Day Eleven - Toronto!

Whoa! Wait a minute! Something is different. We woke up this morning to an unusual glow, a lightness we hadn't experienced in a long time.  Could it be?  It was, the sun! It was cold, it was blowing a bit, but the weather was clearly much, much better.

Our plan was just to ride to Toronto today as we were meeting Jean and Joceyln - Joey's mum and sister in Collingwood for lunch.

Chef Stan made a leisurely breakfast after which we bade our hosts a last farewell then rode down the bay to Collingwood. Somehow we managed to miss going in to see Blue Mountain- apparently they think that people traveling south know where it is and only those traveling north need a turn sign.

I'm so impressed with what this whole area has become.  Lovely heritage renovations and interesting new buildings.  

Sadly, the old Mount View Hotel - scene of many a Saturday night binge in ski season - has been torn down and a a new plaza is awaited.

It was great to see J&J again and only wish we had more time.

From lunch we rode south through rolling farmland and small towns until we gradually started to feel the pull of the city.  First the road widened, then it became a freeway until the full tilt madness of the 401 and 427 was upon us.  I won't kid you, it's intimidating to be on a bike and trying to read the GPS with traffic flying every which way around us.

We got off on to Lakeshore Boulevard and immediately things got better.  The traffic was calmer, lots to see, and we made it to the hotel with no problem.

Went for a walk this afternoon and saw this.  People have mixed feelings about their mayor. Very strong positives and negatives.

Here is his home - Toronto City Hall

There is one surprising revelation about TO - motorcycles park free anywhere street parking is allowed.  Take note Vancouver

Tonight we went to dinner in Yorkville with Shawn (The Magician www.fukawi.com) Marr and his wife Ellen. They chose a terrific Italian restaurant in Yorkville - great food - and we decided to get there and back by Car2Go. Worked out perfectly.  It was a pleasure to meet Ellen of whom we had heard such good things and of course to catch up with Shawn.

We're going to stay an extra night in Toronto and may head down to see Niagara Falls tomorrow. It was such a pleasure riding in good weather again. We want to do more!