In the Great Outdoors...

...a theatre? Who knew? Well, my neighbour Diane did; she used to go every year.  So it was her idea; she arranged tickets for us to go to the first play of the season and offered to drive.   

It was a hot day, but not as bad as the days that preceded it, thank goodness. Outdoors in a real heat wave? Yikes. That would have put a real damper on the fun!  As it was, they handed out ice-packs to anyone in the audience who wanted a bit of relief! Many took them up on the offer; others waved fans and hats to try to create a breeze. The actors, however, had it worse as they were usually in the setting sun! But we all survived. 

The trip itself was fun for me. We took the back roads to get there with a stopover in a little town for lunch  - still familiar territory for me, but after that, Diane drove some more backroads to get to the theatre..over hill and dale with vistas of rolling hills and fields of soon-to-be corn or sunflowers and a huge open sky! It was new to me as I don't often head east from here - my routes are always west and north. What a treat. If I had been on my own, there would have been lots of stops to take photos! 

The theatre is set up a fair distance in from the main road in a complex of old barns, so you really feel that you are indeed in the countryside. Peace and quiet..no traffic noise, no traffic helicopters flying overhead, no police sirens  - nothing to interrupt the performance; in fact, the open grassy meadow next to the theatre was bird heaven - birds who sang throughout the entire evening performance. Haha..Birdsong - an optional extra at no additional charge!  

The trip home was faster as Diane took the freeways. We wanted to be home before dark and we were quite a distance from home.  I had no idea the theatre was that close to a small town that has a ramp onto the freeway..and from there, we were then able to access the new extension of the 407 which took us right back to Whitby. I say this knowing that roads really aren't of much interest to most folks,  but to point out that those freeways make it possible for older folks like us to go on evening outings that far from home. We can still get home before dark! At least at this time of year....So, backroads are great and ever so scenic, but here's to freeways too! (I actually like freeways...)