Toronto Islands

On Saturday, we took the 8:30 am ferry to Hanlon Point. It was a very simple boat, not much more than a barge with loading ramps to get on and off. There were a handful of people along with us and our bicycles.

Hanlon Point is one of the ferry stops on the Toronto Islands. Upon arrival, we set off on the wide, paved path. It was mostly empty at this early hour. Our first tourist stop was the lighthouse, completed in 1808. The original light was provided by burning whale oil. We tried the door; but, it wouldn’t open.

Continuing on, we cycled along the path until we came to the pier. It was a beautiful view out to Lake Ontario on the clear summer day.

Even though we hadn’t cycled far (unless we added the sprint to get to the ferry in the morning), we stopped for refreshments at a little pink trailer that was open and serving coffee. We left our bikes in the bike rack without locking them. (Unheard of in Toronto, as there is so much bike theft.) Runaway café appeared to be a pretty popular place. People were coming and going on foot and by bicycle. I ordered the purple drink that others were drinking. It was a delicious verbana tea!

Just up the road, the Toronto Public Library Bookmobile was parked. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my library card along.

Toronto Islands are actually quite small. It’s about 5 km (3 miles) from Hanlon Point to Ward’s Island. Feeling refreshed, we turned our bikes around and headed to the petting zoo on Centre Island.

Far Away Farm hosts a variety of animals, the most striking being the all white peacock. There are other peacocks, too, but this is the only white one that I’ve seen. There was also a tiny horse or pony. In addition, there were alpaca, a water buffalo, baby goats, sheep, a pig and horses, not to mention a group of ducks and swans. Only the pig slept, ignoring us all.

Our final touristy stop was the beach by Hanlon Point. Floating across the water from Ontario Place was the sound of music from Toronto’s annual Caribbean Carnival.

By this time, I needed to head back; however, we’d just missed the ferry at Hanlon Point. We zipped back to Ward’s Island and arrived in plenty of time for the ferry. What a difference from the morning ferry! At twelve noon, the ferry had multiple decks and a crowd of people descended the ramp to shore. It was wonderful that we arrived so early in the morning!