Some people think that I live in a bubble. When it comes to Toronto though, it is more of a rectangle. I figure I spend 99% of my life in Toronto, COVID or no COVID within a rectangle with Front Street to the south, Yonge Street to the east, Eglinton to the north (and only there, because our house is one block north of St. Clair) and Bathurst to the west.

This past summer, after finishing my two weeks of quarantine, my 27 year old daughter suggested a bike ride. When a 27 year old daughter makes an offer like that, you jump on it!

The appointed Sunday morning came and the weather was great and I from the house to her downtown apartment to meet her. The ride was bone jarring. Every road was either scarred with pot holes or cracked beyond navigable, or worse, in the process of being repaired from either of the foregoing.

I met my daughter and we proceeded down to the lakeshore and turned left, going west. Lakeshore was closed as part of the summer plan to give Toronto some breathing space and it was quite delightful. We continued west over the bridge at the mouth of the Humber River. People did not seem to understand the “Don’t stop on the Bridge sign”. They were the same people that were wearing face masks under their chin thinking that is where the COVID contagion lurks. This bridge I knew as I have come here before after cycling down the Humber.

And this is where the miracle happened. We continued west! I thought that civilization as we know it stopped at the Humber. Who knew it did not? There is a whole world past the Humber! The trail was delightful and well used and the views back over Toronto were wonderful. We continued west and made our way to the well-marked bike lane on Lakeshore. Continuing it weaved its way back down to the Lake and through lakeshore parks. People were on beaches and people were even in the water. Again, who know. We followed the trail and signs through residential areas marked as closed to traffic and through wooded areas and picnic areas. All were well used in a very respectful way.

And we continued. We went as far as Port Credit and found a local café and had a coffee before turning around back to Toronto. All told, it was a good (and flat) 50 km bike ride. And like anytime we are together, it was great to spend time with the Girl.

Any time your adult children ask you to go with them on an excursion – take it. And if it is west of the Humber, it is ok. It is civilized.