This past weekend was a long one in Ontario so we wanted to get out of the city, and what better way than to escape to the Toronto Islands!
On Friday after work, we packed up our bags and a few groceries before hopping on a ferry and setting off to the Toronto Islands for the weekend. By the time we arrived at the ferry terminal, it was dark so we headed across Lake Ontario with a scattered light on the horizon ahead of us and the lights of the city behind us.
The Toronto Islands are mostly public parkland, with a children's amusement park, beaches, and about 150 houses; they are a very popular place for day trips in the summertime. We weren't sure what our experience would be like in the winter but we were looking for a long weekend getaway so we were okay with fewer people and a place to relax. We had booked an Airbnb a few weeks earlier and discovered that we were lucky to even find accommodation in the winter as most people don't rent out their places in the off-season!
On Friday night, we disembarked the ferry (we seemed to be the only "non-islanders" on the boat) and followed Google Maps to the Airbnb we had booked, less than a 5 minute walk from the dock. Once we arrived at our cozy little cottage, we got settled in and unpacked, and set ourselves up for an evening of Netflix.
Saturday morning we woke up to the sound of birds chirping and bright sunshine. Luckily for us, it may have been mid-February but the weather all weekend was 10-12 C and sunny. Perfect weather for exploring the islands by foot.
On Friday night, we disembarked the ferry (we seemed to be the only "non-islanders" on the boat) and followed Google Maps to the Airbnb we had booked, less than a 5 minute walk from the dock. Once we arrived at our cozy little cottage, we got settled in and unpacked, and set ourselves up for an evening of Netflix.
Saturday morning we woke up to the sound of birds chirping and bright sunshine. Luckily for us, it may have been mid-February but the weather all weekend was 10-12 C and sunny. Perfect weather for exploring the islands by foot.
We started wandering around Ward's Island through a residential area, then onto a trail which led us to the Eastern Channel, looking back on Cherry Beach and the Port Lands. As we walked along the boardwalk, the remaining snow slowly melted under our feet on the way to our first beach of the weekend, Wards Island Beach.
Luke, of course, took advantage of this opportunity to throw rocks into the Lake, sometimes even trying to skip them. This is why Luke liked living in Newfoundland: so much water, and so many rocks to throw.
Luke, of course, took advantage of this opportunity to throw rocks into the Lake, sometimes even trying to skip them. This is why Luke liked living in Newfoundland: so much water, and so many rocks to throw.
As we started our walk reasonably early in the morning, the beach was also the first place we spotted other human life forms - we weren't alone! We continued on our walk over a bridge to Algonquin Island, where there are a number of houses, as well as trails slightly off the beaten path.
After all that walking, our next stop was the Rectory Cafe, the only restaurant open on the Toronto Islands in the winter, where we saw a few more human beings. Since we had to bring all of our food over with us on the ferry, we were counting on eating two lunches at the Rectory Cafe, and it did not disappoint. At lunch on Saturday we both opted for the Chorizo Hash. When it came time for dessert, we were both tempted but neither one of us could squeeze any more food in. So full.
After all that walking, our next stop was the Rectory Cafe, the only restaurant open on the Toronto Islands in the winter, where we saw a few more human beings. Since we had to bring all of our food over with us on the ferry, we were counting on eating two lunches at the Rectory Cafe, and it did not disappoint. At lunch on Saturday we both opted for the Chorizo Hash. When it came time for dessert, we were both tempted but neither one of us could squeeze any more food in. So full.
We took the long way back to the apartment and spent the afternoon reading, drinking tea, and playing French Scrabble. The assortment of letters is different from the English version so we both ended up with incredibly high scores. That, or we're both geniuses.
Later in the afternoon, we went for another walk, this time along Bayview Avenue and then backtracked to explore more of Algonquin Island. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing at the cottage. When the sun goes down, the islands are quiet. And dark.
On Sunday morning, we had a slightly later start and stopped at the Rectory Cafe for lunch on our walk. We then continued on to Centre Island and the Pier. We noticed that there were more people exploring the islands on Sunday and at first, we weren't sure if there was some sort of event on. But there wasn't, just people out enjoying nature and sunshine on this long weekend!
Later in the afternoon, we went for another walk, this time along Bayview Avenue and then backtracked to explore more of Algonquin Island. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing at the cottage. When the sun goes down, the islands are quiet. And dark.
On Sunday morning, we had a slightly later start and stopped at the Rectory Cafe for lunch on our walk. We then continued on to Centre Island and the Pier. We noticed that there were more people exploring the islands on Sunday and at first, we weren't sure if there was some sort of event on. But there wasn't, just people out enjoying nature and sunshine on this long weekend!
We continued our walk through trails, past Manitou Beach and Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. It was only later that we realized we turned around right before hitting Hanlan's Point Clothing Optional Beach. We can't imagine many people were taking advantage in February, but you never know.
We walked back via the boardwalk and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the cottage, except for the part where Elizabeth got some work done. We had a fancy dinner of beans on toast along with the bottle of red wine that our Airbnb host had left for us.
On Monday morning we were sad to leave but thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Toronto Islands. It was a mini escape, just what we needed.
Here are some more photos from our not-so-wintery winter weekend spent on the Toronto Islands:
We walked back via the boardwalk and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the cottage, except for the part where Elizabeth got some work done. We had a fancy dinner of beans on toast along with the bottle of red wine that our Airbnb host had left for us.
On Monday morning we were sad to leave but thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Toronto Islands. It was a mini escape, just what we needed.
Here are some more photos from our not-so-wintery winter weekend spent on the Toronto Islands:
(SLIDESHOW)
This time last year we were exploring the beautiful island of Curacao, two years ago we were snowshoeing through a Windsor Lake wonderland, and in 2014 we were testing out our skills at a Clay Cafe.
