August 20: Island vibes a short ride away

I am falling into a bit of a rut—cycling either east or west along the lake shore.  For a change, I take the ferry to the Toronto Islands.  The 15 minute ride takes me far from the downtown bustle.  Though I see the islands every morning, I seldom visit. I disembark at Ward’s Island, a small island community with cute cottages enhanced with singing wind chimes, artsy patio furnishings, and flowers almost gone wild. No cars in sight: homes are accessed by bicycles or on foot on streets the width of city sidewalks.  

The larger island, Centre Island, has a formal garden and fountain, reminiscent of the 1960’s era.  A pier extends into Lake Ontario. Centreville, the amusement park is closed. A few kids have the water park all to themselves.

Quiet prevails at Hanlan’s Point—a rarity prior to the pandemic proclamation.  Porter’s Q400 fleet grounded for now. Nor is there noise from the amusement park and baseball stadium of yesteryear, where Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run. 

 

https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2014/09/06/the_mystery_of_babe_ruths_home_run_ball.html