Day 8 - Toronto, Ontario - Day OFF (April 29th)

Today after driving for a few hours, we took a well-deserved day off.

We spent from around 1:00pm to 6:00pm in Toronto. I spent some time with my sister-in-law and then mostly sat in coffee shops emailing, blogging, ichatting, getting the news via the internet and drinking tea – YUM. The guys went to the Hockey hall of fame and took a LONG walk to a music store (Megan and I stopped at waited for them at a starbucks!)

For supper we returned to the road and stopped at a Kelsey’s for supper.

All in all the day was good and brought lots of good memories.

I have led many canoe trips in my life, and I often found that at around day 7 things start getting into a real routine. There is a calming sense that this is how we are going to live for awhile and it settles the group. There is a shared routine that is uniquely ours. This feeling is okay, or better yet, it is really good. The group starts to feel comfortable together and each day brings situations and experiences that are both new and not new. Even though we are in a new location every day, there are expected reactions and relations, and this brings opportunities for deeper and more meaningful interactions.

This is where we are on the tour right now. We are starting to really enjoy each other and recognize each other’s gifts. We are also trying to find ways to strengthen the group and the service that we are providing to those whom we meet.

During my morning prayer today, I was struck by the following:

So that they should set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep his commandments
--Psalm 78:7

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
--James 1:5-8

Highlights:
1 - Tea, Tea and more tea!
2 – Johnny and Justin and their new episodes of “The Oat Show.”
3 – Eating out for supper!
4 – Meeting Brad’s mom! (She really is shorter than Brad!)

Day 8 Quotes:
You have a bendy straw? (Eric says to Johnny while he hasn’t noticed that he has a bendy straw upside down in his own drink)

Lady sitting on curb: Did you just try to kick that bird?
Johnny: YUP

Bell Canada Guy: How’d you like to win $5000.
Eric: If it was 6 I’d go for it.
Johnny: Not from you.

This escalator is temporarily stairs – sorry for the convenience – Eric (Quoting Mitch)