Adventure Travel

Ready to sweat it out on the hills? Join us for a HIIT-style hill training hike This hike is part of the **HikeFit Series**, a collection of fitness-focused hikes designed to build strength, endurance, and overall hiking fitness. We’ll challenge you with steep climbs, rugged terrain, and a high-intensity workout. This isn’t a fast-paced hike, but it is **intense**. We’ll tackle multiple **very steep hills** in intervals, with plenty of chances to catch your breath, recover, or skip hills if needed. This hike is designed for intermediate hikers, but it’s **beginner-friendly** since you can skip as many hills as you need. It’s perfect for anyone looking to **get stronger, improve endurance, and boost their hiking fitness** at their own pace. **Weather-Dependent Notice:** The hike is a go, **(light)** rain or shine; However, if there's a risk of excessive mud making the hills too slippery, the hike will be canceled with around 24 hours’ notice. **Distance & Duration:** * **Length of hike:** \~4 km * **Event duration:** \~1.5 hours * **Trail maps:** Random hill at Earl Bales park * **Difficulty level:** L3 (Level 3/Moderate) * Terrain: L4 * Pace: L2 * Distance: L1 **What to Bring:** * **Water:** 1\~2 liters * **Extras:** Hiking pole (Highly recommended) * **Required Gear:** Hiking boots or Trail Runners with good grip, Headlamp, and [Microspikes](https://kahtoola.com/traction/microspikes-footwear-traction/?srsltid=AfmBOoqq-URDFRgNAISoLYH1l1cSLKeXOTSuU6EqUC6VupfLNZAGRg8P) **Costs:** * **Member Event fee:** FREE EVENT **Travel Coordination:** * No Travel Coordination for this Event, Meeting at Starting Point **Event Guidelines:** * **Punctuality,** Please arrive on time so we can start promptly. We won't be able to wait for more than 5min past the start time * **Pack out everything you bring** (including nut shells, fruit peels, etc.) to help keep our trails clean. * **RSVP:** Only those marked as “Going” and have confirmed travel details (if requested) are eligible to attend the event. * If your **plans change** and you are no longer able to attend, please update your RSVP as soon as possible. * **No-shows** without prior communication may result in removal from future events. * **Weather Considerations** The hike is a go (light) **rain or shine**, so please be prepared for the conditions. for example, If it’s expected to rain, waterproof gear (like a jacket or shoes) * **Pets:** please check with the organizer for details before bringing your pet. Looking forward to seeing you on the trail

Exhibition Place has lots of majestic buildings but it's hard to appreciate them when it's crowded. So, we'll visit before event season begins. It's a sprawling venue that's great for a hike to work up an appetite. We will detour first to Trillium Park for a vista of downtown Toronto and check out some of the illuminated works from the [Lumière](https://ontarioplace.com/en/special_programs/lumiere/) light exhibition. Then, we'll make out way through all the heritage-listed buildings of Exhibition Place. It runs the gamut from a colonial fort to neo-Classical exhibition buildings. The hike ends in Parkdale, where we can peruse the late night restaurants there: Tibetan momos, Japanese ramen, Saudi kabsa, Italian millefoglie, and even Mexican insects. **Highlights** 1. Princes' Gates (depart 6:30pm) 2. Toronto Inukshuk 3. Trillium Park (depart 7pm) 4. CNE Food Building 5. CNE Fire hall / Music building / Press building 6. CNE Bandshell 7. Fort Rouillé / Scadding Cabin / Wind turbine 8. Ontario Government Building 9. Dufferin Gate 10. Lao-Thai / Gladstone Hotel (depart 7:50pm) 11. The Drake Hotel / DoDoner / Lisgar Park 12. Matt’s Burgerlab 13. Molkagtez Mexican Cuisine / Kaminari Ramen Bar / BB's 14. Daymi 15. Shambhala Kitchen (arrive 8:20pm) **Neighbourhoods** Ontario Place > Exhibition Place > Parkdale **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1tJVHKn9_bIiGBuweFLULTS71AJSIMCE&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1tJVHKn9_bIiGBuweFLULTS71AJSIMCE&usp=sharing) **How it works** Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints. We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. Grab ready-made food, or see the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way. Not sure what to try? Join our omakase for $5, which gives a tiny sample from different restaurants. Payment on the day of event by cash or e-transfer to [globaltorontoeats@gmail.com.](http://globaltorontoeats@gmail.com.) No refunds after orders are placed. Details of sampled food will be uploaded after the hike. Limited cutlery provided. Highly recommended to bring cutlery and containers for omakase and bringing back leftovers. See our [About section](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/) for more info.

IMPORTANT PLEASE RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/elastic-toronto-user-group/events/313240174/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events We're excited to bring the community together for an evening of learning and connection! Come support your fellow developers, learn something new, and meet others who are passionate about search, observability, and security. **Date and Time:** Thursday, March, 12th from 5:30-7:30 pm **Agenda:** * 5:30 pm: Doors open; say hi, grab a seat, and eat some food. * 6:00 pm: Building Agentic AI on ELK stack, by **Gleb Gadyatskiy**, Principal Engineer at PointClickCare * 6:30 pm: Q&A * 6:40 pm: "One Does Not Simply Query a Stream", by **Viktor Gamov** is a Principal Developer Advocate at Confluent * 7:10 pm: Q&A * 7:20-7:30 pm: Networking & refreshments **Talk Abstracts:** **"Building Agentic AI on ELK stack"** Story how I built AI Agent using pure ELK + LLM to automate incidents investigations 1. What is AI Agent, ELK and why I decided to build AI Agent using only ELK 2. Building simple AI Agent using pure Logstash pipelines 3. Building advance AI Agent using Ruby plugin 4. Connecting AI Agent to Elastic AI Assistant **Gleb Gadyatskiy** is a Principal Engineer at PointClickCare. He is a part of the Infrastructure Architecture team and describes his role as “the first line in attack and the last line in defense”. Gleb provides support for all teams to aggregate logs from various apps into Elasticsearch, use AI to get insights from logs and actively promotes Elastic stack in PointClickCare. Gleb enjoys outdoor traveling with his wife and two kids in a camper. **"One Does Not Simply Query a Stream"** Streaming data with Apache Kafka® has become the backbone of modern applications. While streams are ideal for continuous data flow, they lack built-in querying capabilities. Unlike databases with indexed lookups, Kafka’s append-only logs are designed for high-throughput processing—not for on-demand queries. This necessitates additional infrastructure to query streaming data effectively. Traditional approaches replicate stream data into external stores: relational databases like PostgreSQL for operational queries, object storage like S3 accessed via Flink, Spark, or Trino for analytics, and Elasticsearch for full-text search and log analytics. Each serves a purpose—but they also introduce silos, schema mismatches, freshness issues, and complex ETL pipelines that increase system fragility. In this session, we’ll explore solutions that aim to unify operational, analytical, and search workloads across real-time data. We'll demonstrate stream processing with Kafka Streams, Apache Flink®, and SQL engines; real-time analytics with Apache Pinot®; search capabilities with Elasticsearch; and modern lakehouse approaches using Apache Iceberg® with Tableflow to represent Kafka topics as queryable tables. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution, understanding the tools and trade-offs will help you design more robust and flexible architectures. **Viktor Gamov** is a Principal Developer Advocate at Confluent, founded by the original creators of Apache Kafka®. With a rich background in implementing and advocating for distributed systems and cloud-native architectures, Viktor excels in open-source technologies. He is passionate about assisting architects, developers, and operators in crafting systems that are not only low in latency and scalable but also highly available. As a Java Champion and an esteemed speaker, Viktor is known for his insightful presentations at top industry events like JavaOne, Devoxx, Kafka Summit, and QCon. His expertise spans distributed systems, real-time data streaming, JVM, and DevOps. Viktor has co-authored "Enterprise Web Development" from O'Reilly and "Apache Kafka® in Action" from Manning. Follow Viktor on X - @gamussa to stay updated with Viktor's latest thoughts on technology, his gym and food adventures, and insights into open-source and developer advocacy. **Location:** Improving Office 171 East Liberty St Unit 235 Toronto, Ontario M6K 3P6 **Directions (171 E Liberty St - Suite 235)** **By transit** Streetcars 504 and 509 both travel close to the office (less than 10 minute walk to the office from either), the lakeshore GO train is also a 5 minute walk from the office. **By car/parking** On street parking is available - there are a handful of paid parking spots directly in front of the entrance - with a large city parking lot across the street. **Entrance** The entrance to the office is beside the Bulk Barn entrance facing Hannah Street. There is an Improving logo on the door.

\*\*\*PLEASE READ\*\*\* This listing is for information purposes only. To reserve a spot, sign up here: https://www.woodforsheep.ca/pages/event-scheduling What is DDAL? The D&D Adventurers League is an ongoing official organized play campaign for Dungeons & Dragons. It uses the fifth edition of the Dungeons & Dragons rules, and features the Forgotten Realms setting. You can play D&D Adventurers League games at any place that features adventures bearing the D&D Adventurers League logo. You can create a character and bring that character to games anywhere D&D Adventurers League is supported. More details: https://dnd.wizards.com/playevents/players Sitting fees apply.

Contact Alex for location and information.

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hike-mount-nemo)** ***Mount Nemo, one of the most popular scenic spots in the GTA, offers breathtaking views of the Niagara Escarpment while being conveniently close to the city.*** Despite its proximity, the area feels beautifully removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life. As we hike along the ancient limestone formations that shape the escarpment, we’ll be on the lookout for *Eastern Cedars*, some of the oldest living trees in the world. This is a fun 7 km hike that's accessible but super interesting — you'll feel truly connected with the escarpment as you walk through cracks in the rock and alongside ancient forest that goes all the way to the cliff edge. On this hike you can expect: \- Ancient cedar trees \- Sweeping panoramic views \- Dramatic escarpment ridge formations \- Scramble up rocks & wooden ladders **Depending on snow levels we may be required to use snowshoes or ice spikes. We have a limited quantity available that you can grab at check-out. Ice spikes are free to borrow and snow shoes can be rented for a small fee.** **Highlights** **Scenic hike -** Walk through some of Ontario's oldest forests and enjoy the varied terrain and ecology. **Local mountain -** Only 45 minutes west of Toronto, Mount Nemo is the perfect accessible hike for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts and people who want to just dip their toes in what Ontario nature has to offer. **Panoramic escarpment views -** Once at the top of Mount Nemo, enjoy some beautiful views. **Event cost: $40+HST - optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hike-mount-nemo)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Hello Bird Lovers! Spring is finally beginning to wake up across Ontario, and after a long winter, there is no better time to get back outside and enjoy the excitement of migration. This is one of the most rewarding times of year for birders, as winter holdovers mix with the first fresh arrivals of the season. Every outing in early spring brings the possibility of something special, and that sense of anticipation is exactly what makes this time of year so much fun. On this trip, we’ll head east of Toronto for a full day of spring birding, exploring a variety of productive stops with excellent chances to see both early migrants and lingering winter birds. We’ll be watching and listening carefully for the first signs of the new season, always alert for whatever may have arrived in the days leading up to our outing. Early spring birding can be wonderfully unpredictable, and that is part of the adventure. One of our key targets will be at Cobourg Harbour, where a rare Tufted Duck has been present. This is a very unusual bird for Ontario and a great opportunity to potentially see a true rarity much closer to home. While searching the harbour, we should also enjoy good numbers of other waterfowl along the waterfront, making this an exciting stop regardless of what turns up. Bald Eagles are also a major highlight of this outing, and we should have an excellent chance of seeing a few of these magnificent birds as we travel through the area. Other species we’ll be hoping for include early spring arrivals such as Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, Song Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Eastern Phoebes, and possibly Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. We’ll also keep an eye out for some of the winter birds that may still be lingering before heading north, including American Tree Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Shrikes, and perhaps even Barred Owl. Red-tailed Hawks will also be active at this time of year, and with luck we may see pairs together as the breeding season begins. Whether you are a seasoned birder or just getting started, this outing is designed to be fun, welcoming, and full of discovery. With only **3 guest spots available**, this will be a small-group experience with lots of personal attention, a relaxed atmosphere, and a great chance to enjoy some of the best early spring birding east of Toronto. Join us for a day of fresh air, great birds, and the thrill of seeing spring return. **What to Expect** Included - **Transportation provided from Finch Station**. Prime viewing locations carefully selected for the best sightings Expert guidance to help you spot and appreciate key species Frequent stops for photography, observation, and a break for lunch (bring your own) or we stop at Tim Hortons. Please note that due to the migratory nature of these birds, each trip is unique, and conditions can vary. Our local knowledge ensures an exceptional experience. Spaces are limited, so sign up today and join us for a spring adventure like no other! **Itinerary:** * Depart Finch Subway Station at 9:00 a.m. sharp. * Head east of Toronto for a day of birding. * Return to Toronto by 4:00 p.m. **Price:** $99.00 plus tax for a total of 112.00 Dollars for my guiding services only. **Important Details:** * Payment through Paypal or direct e-transfer to [torontonaturelovers@hotmail.com](mailto:torontonaturelovers@hotmail.com) **Note:** Let us know right away if you'd like to join us on this spring adventure! Come get wild with us and embrace the wonders of spring!

### **Celebrate the Magic of Spring with the Canada's Birder Club!** As winter fades and the landscape awakens, spring offers the perfect opportunity to **reconnect with nature** and witness one of the **season’s most spectacular migrations**, the **Return of the Swans**. The familiar songs of **American Robins**, the unmistakable calls of **Red-winged Blackbirds**, and the soaring **Red-tailed Hawks** signal the changing season. But beyond these familiar sights lies a **hidden gem of migration**, the **majestic journey of thousands of Tundra Swans and Sandhill Cranes** through southwestern Ontario. Join us on an **unforgettable adventure** to the **Aylmer Wildlife Management Area**, where volunteers spread corn to attract these elegant white swans during their long migration to the **northern tundra** of Canada. This is one of the **best locations** to observe large flocks of **Tundra Swans up close**, set against a backdrop of early spring landscapes. ### **A Rare Opportunity to Witness Sandhill Crane Courtship** One of the highlights of this trip is the **breathtaking display of Sandhill Cranes**, watch as these ancient birds engage in their **intricate courtship dances**, filling the air with their **deep, resonant calls** that seem to echo from another time. Our expedition will also take us to the **renowned Long Point area**, a world-famous birding hotspot. Past outings have given us spectacular views of: 🦢 **Thousands of Tundra Swans and Sandhill Cranes**, resting in marshes and fields 🦅 **Bald Eagles and possibly a Golden Eagle**, soaring in search of prey 🦆 **Over a dozen species of colorful ducks**, drawn to the rich wetlands of Long Point ### **A Spectacle of Wings and Water** With luck, we’ll witness the sky come alive with **hundreds—if not thousands—of Sandhill Cranes and Tundra Swans**. Whether they’re flying overhead, resting on open water, or feeding in nearby fields, this is a **wildlife event like no other**. ### **What to Expect** 🔹 **Prime viewing locations** carefully selected for the best sightings 🔹 **Expert guidance** to help you spot and appreciate key species 🔹 **Frequent stops** for photography, observation, and a break for lunch (bring your own) or we stop at Tim Hortons. Please note that due to the **migratory nature of these birds**, each trip is unique, and conditions can vary. However, rest assured that the **photos shared were taken during previous outings**, and our **local knowledge** ensures an exceptional experience. Don't miss this **limited-time opportunity** to witness one of **Ontario’s greatest wildlife spectacles**. Spaces are **limited**, so sign up today and join us for a **spring adventure like no other!** **Itinerary:** * Depart Finch Subway Station at 8:30 a.m. sharp. * Return to Toronto by 5:30 p.m. **Price:** $109.00 plus tax for a total of 123.00 Dollars for my guiding services only. **Important Details:** * Payment through Paypal or direct e-transfer to [torontonaturelovers@hotmail.com](torontonaturelovers@hotmail.com) **Note:** Let us know right away if you'd like to join us on this spring adventure! Come get wild with us and embrace the wonders of spring!

This experience is designed for people who want to reconnect with their bodies and experience Santa Barbara beyond the surface 🌿🌊. Throughout the trip, I’ll be guiding yoga, breathwork, and meditation to help regulate your nervous system, build presence, and create space for clarity and connection 🧘‍♀️🌬️. We’ll explore some of the most special parts of the area together, including a trip to Channel Islands National Park 🏝️, where we’ll spend time in nature and let the landscape do some of the work for us. We’ll also soak in local hot springs, take a sunrise pier walk 🌅, and visit my favorite local yoga studio to experience the Santa Barbara yoga community. Evenings are intentionally simple and human: time to unwind, rest, and a guided discussion circle at a local café ☕ — focused on reflection, integration, and real conversation. We’ll be staying just a 4-minute walk from the beach, leaving plenty of room for spontaneous ocean time, morning walks, and space to breathe between activities. https://jmt.li/9GuDUP Link for more details Happy to connect more:) Please message me on here if you would like to go on a call!

Join WTA for a magical trip to the Netherlands during the most beautiful time of the year—Tulip Season! Discover Amsterdam’s artistic heritage, charming canals, and world-class museums like the Van Gogh Museum. Stroll through vibrant tulip fields at the famous Keukenhof Gardens, a true feast for the eyes. Venture to The Hague and Delft to explore historic churches, canal-laced streets, and iconic blue-and-white pottery. Savor authentic Dutch cuisine, sample local cheese, and experience the country’s timeless charm at every stop. **To view the full ITINERARY & REGISTER visit:** **[WTA AMSTERDAM 2026](https://womentravelabroad.com/trip/amsterdam/)** **ITINERARY** **Day 1 – April 7** – Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). Private transportation will take you to your accommodations for the week. After settling into your hotel, your group will get to know each other over a local welcome dinner. **Note:** We recommend your flight from the US arrives before 11 am on April 7 to allow adequate time to join the day’s activities. If you wish to arrive one day early, on April 6, charges for the additional night’s stay can be added to your invoice. **Day 2 – April 8** – Today, you will take a memorable tour of the Anne Frank House. Discover Amsterdam’s WWII history and follow in the footsteps of Anne Frank as she went into hiding in the Secret Annex. Jewish Anne Frank hid in 1942 from the Nazis during the occupation of the Netherlands; two years later, she was discovered and died in 1945 at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Afterward, continue your cultural journey with a visit to the renowned Van Gogh Museum. Home to the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh, the museum offers a profound look into the artist’s life, featuring iconic paintings, sketches, and personal letters that reveal the struggles and brilliance behind his art. **Day 3 – April 9** – FREE Day. Enjoy shopping throughout the city, or take a scenic bike ride through the countryside. Cycling in Amsterdam is the most authentic way to travel. There are around 515 km (320 miles) of dedicated cycle lanes in Amsterdam, making it the perfect setting to cycle the city or beyond. The countryside area is famous for its quaint villages, historic towns, farms, nature reserves, and lakes. You will have many opportunities to stop and take one-of-a-kind photos of the picturesque sights. **Day 4 – April 10** – Your group will spend today at the famous Keukenhof Garden, known as the Garden of Europe. This is one of the world’s largest flower gardens and is found to be the most beautiful in spring. Keukenhof Park covers an area of 32 hectares and has approximately 7 million flower bulbs planted annually. Make sure to have your camera ready to capture all of the vibrant colors and unique displays at the Keukenhof Garden! Transfer from Amsterdam to begin your adventure in The Hauge as the fun continues. **Day 5 – April 11** – Begin your day with a walking tour of the Hague! Today you will visit notable sites include Binnenhof Court of Parliament, the Royal Palace Noordeinde and its lush gardens, and many local monuments. Have a free afternoon to explore on your own before joining your group to indulge in a delectable group dinner. **Day 6 – April 12** – Day trip to Delft for a walking tour of this charming and historic Dutch town. Stroll along picturesque canals, cobbled streets, and tree-lined squares as you explore landmarks such as the Markt, the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), and the Royal Delft pottery factory. Admire the town’s rich artistic heritage, famously tied to painter Johannes Vermeer, and soak in the tranquil atmosphere that defines Delft’s small-town charm. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local café before returning by train to your accommodation in The Hague. **Day 7 – April 13** – Depart The Hague via train for your return to Amsterdam. You will depart back to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) for your connecting flight to the US. Your departure flight needs to leave after 12 pm to allow time to return to Amsterdam. \*Please note that this is a tentative itinerary and is subject to change. **WHAT’S INCLUDED:** ▪️ 7 days & 6 nights’ accommodations ▪️ Single occupancy, boutique hotel ▪️ Airport transfer ▪️ Local transportation ▪️ Keukenhof Garden Tour ▪️ Anne Frank House ▪️ Hauge City Tour ▪️ Amsterdam City Tour ▪️ FREE DAY to explore ▪️ Daily breakfast ▪️ Daily group lunch (excluding FREE DAY) ▪️ Daily group dinner **WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:** ▪️ Roundtrip airfare from the US to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) ▪️ Travel insurance ▪️ Items of a personal nature ▪️ Meals not listed above ▪️ Optional excursions and tours not listed above ▪️ Gratuities and tips for personal services

Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area. If trail conditions are poor, we will use the Multipurpose Path.

This is not an event, but an announcement that we are accepting new members. If you'd like to pursue joining our group, please write us at columbusmensgroup@gmail.com with a few paragraphs about yourself, what you'd like to experience in the group, and the contribution that you'd like to make. Thank you!

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."