Today I also woke up too late for my Early Morning Coffee Hike, but at least I had my phone for pictures.
I knew where I would be going today: Contra Café on 1028 Shaw St, Toronto, ON
http://contracafe.ca/
I was delighted by this coffee shop a few years ago when I accidentally came across it on my random walks. It seems like it’s in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by two story houses for as far as the eye could see. Why there? No major streets or intersections of centres nearby or no real reason for foot traffic. Yet, it had foot traffic and was full.
I later realized its strategic placement was near Shaw street – a bike-is-queen street.
Also the name Contra – could it be that they are contra-trends and reason and made a place for themselves in a quiet corner of nowhere?
Come to think of it, bike lane strategy excepted, it is a great placement for the neighbourhood, with anyone within a 5-10 minute walking radius going to this very specific location.
Contra was also my nickname as a child that my step grandpa gave me because I would say no to everything. Hah.
Well, my walk was magical, though it was too hot already. Remember, my plan is to do a sunrise, early morning hike. It was still nice though, and the coffee was good, and I did get an almond-citrus gluten free cake. And then I found a nearby park, Douvercourt Park. And then I came across this series of sidewalk quotes, and then I took an alleyway that turned into a shady green walk, and then I saw an old man with a young dog standing under a cherry tree that was raining petals.
It is the one with the yellow stripes 