I have enjoyed the #wednesdaywalk championed by for a while now. Whether it was to see what people across the world see when they walk, to meet new and active folks to support, or to live in the moment and share a simple adventure on my small part of the planet. Sometimes, I post videos, often post on Thursday due to my schedule, and create my own format as there are not any firm rules, just cooperation.
Well, today I decided to take a walk in 30 minutes between daddy taxi duty to get some actifit steps, and bring my little one along so she would get enough steps to make her own actifit post with more than dad has.
Walk along with me through our neat little town
Here is where she started out in steps. A fairly active day in fencing camp dodging, turning, parrying and thrusting.
The beginning of the walk started out from the car and took us through an alley. Not much of a dangerous alley as there are none in this town, and this one hosts the police vehicles parking area.
They have a neat flowerbed that generally looks like the sahara by this time of the year because of neglect. This year, it appears that the rain has been enough or they have kept better care of it. Not bad!
I had to pause and reflect at this space because the flowers are nicely done, and it is by far my favourite Indian Restaurant in town. I could definitely smell the awesome curry and almost taste the Dansak!
A few more shortcuts in the alley behind the buildings that line the square and we emerged beside a great diner. This is a really nice row of businesses highlighted by a couple of my favorite bistros. The sun is going down and sapping a bit of the colour with the recessing light but it is peaceful tonight.
Halfway up the strreet, there is a neat alleyway called Allens Alley. A different route to get where we are going and who can resist an alley that has a name?
We were walking and not pausing to take too many shots as our journey was being fuelled by hungry stomach on the quest for food. In each of the little wall spaces between pillars, there are paintings depicting some of the musical acts Stratford is known for. Mercifully, no Justin Beiber.
On the other side of the alley, we came across a nice classic motorcycle I had to pause and capture. Harley Davidson to me is like the Mercedes of bikes if Lemmy Killmeister of Motorhead endorsed them.
In eras gone by, I would not be pleased by a slovenly plot in the middle of town filled with Milk Weed. Now, however, I appreciate the effort to preserve these as they are where the butterflies lay their eggs and where they start out their lives. I have a newfound respect for Milkweed.
This perspective of the buildings near the center of town kinda throw me back. Some of them are being redone and others look like they are hiding from the renovations to preserve their retro style.
This is the main intersection of town. Tourists nearly run over locals, and the townies try and return the favour but running down the slow walking tourists. Many neat and unique craft shops, restaurants and other businesses.
Headed back to where we started, we round the corner and get a view of town hall.
Here is a little snap from the store front window of a trinket and jewelry shop. Not my thing but art nonetheless converted into commerce which I like.
I am reminded again the effort the city puts into its flowers and decorations. It is a tourist town in the summer and it does bring people back when things are bright and colourful. Pics like this are what I try and remember when I look at the property tax bill every year.
City Hall is a rather cool old building that speaks of the history of town. When you stand right in front of it, you can get some neat angles and appreciate the architecture of a time gone by.
People are still relaxing in the square, playing in the little fountains or getting their own actifit steps. They are also displaying the Dragon Boat for a team that will be entering this year's races for the Dragon Boat Festival. So many neat ones around.
Hear is the main reason this is a tourist town. The Avon Theater is one of the 3 big ones here and plays host to the thousands of tourists who come to town for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. World class theater nestled in a small town is a huge draw for people across the continent.
I ended up my Wednesday Walk at the ball diamond with one of my little ones practicing. I am a little shy of my targeted 5k mark so I did a couple laps wandering between the fields and talking to my other litle one. SHe was enthralled by a bunch of specially abled folks and they friends playing their own baseball game and stopped to watch.
Life is pretty good today!