GETTING 'GOOSED' AT THE CASA LOMA

Jumping over the rope to check out the quality of Henry Pellatt's mattress does not make me a 'flusy'

The Casa Loma in Toronto has become one of my favourite haunts in recent years.  99% of the time, my bus groups choose this for their included Toronto attraction as opposed to the CN Tour.  In my opinion, they choose wisely.  The CN Tower is fleetingly cool but the Casa Loma captures one's imagination and just doesn't let it go.  It also serves as a great 'free time' portal for me while on tour.  At one time I used this portal to escape to the solitude of the gardens for the purpose of personal meditation but now that I have a blackberry, I just hide there to check my Facebook NewsFeed. 

Once in a random blue moon, someone materializes to shake up 'the routine'.  On this particular day, Tom Board was that 'someone'.  He spotted me upon arrival and waited for me to acclimate my group before launching his approach.  It was apparent that Tom was well into his eighties and yet that didn't seem to deter his confidence any.  As a matter of fact, he had me with his very first line.....

"My late wife and I spent hours.....days...years....... at the Castle together.  Boy, I really miss her!  You remind me of her actually.  I am the curator here.  Would you like me to take you around?  I can show you things that you won't here on the self-guiding audio tour."

Admittedly, this old guy who could be everybody's great grandpa, had me like putty in his hands as soon as he opened his mouth and said 'late wife'.  The inside track allure was secondary. 

Turned out that Tom Board knew his stuff.  He showed me a really cool trick in the library.  Here's what you do.....

HEDY WAS A TOUR GUIDE'S WORST NIGHTMARE

Most bus trippers are happy tourists.  Most have a sense of humour.  Most are adept in thwarting the little pebbles along their journey. 



Tourists have a sense of humour

 Hedy was that exception.  It usually takes me a day or so to familiarize myself with my bus group.  Yet, somehow Hedy managed to indelibly attach herself to my long term memory within mere minutes of the bus' arrival.  I met my group at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we were to enjoy an elegant dinner in the hotel's historic Rainbow Room.  Located at the top of the hotel, this restaurant provided a view of the Falls while dining.  The sun had set so that group had the experience of seeing the Falls lit up at night.  Superb!!

Not for Hedy.  As we crowded into the elevator, her nose sent a message to her brain which in turn sent the message to her mouth.  She broke the awkward silence of ascent by curtly inquiring "Who's wearing the cheap perfume?  It's giving me a sore throat!"  We all wondered if she was referring to us.  As the guide, I took action and reassured her that we would be at the restaurant in precisely 10 seconds.  I also vowed to shelf the "OUR VERSION of CK1" and break out the Avon roll-ons.

Her next observation was swift in coming.  "This restaurant is too dark.  How is anyone supposed to eat when they can't even see their food.  I'VE NEVER SEEN THE LIKES..........", she trailed off.  Hedy was an exceptionally short woman.  At 4'11", I towered over her.  Her jet white hair was 'toni'd' and 'dippity dooed' and she had a penchant for embroidered box cut blazers that almost reached her knees.  However, her most notable feature that evening had to be the huge face framing sun glasses she was wearing.  You know the kind.....the ones that you are given after eye surgery to block out all the light.  For fear of sounding patronizing, I resisted the urge to point out the obvious and assured her that it would be easier to see food the next morning, when the sun was up.

The UnderGround Railroad: Black History in Niagara

The 'Running Man' symbol is used
to note historic places of interest
along the Freedom Trail in Niagara

One of the most rewarding tours that I have the privelege to present is the Niagara Underground Railroad and Black History Tour.  This tour is a valuable addition to the Niagara sightseeing tours that I regularly provide but the additional element certainly makes the trip to Niagara that much more memorable.

Recently, I was asked to address a studio class at the U. of  B.  The focus was on cultural tourism, particularly black history and the benefits for the tour consumer in combining the Niagara, U.S. story with the Niagara, Canada story.  The flow is a natural one, with the U.S. side of the Niagara River being the last obstacle to freedom on the Canadian side of the River. 

The role of the Niagara Region in the history of the Freedom Trail is significant and due to the dedication of many, the trail of this history can be followed and reflected upon by many. 

A great page for more information on the history of slavery and the Underground Railroad in Canada can be found at http://www.niagarafallsmuseum.ca/blackhistory.html.

For inquiries about hiring a step-on guide that will provide a memorable black history and underground railroad tour throughout Niagara, contact DiverCities Tours at divercities@gmail.com.  Guides are available for both coach bus excursions and private tours.

Wilma Morrison has been tirelessly working to educate visitors and locals alike on Niagara's role in the Underground Railroad and more....
Her  presentations at the Nathaniel Dett Chapel have inspired many guests to Niagara Falls.

Trying to Find An Open Attraction Down At The Falls

The weather was still holding out before that inevitable first dose of winter and I figured I would extend my grandson's tour of Niagara Falls into the next day.  I had some free coupons for Niagara Parks attraction that expire at the end of the year.  I figured I'd be less enthusiastic to use them come December.  Originally, I wanted to go to the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, as the tropical rainforest setting is reminiscent of summer.  My daughter Tara was visiting for the weekend and we didn't have enough coupons for that so I settled on the White Water Walk, which takes you down by elevator where you can walk along a boardwalk beside the rapids that swirl down river from the Falls.  No luck there as it was already closed for the season.  A few rides past the Aero Car indicated that there was no action their either and Reilly was getting restless for some 'kid activity'.  I strolled through the Wood Carving and Totem Pole Park for a while and this was about as appealing to little boys as any other attraction on the parkway so we decided to turn around and head back to the Glen Nature Area. 

A little too little, a little too late as it also closed for the season last weekend.  We did peek through the slats of the fences to whet Reilly's appetite.

Ultimately, we settled on a day time drive down by the Falls.  The Maid of the Mist is closed as well but that didn't stop the tourists from spending time down by the waterfalls.  The sidewalks and parks were lined with people from all over the world.  I felt a sense of encouragment and pride when I realized that for them, the attraction would never be man made.  The Cataracts themselves were enough to bring the people and they are not a seasonal attraction. 

Actually, timing was great as my grandson loves rainbows but had never seen the rainbow over the Falls.  This rainbow beats 'em all.  People were pointing and staring, cameras were snapping and cars were crawling to get a better view. 

One of the few advantages of driving down the parkway in the late autumn is the lack of leaves on the trees that obstruct a clear view of much of the scenery along the parkway.  Today the Old Scow that sits marooned just above the brink of the Falls, was in full view.  I was able to get in a 'tour guide' tale and snap a picture from the car. 

Along with the Niagara Rainbow, this generated some interest amongst the kids.  This was a good thing because my last stop at Dufferin Islands for a nature walk was thwarted as well.  The Winter Festival of Lights displays were set up throughout 'Duff' which apparently was enough for them to close down access to the trails.  We ended up travelling further into town for a bite to eat.  Touristy restaurants are well above my entertainment budget and new ones pop up so frequently that you're never quite sure if you're going to blow money on a 'dud'.  Besides, restaurants in the tourist section arbitrarily apply that annoying DMF charge of 3% to the bills.  Apparently is is voluntary and tourists can refuse to pay it, but I haven't seen that tried and I don't have the patience to squabble over it.
For more information on the Rainbow Over Niagara please visit my article at
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/394485_the-niagara-rainbow

For more information on The Old Scow please visit my article at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/400920_the-old-scow-above-niagara-falls