Detours: Toronto Islands

This post is a little different! As part of my 'Detours' feature, I will be speaking about my trip to the Toronto Island on November 10th, 2020! It's kind of a diary entry of sorts? Forgive the text on pictures, I guess I prioritized my Instagram story over actually taking pictures. They are also all vertical. Oops! Anyways, let's get this started...

I made my way downtown for the 8:30 ferry trip. Got my Starbucks on the way! Thanks Breton for recommending the Irish Cream Cold Brew, it was very good! Would recommend, but with the sweet foam to kill some of the harsh coffee taste. Anyways, turns out the 8:30 ferry is the school trip. With the ferry at half capacity, and on hourly schedule, I was concerned I wouldn't get a spot. However, most of the parents in the waiting area just dropped the kids with the teachers there and went off on their day. Anyways, the used one of the larger ferries, either the Sam McBride or the Thomas Rennie. Forgot to check. I also have a huge fear of boats, but this trip actually wasn't too bad, it was somewhat enjoyable for once. The kids went on their way to school, and otherwise there were only a handful of people who were going to enjoy the island for the day. Perfect: more space for me!

'For now' because I hate boats! But I do love the view.

When I got off the ferry, I wandered through the Ward's Island homes. It was so cute! The houses are close and you genuinely have no idea that you're in the city. I suppose that's the point? I then checked out the Eastern Gap, and it definitely was a gap! I don't think I had previously ever gotten a chance to see the cruise ship terminal; it stands out amongst the industry of the Port Lands.

One of the goals of the walk was to get on as many islands as possible, so I followed Cibola for the bulk of the trip. I passed the jack pine dedicated to the late Jack Layton. I completely forgot about this tree to be honest, glad I found it so quickly. Near the Algonquin Bridge Road, there was a bus shelter. This is used when there is an ice blockage at Ward's, and ferry service must depart from Hanlan's. A TTC bus picks up passengers at Ward's and Algonquin to shuttle them across the island. Algonquin is cute as well, but it has larger homes than Ward's. I also passed the disc golf course, one of three the city owns. Snake Island a bit further west has minimal infrastructure (a water fountain), but had no paved surface. I wasn't feeling crazy adventurous, but I looked like a cool island to spend some time on. I also saw a sign of which lake fish are safe to eat, now that water quality has improved. I don't eat fish, but thanks for the suggestion!

Although they are called North Chippewa Island and South Island, are they really two islands? They feel like the same landmass. Whatever the case, I could not visit North Chippewa, RCYC and RCYC South Island, as they are private property. Was not expecting that at all. Lots of boats! The bridge between the RCYC Islands was really impressive... just wish I could use it. Funny story, just east of North Chippewa Island is an unnamed island (same landmass? who knows anymore). In grade 9, I used the Google Map editor to name it Senator O'Connor Island, which has stuck on Google. Again, could not visit as there is no bridge. St. Andrew-by-the-Lake Church is cute! It actually has regular masses (not sure about presently though, with the whole pandemic and all).

I detoured onto Middle, Duck and Olympic Island. Centre Island Amusement Park (which is on Middle Island!) having no activity is kind of crazy to be honest. I guess it's been this way all year due to the pandemic, but still. There were two small islands, the Duckling Islands, in Duck Pond that I couldn't access. Not that I would want to, a goose hissed at me. I ran. The pond name is a lie, by the way; only geese were here. At least I was able to seesome ducks elsewhere on the islands. Olympic Island has probably the best view of the skyline, and with the coloured leaves it looks amazing. I headed a bit further west on Middle Island to see Muggs Island, before I headed back towards Centre Island. The washrooms here are one of three sets open during the winter season... note this! I passed a bunch on my way west. Forestry and Hanlan's Islands are in accessible due to no bridge for either. Hanlan's was hard to get a good view of. Fun fact: I also named this island... much more basic than the other one. I also passed the island school, the water treatment plant and Artscape. For those unfamiliar, the supposedly-haunted Gibraltar Point Lighthouse is along this way as well. If you are interested in the story, you can read it here. When the trail bends north, you pass the nude beach, but I think it's just a tad cool out. I eventually made it to Hanlan's Point... Time to turn back!

On the way back, I visited the Centre Island Pier. Somewhat related: I changed into my shorts. T-shirt and shorts. November 10th. Thanks just this once climate change. It was a beautiful view from here and the water was so clear, but no sighting of Rochester today. The return ferry was at 1pm, so I just chilled here for around an hour.

On my way to the ferry, I used the Lakeshore Avenue boardwalk. On one of the rock outcroppings near Ward's Island Beach, just below the retaining wall, a little mink was squealing for help. Poor guy! I wanted to help but I couldn't get down there, so I called 311. I didn't get a picture either, the little guy was moving so quickly! I don't think I've ever seen a wild mink in the city? I knew they lived at Tommy Thompson, but I did not know about the island. Nevertheless, I made it to the ferry with time to spare. On the way back was the William Inglis. I think at least 40 bikes exited the ferry before I got on, which is crazy. But hey, when else will you get this amazing weather in the middle of November?

I have so many good food places downtown I like to go to, but every time I actually need to get something for lunch, I blank . I decided to be basic and get Banh Mi Boys at Gerrard and Yonge. It was great nevertheless, and I got Chatime as well (huge shock here)! I realized after the fact that there was a My Roti Place on Queens' Quay, right near the dock! This was very disappointing news, how did I not see it? Ah well, next time.

In total, I did 15.8km of walking on the island according to Strava, excluding the 700ish metres I did on Ward's Island before I recorded and probably more walking to-and-from Union Station. Strava also told me there was only 3m of elevation change. That's kind of crazy, but also great for a bike race (hint hint?). I also completed the Le Col Rise Above Winter Challenge, for doing more than 4 hours of activity! Good for me I suppose. I also made it onto seven islands: Centre, Algonquin, Snake, South Chippewa, Middle, Duck, and Olympic, and I physically saw a total of 6 (or 5): North Chippewa (does it count?), RCYC, RCYC South, Muggs, Forestry, and Hanlan's. The only islands I did not physically see were Senator O'Connor and Doughnut Island, due to them being hidden behind trees or in restricted treatment plant land.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope to do more posts like this soon. With the pandemic, adventuring is a rare occurrence, but maybe when things clear up I'll head out more.

Add me on Strava (Patrick Stogianou) to see other routes I have and do take!