Kites and hikes at the Kortright Centre for Conservation

Minutes north of Toronto lies not only a centre for the most leading edge sustainable technology education programs in the country, but also a conservation area open year round for lots of fun activities and events. Last Sunday, they had a Kite Festival that ran from 10am to 4pm. Several activities were slated for the day. The site also offered many picnic spots where folks can eat lunch they either brought or purchased from the hotdog booth. Our family decided to just come in after lunch.

The winds were not very cooperative that day and the conditions were not really ideal for kite-flying. Most of the activities did not go on schedule. But, if you were with family and friends on such a nice, spring day, that would count as good fun in our books. Some beautiful kites (including our own simple ones) did manage to stay up in the air for a bit. Whenever the winds died down, the kids would go off to explore one booth or another. There was a booth where the kids could feel fox and beaver furs, animal teeth, and a beaver tail, among others. There was also a face-painting booth. There was a meet ‘n greet booth for Reptilia where the kids could touch different kinds of snakes and reptiles, even a turtle—one at a time, of course! Near the area where the Kite Fest was, the kids could to see the birds of prey. The Raptor Centre of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation houses falcons and other raptors at risk and assists in their recovery.

After flying our kites, we decided to go on a hike. We went around the Maple Syrup sugar bush towards the marsh. The trails were lovely. It was quite peaceful and very relaxing to be walking in these woods and along the creek. Through the hike, we saw some bird watchers, joggers and other hikers. There are several benches along the way, should hikers wish to take a rest. We ended at the boardwalk near the wetlands for the ducks.

It was a wonderful walk to end our excursion. The girls got some good exercise and so did we. Can all Sundays be as lovely as this?

Enjoying Fro-Yo at Menchie’s

I wish I could start off this blog with “One warm, sunny day…” but on the day we first tried out the frozen yogurt at Menchie’s, it was actually raining. We just decided to have some nice dessert on a bleak Tuesday evening and get a mid-week break.

We had previously read about Menchie’s and pretty much knew about the concept.  Even then, the staff gave us a low-down on how we were to go about ordering. The whole thing is a self-serve experience where you pick and mix what you want, get it weighed and then pay ($0.55 per oz + taxes). It is quite difficult to choose a flavour or combination of flavours, so there are little sampling cups to help you decide. Apparently, they have about 100 flavours.  Twelve are featured at a time, and the flavours are rotated every week.  The only exceptions are Vanilla and Chocolate, which are always available. You get a cup (or add $1 for a waffle bowl) and pull the lever yourself from the station to get as much or as little frozen yogurt as you want.

When we went there, they had these flavours available: Marshmellow (that was really how it was spelled!), Cake batter, Red Velvet, Peanut Butter, Mango sorbet, Orange sorbet, Cookies n Cream, Original Tart, Cherry tart, Butter pecan,  and of course, Vanilla and Chocolate. There were also little icons below each flavour stating if the flavour was low carb, non-dairy, no-sugar, kosher, etc. At each station, you can decide if you want flavour one or flavour two or a combination. Or you can go to various stations and select as many flavours as you want. We spent a good 10 minutes figuring out which ones to get!

Then, you can select the toppings you want from three sections:

·         the “snackage bar” with the candies, gummies, chocolates, cereals, nuts and so much more

·         the “chill bar” where you get the fruits, brownies, and popping bobas (tell you more later)!

·         the “hotties” where you get the hot fudge, caramel, marshmallow puff

When you are done, you go to the counter to get your creation weighed. Then, you can go and enjoy your concoction!

Our tasty creations!

I ended up with a safe chocolate since I wanted to focus on the flavours of the toppings (as an afterthought, Vanilla would have been better for this objective!). Then, I got some gummy bears, Oreo crumbs, Hershey’s chocolate sauce, and popping bobas. Bobas look like tapioca but are actually a bubble with juice that pops inside your mouth. It was so much fun to eat! I tried both strawberry and lychee popping bobas and I loved them both! Hubby and the kids did not get this, so they cajoled me into letting them have a taste. But all was good since we got to try each other’s masterpieces. I really liked DD#1’s choice of Orange/Mango sorbet with jelly beans.

A Wanderlusting Mama's masterpiece

Menchie’s has a number of merchandise for sale—shirts, lip balm, buttons, bracelet charms, etc. There is also a “Hollywood” wall where you can see pictures of celebrities enjoying their fro-yos. Now we can say we share one thing with the Kardashians—they love their Menchie’s frozen yogurt! Needless to say, we will be back for more!