TWO WEEKS IN TORONTO // a writing & travel vlog 

A 40 minute Kate Cavanaugh video? Hell yes.

Welp, time to add writing retreats to the list of things I didn't know I wanted to do till kate showed them to me

Ah, my hometown! Good on you for saying “Toronto” like a native. 👍🏻

I was so excited when I saw this on my notifications lol!!!! What an awesome video!!! I had such an amazing time with you and with Brooke and with Heidi!! Gah!!! More vacations please!! :-)

I enjoyed the video. I'm the same that I don't do well in big groups and always seem to be the one to be in the corner observing. Still struggling with burn out and behind where I want to be with plotting. I want to be finished outlining by mid-October at the latest so I can zero draft in November. I've not even started a rough outline yet. I'm glad you had fun with Becca, Brooke et al.

I swear if I had a bar as cool as the Storm Crow Manor where I live I'd probably be an alcoholic X'D And yeah I totally get you not wanting to go on a retreat so large again. I kinda do the same observer thing and constantly excuse myself to take some much needed alone time. Not that I don't love everyone from the retreat!! But it was so difficult getting to know people when there were so many to talk to. So glad we got to chat for the bit of time that we did though, Kate!!

"In a city with a bunch of water and a bunch of green space" You literally just described Minneapolis, MN. So many parks, so many lakes. Minneapolis also has a bunch of fun cozy coffee shops and indie book stores. I'm planning on vloging my areas local coffee shops, bookstores, and parks very soon.

Not going to lie... I'm super jealous, this looks super fun!

Yay!!! I adored this trip and hanging out with everyone! And omg I did NOT see the Twin Peaks room at the bar!! I'm so jealous now cause that looked awesome haha. Oh, and I totally forgot our shenanigans at the coffee shop where I popped my head up while you danced lol

I"m totally like you--Introverted and have a hard time in large groups, especially when I've never met most of the people. This was a fun vlog, as all of yours are.

I’m so glad you showed more of the quiet, peaceful side of Toronto! It looks so beautiful by the water. Big cities and crowds get overwhelming to me really fast, so I’m always one to wander off and find a nice walk somewhere outside of the noise too.

My next big travel goal is Japan. I'd want to go for a year, teach English part time, explore, and write.

I love it. I would say not to worry about the length at all! I totally enjoyed your video.

This was so fun to watch! Berczy Park - the park with the dog statues around the water fountain - is where I walk my dog every day. And I work at the Royal Ontario Museum :)

I want to visit Seoul, Korea. I find that I am always coming up with new ideas when I go for walks. It is one of the few reasons I go for walks with no destination. It is really funny how that works.

16:00 I just did a Friday through Monday in DC (I normally do this trip this week Tuesday through Friday during the 2 weeks my natatorium is on annual maintenance cleaning/shutdown). I went to the: National Geographic Museum (Queens of Egypt exhibit); International Spy Museum (new, LARGER building with increase in density of activities, manipulatives & information); Newseum (they still had their LGBTQIA+/Stonewall anniversary exhibit, although since I discovered Story Cubes in their gift-shop, I'll never need an excuse to visit) One of many traps the 3 museums offer is the book selections. Although National Geographic missed an opportunity to make the sale because they published a book back I October that SHOULD have been waiting for everyone at the store as you exited the exhibit. I now have to hunt that down along with SENET (Egyptian board game). I'm still attempting, FEEBLY, to unpack some of the information on the female impact on their culture. I'll need to aquire When Women Ruled the World by Dr Kara Cooney PhD. I showed a lot of restraint at the Spy Museum gift shop & just purchased 2 brain teaser books. I was able to get a large print edition of Killers of the flower moon from the Newseum. Also, when my Friend was in town, we where talking about our favorite dinosaurs while at THE AMNH (the week before the new T-Rex exhibit). I'm thinking my favorite is the Velociraptor because they have some traits that I have realized this summer are parallel to my antagonist's forces.

This looks so amazingly fun, especially that nerdy bar, omg! I'm going on a sort of writing retreat in November with some ladies I met through fandom (we're all fic writers for said fandom) that I haven't seen since December at a con. I definitely DO NOT expect to get much writing done despite really wanting to get a bunch of short stories done set in my novel's world. But it'll still be awesome.

Here is a country for you: Denmark! We walk or ride the bicycle everywhere and use public transportation more than anyone. When you mentioned your ideal place (walking and trains) all I could think was: OMG that is my life... AND I SOOO WANT A CAR!! 😁

I'm so glad you enjoyed my hometown so much. And yeah, Toronto is amazing. There's just so much, and you seemed to stay mostly in the downtown area, meaning there's still 5 other neighbourhoods just begging to be discovered. I'm also glad to know you hit up some of the places I suggested over on Instagram. I've never really travelled until this year, though I have to say, if you do come back to Canada, check out New Brunswick, it's beautiful. I have to agree with you some times a change of view really can help to get those creative juices flowing. And I'm very introverted with social anxiety on top of that, so, like you, if I were to go on a writing retreat, it would have to be quite small. But it does sound like it would be fun. And the help wouldn't hurt. Just chat stories and have others give ideas on how something could go. :)

Canada loves you too, Kate! I'm from B.C. but I've never been to Toronto. It is on my bucket list though, as I have a friend I haven't seen in over 15 years who lives near there. I've only been to places in B.C., including Vancouver, and Calgary, Alberta. I would love to travel more in Canada, but I can't afford it right now. By the way, I just started my own authortube channel! You have inspired me so much in my writing and in starting this channel, so thank you!

I really want to take part in something like this! I'd love to meet up with some people in the UK! But like you said, maybe a max of 8 people. I don't know how I'd cope, it would take so much energy, haha.

as a resident of Toronto, i feel the love

I love the ocean too, but I'd never move to the ocean because of global warming causing super storms and rising sea levels. When you make it, you should become a full time traveler and rent a place for a month or a few months and stay, then move on. That's a good thing about being a writer, you can write anywhere. And I'm also shy and scared of heights! :O You wouldn't get me up that tower, I didn't even want to get within 20 feet of the edge of the grand canyon!

So I've been watching your videos for about 6 months now, and I never realized you were from San Antonio? Boy, am I observant. Anyway, hello, fellow San Antonian! Wow, this looked like so much fun. It was a big group, but you made the best of it. I would love to do something like this in the future, hanging out with writer friends is so awesome. It's just one of the many reasons Nanowrimo is my favorite time of year, even though I do write all year. :) Also, that train ride totally gave me nostalgia feels for Japan, I miss good public transportation so much!

I'm from Toronto!!! So great to hear that you liked it here!

So we aren’t by the ocean, but Twin falls, Idaho would be very welcoming to you :) amazing scenery, we have a giant canyon and river. It can get hot during the summer but only like 2 or 3 weeks of super hot. Winters can be pretty cold, but great! We have fantastic places very close by, great mountains, the craters of the moon national park. Best of all, a somewhat small, awesome writing community :)

New subscriber here! I love your energy, you are so refreshing, I'll be binge watching your videos to help me with my writing 😊

You’ve enjoyed so much things in Toronto. I am also living and working here lol great video 🥰♥️

This is everything I needed today. Canada is honestly so amazing, and I WISH I could go back. I’m so glad that you got to enjoy this trip :)

so glad you had a great time is toronto! this video made me realize I take the city for granted sometime and it made me happy to see you discovering things. also the ROM is one of my favourite places I'm glad you went there!

New subscriber here! I'm currently binge watching all of your videos :) I love your videos about writing and routines but your vlogs and chatty videos are my faves! I love your energy, you seem such a lovely and kind person! Glad I've found your channel

I would LOOOOOOVE to go to Toronto! I've been to Vancouver and it was so beautiful, I absolutely fell in love. I'd also love, love, love to visit Tokyo some day, but the idea of traveling to somewhere I don't speak the language frightens me. I'm that paranoid person that is convinced I will end up lost and unable to get home because I can't speak the language, haha!

My favorite video of yours so far!! More travel/writing blogs pls

I lovvveeeeedddd this! I live in Toronto and am so in love with my city so it was cool to see you check out all the spots. It looks like it was such a fun retreat!

I'm excited for a more recent video. Thank you for your content.

As someone who lives very close to Vancouver, I was so excited to hear you mention that you love it there! I love it, too! My dream one day is to be a successfully published author and journalist living there in the big city. I thrive in big cities, not so much small towns. There's so much to do in Vancouver and it has such a great energy! It's a great place to sit and write, too!

This was an awesome video!! I really enjoyed it!

3:49 lol you are too funny girl! Your editing is really good too!

This looks like so much fun!! You definitely hit all of the places I would want to go! That bar looks so awesome!!!

I totally understand snapping into the observer mode in big groups because I am the same! What's worse is that I try to fake that I am more ougoing than what I really am (I don't know why) so that really tires me out after a few hours.

You've seen more of my city in two weeks than I have in two years. I shall live vicariously through you!

So glad you loved Toronto!!!

An incredible treat on my last first day of college!

wow that looks so fun! I def gotta travel there some day.

So glad you had fun here! I was born (and raised) in Toronto so it's nice to see people visit and enjoy themselves

Watching your videos always makes me inspired to write!!

I love this. You hit up all the types of places I would want to visit! I feel like spending time getting to know people better is a choice I would make as well. You so rarely get to see them and at the end of the day these relationships can only enhance your writing.

As a Canadian I am very happy to hear that you enjoy it here so much!! :)

This totally made me more likely to visit Canada! Thank you!

I loved this vlog and can totally relate to how you feel around people :) I tend to withdraw when the number of people gets larger, not because I don't like people, but I just can't seem to mix with that many in one go. It looks like you had so much fun!

I just went to the Willamette Writers Conference in Portland and loved it! Will definitely be making a trip to Toronto after watching this, looks like a great city to visit.

Omg I stayed in the same hostel when I was in Toronto. Loved it too!

Love your content from Montreal!! :)

So glad you liked our city 😊

Uh...I so want to go to TORONTO now!! I have to agree with you on the retreats, max eight to ten ...man that was a lot of people!! I have already asked a few friends of mine to go on a trip to Toronto...it's gonna happen!!! LOL. Looks like you had lots of fun!!

So jealous you got to explore before and after the retreat! It was so great chatting with you at The Lockhart even if it wasn’t writing-related 😂

omg freaking out, I just applied to UofT and its SO PRETTY!!!

That looks so fun!! Being with all those writers... I wanna do that one day haha

Man Toronto looks so cool. I would love to go to Canada!

I’m so excited this video is up! I want to go to that Harry Potter store! This was a perfect way to start my morning!

Just watching the videos about that amount of people all in one house makes me anxious - definitely a solo traveler here! But it does look like you had a lot of fun.

Toronto is great! I am 100% biased since I live here but I'm happy you liked it too :)

I've only ever been to Canada once, but as a child to visit family so we didn't really do any sightseeing. It sounds like you had such an amazing time! I too, suck in big groups. I don't like talking so I much prefer just sitting around and not participating. When I'm able to leave the house and take a walk for inspiration I do, but it happens few and far between. And I'm currently looking for writing retreats to attend, even if it's just one day because they look fun.

So fun Kate! If we were to ever meet, would love to go to allll the coffee shops with you!

Have you heard of the (the Amtrack?) train writing fellowship/retreat? Though it might not offer much wandering around/exploring...

How fun! I wish I could go on a writing retreat. I'm more comfortable with small groups, too. Big groups overwhelm me, but I can deal with them.

I definitely second traveling as a great way to get ideas for worldbuilding! I love worldbuilding and every time I go somewhere new, I get an idea for something I wanna incorporate in some worldbuilding or other :) Also, if you want a city with water and a bunch of parks and random green places, you should definitely come to Sweden and visit Stockholm. It has great public transportation, too. Just saying ;) Also, you got me excited about travelling! I've always wanted to go to Canada, I will make it there one day!

this looks so fun!! and I want to visit canada!!! ahhhh :D also I never thought about your height before but now that's all I can think about xD jkjk I hope you do more travel vlogs!!! omg I hate public transportations. I think out of them though I'd prefer trains the most (NOT subways). I want to go on an orient express type of train someday... you should do that next for cooking with classics!

This is amazing

i'm so glad you love canada! as a canadian native, i would suggest visiting the kootneys if you want a little small town action. it's where i grew up and it's so nice there.

Had no idea Toronto had so much cool nerd culture stuff! Makes me want to visit really bad!

I want to go on a mini writer retreat for a weekend of nano 💓

I feel I would never get any writing or art done in a retreat too---don't feel too bad, it seems really hard!!!

Now I wanna go to Toronto, thank you for that xD If you're looking for amazing travel locations, Scotland is one of my favourite places in the world. Edinburgh is amazing and the Scottish highlands are like a real life fairytale!

Toronto is beautiful. I could live there myself

Wow you watch *For Harriet* too 😍 I really enjoy her talk videos

Finally getting a chance to watch this and the FOMO is sooooo extreme! Also like, Ohio is connected to a Great Lake. Feel free to settle in the Great Lakes region, you'll be much closer than Texas hahahaha Also, next year: WRITER VACATION. It's going to happen!

I grew up in central Texas myself and I love my homeland dearly but the best thing I ever did was move to Seattle and near the water so I know exactly what you mean.

I’ve been to the CN tower before!

I just heard about this bar a few days ago and I'm soooo jealous!! I want to go !

I’ve been in that before! The elevators were yellow.

omg how did I not know about Storm Crow Manor or Curiosa?? Next time I'm down in Toronto... I have to do both... the mimosas as the Lockhart are amazing. I'm glad you enjoyed Toronto!! As a fellow introvert, I completely understand. It's the main reason why I tend to avoid writing retreats... your word count goals are truly inspiring :P Travelling to help with creativity is SUPER helpful to me. I try to aim for one big trip a year (this year it's Disney World in November and I'm SO excited), but it only helps with world building specifically if it's a really cool place that I'm in~ ps: your ability to flawlessly pronounce 'Toronto' is impeccable ^_^

Moving to the Great Lakes is my life goal.

The funniest thing about this video to me is I know exactly which old asian guy you recorded playing the music at around 6:55, I swear I see him every time I go to the city

This looks like so much fun, writers retreat is on my bucket list. I did sign up to go to one but they found out I am a trans-woman and told me that they were uncomfortable so I couldn't go.

I’m from Texas and I have never related more to your love of the state but the disgust of the weather oh my gosh. I always tell people that Houston (where I’m from) is like the armpit of the state. You go outside and you are instantly just wet from the heat 😫

At 15:47 it sound of the bus form where I Form

Airplanes really really are gross. My first ride....crumbs.....everywhere..... They were moist *shiver*

This looks like such an awesome retreat! How did you become a part of it? I've been wanting to get into something like this!

What camera were you using Kate? Seen it before but don’t know what it is?

Seeing my home town from the perspective of a tourist is really weird. I need to go out more.... oh right ... lock down.

I’m not good around a lot of people either

Wow! What was that book you showed at the beginning? It was huge!!! :)

It looks like you had an awesome time! What kind of camera were you using? Wall-e is a good name for it lol!

brooke with the bottle

Not sure what this'll mean for you - but I totally thought you ALREADY lived in Canada. I was confused for quite a bit until you mentioned Texas. I think you were born to be Canadian. And a writer.

Also, Kate - Great lakes, close access to Canada, lots of public transit... you realize you're talking about Chicago right?

You should do a writing experement where you try and get 50K in 50 hours. Do the hours over 5 days or something!

Look like fun. Is you eat maple syrups.?

Nice video, subscribed Definitely on the list of places to visit soon. If you ever come by Norway, let me know! And feel free to give some feedback on my stuff. And to all the ones watching, have a beautiful day!