Sunday, August 7, 2011

A Perfect Day

A few weeks back, I spent the day with my friend, Carol Anne and her daughter Cheryl. Cheryl lives in Toronto, just steps away from Lake Ontario and since her boyfriend, Matt runs one of the water taxis which take folks from the city to Toronto Islands, we decided to spend that very warm summer day exploring.


bikes
I took the GO Train (Government of Ontario, in case you were wondering) from Mississauga to Union Station, in the heart of Toronto. I phoned CA upon my arrival, and she and Cheryl walked over to meet me just outside of the train station. While waiting, I amused myself by taking photos of the bicycles which were available for rent.




lovebird
Cheryl's apartment was a short walk from the station and before long we arrived to the sounds of chirps and tweets. Darned if I can remember the names of the lovebirds but I'm pretty sure one of them was appropriately named Birdface. I'm going to guess that this one was that bird. A beautiful little critter, isn't it?




apt view
Looking down, Birdface and his people have a pretty decent city view from their apartment window. Lots of activity below.




apt view2
Looking out toward the lake, there's an even better view. Various boats of all shapes and sizes entertain birds and house guests alike.




water taxis
After a yummy lunch, the three of us headed down to the harbour front where Matt treated us to a trip over to the islands. This was taken from inside the water taxi, just before departure. The commute lasts about five or ten minutes.




skyline
Matt continued his workday back and forthing between the islands and the mainland while Carol Anne, Cheryl and I wandered around Toronto Islands. The Toronto skyline proudly displays the C.N. Tower.




donations
Toronto Islands are primarily made up of Hanlan's Point, Centre Island and Wards Island and each are connected and within walking distance of one another. This donations booth suggests you leave useful but unwanted items (as long as they fit on a shelf or a hanger) for those who may have a need.




bigbird
Please don't tell Birdface but it would appear that a most horrific crime was committed here on Hanlan's Point. Somebody killed Big Bird!




return trip
When we were well and truly tired of walking around, Cheryl phoned Matt to see where he might be. As luck would have it, he was just about to dock the taxi right in front of us. He had us back on the mainland before long.




clothesline
After bidding our goodbyes to Cheryl, Carol Anne and I moved on to her place in Ajax, Ontario, east of the city. Despite our long day of walking, we decided to head out for another stroll along the lakeshore near her condo. There's a public park right by the water where picnicking families were beginning to pack up for the day. I hope they don't forget their clothes which were hung on the line to dry.




sunset
The sun began to set as we made our way along the the path. A city sunset can be beautiful when not obstructed by tall buildings.




sunset moonrise
And when the sun sets, the moon rises. Nature gave us a lovely view at the end of a perfect day.


Tomorrow, we're heading up to the cottage for about a week. I hope to catch up with all of your blogs sometime after I return. Have a lovely week!

52 comments:

Brian Miller said...

killed big bird...say it aint so...smiles. cool view out their window and the cityscape as well...neat ship as well...sounds like a nice trip...

ADRIAN said...

Another interesting set. I really admire the bicycles.

Anonymous said...

Have been looking forward to bother stroll through your blog... A fun meander indeed...blog... A fun meander indeed...

Anonymous said...

Not sure what happened to my previous comment... What I was trying to say was: "Have been looking forward to another stroll through your blog. A fun meander indeed." Have a good time at the cottage. I am must envious.

CiCi said...

This was a great little mini vacation for me. Thanks for the wonderful pictures and the narrative as well.

Enjoy your time at the cottage.

Tabor said...

Thanks for the lovely trip. I have visting Toronto, oh so briefly years ago. NOw I want to go back and really see it!

Tabor said...

"visited" to early in the morning pre coffee.

Andy said...

As usual, your photos are excellent.

June said...

That last is enough to inspire sonnets!

Leah J. Utas said...

Beautiful. Love the final pic of the day.

Anonymous said...

Poor Poor Big Bird... shhhh, I promise not to tell Birdface. LOL I'm sure it would absolutely kill him to hear the news.

Thanks for the quickie tour. I've never been there.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

A lovely tour of parts of my home town. Thank you!

Hilary said...

When I was a kid, we went to the Toronto Exhibition just about every year.
Toronto seems to have gotten so much bigger since then!!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like your having a wonderful summer :) Have a great time at the cottage.

Out on the prairie said...

What a lovely day with some exciting finds. Poor Big bird

Daryl said...

Lovely walk .. havent been to Toronto in too many years to count ..

TexWisGirl said...

love the water views from the apartment - and sweet birdface!

but i love the water views from your friend's place more. :)

Pauline said...

Walking around with you is always such fun!

Anvilcloud said...

We have relations in Ajax, and I think I've been to that park.

Enjoy your next stay at the cottage.

Maggie May said...

Beautiful set of pictures..... loved all of it. Very impressive view from those tower blocks.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Dianne said...

I love the big bird carnage, I won't tell Hope but I think Elmo did it for more air time

love all the shots, I always feel like I am with you when I view your photos
that takes a special talent :)

ellen abbott said...

That last photo is just beautiful. I like the bikes for rent and I especially like the donation station. What a great idea.

Bob Bushell said...

The bikes comes in at number 1, it's amazingly photo. The rest of them are beautiful as well.

Kerri Farley said...

The sunset and moon rise are AMAZING!
Toronto looks like a beautiful city!!

Lynne with an e said...

Truly a perfect day! I love finding a bit of the country in the middle of a city. Both of best worlds. When I lived in Toronto in the '70s we used to take the little ferry over to Centre Island just for some cool air and to escape all the cement for an hour or so.
I hope your week at the cottage provides everything and more that you've come to love about being there--including great photo ops!

Shammickite said...

A great day out, well documanted by you, Hilary.
I haven't had a lot of time for days out just recently, have been sticking close to home but now..... TWINS ARE HERE!

messymimi said...

Love the idea of a place to leave gently used items for people in need, without cost.

Lovely to live close to a city and yet where the sunsets are so huge.

Enjoy the week at the cabin.

DJan said...

That last picture is so incredibly beautiful. And Birdface is definitely a creature to behold! Have a great trip and see you when you get back!

Ruth Hiebert said...

ALl beautiful,but I really love the sunset and moonrise pictures.

Anonymous said...

What a fun day! Thanks for taking us along - that last image made me sigh - magical!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

It looks as if Carol Anne and Cheryl both have beautiful places to call home. But Frank's cottage at the lake has more appeal for me. Big cities make me tired. Beautiful pictures, as always. The lovebird and the amazing sunset are my favorites.

ds said...

I was dizzy looking out that apartment window, but what a spectacular view. Poor Big Bird--maybe he just had his feathers ruffled a little bit ;)
Final sunset/moonrise stunning. Thank you.

Unknown said...

A lovely day indeed.

Like the bicycles, especially. :-D

Karen said...

Hilary, I loved the tour. Now I can imagine a bit of that area. Loved the last picture. Sniff, poor big bird. alas....

Reena said...

LOL ... you are so funny ... the demise of big bird! Oh no!
So love your commentary but even more so your photos Hilary! Have a wonderful time and take lots of sunset photos!

Dawn said...

I am always thrilled when you take us along for the day. You captured it all so beautifully...which I find sometimes hard to do in a city.
I love your last capture...it makes me want to be right there in it.
Have a wonderful time away!!!!

(gasp)...I will not tell my niece about big bird's demise....

Red said...

Great story of your day. Interesting how it is tied together with your journey. Great photos.

Kerry said...

I'd call this a really good day. Birdface looks...unreal. I'm pretty sure Big Bird was just moulting; I believe he has eternal life.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed these urban shots! Love the Donations booth, but it doesn't seem to be protected from the weather...

Enjoy your time back at the cottage!

Dave King said...

My first visit: a great blog with stunning images.

Friko said...

Enjoy your break; I'm sure you'll be bringing back lots of splendid pictures.

Crabby McSlacker said...

The donation box was my fave--what a great idea, and it makes an excellent photo. Love the whole urban tour, have never been there but this will help tide me over til I visit.

Sounds like fun, and have a great cottage visit!

Hilary said...

Thanks very much for the kind commments, everyone. I have a couple of post scheduled for while I'm away. I'll see you when I return. :)

~JarieLyn~ said...

Hilary, this was such a wonderful tour of the city. I really love those bicycles. My favorite pic has to be of the clothes on the line or the sun setting. It looks and sounds like you had a very interesting day.

Suldog said...

Great photos of Toronto (one of my favorite cities.) If I recall correctly, we stayed in that Westin, so we were across the street from Birdface when we were there (assuming Birdface is old enough.)

By the way, you answered a question for me (and I'll relay it to MY WIFE) in that we never knew that "GO" actually stood for anything. We just snickered like hell at the signs that said "GO Train - Train GO" because we thought it sounded like an elementary school reader.

beth said...

my heart just burst open with that little "take what you need" space.....

and yes, how did you know. i am 17....again :)

SandyCarlson said...

I love that collection spot for useful things. What a great, loving idea. And that love bird....I hope Big Bird was not a personal friend!

Astounding photos!

Unknown said...

I like the idea of "The Water Taxi". It seems at once, fun and relaxing!

Wendy said...

Love your sunset pic. It's so beautiful!
Thanks for taking us along on your perfect day. Sounds like you had fun. I love water taxis. Took them all over ft. lauderdale.

My sister and family just moved to oakville. Perhaps one day when I visit her, we can drive up to Toronto and take water taxis too.

Joanna Jenkins said...

The Donation Booth is FANTASTIC! What an outstanding idea.

Looks like a very fun day with so many terrific sights to take in. Thanks for sharing.

xo jj

Lisa said...

Loved your sunset. Took my breath away.

lime said...

birdface makes me giggle and that whatnot shelf of donations really kind of charms me.