toronto island, dragon boats, and firefly

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! I'm hanging out with my Dad and Mabuta today; my father has asked if we can go see the new Zatoichi movie. My friend Ray had introduced Jeff and me to one of the Zatoichi flicks, which we both loved.

I spent most of yesterday on the Toronto Island; I've always wanted to explore Ward's Island and Hanlan's Point. So I packed some water, a sandwich, my iPod and a book, set off for the ferry to Ward's Island.





Centre Island is an amusement park area and way crowded, so I spent most of my time at Ward's Island and Hanlan's Point. Strolled along the boardwalk along the south side of the island, which was remarkably empty:





GORGEOUS weather: not too hot, not too cold, and it was breezy along the water's edge. I wandered around the island, stopping when I felt like it.

Discovered that it was the weekend of the Dragon Boat Race Festival! Here's one of the Dragon Boat teams warming up at Centre Island:



One of the Dragon Boat teams warming up.


Sat on the bank, read my book, had my lunch and watched a few races:





A rather odd sign on the door of the women's restroom/changeroom area:





When I got tired of the crowds, I set off for quieter areas of the island again.

The photo below is of a flower I saw on the boardwalk along the south side of the island. To you gardeners out there: is this some kind of rose?





When I got tired later in the afternoon, I took a short semi-snooze in a grassy picnic area, with my knapsack as a pillow and my hat on my face, dozing a bit from the warmth of the sun, listening to the wind in the trees.

Wasn't totally comfortable with the idea of falling fully asleep by myself in a public area, so I eventually got up (still much refreshed) and continued on my walk.

Saw this cool picture tied to a tree with string:





Followed this path:






To this beach:






Just kidding. I went to another beach, honest.

Anyway, there are few sensations as wonderful as shedding shoes after a long walk then sticking your sore feet into hot sand and wiggling your toes around. (*happy sigh*)

Sat for a while, watching the boats in the distance, waves lapping up on the beach as the sun gradually sunk lower on the horizon. Very few people about...I guess they were all at the Dragon Boat Races.

And here's the view from the ferry back home:






Was dead tired (in a good way) when I got home, and incredibly relaxed. In the evening, I watched the pilot of episode of Firefly. HOLY COW, is this a good show. Wow. If the other episodes are as good as the first one, I'm floored that they would cancel the series so early. Thanks again to Parki for lending me the DVDs.

Anyway, 'twas a wonderful day. I'd like to go back and explore Hanlan's Point more thoroughly, perhaps this time with a friend. :-)

For those interested, here's more info about Toronto Island Park.

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