Girlfriends night stroll around Ryerson's Devonian Square

Toronto by night
Last night, after a visit downtown Toronto, two of my girlfriends and I decided to walk back home (east of Don Valley). It was such a lovely summer walk to feel the urban vibes!

We strolled north Yonge-Dundas Square on Victoria and reached Ryerson's reflecting pool (Devonian Square). I had never seen the adjacent Ryerson Image Centre illuminated at night. It is quite a sight as it glows into the dark and is reflected on the water. And the colours are ever changing. Bring a coffee, sit at one of the tables set around the square and enjoy! Pure free urban pleasure.

Review from Kids Around Canada

What they said about Toronto Urban Strolls
Kids Around Canada just posted a great review of my new guide Toronto Urban Strolls... for girlfriends. I'm really pleased with it.

The ABC of strolling

Love letters
Two weeks ago, I noticed a large ornate letter "R" painted on the sidewalk in front of Red Rocket Coffee (1364 Danforth). I asked the owner if he had hired someone to do this.

Turns out an artist, Victor Fraser, has taken on him to paint the alphabet over 2 kms along the north side of Danforth, between Woodycrest and Woodmount Avenues. He calls them "Love Letters", hence the little hearts on some of the letters. According to the artist, the painted letters should last at least a year.

Here's your chance to take the kids on a fun I-Spy game which will make them walk 5-K without even realizing it as you walk your way up and down the alphabet.

Letter "A" sits in front of Magic Oven (798 Danforth) and you'll find "X" by Wheels and Wings Hobbies (1880 Danforth), with all the other letters in between. (I could not find "Y" and "Z" beyond Woodmount.)

To complement the alphabet theme, don't miss the Alphabet Mural at the south corner of Danforth and Monarch Park Avenue, by Patisserie Cigogne (1419 Danforth).

At 3 Woodmount, just north of Danforth past the letter "X", is a favourite among the locals: Carter's Ice Cream. Just south of Danforth, you'll find East Lynn Park, the cutest little park nested in a pit, with original playground structure and a lovely wading pool.

If the kids are too tired to stroll back to your starting point, Woodbine Subway Station is a short walk west of the park, just north of Danforth on Woodbine.

It's a sign! (Danforth Avenue, Toronto)

Be quiet! Baby is sleeping...
I used to write at the Red Rocket Coffee on Queen East (which closed this year but reopened on 1364 Danforth Avenue) and always enjoyed reading their little notes around the counter. Last week at their new location, I saw that they still have a taste for funny signs. When a dad with a stroller stopped to sit on a bench by their sign, facing the café, I just couldn't resist snapping this photo.