From: Dale S. Robbins, Sr.
Subject: Barefoot in Toronto
Date: 25 Jun 1996 12:49:07 -0400
Newsgroups: alt.lifestyle.barefoot

     A recent week long business trip to Canada ended up with a four night
stay in mid-town Toronto.  As a corporate VP type I maintain the
appropriate conservative uniform and appearance - most of the time.  But,
as a "born again" barefooter I search out opportunities for barefoot
experiences wherever I travel.

     Perhaps because of the British influence Toronto seems very
conservative, and in the areas I stay for my company - even "stuffy."
None the less opportunities are usually made and don't just happen.  For
example:

     On the first day I found a park (built on top of a reservoir) with
beautifully well maintained grass and a trail around it almost a half a
mile long.  Perfect for my early morning runs.  There were many runners
and joggers and yet I was the only one who was running barefoot.

     The majority of them looked at me strange - likewise I at them - It
seemed almost a sacrilege to wear shoes on such beautiful grass.  Perhaps
the clue was it was the site of the "Sir Winston Churchill Tennis Club..."

     One night our evening outing took us to a large country home with a
host of outside "team type activities" (tug of war; balloon toss; pie
eating, etc) Once again beautiful soft green grass just begging for bare
feet.  As one of the senior management types I was searching for the
opportunity and found it when many ditched their shoes for better traction
during the tug of war.  Showing that the suit types could do like wise I
too was soon barefoot; and stayed that way for the rest of the night -- in
front of most of the employees of the company.

     Reaction was interesting - one staffer came up and said, "I wish I
could have a picture of you in your barefeet!"  When asked "Why?" I
replied, " the grass is too fine to wear shoes - I can't believe anyone
would miss this opportunity!"

     But the best came on the last Sunday morning.  I went for an early
morning walk down St. Clair Avenue.  A block from the hotel I ditched my
"safe" flip flops and took off to explore barefoot.  Toronto should be one
of the best "big" barefoot cities in N.A. because it is clean and
relatively glass free.  I was enjoying the experience of the different
surfaces: cement, asphalt, brick, iron, and patches of grass as I walked
east on St. Clair.

     My destination was "the bridge," about a half mile east of Yonge
Street.  I didn't know what it crossed but had seen a sign the morning
before and thought I would find out.  It crosses a creek about five feet
wide and 18" deep.  But the creek is at the bottom of a deeply wooded
ravine about 1/4 of a mile wide and 200' (?) deep.

     Searching I found somewhat of a trail that first begins with wood
steps and then becomes dirt - and then the fun.  Water seeps into the
clay/dirt and turns into black "muck."  The kind that squishes between
your toes.  This combined with the fact that I'm still walking down hill
is an incredible sensation.

     After a couple of switch backs I find myself at the bottom of the
ravine staring up at the bridge.  Sunlight barely filtering through the
trees, birds calling, squirrels scurrying around with the water gently
splashing by.  (The water was disappointing as it looked "dirty" like a
big city creek.

     So here I was barefoot with black feet, on a dirt trail in deep woods
and yet less than 200 feet to teaming civilization.  The assault on the
senses was amazing.  Too soon, I regretfully climbed back up the slippery
slope and made my way back to the pavement and asphalt.

     I retrieved my flip flops from their hiding place and put them on my
clay (now dried and caked) covered feet just before entering the hotel.
Who would have thought that such a great and diverse barefoot experience
could be found in the middle of a big city?

     I repeat sometimes the best opportunities happen when they are made.

     -d