Cheryl's Travels: The rest of July 2022 - including Orillia and Parry Sound (Weeks 123-125)

Back to Toronto and a beautiful summer day, so I decided to head over to Toronto Island. As always, you don’t have to go very far to find something new in this city, especially not in the summer.

A mysterious and colourful island called “Happy Castaways” has appeared just off Toronto’s harbourfront. The isle and its inhabitants seem to have broken away from some far-off mainland and floated aimlessly until anchoring here. Various species inhabit this whimsical ecosystem: bears, dogs, porcupines, otters, skunks, kangaroos, rabbits and coyotes. Vegetation abounds on this island, a sort of earthly paradise, bringing into focus nature’s place within the urban environment.

Again I say that I don’t think I could live here and have my life bound by the ferry schedule, but it sure is beautiful.

And you can’t beat the view!!

Gotta love it - in for a swim and not far away at all the freighter goes by.

Just out walking and I found a new lane way with some exceptional street art!!

Not only painted on the structures (garages and fences) but also hung for display.

Nope, not Lake Huron. This is Lake Couchiching and I’m spending the night in Orillia before going the rest of the way to see my friends in Parry Sound. Orillia is a town of approximately 30,000 located on the shores of two connected lakes: Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. It’s known as the “Sunshine City”, taking the moniker from its role as the fictional “Mariposa” in the book Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town by Stephen Leacock.

Built in 1909, this is the original bandstand in Orillia.

For a very small town, the street art all over the main street was amazing! What follows here in these photos is just a small sampling.

Completed in 1917, this is the second Opera House on this site, the first having been destroyed by fire. Since 1895 the Orillia Opera House has been bringing the best in local, national and international talent to its stage.

Gordon Lightfoot - Orillia’s hometown boy - has been playing in Orillia, often at the Opera House, since he was a child, continuing to the present day.

St. James’ Anglican Church - built in 1910.

This property was bought by Stephen Leacock in 1908 and named “The Old Brewery Bay”. Here was a source of creativity and happiness for Canada’s most celebrated humourist.

Built in 1928, Stephen Leacock’s (1869-1944) house is now a museum.

And then back with my friends near Parry Sound - and the best shower in the world!

Gorgeous sunset on Blackstone Lake!

Delicious cheeses and a mojito - perfect summer day!

Back to Bayfield again to finish out the month. We had a string of days with sunsets so a few are highlighted here. And no matter how many sunsets I’ve seen, it’s impossible not to take a photo.