Silver Dollar [Leslie Spit]

Little Red Boat, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

Time: ~5:30 AM to ~7:30 AM

Launch Point: Cherry Beach, Toronto, Ontario

Destination: Lighthouse on Leslie Spit (attempted)

Crew: Michael Mitchener & William Self
Conditions: Light winds with choppy seas and occasional whitecaps.

Sightings: Some punk senior citizen playing loud fifties music in the parking lot, large rolling swells, a irritable beaver w/dam, a couple of fisherman, and a magnificent espresso machine worth more than $20K.

We decided to get serious about beating the sunrise this morning and arrived at Cherry Beach way before 5:30 am!  Given the early arrival, we finished up our picked-up-en-route coffees and discussed the breeze and choppy water while listening to fifties rock from the stereo of the only other car in the parking lot (odd).  The lake is usually pretty calm in the morning but not today.  After the SC punk took off, we unloaded our gear along with Nessie and hit the beach.  Bill had the honours today and we headed out onto the choppy lake. 

Our plan was to head out to the lighthouse at the end of the Spit and I was hoping to go around the point and check out some of the lagoons I see ships moor in when out cycling on the Spit.  We soon discovered that the rough water was indeed rough the farther we paddled from shore.  The swells rolling in from across the lake were fairly big and while Nessie was brave and true, her bow was coming fairly close to the water line on some of the downward troughs.  While not overly concerned about the canoe or us as Nessie can handle some rough weather, we decided it might be wise to store our cameras in dry-bags until we reached calmer waters.

Deadheads, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

About this time we decided it would be unwise to continue to the exposed end of the Spit and veered east towards the sheltered creepy cormorant trees.  Once we passed the sunken barge, the lake calmed down considerably and we were able to relax and pull our cameras out again.  The lake is quite high as noted by the amount of visible deadheads in the bay by the cormorants, and our ability to get through some channels that are typically hit and miss.

1000 Cormorants and a Moon, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

We had a good tour around the various bays and the marina near the red bridge and had a minor altercation with the damn beaver.  He hates it when we smack our paddles on the water but he started it.

After an enjoyable paddle exploring the sheltered western side of the spit, we put our cameras back into the dry-bags and headed across the open bay to the lifeguard hut.  The paddle back was easier with the wind behind us as we rode the swells.  Once ashore, we took a few more photos, goofed around and headed back to Queen Street for a real coffee.  Unfortunately most of the coffee joints were still closed but thankfully we found the Tango Palace open.  They have an amazing copper and brass espresso machine that makes a fine Americano.

Nessie at Rest, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

All and all, it was another great urban voyageur adventure complete with a new collectible to boot!  How cool is that?  Thanks.

The Birds [Leslie Spit]

Time: ~7:30 AM to ~9:30 AM

Launch Point: Cherry Beach, Toronto, Ontario

Destination: Leslie Spit

Crew: Michael Mitchener with neighbours Alan & Amanda
Conditions: Breezy with choppy waters

Sightings: Cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants,cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, cormorants, and a few more cormorants.

I had a great paddle with my neighbours this morning out and about near the Spit.  It was a breezy morning but enjoyable with a paddle around the marina and out past the red bridge to the dead trees.  

 























Alan, who is an amazing photographer, was fascinated by the multitudes of cormorants nesting in the trees and took many photos.  By the time we headed back across the bay, the wind and waves had picked up a great deal and we had to work to get back to shore but it made for a great workout and a great morning.  I hope to get Alan and Amanda out again soon.

This to That [Toronto Islands]

The Morning After, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

Time: ~5:30 AM to ~9:00 AM

Launch Point: Cherry Beach, Toronto, Ontario

Destination: Toronto Islands

Crew: Michael Mitchener & William Self
Conditions: Light and variable winds with smooth seas

Sightings: Tall ships (from a distance), sleepy boaters, duck w/ducklings, a swimmer with face firmly planted in the lake, dragonboaters, rowers, one stand-out island home, sunrise, Cherry Beach dogs, and a lot of tree fluff.

Today was the first canoe trip of the year (I know Dean, there's no excuse) and it was great to get back on the water and take Nessie for a spin.  We headed out at 5:00 am to Nessie's new home with no problems and hit the beach around 5:30.  Surprisingly, there was no one there!  Given this was the first paddle of the year, we treated ourselves to a wee dram of scotch whiskey with a borrowed line from a boat blessing by Lucille Clifton as a toast (full verse appended at the end of this blog entry):

May you in your innocence sail through this to that

Untitled, a photo by William Self on Flickr.

Untitled, a photo by William Self on Flickr.

The scotch was smooth and peaty and surprisingly good at 5:30 in the morning and a perfect way to start the season.  From there we pushed off from the shore and headed over to the Islands with Bill in command.  T'was a beautiful morning with smooth seas and warm temperatures.  We were hoping to see some tall ships but found they were docked across the bay and decided we'd stick to the island side of the harbour. 

Absolutely No Wake, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

Untitled, a photo by William Self on Flickr.

It was a peaceful paddle through the various marinas, channels and lagoons as we made our way past Far Enough Farm to Centre Island where we realized this was dragonboat weekend and there was much activity in preparation for the races.  We opted not to venture into the dragonboat course and headed back to Cherry Beach along the north side of the islands past the RCYC.  By now, water taxis and ferries were starting to make their runs back and forth to the city so we kept our distance and took a few pictures.  

Untitled, a photo by William Self on Flickr.

Untitled, a photo by William Self on Flickr.

Untitled, a photo by William Self on Flickr.

 After a while, we found ourselves back at Cherry Beach where we took our time unloading and wandered the beach taking pictures.  We followed the paddle with a coffee at Mercury Espresso Bar, took Nessie back to her home and called it a day.  All in all a great morning and hopefully one of many this summer.  Next trip we hope to include Frank Lemire who was slumming in Muskoka this weekend.  Thanks Bill for a great paddle. 

A Suitable Buoy II, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

Untitled, a photo by William Self on Flickr.

blessing the boats

by Lucille Clifton
(at St. Mary’s)

may the tide

that is entering even now

the lip of our understanding

carry you out

beyond the face of fear

may you kiss

the wind then turn from it

certain that it will

love your back may you

open your eyes to water

water waving forever

and may you in your innocence

sail through this to that

Silverbirch Boat House [The Beach]

Silver Birch Boat House, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

Nessie is on the waiting list for this city run boathouse located at the end of the boardwalk at Silver Birch Avenue. The structure itself was constructed in 1932 after many of the private boathouses in the area were expropriated and removed to expand the parkland.

Oh da beaver, what were we tinking? [Leslie Spit]

Angel Eyes, a photo by Michael Mitchener on Flickr.

Time: ~5:30 AM to ~8:00 AM

Launch Point: Cherry Beach, Toronto, Ontario

Destination: Leslie Spit and thereabouts

Crew: Frank Lemire, Michael Mitchener & William Self

Conditions: Light and variable winds with smooth seas

Sightings: A sunrise cult, many sailboats at rest, wild broccoli, a large boat, cranes, an owl, a million cormorants, four obnoxious birds, an old wreck, tennis ball chasing dogs (although we missed Chyna), and one brave swimmer.

For the first paddle of the season, we met up at 5:00 am just as some of the neighbours were heading off to bed - always a sign that you're up too early.  Given the recent summer solstice and the longer days, an early start is the only way you'll manage to catch the sunrise on the water.  There was a thin strip of pink on the horizon as we drove across the drawbridge and approached Cherry Beach.  It didn't take long to park, unload Nessie, and carry everything down to the water where we were treated to a beautiful sunrise with much colour against the clouds.  In short, perfect conditions for canoeing.  

After paddling past the iconic lifeguard station, we canoed towards Ashbridges Bay and cut across the water to the Inner Harbour Marina.  There was an amazing variety of boats moored in the marina and I always get a kick out of the quirky boat names (e.g. Seas the Day).  After a quick cruise through the marina (where we were warned to watch our wake), we turned around and headed out towards the red bridge at Leslie Spit.  

It was a peaceful and quiet morning until we reached the cormorant nesting area which is normally inaccessible during the summer months unless you're in a boat (or roll like William Self).  Thankfully, the cormorants kept their distance and after many pictures and many sites, we turned Nessie around once again and headed back to shore.  It was a great morning on the water other than we were either too early or too late to meet up with Chyna the Wonder Dog.  

After strapping Nessie back on to the car, we stopped for a coffee at Voulez-Vous and admired Frank's new camera which thankfully survived its first canoe trip.  A great first paddle of the season.  Here's to many more.

Want more Nikon meets Nessie?  Be sure to check out Frank Lemire's Sunrise Canoe with the Urban Voyageurs story on 500px.com

Urban Voyageur "Kids in the Hall" Style

Heading out canoeing this weekend with fellow urban voyageurs, Frank Lemire and William Self.  I'm looking forward to the first paddle of the season and the chance to shake off the urban dust while exploring nature.  This video from Kids in the Hall, shows that you can explore nature within the urban jungle as well (as long as you don't deplete the stock).

Je te plumerai la tête.

Labour Day [Humber River]

Labour Day, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.Date: September 5, 2011
Time: ~8:30 AM to ~11:30 AM
Launch Point: Sunnyside Park
Destination: Humber River
Crew: Frank Lemire, Michael Mitchener & William Self
Conditions: Light chop, 17c, strong winds and cloudy skies.
Sightings: Many forms of transit including a streetcar, subway, Go Train, and a bus, as well as a number of interesting birds, an otter, several crazy fishermen, two shopping carts, and some blow-your-mind homes.


flying away, originally uploaded by syncros.

After a bit of a drought this summer as far as canoe trips go, we headed out for an overdue paddle this Labour Day up the Humber River. We hadn't paddled this far west before and we were unsure how far you could actually go up the river before you hit bottom but we intended to find out. From satellite pictures, the river seemed fairly shallow and we suspected that this might be one of our shorter canoe trips.

Rochester Bound, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

Fortunately, the river is more substantial we realized and we comfortably paddled our way to Bloor just near the Old Mill subway station. The Humber is a beautiful part of Toronto with many isolated sections where there is little to remind you that you're in the city. I was surprised how few bridges cross the river south of Bloor, in fact I don't recall any north of The Queensway.

Peanut Gallery, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

After an initial blustery start with the wind in our face, we found some quieter sections of the river and were able to enjoy the wildlife, the amazing homes that hang on the edge of the river and the river itself.

Urban Colours, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

If our collective memories serve us well, the Humber figured prominently in Hurricane Hazel many years ago and much development was wiped out along the river. Today, the banks of the river are mostly free from development other than the odd winding staircase coming down from a home above and the occasional dock or marina. Hurricanes are pretty rare in Toronto but they are always a possibility.

urban voyageur, originally uploaded by syncros.

All in all, we were surprised at the size and beauty of the river and it was well worth making the trek west of Yonge Street. After our paddle, we pushed our way back through the CNE traffic, across Yonge Street and headed to OK OK Diner for a tasty brunch, and several cups of coffee. It was a perfect way to spend Labour Day and we managed to finish our paddle before the temperatures plummeted. Thanks to my fellow voyageurs for a great day.

Table For Three, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.