TCAF 2025

 

I'm back from a TCAF solo vacation in Toronto, my first in seven long years!

I left early Friday morning with an iced coffee-send off from the mother. Great service, nice trip, and a delicious breakfast on the train ride to Toronto. Very hazy pulling into the city. I could barely see the CN Tower!

Even more great service exiting Toronto Union Station, cabbing to my hotel, and checking in.

Smoke and smog from forest fires raging in other provinces convinced me to spend much of Friday afternoon and night in my room, save for a very quick trip to a nearby grocery store and Subway for some snacks and supper. I wasn't complaining though:

For two nights, it was ALL MINE!

I slept in and took my time Saturday morning, then walked literally next door to the Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens, for TCAF. 

I'm absolutely not a hockey or sports fan, but Maple Leaf Gardens is part of Canadian history, so I was excited about that and needed a photo. Inside, the event was spread between two rooms on two separate floors (the photo at the top, and another in what looked like a basketball court). Not was spectacular-looking as past years at the Reference Library, but still just as crazy.

 

I got a good bag-full of books, post cards, and a couple other things, then left. 

On my way out, I remembered I was in the "old" arena, so I went into the stands to organize my swag and take a photo.

I wasn't feeling as adventurous as in previous years, so I stuck to a pretty small grid throughout the weekend. Thankfully, there was a decent Irish pub across from the hotel for lunch after TCAF. Got an iced latte on the way back to the hotel, then brought some dinner back and watched Star Wars movies the rest of the night.

Yesterday, I got to the train station early, hung out in their food court (very nice!) for a while, then boarded my train home. A few delays, but thankfully there was a nice meal and I brought a few leftover snacks for the wait.

It was a really nice weekend on my own, and I'm happy that I still have what it takes to pull it off, but it just didn't hold the same excitement as past trips, and I'm not sure if I'll go again. To be honest, I didn't feel as safe as before. Maybe due to the event being in a different location this year, I don't know? 

I also couldn't help thinking that I could have roughly the same experience (but vastly cheaper!) by getting Para Transpo to any number of local book stores or comic shops, buying a bunch of stuff, then going for lunch. Maybe it's a sign I'm not as young as when I first went ten or so years ago. 😆

Bottom line, it was still a blast and I'm glad I did it.

Cheers!