Out & About #845 | Autumnal Avenues Feat. Rattray Marsh + Iroquois Shoreline Woods Park

This year's attempt at apple pie was postponed due to my COVID infection, then again due to more pressing long weekend plans.

​Following the road trip up north, I spent the next 1.5 days editing, until neither my brain nor eyes could keep up any longer.

Several homecooked meals were enjoyed over this span, with the highlight being a delectable Apple and Pork Soup crafted from ripe and partially bruised Gala from The Apple Factory.

​Despite having only completed half of the content, I deemed it unfeasible to continue in the existing state.
The sleepy polar bear's suggestion of Mango Sticky Rice and a stroll through Port Credit resulted in a haggard response that was part lukewarm and part excited. The dessert sounded enticing, yet constraining; Clarkson's newest dessert house would be operating on a Thanksgiving schedule between 12 - 5 PM. Port Credit wasn't exactly close either, nor accessible given the ongoing construction works for the Hurontario LRT.

​Ultimately, I was unable to reach my desired milestone before 5 PM. However, I proposed a brisk walk through Rattray Marsh instead.

​The last time I visited, I recalled parking on a residential street by one of the trail entrances. Six years ago, signage was largely absent. When we pulled up to the Bexhill Rd access, I was surprised to observe an incredulous number of "No Parking" fixtures along with signage instructing visitors to seek parking in the Jack Darling Memorial Park lot. One can only assume that the neighbourhood had been fitted with these elements as a consequence of excessive street parking and resident complaints.

We strode onto the gravel path towards the Waterfront Trail. Crisp autumn air and a glorious view of Sheridan Creek filled our surroundings. Within seconds of embarking on the Knoll Trail loop, a hummingbird was spotted, ever so briefly before it zipped away and into the trees.

Source: Credit Valley Conservation

​Most of the trail had been built upon boardwalks - a logical choice given the ground conditions. We continued eastward on the Pedestrian Waterfront Trail, consistently denoted in purple on the trail map and all sign postings in the vicinity. The goal was to reach as many lookout points before sunset, which was to take place in the next thirty minutes.

​Surely enough, we made it to the water's edge just as dusk fell upon Lake Ontario.

​The view was distinctly different than when I had viewed it previously: ceaseless waves, more seagulls, a steady, gorgeous transition from orange to pink to blue to lavender.

We terminated the trek before reaching Jack Darling Memorial Park, for I was less than keen to navigate back in complete darkness. Along the way, we spotted lanterns lifting into the sky, resembling fireflies in the far distance.

​Churros had been suggested by yours truly as a follow-up to the short outdoor excursion. But, as luck would have it, Mount Sinai was closed for the holiday.

Within the same plaza was Gotcha, where I dashed for the bathroom. It offered indoor plumbing with passable cleanliness and a noteworthy Wave to Open accessibility function. While I had initially intended on maximizing their BOGO Milk Tea offer, the queue moved atrociously slow. We retreated back to the car, but not before another establishment caught my eye.

​A Montréal Smoked Meat eatery by the name of Rock'N Deli was illuminated from within. While the sleepy polar bear perused the menu of Karahi Boys next door, my curiosity ushered me inwards.
Immediately, I spotted my sole item of interest: Mini Churros.

Without a moment's hesitation, I relayed my request to the cashier, as if I had devised the plan from the getgo.

Truthfully, they were alright for their price. $4.99 + tax bestowed upon me fourteen segments of impressive crunch, minimal sweetness, and quite a tasty chocolate sauce. The only aspect causing me to recoil in horror was the revolting stench of fryer oil. The insides weren't chewy, as opposed to the commendable batons of Mount Sinai.

​I returned home around the 8:30 PM mark, once the sleepy polar bear had obtained a supper fix of Mix Tornado/Volcano (Chicken and Beef) Shawarma from Karas Charcoal Shawarma after much indecisiveness.

​Continuous editing and the building of foundational CAD skills (finally!!!!) caused my vision to falter. Words began to meld together; stripes were seen on the screen. I retired for the evening with a heated eye pack under the gentle caress of Larry.

For my highly unanticipated office day, I constructed a breakfast of pourover and Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats. Utilizing the same 1:2 ratio of oats to water, I was met with success the next morning. Several teaspoons (tablespoons?) of Apple Jam contributed textured morsels and spicy, cozy aromas.

The sole saving grace of this visit was an opportunity to explore more of Iroquois Shoreline Woods Park. 

​A breathtaking sanctuary tucked within a predominantly commercial area, the trails within the park constituted the perfect fall escape. The trails filled with leaves bearing various shades of yellows, oranges, reds, and pinks, and some even red-yellow or red-green gradients!

​Google Maps did not depict the extent of the park's trail system, leaving me to ponder the outcome of my path as I undertook it. While compass-less, my sense of spatial awareness remained resolute.

At the stop of a somewhat steep asphalt path was a residential access and possibly the most compact of parks. Edgeware Park was not to be overlooked, however, for out of the corner of my eye was a staircase. Railings crafted from wood but steps metal, I descended down to lay eyes on the most stunning display of fall foliage in the GTA.

On top of the overpass, I observed cascading petals drifting into the creek beneath. What a beautiful sight to behold!

​A similar wood-metal grate staircase resided on the opposite end of the bridge. It led to a residential zone, at which point I turned around with the objective of concluding the lunch walk.

​But I was soon met with an unfamiliar view: a wooden staircase with thin metal railings and a series of widely-spaced concrete steps.

Resorting to technology, I was informed that I was navigating away from the parking lot. Rapidly turning right on to the next path, I was met a familiar four-way intersection within minutes of needing to leave. Phew. 

Exploring Iroquois Woods Shoreline Park definitely involves some guesswork/directional legwork. For those less acquainted with their internal bearings, a handful of maps can be found online for advance review.

I managed to endure the remainder of the day, rewarding my resilience with the unlikely choice of Matcha Brown Sugar Milk Tea with Pearls from CoCo.

Over the next two days, attempts were made to vote.

When the first day proved unsuccessful due to technological hiccups (Why bother with a machine and barcode scanner when pen and paper have functioned fine all these years?! At the very least, have these helpers be trained on Excel!), McDonald's saved the day.

​The Egg BLT McMuffin was surprisingly scrumptious, with a plentiful portion of leaf lettuce and adequate amount of mayo-style sauce. The Apple Cinnamon Muffin, which I would have never entertained when I had fresh apples on hand, was admittedly delicious. Its interior was plush, and the dusting of cinnamon sugar was well received. The same could be said towards the Pumpkin Spice Latte, for while enjoyable in the moment, it failed to earn itself designation for repurchase.

Feelings of tremendous negativity from the previous day were combatted with productivity.

Following a series of chores, I curled beside a smiling Larry, now fluffier after a detailed, post-COVID sanitation.

​The next day, we returned to submit our ballot, only to be confronted with identical circumstances.

Thoroughly impressed, I spun on my heel and led the way out. No more time would be wasted hence forth.