Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger
  • ~ Home ~
  • ~ What I Think ~
  • ~ What I See ~
    • Events
    • Food
    • People
    • Places
  • ~ What I Make ~
  • Blog Series
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Out & About #716 | Edwards Gardens

5/29/2021

0 Comments

 
My sole connection to the Toronto Botanical Gardens is an album from the 2000s, where family members had paid a visit to the attraction in my absence. I had set out to realize that experience firsthand some several years ago, ultimately unsuccessful due to unfavourably drizzly conditions.

A second attempt in the early pandemic period was also met with shuttered gates.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​An equally gloomy predecessor instigated the weekend drive. Hovering about the 15-degree mark with clear skies and ample radiance, the follow-up attempt was deemed the acceptable compromise between hiking and a walk in the park.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Majority of the pathways were paved, allowing for gradual elevation and depression along the route. Certain areas sported larger pieces of aggregate instead of smooth asphalt, indicating a potentially earlier period of construction.
A portion of the gardens was bordered by snow fences, yet oddly devoid of distinct delineation from the main path. Unbearably narrow and brimming with unmarked trip hazards and exposed wires, it was the singular section that raised concerns towards lack of signage and accessibility.
Picture
View the full album HERE !
​Navigating to a shaded strip along the Wilket Creek, it dawned upon me that I had take the Credit River for granted. Wilket Creek was slightly murky and extraordinary calm, even still in some areas. By contrast is the grandeur of the Credit River - brilliant and tenacious, emboying both power and grace.
Picture
​There was a stunning assortment of flowers to be seen throughout our walk, especially in the Teaching Gardens. It immediately occurred to me as an ideal destination for elementary and middle school field trips, as it enabled an educational portal into nature without the pains of perusing textbooks for relevant, interesting details.  Bug spray is recommended, especially where dampness and tree cover are prominent, in addition to supportive shoes to combat grade differences.

​One of the highlights was spotting a mole by the Teaching Gardens. Chubby like a beaver, I gasped as its behind disappeared into a nearby flower patch. All was still as we inched our way closer. Then came a pair of beady eyes, face half camouflaged in shrubbery. It had stuck its head out to observe us for a few seconds before retreating back into the patch, refusing a third appearance.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The trademark twinkly tune of an ice cream truck had found its way to our ears from a distance, thus we climbed up to Lawrence to meet it. Two Chocolate-Vanilla Twists were obtained. The Medium-sized soft serves set us back four dollars a cone, far more delectable than the overpriced Chocolato monstrosity and the likes of Costco's reinvented starch formula.
Picture
Parking was $2.50 per hour, which we surrendered at the entrance. We didn't finish trekking about the entire area within this time, but thoroughly enjoyed the leisurely walk. Beyond the non-uniform stairway, unmarked trip hazards, and paths that suddenly tapered off into grass then resumed later with no defined starting point, the venture had been enjoyable nonetheless
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Washrooms and gift shop were closed during our visit, locked without staff presence.

As such, we made the trip to Shops at Don Mills; albeit boasting high traffic, presumably from pick-up orders, bathrooms were closed.
Picture
Picture
We proceeded to Fairview, traversing by Wooffles' new spot en route. All stalls were closed with the exception of the Family Bathroom. Patiently we waited in line for the one and only unisex stall. Unveiled as the man in front exited was the grotesque scene of urine on the seat and floor and diarrhea remnants on the seat. Security personnel were seemingly stricter than Square One, but sanitary protocols are noticeably substandard
Picture
Dinner was had on asphalt in the form of an open trunk/makeshift picnic setting, as executed regularly amidst this lockdown.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Procured from Moxies was a full rack of Baby Back Ribs and Sweet Potato Fries w/ Garlic Dip, both stellar and far more delectable than anticipated.
The Ribs were accompanied with creamy mashed potatoes topped with chives, and amazingly did not bear resemblance to the tacky mounds of thickened starch slurry à la Jollibee. Edges of the ribs were on the tough side, though meat was tender and coated luxuriously in a sweet and savoury barbecue sauce. Roasted zucchini and red bell peppers sections were also included in the box.
Picture
​Crunchy and adequately seasoned, the Sweet Potato Fries were positively phenomenal! The insulated pouch contained a generous portion that remained crisp even when retoasted as leftovers. It came with a dill-infused, tzatsiki-esque garlic dipping sauce, which was reserved for undecided later uses given the fries were sufficiently flavourful on their own
Picture
Picture
A complimentary White Chocolate Brownie was provided with the order. Separately packaged in paper were vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, which tasted typically commercial. The peculiar slab in the box, on the hand, was sickeningly sweet without a distinguishable texture. The proclaimed dessert was soggy with questionably runny chocolate sauce that had developed a film on its surface. We each took to two bites before eyeing the box with furrowed brows, then sealed it with dismay.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Ahgabond Adventures
    Ahgase
    Arctic Aquarium
    Atlantic Canada 2018
    Barrie
    Beauty
    Birthday Buddy
    Calgary 2023
    Chinese New Year
    Conquering COVID 19
    Daily Randoms
    Eyes On You World Tour 2018
    Food
    Friends
    Hallyucon
    Hamilton
    Hong Kong
    Iron Ring
    J Movie
    K Drama
    K-Drama
    Korean Beauty
    K Pop
    Los Angeles 2017
    Macau
    New York 2018
    Ottawa 2019
    Pilates
    Random Rant
    Restaurant Review
    Seoul
    Shopping
    SSMC
    Taiwan
    Vacation
    Vancouver 2013
    Vancouver 2014
    Vancouver 2015
    Vancouver 2016
    Vancouver 2020
    Vancouver 2022


    trazy.com

    RSS Feed


WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky =  a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things



Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
© Quirky Aesthetics. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 10, 2015.