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Day 100 – Weather Network Interview, then a Crash!

No I didn’t crash my truck.

I drove to Oakville and met with David and Suzanne at the Weather Network this afternoon after leaving my friend’s place in downtown Toronto. They showed me around and despite David’s busy day were very gracious hosts. Suzanne made it very easy and comfortable to share with her on camera some details about my trip. It was a fun afternoon and from what I hear the full interview has aired a few times today as my friends back home have seen it. I’m hoping to perhaps get a link to the segment that I can post here. I’ll keep you posted.

I arrived in Barrie Ontario and saw a Starbucks. With hopes of doing some more editing and posting some more shots I set up my laptop and plugged in my external hard drive. All of a sudden it fell off the wide window ledge and hit the floor. It was only about a 12 inch drop but it was enough to trash the read/write heads in the drive. I did some reading online and based on the clicking sounds in the drive this seems to be the problem. I’m hoping that I can get the images recovered. Yes, I’m a little stressed but keeping faith. I also have to figure out where to store the new shots I’ll take on the way home and the recovered shots once I take the drive in.

One step at a time I guess.

So it was a fun and fruitful day with a bitter end but life goes on.

Thanks to Everyone at the Weather Network for their time and hospitality. Cheers

Stairway to...

Stairway to...

Days 98, 99 – Chilling In Toronto

Yesterday I spent some time in the North York library working on some editing of a few shots after making the drive from Hamilton. From there I met my friends Nancy and Tamara ( and their colleague Scott) who are in town for a work related conference. We had dinner and chilled for a bit. Nancy showed us her shots from her recent trip to Australia and now I want to go even more.

After that I arrived at Anthony and Katy’s place. They have moved since I was here in November and they opened up their new house to me. This is an awesome, quaint little house with so much character, it totally suits them.

I was originally waiting to hear back from a local TV station about a possible interview about my trip but it looks like they’ve passed. I was going to be on my way today but Anthony and Katie have convinced me to stay one more night and hang out. So me and Zoso (the cat) are going to do some more edits today and relax. Tomorrow I start the stretch across the rest of Ontario into the prairies.

For now, I’m simply in the moment, reflecting on the awesomeness of the people I know. I am a lucky guy. Thank you friends.

Golden

Golden - Val Jalbert, Quebec

Day 23 – Niagara Falls to Pickering

I spent half the day in Niagara Falls, got some decent daylight shots but I actually prefer the night ones I got last night. After which I rambled on, zig zagging through Thorold Ontario and St. Catherines.

After St. Catherines I spotted a rust old boat sitting on the shore of Lake Ontario. It looked kind of like a pirate ship but was a large hunk of rusty metal with some wood on it. I talked to a fellow waiting for his fishing buddy to show up and he said that it was towed from Toronto to become a floating theme restaurant. Apparently the proprietor run out of money and he or some local hooligans set the thing on fire. He went bankrupt and the shell of the boat sits there, rusting. I’ll post the shots soon.

On my way through Oakville and Mississauga I spotted a great view of the Toronto skyline as the sun set down. Got some great dusk city shots for the collection.

Now I’m in Pickering, again monopolizing a chair at Starbucks, working on some more photos. The amount I have on the hard drive is both overwhelming and exciting.

Also, thanks to my friend Nancy I will be stopping in Toronto on my way back through after Christmas to do an interview. It seems the weather channel is going to do a story on me and my trip. I spoke to Kelly there and we decided that it would be best to do it later as I have had way to good of weather so far. She needs to put a weather related spin on the story and I simply have only dealt with clouds, sun and a little bit of cold. No snow, minimal rain and great temperatures for the most part. So watch for a post when I find out more.

Day 22 – Niagara at Night

After saying my temporary good-byes to Katy, Anthony, Mike and Dave this morning I ventured west to Hamilton and met an old friend from back in the band days. Amanda showed me around the Hess Village area in Hamilton, bought me a Spanish coffee and then she took me out to the remains of an old historic building called the Hermitage. Apparently it’s quite an attraction to historians and paranormal seekers alike as it’s said to be haunted.

After that I rambled my way to Niagara Falls (Canadian side) arriving after dark.

I just got back from spending a couple of hours taking long exposure shots of the colorfully lit falls. Something I didn’t know they did until Amanda mentioned it. Now it’s time for some sleep and some daylight shots of the falls before I make my way to whatever else Saturday has in store for me.

Friday the 13th at Niagara Falls

Friday the 13th at Niagara Falls

Day 21 – Last Night in Toronto

On the advisement of Katy’s boyfriend Anthony I took a trolley down to the Distillery District today to see if I could get some shots. The area is an old area from the 1800s but has all been developed into new and trendy art galleries, restaurants etc. I did get a few touristy shots of the old brick buildings etc but my favorite of the day was a small 70′s Winnebago I found in a parking lot. It’s ok, you can call me weird.

After dropping my camera gear back at the house I went back downtown to the infamous Horseshoe Tavern to meet my friend Shawn and his girlfriend Shannon both from Vancouver (although Shawn grew up out here which is why he’s in town). It was good to see faces from home. After we left there we met Shawn’s buddy Trevor at his home away from home Tietro. After a couple of beer we decided to head. Trevor’s friend Kim was gracious and gave me a lift back to Riverdale as she lives in the area. It was a good night to wind up my stay here. Tomorrow I leave, perhaps for Niagara Falls.

Toronto Sunset

Toronto Sunset