Week 59: My Final Adventure: Defeating the Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland!

The Final Adventure

I have mixed feelings about this post.  On the one hand, I'm sad that this will be my final entry as my year off has come to an end.  But on the other hand, I'm happy to get back to work and start a new adventure teaching Resource and Kindergarten.  Either way, this is it for my adventure blog at least for awhile.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I invested the time creating it.

Canada's Wonderland

If you ever come to Toronto and want some fun and excitement in the way of thrill rides you should definitely add this place to your itinerary.  I've been to Canada's Wonderland many times and this year I went with a goal in mind - to overcome my fear of Canada's fastest and tallest roller coaster, the LEVIATHAN.  Let me give you a bit of information on this crazy coaster:  top speed 148 km/h, ranked 7th tallest and 8th fastest in the world, 80-degree angle drop from 93m.  If it sounds intimidating you should see it!  It's so large and tall that you can't miss it from the highway and it's easily seen throughout the entire park.  How was it?  Absolutely amazing!  I simply put my head back, held on, and enjoyed the adrenaline rush of complete and utter freedom and invulnerability.  It was exactly what I needed.  I urge anyone who is stressed or overwhelmed with life to ride this monster.  Defeat the beast!

Here's an actual photo of me during the ride.  I'm the one in the middle in green.  If I look like I'm relaxing and sunbathing it's because the Leviathan made me feel so free and invincible.  

Another new ride for me was the Windseeker.  I describe it as an incredibly high swing.  Canada's Wonderland describes it as:  "Towering high above the Park, WindSeeker will ascend 301 feet and spread its metal arms, swinging riders at a 45-degree angle at speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour. WindSeeker will feature 32 two-person swings that will provide riders with a gravity-defying thrill as their feet dangle at heights never experienced before at Wonderland."

The only thrill to this ride is the extreme height and awesome view.  I guess it would be very frightening if you were terrified of heights.  The view was quite enjoyable but nothing I'd rush to return to.  

Windseeker

Victoria Falls & Wonder Mountain

Altogether, a great day was had at Canada's Wonderland.  As for excitement, it never disappoints.  Are you a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie?  Or, do you prefer to ride the carousel?  Either way, find something that makes you feel good about life and share it with someone you adore.  Life really is too short.  Work hard, play hard, and have no regrets.  I'll see you on the flip side...  

Week 58: Canadian National Exhibition 2013

Last Saturday I spent the entire day at our annual Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).  We're talking 10 hours!  I love and look forward to the CNE every year because it's so many things in one large area. You have shows with various entertainers, presentations of assorted interests, warehouse shopping, rides, food galore, games, an assortment of exhibits, competitions, and more.  It's so large and offers so much that in the 10 hours I was there I didn't even see half of it.  What a great way to spend a Saturday for under $20 per adult.

I made it a priority to see the four main shows offered this year beginning with The Flying Wallendas.  I wasn't overly impressed with this show because I've seen similar shows in the past.  Plus, after watching Nik Wallenda walk over Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon pretty much ruins it for the rest of the family.

One of the new additions this year is the President's Choice Financial Zip Line.  The tower is 126 feet high and the fee is $30.  I didn't try it because I've zip lined before in the Dominican Republic and that was good for this lifetime. You can check out the video in the link below to see what it would be like.

http://www.680news.com/2013/08/21/video-cne-zip-line-new-zip-line-gives-birds-eye-view-of-cne-grounds/

I've seen and been on many different rides but I was taken aback with this one, Mach3.  It only holds about 8 people per ride, 4 per side, and basically spins you around and around in the air.  I thought it looked quite neat but I wasn't prepared for rides that day.

Mach3

This game looked new to me as well.  The object is to climb the wall to the top to win a prize.  I only saw one kid play and he actually won!  

Climb to Win

At the Arts, Crafts, & Hobbies Pavilion I saw two very interesting exhibits.  First, was Bridesmaids Uncovered.  It was an amusing display of various bridesmaids' dresses from different time periods and countries around the world.  I've been a bridesmaid several times so I could totally relate.  Perhaps it's a little payback?

The second exhibit was called TOY-RONTO KINGDOM.  It's an amazing recreation of some of Toronto's famous landmarks using origami!

After visiting the Pavilion I watched another show entitled Mike D'Urzo, Mind Control.  He's essentially a magician, and not a good one.  Actually, his illusions weren't the problem but rather his showmanship.  I found him to be lame, lame, lame.  Although, I will give him credit for catching a paintball with his teeth that an audience member shot at him.  Still lame, though.

Mike D'Urzo, Mind Control

Every year the CNE has two sculpting competitions of interest, the Butter Sculpting Competition and the Sand Sculpting Competition.  Both always seem to be quite creative and captivating.

Butter Sculpting Competition

Sand Sculpting Competition

In the Farm Building you can enjoy a day in the life of Old MacDonald.

Alpacas in the Farm Building

The third show I watched was The Incredible Boris - Hypnotist.  Do you believe that people can really be hypnotized?  I think it's possible but highly unlikely that it would work on me.  I'd be too focused on the person sitting beside me who smells like moth balls or the wind that's blowing my hair out of place.  Anyway, apparently he hypnotized a bunch of people from the audience and convinced them they were all kinds of silliness to make us laugh, at their expense of course.  The finale was a real kicker when he played around with a couple who got engaged on stage.  

The Incredible Boris - Hypnotist

My fourth and final show of the day named Tic Toc: Acrobatic Show, was located in the RICOH Coliseum.  It was like a mini Cirque du Soleil.  There were parts that were quite mesmerizing and enthralling, but some that had me daydreaming about what to eat for dinner.

Tic Toc: Acrobatic Show

To end the day, I checked out two exhibits that I somewhat enjoyed.  In "History of the Future" they had a Chevrolet Volt (fully electric car) on display with only its frame and batteries.  Apparently they have a wait list if you're interested in ordering one.  They're only $45, 000.

History of the Future

Vroom!  Vroom!  That's what you'd hear if you had one of these babies - a Corvette Stingray.  On my way towards the exit I just had to stop and stare at this 450 horse power machine of speed.  Maybe this will be my mid-life crisis gift to myself.  Ah, something to look forward to.

Chevrolet displays the Corvette Stingray