Every picture I take has a story behind it. This picture is of Charlene, but the story is more about disobedience than enjoyment.
It is such an iconic figure in the Toronto skyline that we can see the CN Tower from over 50 km away whenever we drive to the city. There is a spot on Highway 10 that the locals call “Caledon Mountain,” which is really the top of the Niagara Escarpment, where the CN Tower is in view from the top to the midpoint of the road. It was the tallest structure in the world for over 30 years, only recently surpassed. Yet neither one of us had ever visited it, nor had we ever driven or walked by this Torontonian landmark for much of our lives.
There is a good reason for that, too.
Toronto traffic sucks.
For a time, Toronto traffic was the worst in the world. Now, two other cities have surpassed Toronto’s traffic congestion and the time it takes to go from one spot to another within the city. It is a destination that I avoid. Despite the many wonderful places I have visited and still want to see, I tend to skip those if they are in the Toronto area.
Years ago, we recently discovered traveling and the joys of discovery when I found City Pass. This discount program offered entry into five iconic Toronto places for half the price. One of the places was the CN Tower. In 2017, we visited the Tower for the first time.
We both stood beside the CN Tower and were immediately impressed with its height. We would show our passes, visit the gift shop and the small history information panels on the CN Tower and board the elevator ride. It was high-speed and offered a unique view.
I knew there was a glass floor, and I also knew it was a gimmick. I considered it cheesy that they would put one of these here, especially when there were many ways to see how high we were. There are three observation areas. The first is all glassed in; no matter the weather, the view can be safely seen behind thick glass. The second allows visitors to go outside. Chain-linked fencing protects tourists from flying debris or falling. I preferred this location because it was windy. There is a third, even higher observation area, but that costs extra. Some might consider there is a fourth when one goes “Edge Walking.” It is a crazy act of being strapped securely to the Tower, being outside, and looking/leaning over the edge. Crazy!
I brought Charlene to the glass floor. I was impressed that it looked down onto Ripley’s Aquarium, where they had painted large sharks on their roof. I thoroughly understood that the glass floor was very securely built, that it would hold our weight no matter what, and it was entirely safe to do so. Plus, I had re-expressed my view on how cheesy it was for this gimmick.
Charlene stepped onto the glass floor with all the ease of stepping onto any floor. She admired the limited view and repeatedly changed her position on this glass gimmick.
I approached the glass gimmick with the fullest intention of stepping onto it. I had no fear or apprehension about stepping onto a clear floor section and seeing our height right below our feet.
On the other hand, my legs had a very different opinion.
The top half of my body desired to step forward, but the bottom half staunchly disobeyed me. Never before had I had a rebellion between sections of my own being. It took quite a bit of convincing to get my legs to agree to move, but only after convincing them that I would not step onto the glass.
Charlene is walking about, free and enjoying herself and the view.
I was arguing with my legs about just moving to a different position. It was the oddest feeling to experience disobedience within my own body. Nothing like this had ever happened before.
But it has happened two more times after this situation.
We would bring my mother up into the CN Tower, and she was able to walk on the glass with a lot of encouragement and support from Charlene. My legs remembered the first time and resisted all attempts to step onto the glass. I was able to come up with a compromise and me, and my legs could walk on the steel frames of the glass where I posed awkwardly.
A third moment in the CN Tower and the glass floor was part of a Christmas present to my son, Corey. The two of us were touring the Toronto area during a time when I knew that traffic would be light, and I included the Tower. He stepped onto the glass with no hesitation at all. I could not convince my lower extremities to do the same.
Charlene is pictured sitting on the glass floor. Although she claimed to be nervous, she had a smile on her face. Despite three attempts now, I could never get myself to walk calmly on the glass floor. It was also the only situation where I could not get my body to behave.
- The CN Tower is easy to find – it literally towers over everything.
- It is expensive to visit the Tower, but there are many discount packages. The most common is being paired up with Ripley’s Aquarium. There is also City Pass.
- Be sure to visit the CN Tower on a clear day. On the clearest days, one can see all the way to Niagara Falls.
- I have been there three times, but I hope my fourth will be at night so I can see all the city lights.
- It is an amazing experience to watch a cloud slowly drift below or to see the Toronto Island Airport have tiny little planes and helicopters take off and land.
- Check out my map of All The Places We Have Been for more destinations.
