Last night I made a confession to my family. "I think I'm sick of traveling." My research prior to starting our travels made frequent reference to travel fatigue. This was the reason we didn't want to be too connected while we were away. We were worried about homesickness. But yesterday I wasn't really homesick. I didn't miss my bed or my job or my tv. I was just sick of packing up every few days and moving on to a new destination. I would have been happy to stay at my bros, or the Hansens or Joyal/Christies for a few weeks and just get into a routine. Instead, we were moving on from one overheated destination to the next. Every time we stop it seems as though a bomb detonates in each of our backpacks, spreading underwear, socks and quick dry pants from one corner to the next. Maybe it was the heat and the crowds of Toronto - the first City we've pulled into without someone to meet and welcome us. Maybe it was just the return to Sick Kids and all the stress that usually involves that was getting under my skin. Anyway, as soon as I said it I felt better. No one was shocked or disappointed. Everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing. After six weeks (six weeks?!?!) on the road we all needed to recognize that it won't always be a walk in the park. I went for a good workout in the hotel gym and instantly felt better. We all had a good night's sleep in a decent hotel and awoke feeling better still.
It was sure sad to say goodbye to Colin, Rhian, Kaya, Mahri, Milton, Dumpster and Izzi. The train trip from Winnipeg to TO was very fun and relaxing. The train is a great way to travel. Maybe it was just because we were traveling in the shoulder season, but there was no one on the train either our age or the kids'. A few times I got the feeling that I was on a cruise ship - everyone waiting for the next pre-arranged activity to start and returning the soup because it was too hot or too cold. Baaahhhhhhhhhh. We kept ourselves busy with good books and card games but it was a little frightening to think of what old age could be like. No thanks!
Arriving at Union Station on Tuesday morning, we put our backpacks to the first real test. The girls pull alongs were challenging as we hit the Union Station subway but we soon got the hang of it. Our room wasn't ready when we arrived so we checked our bags and headed up to Frans for lunch. After that we hiked over to Kensington Market for some street shopping and good coffee.
After my soul mending workout and sound sleep last night, we headed over to SickKids this morning. It was like coming home in many ways. After six consecutive years of visits, it was strange to return after a two year absence. Our appointment with Dr. Zuker was great and we spent most of the time telling road stories and jokes. He is thrilled with the results of Shannon's surgeries' to date and we agreed on a game plan for future touch-ups.
After SickKids we headed downtown to search for stars in town for TIFF. The full A list is here including Julia Roberts, Liam Neeson, Taylor Swift, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Keano Reeves etc. etc.. There were many line-ups in front of baracaded red carpets but we were thrilled that the kids were as little interested in standing outside in the heat waiting to see a celebrity as we were. Instead, we headed to Nathan Philips square for Jamaican Jerk Chicken and a coke!
The girls were so well behaved this afternoon that we decided to roll the dice and take them to our favorite steak house in Toronto - Barberians on Elm. This is an old school steak house that is listed as one of the best in the country. It didn't disappoint. Our waiter started by offering us a tour of their massive wine cellar. Some of the more than 5,000 bottles sold for in excess of $7,000. We ordered a nice $50 Californian. The girls must have understood that we were somewhere special because they were on their very best behavior. Tonight actually felt like we thought it would feel like on this trip. We shared a great experience with our kids and truly enjoyed their company. They each tried some new foods (including escargot) and sat still and conversed like real humans for a 2.5 hour meal. Our steaks were out of this world and everyone agreed that medium rare is the only way to go (right Nana?). Life feels right again tonight. Hopefully it won't take a heart stopping bill at a premier restaurant to get us back on track in the future. If so, we'll be back in Yellowknife and broke by Halloween!
Tomorrow morning we repack our bombs and get back on the train for Ottawa. We're looking forward to seeing our friends Carol/Kevin and Phil and Deb and Nathan and Lisa again and taking in some of the sites of the nation's capital. After that its our first flight since leaving home - a short one down to Halifax where we plan to check in at each of the four Atlantic provinces and visit the many friends and family that still call them home.
The forecast is calling for cooler weather in southern Ontario tomorrow (mid - 20s) so we cant wait to get up and move on the the next stop on this amazing cross-Canada tour. Hopefully the hurricane rumored to be on its way up the eastern seaboard passes through before we get on the Marine Atlantic ferry to cross the Cabot Straight to Newfoundland!
Signing out from the Big Smoke!