Clifton Haunted Trail and the Return of Bunny Man

Ghost, goblins and ghouls-a Halloween fright fest awaits anyone who dares enter the Clifton Haunted Trail.*

Pick your poison of fright for the night: horrifying clowns, witches burning at the stake, children of the corn slashing victims, dancing skeletons and zombies, or chainsaw murderers chasing down prey. Whatever you fear, you'll find it here.

This walk through the woods is like no other and you'll be glad to have your friends close at hand. The crowd of thousands offers comfort and reminds you...It's not real...it's not real...it's not real...right? Maybe. Never-the-less, you're going to scream. You're going to have your wits put to the test. You are going to be scared!

After you survive this 90-minute adventure and your heart rate has returned to normal, I invite you to check out something that is truly terrifying-something a lot more real. Bunnyman Bridge.

The urban legend of Bunny Man dates back to 1904 when an inmate at the asylum prison in Clifton escaped during a transport accident. Afterward, locals began finding half-eaten rabbit carcasses hanging in trees near the crash site. Later, the police found the remains of a man who had been skinned and hanged in the same fashion under a bridge overpass near the railroad tracks at Colchester Road. The police assumed the escaped prisoner, Douglas J. Grifon, was to blame and dubbed him "the bunny man."During the attempted capture of Grifon, he escaped only to be killed by an oncoming train not far from the original crash site. Wicked laughter was heard coming from the site immediately following his death. Police later learned that Grifon had been institutionalized for killing his wife and children on Easter Sunday. For years following his death, people claimed that near Halloween, dead rabbit carcasses were seen hanging in trees surrounding the accident site and his specter loomed near the bridge.

Though historians believe the story to be bunk, it's also been linked to a more recent set of events which took place on Guinea Road in Burke, Virginia during the 1970's. Victims claim they were assaulted by a man in a bunny suit wielding an axe. More than 50 eyewitnesses reported seeing the bunny man but he was never caught. Who knows, he may still be alive...take a drive and see for yourself...you never know what or who you may find lurking in the dark or under a bridge.

*The Clifton Haunted Trail is a one-night-only production of fear and fun orchestrated to make you scream, laugh, and at times, run for your life. Approximately 200 volunteers put this elaborate adventure together to raise money for the town of Clifton, population less than 300.

Toronto's Distillery Historic District, Harbourfront, and Unionville

Distillery Historic District - Toronto

The Distillery Historic District in Toronto, Canada is a hot spot for food lovers, romantics, and shoppers. This New England style, pedestrian-only village hosts 70 different boutique shops and restaurants that are open all year round. Just a few minutes from the heart of downtown, the Victorian era buildings are host to art galleries, artisan shops, and cafes, and is a must-see when you visit. Mexican food lovers must check out El Catrin Authentic and Modern Mexican. The year-round outdoor eatery keeps its patrons cozy warm with heat lamps and a blazing fire pit.

El Catrin Mexican Eats

Toronto's Harbourfront Centre, nestled on Lake Ontario's coastline, has a variety of things to do all year round; boating opportunities, parks, restaurants and shopping are among the favorites. Walk along the water front and enjoy the sunshine and cool breeze, or catch a ferry to Centre Island for a picnic. Warm autumn weather, gentle afternoon breezes, and free spirited musicians make Harbourfront Centre an inviting place for children to feed the geese and gulls while parents take a breath and enjoy a romantic afternoon on the boardwalk.In the winter, you can ice skate your winter blues away or cozy up inside a cafe or art exhibit.

Toronto's Harbourfront Centre

Children Feeding the Birds Along the Waterfront

Festivals, food, and fun are the heart of the Unionville experience. This historic village located in the City of Markam is a destination favorite for Oktoberfest goers and families spending the long Thanksgiving weekend together. Main street is lined with historic buildings and churches-now home to boutique shops, cafes and dessert stops. Grab coffee and dessert then walk around the lake filled with Canadian Geese and ducks. It's a charming place to spend an afternoon with friends and family and enjoy the outdoors, 20 minutes from the heart of Toronto. 

Bavarian Band Plays at Octoberfest in Unionville

Autumn in Toronto

Camino Continues in Canada

Three pilgrims* reunited in one of the world's most intriguing, must see-places, Niagara Falls. After a four month separation, the trio came together and recalled details of their shared experience on the Camino de Santiago and revealed how their personal journeys have continued...

Ann, Dani, and Pantea

Aside from using kilometers instead of miles and celsius instead of fahrenheit, Canada is not that different from the U.S. Ontario bares a striking resemblance to Michigan and has a bit of small-town New England charm.

Pantea, Ann, and I reunited at Starbucks in Niagara-on-the-Lake, a small historic town about 30 minutes from Niagara Falls. We walked up and down Main, popped into a few shops, and talked about our adventures since the Camino; each of us having made significant career (and a few life) changes.

Niagara Falls

We drove a scenic route to Niagara Falls to spy the foliage turning brilliant shades of gold and red. A tourist hot-spot on a bright, warm three-day weekend in October, the Falls were packed with visitors. We joined the crowds and took in all the popular sites; the Falls, Clifton Hill, and the newest casino. I also paid $8.62 for a grande graham latte at the Starbucks Cafi Sheraton, which I highly recommend avoiding.

Nuns at Niagra

The best thing about being with Pantea and Ann again was it felt like we had never been apart; we picked up where we had left off-walking around, going wherever the spirit moved us. Conversation flowed easily and we were intrigued by the things we saw: nuns taking photographs of the falls with their iPads; a father shooting pictures of his adorable children; birds and animals enjoying the views too, just like in Spain.

Children Smile for A Special Pic

It was though we were still on camino, and I think we agreed that in truth, we are. That's how we've continued to navigate through our lives; our perspectives on what's important have changed. None of us have re-embraced materialism since the Camino. Things that once appealed to us, like shopping, no longer do. We have what we need. We wish to live simply. We want to do something that matters. We care about the environment. We care about people. We want to live a life of peace and happiness. And above all, family and friends are the most important. Relationships matter. We have come to know that what we learned on the Camino-what we learned about ourselves-is far greater than we could have imagined. It was a transformational experience that will remain with us for the rest of our lives.

Trio at Niagara

After a long day, Pantea and I said our good-byes to Ann, and we went our separate ways-but only for now, as we are not really separate after all. Ann is hoping to come to DC in the coming months and Pantea and I talked briefly of taking a trip together to another far-away destination at some point in the future. Until then, our caminos continue...

Pantea and the Blue Moose

*Ann, Dani, and Pantea met while trekking the Camino de Santiago in May. They embarked on the 500-mile backpacking trip, better known as "the Way," for their own reasons, but agree that what they came away with was a lot more than they expected.

Rainbows at Niagara

Getting High in Toronto

Toronto's CN Tower

Before arriving in Toronto Friday, my girlfriend Pantea asked me if I'd like to check out CN Tower. After I said, "Sure!" I Googled it; I had no idea what she was talking about. It was going to be my first time in Toronto-first time to Canada-and like so many other trips I've taken, I had done zero research. Coined as one of man's greatest wonders, the CN Tower is the tallest lightening rod in the world; its glass floor the first of its kind-a tourist must-do for thrill seekers, adventures, and romantics alike. We arrived at the tower just before sunset and looked up. "Let's do this," I said. We bought our tickets and boarded the glass elevator.

Like a ride at an amusement park, the higher we went, the faster my heart beat; the city turned panoramic in 90 seconds. Dozens of thoughts raced through my mind, none of them good, like the fact that there was nothing between me and falling to the ground except this way-too-thin piece of glass. I was suddenly queasy. When the elevator stopped, I stepped off and my knees buckled. I wanted to go back down but forced myself to stay. I can do this... I did the Camino! Surely I can do this. I shuffled to the window and glanced down; tiny hot wheels sat in traffic below while the sun fell below the horizon leaving a warm glow at the edge of the earth. It's peaceful up here, I thought.

View from CN Tower

Pantea and I walked down to the glass floor. Pantea stood on it and I backed away. There was nothing between her and the earth 1,122 feet down except that sheet of glass. This I will not do! I got on my knees, laid my phone on the glass, took a picture, then quickly backed away. I was queasy again. Wow!

Pantea Braves Glass Ceiling

Inside the tower, the 360 and Horizons restaurants are popular places to pop the question. If you want to get higher still, you can check out the view from the sky pod, the highest observation deck at 447 meters. Adrenaline junkies will definitely want to do the edge walk-356 meters high, outside, no railings, provided winds aren't too strong. Lucky for us it was too windy to go outside...

"I have officially scratched sky-diving off my bucket list," I told Pantea. "I think this offered enough adrenaline. I don't need to jump out of a plane."

Above Toronto