End of Summer

CNE - is the acronym for End Of Summer.  Well not really.  Canadian National Exhibition Official of End of Summer for Kids going back to School.  That's the full text for CNE.

It's because it ends on Labour Day.  The last day of freedom for kids before they head back to school.

Of course you see the bill for this last day later on your visa.

Kieran and Tresa just got back from NJ the day before and I wasn't sure if he'd want to go or not.  I know he likes the Ex.  But around mid-day on Monday he asked if we were still going to the CNE.

I wasn't sure how busy it would be since it's the last day.  I was thinking it would be packed!
But it was such a beautiful day it would be a waste to spend the last day before school at home watching TV or hanging around the house.

So off we went!  We usually go on the first day of the CNE and it's in the evening, so this is a switch, seeing everything in broad daylight.  The lit up carnies are so cool at night though.

To be honest it wasn't any more busy than when we've gone in the past.  We even got to see the Snowbirds zooming overhead.  It was amazing to watch.  They even did this one formation that from our angle it looked like there was 1 plane.  Then the 2 behind it appeared.  It was so cool.

I don't particularly like spinner rides, because it simulates a bad hangover for me. But it's either roller coaster or spinners it seems.  And there's only 2 roller coasters since they take up way more parking lot space.

I wish we had brought a buddy for him to join him on the rides.  Instead it was up to me.  I made sure I didn't eat before the rides.  We had some lemonade in between, since it was warm and sunny.  We needed to stay hydrated.   We did that Starship 4000 / aka Gravitron ride 2x.  I'm amazed it doesn't fly off it's base spinning down the path like a beyblade.

I don't know how the operator in the centre does this job without getting sick.  I thought his spot doesn't spin, but it does.

I liked the Crazy Mouse and Blitzer rollercoasters.  They were fun more my style of ride.  Although looking at the blocks of wood that they are sitting doesn't exactly inspire confidence.  Must be part of the ride experience.  You know that feeling of possibly being on the news due to an amusement park mishap.

But it's held up.  For 2 weeks it's done it's job.  Today is the last day to fail.  Thats why I only rode them once.  The 2nd time is pushing my luck.  Haha.

The Bonzai ride that goes upside down.  I miscounted how many times it goes over.  I had counted 4x when we were waiting.  But on our ride it actually went 6x. Ugh.  No wonder the line was so short.
The things I will do for my son's enjoyment.  If it puts a smile on his face, it was worth the stomach turning.

We did make the most out of our unlimited wrist bands.  No tickets to track, line up to buy more.  1 price.  Go on whatever.  It's just less hassle.  I'll pay for that.  But many folks don't pay for that.  And you can see them squishing together tickets to pass them off as the correct amount.  Passing them back to family members, digging deep in there pockets for that last one that they need to get on the ride when they are at the front of the line holding everyone up.  You know who they are.  Everyone sees you.


We finally had our fill of rides when we rode the Starship 4000 for a second spin.  Seemed to go faster the second time.  One girl's iPhone got stuck behind the slider things.  Good thing they lift up for easy access.  I guess it happen quite often.

Kieran had 2 goals in going to the Ex.  He accomplished goal #1 and that's to ride the rides he wanted.  #2 was to get these unique liquorice strands that we have seen at the CNE that past 2 years.  But this year we could not find that lady's booth.  We even headed to the Food Bldg to find her.  Instead we found Pizza and Jamaican Roti.  We were hungry and since we were done with rides.  At least I was. We ate.

But we settled for this Salt Water Taffy place.
It was good.  But not as good as that liquorice.
But he took it any way.

No kid will say no to sweets at the end of summer.

Photos