Outdoor Adventure Show - International Centre, Toronto
Canoes, kayaks, hiking boots, scuba equipment, healthy food and more. We saw it all at the annual Outdoor Adventure Show in Toronto on the weekend.
We arrived shortly before noon on Saturday to an absolutely packed parking lot. Thousands of people had arrived just after the show opened at 10 am.
Navigating the aisles was sometimes difficult with so many people packed into one hall. We both agreed that the organizers need to expand to a larger area that would allow for more exhibitors and ease the traffic jams up a little.
The highlight of the show for us was seeing Les Stroud (of Survivorman fame). I hadn't realized that amongst his many talents he is also a musician! He sang beautiful 'earth' songs, answered questions from the audience and with his particularly grand sense of humour, told many stories.
Did you know that his 'scariest' survivor experience was right here in Canada ?!? That's right; of all the places in the world he has been, the scariest thing that has happened to him is being chased by a bull moose during rutting season right here in our own Algonquin Park. He survived by climbing a tree.
What's the most important thing to bring into the wilderness when you might not see civilization for days or weeks? According to Les it is 'fire'; something to make a fire with is of utmost importance when trying to survive in the wilderness.
After watching Les, we walked around and talked with many resort and travel operators. One of our favourite booths at the Outdoor Adventure Show was the Newfoundland and Labrador information centre. We met with the man who has bought up old lighthouses in Newfoundland and turned them into Inns. The Quirpon Lighthouse Inn on the north-east tip of Newfoundland is particularly fascinating. You can sit and watch the icebergs and whales from your doorstep when visiting the inn. We can't wait to visit there next year.
Being avid canoeists, we admired the beautiful, lightweight fibreglass canoes that came in such a beautiful array of colours. As we ran our hands over the fine workmanship, we dreamed of canoeing down the French River in Northern Ontario.
Mark your calendar and be sure to attend the Outdoor Adventure Show at the International Centre in Toronto next year.
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