess said on the way up as we were busy clearing our popping ears and taking in the amazing view across Lake Ontario. In 58 seconds (seriously), we reached our destination at the Look Out - 346m/1136' above the city's streets. Best not to think about it.

Looking down on the world
The piddly little white building top right in the picture above is First Canadian Place (marked BMO) and stands a mere 298m/978'. Pffft.

City waterfront and Toronto Island Airport
After making our way around the tower we joined the 1/2 hour lineup back to earth. Cameron suggested taking the stairs. We told him to have fun and we'd wait for him downstairs. He remained with us in line.

Back at Union Station, we hit the beginning of the mass exodus of workers heading out of the city and it was standing-room only on the train back to Oshawa so we made ourselves comfy on the stairs and settled in for the ride half-way home. Rosie, tail wagging, greeted us at the door at the end of our journey. 

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey guys! Sounds like a great trip to the CN tower. I want you all to know that one year- (a long time ago..in a galaxy far, far away),my brother John and I both climbed to the top of the tower! They had opened the stairs up for the climbing as this was a money raising event for charity. I was certainly glad that by the time we got to the top- that we could take that elevator back down! My legs and knees felt like jelly by the end of it!
Love Margaret- who is married to Silly Uncle Mark

Dorito said...

They're renovating the outside of BMO right now. The white material they used on the outside of their building was falling off. I think each piece weighed a few hundred pounds. Other cities around the world that used this material removed it long ago...we're always the last to know.

They're halfway done....so the top half of the building is shiny white and the bottom half is a dingy white.

Liz said...

Margaret - the kids are very impressed that you climbed the tower. I couldn't imagine it. (Say hi to Silly Uncle Mark for us)

Dorito - what is it about stuff falling off in TO? Paint. Glass.

Dorito said...

Ya, and last year part of the CIBC sign fell of the top of the CIBC building, remember?

The sky really is falling!

Liz said...

At least the economy's rolling, gas prices are low and inflation is stagnant. Phew.

Dorito said...

I don't care anymore.

Unknown said...

Hi Liz, I gave you a Liebster award because I love reading about what you're up to on the other side of the world! See my blog for more details....http://eight-acres.blogspot.com/2011/08/liebster-award-for-blogs-i-love-to-read.html Cheers, Liz

Liz said...

Thanks Liz!! I'll be over to check it out!