Last day in Toronto

It's questionable as to who doesn't want to go home more - Lola or AA. I think Lola is edging AA out for the lead. 

Today started with breakfast and then a quick stroll to the Air Canada Centre and then through Union Station. 

Unfortunately Union Station is under renovation and the stone facade inside is hidden by many levels of scaffolding. 

After a quick bathroom break in Union Station, we made our way to go up the CN Tower. It was good that we decided to do this today as the weather is cooperating and there is sunshine, blue sky and some clouds. 

The ride up to 346m takes less than one minute. The views were pretty spectacular:

We purchased tickets to go up even higher than the main observation deck - up to the Skypod which is at 446m. From here, you get a better view of the city and the ground below you:

The glass floor on the lower observation deck (a few steps down from the main observation deck) gives you a weird feeling in the pit of stomach as you step onto the floor. It's way over engineered (who wants to be liable if the panel fell out?) so there's no concern about it breaking but your subconscious brain takes over and tells you the maybe what you are about to do isn't a good idea. 

After waiting 30 mins for an elevator ride down, we made our way back to the hotel to pack up and head out for lunch. 

Looking down at the elevator floor

We made the 20-25 mins trek to lunch, passing in front of the Fairmount Royal York, hoping to see some of the hockey players getting ready for tonight's game. Unfortunately we weren't so lucky and only saw a plastic cutout of The Great One. 

After lunch, we made the journey back to the car to make the drive to the airport. AA wasn't sure how bad traffic would be so they decided to leave early. 

What should take 22 mins took 30, a far cry from the 1.5hrs that were allotted, if needed. Dropping the car off was routine and so too was the wait at the airport. Lola was happy to skip the line st security as AA is a WestJet gold rewards member and got to go through the priority line cutting about 20 mins off of the wait.

Happy juice was bought and drank and then it was time to board the plane. 

Good thing we are on WestJet so we can watch the hockey game on the flight home. 

It's going to be hard to get up for work tomorrow - we had a great trip and could use a few more days of R and R. Oh well, the sooner we get back, the sooner we can go on another trip. 

Jacket

As we packed the cat, Lola remembered she left her jacket in the closet. Good thing she thought of it now and not when we were at the airport. 

No jacket

With jacket

Take me out to the ball game and hockey hall of fame

The clouds rolled in from Winnipeg into the great Toronto area. We got out of the hotel around 10 and headed to St. Catherine's for breakfast which turned into lunch too I guess. Perkins was good and fuelled our tummies for the rest of the travel to Toronto. One last stop at tims before heading into the big city, Tims. The night before I had received 2 free coffees for waiting 20 minutes for steeped tea, but when we tried to redeem them, the lady said they were already used... Not so happy Lola. But at least now she had tea for the ride, we just had to pay for it.

It began to pour... The drive on the QEW wasn't as be as we thought, but maybe it was the rain that just slowed people a little (20km/HR slower) that allowed the traffic to flow not start and stop along the busy roadway. The drive was pretty uneventful as had seen the things in the way to Niagara Falls. We passed by the same wrecked ship, wineries, Ford building plant, and construction, plus it was a down pour so couldn't see the water as clear as we drove around the Lake.

We made it to Toronto, right downtown to our hotel. The CN tower was not visible as the clouds and rain were still coming down. 17th floor of the Interconntentnial Hotel, it's is pretty cool.  Put on our rain gear and headed to the hockey hall of fame. 

On our way there, Lola's camera broke again...same thing that happened in Hawaii, and I didn't have Mells camera as a spare, so phone camera is all I have for the rest of the trip.  The lady behind us in line gave us a coupon since she had an extra, sweet!

The hall of fame was pretty cool. So much stuff in there, jerseys, pucks, trophies and memories. Highlights would be, Wayne Gretzky's 802 goal, the actual net was on display

Meeting lord Stanley

Seeing the original Stanley cup

And seeing all the hockey moments that we have experienced in our lifetime and many that we Have heard. Wayne Gertzky, Gordie Howe and Sidney Crosby have sure made an impact on the hockey world.

Arriving back outside, after a visit to the gift shop, the rain had stopped and we could almost see the CN tower. We kept our eyes open for hockey players (and their wives), as World Cup of hockey is still on, but no luck yet.  Walking a few blocks back to our hotel, we had a wordrob change and off to get some food before the baseball game.  

We headed to Jack Asters a place Adam goes in Montreal sometimes, I enjoy the food there, and they didn't disappoint! I couldn't believe All the jays fans there eating at 3:30, like us. 

Finally could see the top of the CN tower!

After our meal we headed to the Rogers center in hopes of catching the Blue Jays  batting practice. Gates didn't open till 90 minutes before the game, so by the time we got in the Yankees were hitting the balls, next time we will have to go on the weekend as the doors open earlier on the weekend. We looked at the official Jays shop on the outside of the building but Lola still couldn't find a cap that fit. We waited at our gate to get in and we're excited when we got through the metal detectors! Surprised food and non alcoholic drinks were allowed to come in. And I was worried about my empty water bottle. 

Found our seats and then headed to the big Jays shop inside in search for a hat and something for AA. The shop was large with lots of hats. I found one that fit and AA found a shirt he liked too! He finally had something to make him look like a fan.

Next stop beer, then to our seats! Section 130B, row 13, seats 11 and 12.   We were so exited to see the players come out of the dug out. Saunders, Bautista and Smoak.

Before we came it said Estrata was set to pitch, but as the time got closer they changed it to Lola's fave pitcher Happ. We were pretty excited when he came out and started playing catch! 

Since this was the last game in a 4 game series against the Yankees, things got heated. 2 brawls when the pitcher threw a little too close to the batter. The best part was watching the pitchers come out of the bullpen to defend their players.

Returning back to the bullpen.

Then right back out there...

The fans around us were very intense, when the Jays began changing the pitchers they got vocal, there was almost a fight between 2 people I was sitting in the middle. Can't people just enjoy the game and not yell at other fans, and trash talk what they are wearing or decide to do.

Cecil came in for a few pitches

Grilli like grilled cheese! 

The Yankees ended up beating the Jays 7-5, but the bottom of the 9th was intense with bases loaded, walked batters and AA heart rate up to 122bpm.

Lola enjoyed watching Donaldson, as well as Happ pitching to Martin! 

The game ended after 10:30 as the first 2  innings took over an hour because of the brawls, we got back to the hotel, enjoyed a snack and watched a movie before bed. 

View from our hotel!

It was a great day of sports! Maybe tomorrow we will see some hockey stars as Canada plays Europe in the first of three series in the World Cup. Too bad we have flights home, and not enough time to go. Good night.