Out & About #809 | Treetop Trekking + Papa Giuseppe's

​Sustaining a position on my bucket list for at least half a year now, Treetop Trekking was finally attempted in the first month of their seasonal reopening. The activity is offered at a handful of locations throughout the GTA, yet it was the exclusivity of the Blue Heron Zipline that steered me in the direction of Brampton.

Availability of interested acquaintances was canvassed around late March/early April. It was also amidst this research process that I learned of a 20% discount for all bookings made in the month of April. Keen to take advantage of this promotion, I proposed the 30th - the last possible day for the offer to apply, as well my only free Saturday at the time of planning.
We secured the 2 PM slot, surrendered the atrocious admission fee, then completed the e-waiver shortly afterwards. Aerial Game Treks were priced at $64 per adult; even with the discount applied, the cost per person totalled a whopping $51.20 plus tax. 

​My partner-in-crime for the day was well versed in climbing, specifically bouldering, and was not only willing to invest funding into this activity, but also energy for chauffeur services. It was greatly appreciated, especially in consideration of the dreadfully exhausting weeks I had experienced leading up to the day.

I first requested a stopover at The Beer Store. The request stemmed from a sudden urgent need to clear out deposit recovery cans. Waterloo Brewing's new Field Berry Radler was acquired during this visit.
We forgoed the grand opening queue at The Alley and headed straight to Brampton instead.

​At the nearest McDonald's, a Big Mac Extra Value Meal and Bacon and Grilled Chicken McWrap filled our stomachs, preparing us for the surprisingly strenuous schedule ahead.

Heart Lake Conservation Area adopted a similar layout (and signage!) to Albion Hills, being a TRCA park. Admission fees were waived for those with Treetop Trekking confirmation emails, though other entrants were subject to day use rates of $7.75 plus tax. Entering the park without any further instructions from the admission fee collectors, we found our way to the Treetop Trekking station via guiding arrows.

I switched into hiking shoes and coated myself in a thorough layer of insect repellant before proceeding.

​A sheltered check-in desk and logo-donning trailer office welcomed us. Yellow wristbands were provided following check-in; washroom usage was advised prior to gathering at the equipment station. I had anxiously reminded myself to limit water intake in fear of a lack of indoor plumbing. Thankfully, the brick building by the entrance indicated otherwise.

​Helmets and harnesses would be provided to each of the registrants for the 2 PM slot. Bulky bags were advised to be left behind, though waist packs and small backpacks were not uncommon amongst the group. A hoodie I had initially borrowed in fear of chilly conditions was left at the front desk, for gentle infiltration of UV rays foreshadowed overheating.

Fitted clothing is advised, for loose ends (and loose hair) increase risk of getting caught in the cable systems. These directions had been included in the confirmation email, along with suggestions of sunscreen, water bottles, and gloves. Scrapes and lacerations were not to be underestimated, for even the guide wore gloves!

Once harnesses and helmets had been assigned and checked for safety compliance, we were guided towards the Orientation area. The group was introduced to the Petzl "purple hook" - known professionally as the Can Hook - as well as a pulley used for ziplining. General safety guidelines were preached:

• The Can Hook was not intended to open entirely, nor would a small opening endanger one's climbing experience. The hook was to be slid onto the game track and shifted along the route as one navigated from game to game.
• The Pulley accessory was to remain on the waistband loop until use, and hooked in front of the Can Hook before attempting a zipline. Placing it in front of the hook ensured that the hook would not slam into the fingers during landing.
• Fingers were to be placed in a "Butterfly" position on the Pulley while ziplining and remain clear of the cable. Resisting movement by grabbing the cable in mid-air would halt one's place along the zipline, either demanding a member of the rescue team (orange helmets) for assistance or a manual "tow-in". The tow-in method was to be executed with one's body facing away from the landing platform, placing one hand over another on the cable, and carefully sliding oneself along the cable using the pulley mechanism.
• At every landing area was a cushioned trunk. An orange rope fixed to this cushion would be used to catch oneself and prevent backtracking along the cable. Once the pulley attachment had been re-secured to the waist loop and the Can Hook slid across the connector, participants were advised to move out of the landing area and call out "All clear!" to the next player. This was considered best practice in order to ascertain same landing conditions and prevent injury.
• Each portion of the course was termed a "game", on which two people were allowed at any given time. Ladders were restricted to one person at a time.

​Following each player's trial run on the Orientation platforms, we were free to attempt any course of our liking. Within the three-hour booking allocation, we had the option to attempt (and re-attempt) any of the standard four courses as well as one advanced course.

All routes commenced with a ladder. The standard courses embedded traditional ladders embedded into a door frame; these were labelled with "START" running vertically down the side. The advanced course adopted a more barebones ladder, akin to the frameless ones of modern playgrounds, but iron instead of plastic-coated.

The first obstacle was passing the Can Hook over the connector. "Think of it as a 3D puzzle." urged our guide. The gap in the hook would only slide over the thinnest portion of the metal connector one way, so the hook would need to be rotated to achieve this. Passing the hook over the connectors grew easier over time, though passing it along the cables of the games was less enticing. Due to elevation differences, the hook would often slide back onto my face, banging my glasses frequently. Perhaps the issue was height-related, for taller participants would simply move along the cables by pushing the hook with their body.

Specifically on the advanced course, the connectors were a tad tighter. When the Can Hook refused to pass through the first time, the situation begged a closer inspection. My proximity was unwarranted, for the sudden passing of the Can Hook resulted in a paining blow to the nose.

Protection from tree branches was provided via helmets - particularly necessary when maneuvering upwards. Oftentimes, I was so deeply focused on the games that the immediate surroundings became less relevant. I saw not the fine branches that would spike me should I plummet, but the end of the games that seemed so close yet so near at the same time.

The games ranged from nets to wooden planks, and from tunnels to mini ziplines. As the courses progressed in difficulty, the planks became logs and finely-knit mesh webs of raw, twisted rope.
Like climbing, there were multiple ways to approach a game (or "problem"). While I opted to use wider stances for greater contact surface area with the crossing panels, others chose to maintain their centre of gravity by taking smaller steps along the cables. The cables were less slippery than the planks and logs, though the limited points of contact entailed higher risk of ankle injury if unstable. Hiking boots ought really be recommended for this activity, rather than the mere baseline of "closed-toe shoes".

Core strength also played a significant role in stablizing shifty components. I proceeded steadily with the aim of maintaining stillness and control, whereas my partner-in-crime was speed-driven, regularly contributing shakiness to my route from behind.

A cable burn/bruise was suffered on the left arm during the last game of my third attempted course. Though, this was quite minimal in comparison to the blue-black pole bruise I had acquired the evening prior.

By the time we had reached the advanced course, we were both quite fatigued. Nonetheless, we powered through. A swing contraption (that I nearly slid off), bottom-removed cargo net, and twisted cable made for the trickiest games of the entire park. Strategically positioned between the challenges were landing platforms overlooking Heart Lake. The view was stellar, and likely only more majestic once leaves begin to sprout, frame the azureness with a luscious, flittering green.

​I was greatly appreciative of the guides checking in with the participants from time to time. Concerned feedback was relayed upwards when exhaustion was observed; tips to facilitate challenging games - such as the cargo net - were also called out: "It's easier if you can get to the top, where the cable is!"

Equipment was returned to the racks at the end of our session, and the baggy hoodie was donned once more for warmth.
It had been an exciting adventure - thoughtfully planned and engaging for both the mind and body. Tightness was felt in the quads as well as the upper back and shoulders, but most noticeable of all was, undoubtedly, the swollen fingers. The venture had been deemed worth the one-time investment, though unlikely in succession as the novelty of the course would be lost.

Returning to  ̶c̶i̶v̶i̶l̶i̶z̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶- Mississauga's City Centre, National Bubble Tea was celebrated with Brown Sugar Oolong Milk Teas from Gong Cha. My partner-in-time took to the regular roster of toppings, tapioca and coffee jelly, while I swapped in the chewier kanten jelly for tapioca.

A brief visit to The Rec Room was made. Visitor volumes were atrociously high during pre-supper hours, leading to a wait upwards of twenty minutes for one round of Pump It Up! By the third song, I was too tired to proceed. We, or rather I, called it a day and we zipped off to dinner.

Arriving in Port Credit around 8 PM, I strode into Papa Giuseppe's, expecting to be informed of the same 20- to 30-minute wait time the lady had assured over the phone. Instead, the staff predicted one hour. I proceeded to provide my name for the waitlist anyway, hoping that other potential patrons would relinquish their opportunity on the basis of hunger, then grudgingly retreated to the car.
Surely enough, at 8:30 PM, I received the notification. Our table was ready.

We were seated in the patio at the back of the restaurant, kept warm during these transitional months with overhead heaters. Updated menus were laid onto our extremely narrow eating space for perusal.

​The waitress was quick to inquire of any beverage choices, delivering my Pump Signature Amber pint shortly after glasses of water. Our shared entrées, however, would be delayed until around the 9 PM mark.

Our orders of a Tuscana pizza and Fettuccine del Mare, along with three rectangular sharing plates, would occupy the bulk of our table space. Many tables had cleared for the evening by this point, prompting me to entertain the idea of moving tables for ease of eating. As the waitress was not to be seen for the next little while, the idea was dismissed. The items before us would summon all attention.

​Reknowned for their scrumptious, thin-crust creations, the Tuscana did not disappoint. The rosso option boosted the tanginess factor, which was then contrasted by the savouriness of prosciutto pieces and sweet accents of balsamic cipollini.

​The pricier of the duo, the Fettuccine del Mare was a delicious medley of shrimp, clams, and mussels atop al dente ribbons of fettuccine. The incorporation of garlic butter was equally subtle and distinct, broadening the dish's complexity while allowing the seafood to remain in the spotlight. After obtaining a relaxed nod from across the table, I snagged the garlic bread and immediately chomped away. The texture was impeccable: a fabulous cronch edged with mild pungency.

​My amber ale was smooth, flavourful, and paired fantastically with both of the tomato-centric plates.

As extravagant and particular (no reservation policy) is a dining excursion at Papa Giuseppe's, I must admit my satisfaction with every departure. My Vicinity balance has accumulated to 190 points now; the next redemption reward is $10 off my next meal, ready to claimed at the 200-point mark.

Dessert of a Cannoli Trio was contemplated for a few minutes, but eventually not pursued in light of the cookies-n-cream filling. Interestingly, the shells are outsourced while the filling is constructed in-house, rotating every so often.