Summers in Ontario are wonderful times to connect with family and friends -- those from 'back home' who I don't get to see during the year while working overseas. On occasion, when fortunate, I get to see friends from other parts of North America as well. Such was the case this year when my good friend Terry and his family traveled to Toronto from Colorado and Oklahoma, primarily for his brother's wedding but also to see the sights.
Even though there are times I feel like a visitor myself when coming to Canada for my annual visit, Ontario is undoubtedly familiar territory and I have a wealth of memories here. How great it is, then, to be able to share this part of the world with friends from abroad and see my homeland through the eyes of visitors.
Turns out that Terry and his family wanted to explore Toronto Island, an 'urban park' along the coast of Lake Ontario. So we boarded a ferry and floated our way toward the Island, getting a chance to see the city from the water along the way. The CN Tower (holding the title of the world's tallest free-standing tower until 2007 at 1815 feet or 553 m) and the SkyDome (with retractable roof and home to the American League baseball team Toronto Blue Jays) really does dominate the Toronto skyline.
It just happened to be
Canada Day when they came to Toronto, so we not only took in a variety of things to do on the Island but enjoyed enthusiastic patriotism to boot.
It must have been close to 30 years since I've been on the Island and, needless to say, things have changed a bit since I was a kid =) The city developed this Island so most anyone would enjoy -- from visiting the gardens, restaurants, sitting on the beach, walking around marinas to offering a canoe club and opportunity to take the kids to a theme park!
Our time together was fun while it lasted and I can only hope this isn't the last time they visit Ontario. Next time... taking a walk outdoors at the top of the CN Tower!
