Canoeing the Thames (in Ontario)

It was interesting to see 8 kayaks and a canoe being launched just west of the Springbank Dam in London, Ontario. The dam is not for spring flood control but rather it is for keeping the summer water level in the urban river deep enough for canoeing and kayaking.

The dam, though, doesn't work. After an overhaul a few years ago it jammed and the question of who will shoulder the repair bill will be decided by the courts.

Yet, despite the failed dam, here were kayakers and canoeists about to paddle down the river from the dam to Delaware.

This raises an interesting question: Why is the dam necessary? Why is it so important to canoe within the city limits?

Clearly, canoeing the river just outside of the city is possible without a multi-million dollar dam.

A simple snapshot

It finally rained in London, Ontario. My grass is crispy brown and the local newspaper is running stories telling people to water their trees. Many trees in town are showing signs of stress. We still need another good downpour, or two.

21st Century Suburbia

These apartments in the southwest of London, Ontario, make the claim that they are the finest in the city. Hmmm.

For the story that goes with this picture, check out my post on Rockin' On: the blog.

Deserted

A forgotten basketball court behind CPRI in London.

Last week I had a friend visiting London from Montreal. He asked to see the area where a bear was shot earlier this year. Yes, you read correctly, a bear was shot deep in Southwestern Ontario --- one of the most civilized areas of North America and an area not normally bear country.

I took my friend behind the Child and Parent Resource Institute facility where the bear was found and shot. The bear was too close to jogging trails, popular walking paths and recreational areas and when it charged a police officer it was killed.

We were surprised when we found the area near the river quite deserted. Later, an institute staff member told us to forget pictures of joggers exercising behind the facility. The area was quite deserted, we were assured.

Anime in London

In the Toyko district surrounding the Yamanote Line's Harajuku Station young Japanese dressed in a variety of costumes congregate every Sunday. Today a bit of Tokyo came to London, Ontario, as a group of local teens, many dressed in Japanese anime costumes, gathered for some cosplay.

Anime (ah-NIH-may) is the Japanese word for animation. Anime in Japan, unlike in North America, often deals with serious topics and not just children's stories. For this reason, Japanese people of all ages watch anime with some getting dressed as their favourite amime character in order to take part in cosplay with friends.

But it was not just the Anime cosplayers lending an international flavour to Springbank Park today. The Falun Dafa group was again in the park quietly meditating. Click here to see original post.

Southwest London Underpath

Hiking about in the southwest of London, Ontario, I discovered an underpass for suburbanite walkers, joggers and bikers. With all the development in the area, the far western end of Commissioners Road is getting quite busy. The underpass gets local folk across the roadway without interfering with traffic flow. On the first nice day, I'll return as the path itself is worth a picture or two.

A plus for London: Toronto

An armoured general guarded the First Emperor in the afterlife.

The Warrior Emperor and China's Terracotta Army is now showing at The Royal Ontario Museum (the ROM) in Toronto.

If one goes on a Wednesday the tickets are discounted. My wife and I, and another couple, took in the show this past Wednesday. It was excellent.

ROM: Go for the Terracotta Army; Stay for the dinosaurs.

As I have mentioned before in my posts, one nice feature of living in London, Ontario, is its close proximity to Toronto. We made the drive to T.O. in a little more than two hours.

Toronto is a classic "Nice-place-to-visit-but-I-wouldn't-want-to-live-there" place in my opinion. I say that having lived there for a number of years in my youth.

Just one of the many places to grab a bite in Baldwin Village.

But T.O. really is a nice place to visit. Between the ROM and the Art Gallery of Ontario lies Baldwin Street with the Baldwin Village bistro and patio saturated row of restaurants. After the show we stopped in at the Vegetarian Haven for a vegetarian dinner before hitting the freeway for London.

Toronto really is a fun place to visit and London is blessed to be almost the perfect distance from the big city. Close enough for a day visit and yet too far away to encourage daily commutes.

Giant pencils support the canopy in front of the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. As I said, Toronto is a fun city.