Saturday, June 30, 2012

York Mills Station

York Mills Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 9th]

Yikes - another crazy-long walk between subway stations! When I said I'd finish hiking the last few subway stations in order to get to the end of the line, I didn't realize they'd suddenly get so far apart!

Having reached the top of a big hill right at Lawrence Station, we climbed a bit more, then dipped a bit, then climbed, and then dipped a LOT on the way to York Mills Station. On the big downward slope, Yonge Street turned into a pretty fast thoroughfare. The sidewalk got really skinny, so Daddy kept me away from the road.

This pretty much reached past the extent to which Daddy had ever walked along the subway line. He's driven past this neighbourhood, but he's never been out here on foot before.


Friday, June 29, 2012

Lawrence Station

Lawrence Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 9th]

Now is when the walks between subway get really long. Like, REALLY long. After leaving Eglinton station, Daddy and I decided to hit up the bookstore before going home. We went to the Toys R Us and then the Indigo at Yonge & Eglinton, and then I had to go to the bathroom. Daddy took me to the washroom in the mall. I came out perfectly refreshed, determined to walk all the way to Finch station! Turns out I just had to pee really bad.

We went back to the bookstore, bought some books, and then began the really long march to Lawrence immediately after. We stopped at a Starbucks and got some iced tea, and then walked and walked and walked past some pretty nice stores.

It ended up taking us a lot longer than we realized... but little did we know the walks were gonna get even longer.


Thursday, June 28, 2012

Eglinton Station

Eglinton Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 8th]

As we slowly walked North along Yonge, approaching Eglinton, I told Daddy that I was pretty sure this would be the very last chunk of our walk for the day, as the hills had been taking a lot out of me. Daddy was feeling pretty satisfied with that!

We walked past several small stores and restaurants Daddy used to eat at when he worked at Grey, and I devoured my popsicle. Daddy reminded me that there was a big bookstore a block North of Eglinton, so I agreed to at least walk a few more blocks so that we could hit the bookstore.

He and I had a nice sit down in front of Eglinton station before approaching what we both thought would be the last few blocks of the day. We would prove ourselves pretty wrong.


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Davisville Station

Davisville Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 8th]

After all of the uphill climbs, Daddy and I finally got to enjoy walking down a nice downward slope, alongside Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Daddy and I used to walk through there a lot back when he worked at Grey, so it was cool for us to be back there.

Unfortunately, right after we passed the cemetery, we had to climb another steep incline, which took a lot out of me. Daddy and I went in-and-out of several drugstores once we reached the top, in search of popsicles. I finally got one.

Daddy had mixed feelings about being back at Yonge and Davisville. He was happy to be back where Grey used to be, but wasn't thrilled to be back at the ugly TTC headquarters, where he visited a bunch of times when they were his client at Devlin.


Tuesday, June 26, 2012

St. Clair Station

St. Clair Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 8th]

Daddy and I continued to huff and puff our way up Yonge Street. We finally switched back to the west side of the street so that we could pop into the Book City store that Nee-Nee works at and see if she was there. Alas, she wasn't, but Daddy and I looked at books and stuff anyway.

Once we made it to St. Clair, I was pretty shagged out. That hill took a lot out of me. I asked Daddy for a snack, and since there's a big McDonald's next to St. Clair station, he offered to buy me some french fries. Strangely, I declined... I figured I'd hold out for something more awesome once we got to Davisville.


Monday, June 25, 2012

Summerhill Station

Summerhill Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 8th]

The moment we left Rosedale station, Yonge street started arcing upwards at a somewhat startling rate. The conversations Daddy and I had really seemed to quiet down as we huffed and puffed our way to Summerhill Station.

A few years back, Daddy used to work up at Yonge and Davisville, and when he'd walk home, he'd walk this route, only in reverse. So it was kinda cool for him to see everything again.

We passed a bug Starbucks, another Firkin, and a bunch of antique stores that I liked looking into as we walked past.


Sunday, June 24, 2012

Rosedale Station

Rosedale Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 8th]

Daddy and I happily marched up Yonge Street, passing Yonge Street Station once again. Just like last time, there's no big sign out front indicating it was there, even though it's one of the biggest stations in the city.

As Daddy and I walked through Yorkville, it started raining on us, ever-so-slightly. I was willing to go into my backpack to grab a raincoat, but Daddy suggested we wait a few minutes to wait it out. By the time we were at Rosedale station, the rain finally stopped.


Saturday, June 23, 2012

Wellesley Station

Wellesley Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 7th]

Heading North from College Station, Daddy and I made our way up Yonge Street and found a really cool comic book store that was full of all kinda of action figures. So many action figures today!

Eventually, we made our way past a few cool restaurants and other stores and came upon a Starbucks. It had only been a few minutes since my last snack, so the two of us decided to get something to drink.

From there, it was a quick walk over to Wellesley station before continuing North again!


Friday, June 22, 2012

College Station

College Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 7th]

As soon as we headed North from Dundas, Daddy and I found a Marble Slab Ice Creamery and got ourselves some ice cream cones. I was so happy! They didn't have any sorbet, so I had regular ice cream, even though it had milk in it. Awesome!

Then the two of us continued North along Yonge street (sticking to the west side, keeping me clear of all of the establishments that aren't suitable for kids). We passed a bunch of comic book stores and lots of toy stores and stuff. This part of Yonge street sure is awesome!


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Dundas Station

Dundad Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 27th]

The walk from Queen to Dundas was also really awesome - more cool stores, restaurants, and big buildings. I was really interested in the Elgin, where Daddy saw Conan O'Brien several years ago.

Dundas Square was crazy! I was inundated by all of the lights, the billboards, and the video screens... but also there was a really huge event happening in the square. There were tons of tents and kiosks, snack vendors, and even a big stage with a really goofy hardcore band playing some songs.

The day before, The Flaming Lips had been playing here. Daddy had considered doing this walk then, just so he could have seen it, even though it would have been crazy.


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Queen Station

Queen Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 7th]

It was neat for Daddy to be with me on this leg of the walk... Daddy used to work in this part of town for several years, and it was kinda good for him to be back in his old stomping grounds, seeing the things that are different and stuff.

I really liked this part of the city, too - lots of really tall buildings, interesting stores to look at, and tons of people walking around! Daddy and I made plans to get some ice cream once we found a good place for it, and sang songs as we walked up Yonge street, hand-in-hand.


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

King Station

King Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 7th]

After taking my photograph in front of the hard-to-find entrance to Union Station, Daddy and I sat down on the steps in front of the train station and ate some candy. I can't remember if it was something I brought, or leftover candy from a previous leg of our hike.

It wasn't much of a long walk from Union over to King. Alas, much like a lot of the subway entrances we've seen today - Osgoode, St. Patrick - there isn't really any good signage to photograph. I kinda feel bad for visitors to the cities who don't have their Dads along with them to show them which subway station is which.


Monday, June 18, 2012

Union Station

Union Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 6th]

The walk to Union was a little bit difficult, seeing as how the entire area seems to be under construction. Once Daddy and I finally made our way past the famous Royal York Hotel and down to Union Station, the hub of Toronto commuters... we couldn't find the front door!

That is to say we found the front door of the train station, but the subway entrances were all blocked off, dug up, or hard to locate. Eventually we found an overpass near a dug-up section of road, and from there we could see an entrance (see photo).

A few weeks back there was a huge flood in Union Station, made worse by all the construction. They're really supposed to be fixing this station up. Considering how big and important it is, the subway platform is teeny tiny!


Sunday, June 17, 2012

St. Andrew Station

St. Andrew Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 6th]

Wait... so there's a St. Andrew station for Scotland, a St. George station for England, a St. Patrick station for Ireland... but no St. David station for Wales?! What the heck?!

After passing Osgoode station, Daddy and I walked west along Queen Street, but the restaurant we wanted to eat at was closed. So, we continued until we hit Spring Rolls, and decided to go there. We ate some bad dim sum and watched the Much Music crew set up for the 2012 Much Music Video Awards, a Katy Perry concert, and a Justin Bieber appearance.

After lunch, we went to Silver Snail, had a quick look around, and then resumed our big hike. By now, the crowds and pedestrians were finally starting to emerge.


Saturday, June 16, 2012

Osgoode Station

Osgoode Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 6th]

Only a few short blocks south of St. Patrick Station was Osgoode Station. I was really surprised at how quick it took us to get from one to the next! On the way, we passed by several hospitals, a bunch of Government buildings (courthouses and city hall and stuff), and the American consulate, which I found very interesting.

Also on this little chunk of our hike, Daddy and I debated for quite some time what to do for lunch. We finally decided that we'd walk West along Queen Street to look for some Vietnamese soup... the same place Daddy went back when he was on jury duty.


Friday, June 15, 2012

St. Patrick Station

St. Patrick Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 6th]

On Sunday June 17th, Daddy and I set out on the fifth leg of our hike through Toronto, along the path of the TTC... little did we know that it was so be the longest leg we'd complete.

We took the subway out to Queen's Park Station, where we left off the previous week, and walked a few blocks south along University to St. Patrick station. I guess because it was Sunday morning, the city was eerily quiet. Maybe it was also because it was kinda overcast. Either way, it was a really quick walk.


Thursday, June 14, 2012

Queen's Park Station

Queen's Park Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 6th]

The walk from Museum Station to Queen's Park was kinda tough - Daddy and I were both pretty exhausted, not to mention hot. We wandered through Queen's Park, saw some statues, and navigated our way through the various paths and around extremely large Government buildings.

Eventually we found the Station, and ended the fourth leg of our hike. The grand total for the day was 17k... almost as much as the third leg. When you add it all up, Daddy and I have walked 54.5 km!

We're both looking forward to the next leg of the walk, but for now... sleeepppyyy


Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Museum Station

Museum Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 5th]

First, Daddy and I hiked south along Spadina in what was becoming an increasingly warm ad sunny afternoon. Once we arrived at Spadina station (which wasn't very far from Dupont) we hit up the 7-11 and got popsicles. I wore mine on my face for the duration of the hike.

From Spadina, we retraced our steps from a few weeks ago to St. George Station, and then took a quick break in front of the Royal Ontario Museum.

From there, it was a quick turn onto University Avenue, and the entrance to Museum Station. I told Daddy then and there that I figured I only had one more station left in me.


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Dupont Station

Dupont Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 5th]

The walk to Dupont was kinda interesting for me, because it was basically a walk through Mommy and Daddy's old neighbourhood, from back when they first got married.

Daddy and I walked south from St. Clair West into Forest Hill, which was really nice - as we walked south on Walmer Rd, Daddy and I kept an eye out for Roland, his old cat. Who is probably dead by now.

As we arrived at Casa Loma, I had a nice little walk along the grounds, and then we hit the big tall staircase leading from the castle to Davenport. As we carefully counted all of the steps, some idiot behind us decided to ride down the steps on his bike. Scared the heck out of us.


Monday, June 11, 2012

St. Clair West Station

St. Clair West Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 5th]

This hike wasn't as long as the one from Victoria Park to Warden or Warden to Kennedy, but it was still a whopping 2.8k, which is a lot.

We walked several blocks south on Everden Rd. (it was all downhill, which made the walk easy), and then south again on Strathearn Rd, which was lined with massive lovely homes. Daddy and I assessed each one.

We crossed over Cedarvale Park via a tall wooden bridge, walked southeast along Heathdale, and then south along Bathurst until we hit St. Clair.

Daddy and I stopped for a quick meal at Harvey's... poutine and a chocolate milkshake. A terrible, terrible chocolate milkshake.


Sunday, June 10, 2012

Eglinton West Station

Eglinton West Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 5th]

The walk to Eglinton West station was a pretty interesting one. From Glencairn Station, we walked over to Viewmount park, where tons of people were playing baseball, having picnics, and hanging out. Daddy let me go play in a playground for a few minutes, which made me pretty happy.

From Viewmount Park, we walked south along Newgate Rd. for a few blocks, and then headed into a teeny tiny little secret walking path which ran alongside the Allen Road. The only thing separating us from the highway (on our right) was a really really large soundproof wall. To our left was a pretty posh neighbourhood with some GORGEOUS old houses.

We passed the Kay Gardener beltline trail and eventually emerged at Eglinton, and then walked over to the station. Another unexpected yet awesome turn of events on this radically different leg of our massive hiking project.


Saturday, June 09, 2012

Glencairn Station

Glencairn Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 5th]

As jarring as the walk from Yorkdale to Lawrence West was, it didn't compare much to the walk from there to Glencairn Station. The area around Lawrence Square was kinda crappy, to be fair. One block south of that, and we were into some pretty swanky neighbourhoods.

Daddy and I walked south along Shermount Avenue, which was yet another residential area. I was hoping that we'd hit an ice cream store, and alas, no such luck. We did get to walk in the middle of the street when the sidewalk ended, however.

Right before we hit Glencairn station, we passed the loudest racket coming from someone's garage... turns out we were treated to a practice session by a pretty noisy rock band!


Friday, June 08, 2012

Lawrence West Station

Lawrence West Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 4th]

What a difference! It took Daddy and I WAY too long to find the iPhone-indicated walking path south from Yorkdale, which took us through a lovely little park in a pretty swanky neighbourhood. Suddenly, as we walked along Flemingdon Rd, we watched as the neighbourhood slowly deteriorated.

Within minutes, we had walked from Yorkdale - the most expensive mall in the city (it even has valet parking) to Lawrence Square, one of the dumpiest malls in the city. So weird!

Having said that, it was still nice to think that the majority of this leg of the hike was along side-streets, and not major arteries. That made for an interesting change.


Thursday, June 07, 2012

Yorkdale Station

Yorkdale Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 4th]

Daddy promised me that the next subway station would be something of a surprise, so I was intrigued.

Getting there was pretty difficult - even though we could see Yorkdale mall from Wilson Station, we had to really go out of our way to get there. We had to walk several blocks west to Dufferin, cross under the 401, and then head into the mall. It was goofy.

The mall itself was cool - Daddy and I made a beeline through the throngs of people for the food court, where a Dairy Queen was calling my name! Unfortunately, the food court was completely closed off for renovations! What a disappointment!

Daddy and I found a small convenience store (in the mall) right by the Yorkdale subway entrance, and got frozen treats.


Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Wilson Station

Wilson Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 5th]

Being out near Downsview Park is pretty drastically different from the rest of the walks we've been doing. Daddy and I walked South along Wilson Heights Boulevard for quite a while, past a big empty field and a gated suburban housing community.

The sidewalk we followed kinda stopped and started, and we didn't see a single other pedestrian as we walked. So different! At one point, we saw a worm on the sidewalk, struggling to reach the grass. Daddy and I helped it on its way... and that was the single most eventful thing that happened on this part of the hike.

Once we reached Wilson Station (via the Wilson Station parking lot) it got kinda hot and sunny. I wasn't sure I was feeling the hike at this point.


Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Downsview Station

Downsview Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 4th]

Day four of our hike began after a long Subway ride out to Downsview Station, on the ninth of June. It was a really long subway ride - probably longer than our first ride out to Kipling. We got to ride North on one of the new subways, which was so cool!

Once we arrived at Downsview, we found a small patch of grass upon which we ate our picnic lunch. The clouds were looking pretty gray, so we were prepared for rain at any time. I ended up getting most of my yogurt all over my shirt, but decided not to let it ruin our trip.


Monday, June 04, 2012

McCowan Station

McCowan Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 4th]

The walk from Scarborough Centre Station to McCowan was pretty much as short as the walk from Ellesmere to Midland... a quick jaunt through Scarborough City Centre, past the mall parking lot, and there we were! The Easternmost terminus of the TTC line.

Daddy and I were so ecstatic to have made it all this way. All said and done, today's walk was a whopping 17.8 km. Added to the rest of the hike we'd been doing, it adds up to 37.5 km!

Once we were done, we took the subway one stop back to the mall, and grabbed some food, including the two bags of Kernels Popcorn I was guaranteed. Daddy also gave me Mountain Dew for the first time. I was ready to walk all the way home after that.


Sunday, June 03, 2012

Scarborough Centre Station

Scarborough Centre Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 3rd]

Daddy and I walked a single block North along Midland, and then had a nice and quiet Eastbound jaunt down Progress Ave, which was covered in snails. I tried to rescue some of them from the other pedestrians who didn't see them.

Once we hit Brimley, we walked south a little bit (I picked flowers for Mommy on the side of the road) and found Scarborough Town Centre. Finding the outdoor route to the RT station was nigh impossible - we ended up kinda climbing over parking lots and stuff at the Scarborough Civic Centre in order to climb up to the Scarborough Town Centre mall entrance. It was a little awkward, but we did it. And then the sun came out!

We were one single station away from completing the entire east-west TTC route across the city. We were so excited!


Saturday, June 02, 2012

Midland Station

Midland Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 3rd]

In a day of seriously long walks (Victoria Park - Warden, Warden - Kennedy, Kennedy - Lawrence East), this one was the complete opposite. The hike from Ellesmere station to Midland had to be about a block away. Pretty ridiculous that the two stations are so close together.

After departing the dump that was Ellesmere Station, Daddy and I climbed our way up a slippery, steep grass hill in order to reach the bridge that spanned the Scarborough RT line. From there, I got a really good view of the RT itself - I couldn't wait for it to be my turn to ride it!

One block North of Midland station is a massive cardboard recycling plant. You can smell it all the way from Ellesmere station.


Friday, June 01, 2012

Ellesmere Station

Ellesmere Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 3rd]

Interestingly, the walk from Lawrence East to Ellesmere was almost identical to the walk from Kennedy to Lawrence East. We hiked several blocks North along Kennedy, and then shimmied over a few blocks to the East to find the station...

...only this time, finding the entrance to Ellesmere station was ridiculously hard. All we could find was a poorly labeled, poorly lit staircase - see the photo above. What a dump!

We passed so many mattress stores along Kennedy that I'd burst into laughter every time the word 'Mattress' would appear on a massive warehouse sign. That word was never so funny.


I'm a happy kid living with my parents and our dog in Toronto. I'm goofy, sweet, smart, extremely chatty, and pretty much the cutest kid on the face of the Earth!