A day at the Toronto Islands (dial-up warning!)

[JeffR]

If I had to choose my favorite thing about this city, it would be the Toronto Islands. They're an archipelago of 18 large and small islands, popular with the locals since the city's founding in 1793. Before that, a succession of native tribes considered them sacred and a place of healing. And they are.

Been planning an excursion to the Islands all summer, and finally went yesterday. Temps in the high 70s, gentle breeze, just a perfect day.

My friend Don and I biked down to the St. Lawrence Market first to get some provisions.

Front Street from the market:



At the fishmonger's stall:



Two shots from the ferry:





Nirvana attained. This is the view from Ward's Island, which has a small and charming residential area:



This is the Eastern Gap. Originally Ward's Island was joined to the mainland here, but a mammoth storm in 1858 severed the island. The land mass across the water is the Leslie Street Spit, constructed from landfill over a period of years. Now covered with native vegetation, it's an important layover for migratory birds:



The CN Tower (tallest freestanding structure on the planet until about a month ago) from Ward's Island. Snake Island is on the left and Algonquin Island on the right:



Cars are banned from the Islands, making the two residential communities all the more appealing. "Streets" in these little neighborhoods are actually seldom wider than a downtown sidewalk. Bicycles are the most prevalent form of transportation for Islanders. Algonquin Island bridge:



But there are other convenient ways to get around:



The spirit of the Sixties lives on here. A house on Algonquin Island:



Heading back to the city, the afternoon light took on a golden aura:



Upper deck of the ferry:

[NV Whino]

1. Love that last one

What's the significance of all the blue with the hippy house?

[JeffR]

2. Your guess is as good as mine

Someone's just obsessive I guess. Lots of old freaks and artists in the area.

I didn't snap many of the cottages yesterday, since I have a bunch of shots of them in the archives. There are only 262 homes remaining, and constant debate about their future.

Some interesting reading about the Islands community here if you're interested:

http://torontoisland.org/Home/BriefIslandHistory/tabid/120/Default.aspx

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Beautiful pics, JeffR

I love the hippie house. I'd live there. :)

[JeffR]

4. Thanks, Blue

I'd live anywhere over there in a heartbeat, but vacancies are incredibly rare and every 10 years or so the survival of the entire community ends up becoming a political football. That the community has survived in even its much-diminished form into the 21st century is miraculous. Every time I'm there I'm always reluctant to return to the mainland.:-(

[Dallas Dem]

5. Once again....

.....terrific pictures, and outstanding composition. I especially like the way #3 and #6 are composed. Thanks for sharing.

[JeffR]

7. Thanks, DD

:hi:

[Eurobabe]

6. Very cool Jeff

I love islands, anywhere. But I also adore the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence Seaway, that's where my Dad grew up. Spent many summers dodging seaweed in the river.

[JeffR]

8. Haven't been near the Thousand Islands

from either the home side or the Canuckistanian side for some years now. Wish I could make the trip, especially at this time of year. One of the continent's great treasures, for sure.

[Maestro]

9. Love #3 and the second to last shot!

Thanks for the tour! :hi:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

10. beautiful pics!... my fav is the house on Algonquin Island because i collect cobalt glass