Mon, Sep 3 2012 - Toronto's best gelato hike - 1 stop (View Original Event Details)
|
The unofficial end of summer happened today. It’s that day of the year that brings back memories that can sweep you off your feet with their unexpected vividness and fullness of emotion. On the one hand, summer vacation is officially over; no more long hot days stretched out in front of you with nothing special to do. The summer was fun though. Some days passed by near the creeks checking out minnows and frogs, listening to the AM radio on the new compact that runs on batteries. Some days were testing out camouflage high in the big tree that was next to the new high school being built in the neighbourhood. And the odd day saw the cows next door being fed treats (slices of bread) and getting their pictures taken.
And on the other hand, tomorrow holds the unknown future. Right now anything is possible. What will you learn in school this year? What will spark your imagination, sending you off on a course in life you haven’t even thought of yet? Who will you meet and become friends with? The questions are non stop, and fill you with anticipation as you try to will yourself to sleep.
It’s odd how, no matter how many years pass since those days, even after you’ve lived more years than you went to school, you can never shake those feelings and memories that today, the unofficial end of summer, brings to mind.
The hike today was a reminder to me of those days. Wonderfully sunny and hot, a walk along the creek in the woods, nothing urgent to do but go get some gelato (well, ice cream back then). A bunch of friends hanging out chatting. It’s pretty rare these days to regain some of that childhood sense of freedom, so when it happens, it’s worth noting and savouring. Thanks everyone for joining me on the hike today!
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.