University Avenue blossoms

The fruit trees along University Avenue join the blossoms of Old City Hall. Here we are looking north towards Queens Park.

At the corner of  University Avenue and Queen Street West is the historic property of Osgoode Hall which is a favourite of wedding parties - the trees in the large property, including the blossoming fruit trees pictured above, make for some great memories of the special day. 

Our Greener Side Celebration

Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) helps to promote green eco-friendly life options during their annual 'Our Greener Side Celebration' which will be held on Saturday, May 28th from 10am to 3pm at the Kortright Centre for Conservation. This community event focuses on sustainability, waste reduction, reducing water use, eating locally and green travel and has lots of family friendly entertainment and activities.

Amanda from the TRCA told me that the "Chevrolet Volt, the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV on display ... be one of the first people to see the latest EVs that will soon be available in Canada!" Electric vehicles, public transit and bikes (like the bike police, above) are excellent ways to reduce our dependence on those nasty hydrocarbons.

One step at a time is an easy way to make a difference and help our environment. And when the environment is happy it is bloomin' happy - including the trees at the Toronto Court House/Old City Hall.

Vacation in Frankenmuth

Bavarian Inn waitress in traditional Dirndl uniform

Willkommen, Hamiltons in the Haus! I enjoyed a mini-vacation in the lovely town of Frankenmuth in the American state of Michigan (MI). Known as "Little Bavaria" and located 5 hours from Toronto (west on 401 & 402, north on I75) this U.S. town is constructed in the style of the German State of Bavaria.

German immigrants from Franconia settled Frankenmuth in 1845 along the banks of the Cass River and the atmosphere and attractions make a great tourist destination. Even with the cool and wet weather we had a great stay and I can recommend a visit to Frankenmuth. I kept looking for the Bavarian Beer Garden waitress and I was happy to finally find someone at the Bavarian Inn who was happy to pose for me (picture at top). Who needs Oktoberfest when you have beer and girls in dirndl year round.

Wooden covered bridge over the Cass River. The dock for the Bavarian Belle is under water, below.

The spring rains and swollen river interfered with boat rides (including the Bavarian Belle) that we wanted to experience so we did a lot of other indoor activities such as shopping along the main drag and in River Place or at the nearby Birch Run Premium Outlet Stores. and enjoying plenty of beer. Highlights were the Bavarian Inn, the covered bridge, the Frankenmuth Brewery and the Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. The Christmas Wonderland was a little overwhelming with so many shiny Xmas decorations, nativity scenes, festive lights and all other things Christmas like.

Our temporary home was the Marriott SpringHill Suites Hotel which was on a slight hill on main street in the heart of downtown. The place was fantastic and the stay included a self serve breakfast which featured some yummy waffles that you cooked yourself. Shopping and restaurants were within easy walking distance so you can enjoy all that beer and wine,  without having to worry about driving. One thing I appreciated was that this town had very reasonable prices and parking was plentiful and at no cost. Samples were free or inexpensive and the people were very friendly and there were lots of free wifi hot spots.

We had to buy coats to survive the recent wet spell, drop in temperature and high winds. This time of year was a little ahead of the main tourist rush which probably starts with the Bark, Bike and Balloon Festival and the Great Lakes Hot Air Balloon Championship May 27th to the 30th, 2011. The fruit trees and potted flowers were in blossom so there was plenty of colour in the town.

See more photos after the jump.

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland

Bavarian Belle looking towards River Place

The Cheese Haus

The quiet streets wait for the summer tourist season

The Birch Run Outlet stores were a grand grouping of strip mall type buildings as opposed to an inside mall shopping experience. We shopped at tons of places like Nike, Yankee Candle, Eddie Bauer and a half dozen shoe stores. This place is especially good in the rain. I also liked Birch Run because of the oil rigs spread around the area. There was one right near the mall and it had a drum with gas burning, it was interesting seeing one close up.

You could also enjoy a horse carriage ride from Fantasy Carriage Company, take a tour boat or paddle boat with Frankenmuth FunShips. For dining we experienced the famous Zehnders all you can eat chicken dinners (it was fun because they brought the buffet to you), they even had a Tim Hortons near the downtown core.

Crab apple buds at Old City Hall

Bright red crab apple buds have sprouted on the fruit trees along Old City Hall in Toronto. I imagine that they will bloom within the week and the the pink blossoms should only last about a week after that.  It also wouldn’t surprise me that the trees on University Avenue are also crab apple trees that will be following the lead of the courthouse flowers. The natural spring perfume that results may help to get rid of the unpleasant smell that a lot of people in Toronto have been complaining about lately. Personally, I think I saw Cherry Beach lift a cheek when she thought no one was looking.

Here is a post showing what the lovely flowers looked like last year.

Blossoms at Church and Queen St

Magnolia blossoms burst out from a single tree at the intersections of Church and Queen Street East in front of the Metropolitan United Church. This is the church that has all the chess tables set up in the front lawn.

High Park Cherry Blossoms 2011

The cherry blossoms in High Park finally came out to play today and the park was filled with appreciative visitors happy to see the sun and the flowers bloom and take a few pictures.

Not all the buds had opened, but there were enough to provide beauty and colour in the park.

See more blossoms from May 7th after the jump.

A number of animals in the High Park Zoo had little babies, dogs frolicked in the leash free zone and a swan was in Grenadier Pond - what a great time to visit High Park.

I also found some blossoms at Queens Park but the trees along University Avenue are still free of flowers.

Blossoms still shy

The fruit trees along the side of Old City Hall (below) and in the University Avenue (above) centre boulevard have started to sprout leaves but the blossoms still have yet to bloom in pictures taken today. They are probably waiting for everyone to look away, maybe have some water running and then, before you know it, the blooms will pop out as fast as the green leaves that have started to fill the trees in the city.

Next door to Nathan Phillips Square is Osgoode Hall and the grounds are full of trees that have really started to show a lot of green and a bit of yellow.

With all the spring rain and leaf growth it was somewhat of a surprise to see a caution sign warning of ice (or icicles) falling from buildings.

Spring Cherry Blossoms 2011

Update May 7, 2011:  Blossoms are blooming around Toronto - see my photos of High Park cherry trees and the trees at Queens Park. Now back to the original post.

Update: May 2, 2011, leafs continue to sprout but no blossoms on University Avenue or by Old City Hall yet.

Update: April 25, 2011, the harsh spring has pushed back the beautiful blossoms that will soon bloom. Buds have started to build (see High Park buds above), waiting for their breakthrough moment which will probably be this week, with full bloom anticipated to be the weekend of May 7. Some of the brush has sprouted green (below), soon all the known world of Toronto will be green with envy. If the weather is nice on the weekends and the blooms are out be prepared to search high and low for parking in the area. 

Now back to the original post.

Happy Easter and merry chocolate eggs to you. When you think of easter you think of daffodils and when you think of spring you have to think of apple and cherry blossoms filling the trees with their flowers and filling the air with their scents.

In a little while you will find the beautiful blossoms down at High Park, around Old City Hall and in the centre boulevard of University Avenue. The cold weather seems to have slowed down the growth and from what I can see the buds haven't started blooming yet. Winter, it's time to let go and let blossom freedom ring. Find some High Park updates here.

Cherry Blossoms in High Park

I expected pandemonium in High Park on a Saturday with cherry blossoms providing an irresistible lure to Toronto residents on a spring weekend. The rain had poured down and when it finished the crowds had not yet gathered in force in the park. As a bonus raindrops remained on the cherry blossoms which was nice for photographers.



High Park has so many attractions that it is no wonder that it is a favourite for so many people - from families to bikers and joggers. Grenadier Pond, nature trails, leash free dog zone, the zoo, hungry wildlife and even a restaurant with a large patio.