I love this time of year in Toronto. The weather is perfect - with there being a ton of sun - and at this time of year it almost always is accompanied by cooler evenings and lower humidity - perfect for sleeping too. Plus the city - after a tough summer that included a lengthy garbage strike looks spectacular! A wetter than normal summer has resulted in the greenest I can recall this city ever looking.

I was out on a friend's boat the other day on Lake Ontario beyond the islands and a crowded Hanlans Point - this city's very popular clothing optional beach - just a few hundred yards from the heart of downtown! - and the view was breathtaking. The CN Tower and bank towers of Bay Street literally looked like they were growing out of the lush green trees of the islands. Then yesterday I was over in the Riverdale area riding my bike along Broadview Avenue - looking back towards downtown across the Don River Valley and again the citiy's skyline looked as if it was growing directly out of the lush greenery of Riverdale Park. Spectacular!

And one of the days of this long weekend I'll be sure to bike down to the lake for a good view of the Canadian National Air show - which takes place this weekend every year. Already today everybody in the city has had their eyes cast upwards as various jets including the Blue Angels and Snowbirds buzzed the skies above promoting this weekend's shows.

And then next week the craziness of the greatest film festival in the world takes over the city with the Toronto International Film festival and all the incredible buzz that creates - taking over the city.

I wouldn't want to be anyplace else but here! (Even though all our teams keep losing! lol)

Here's a blurb on the Film festival with a cute photo spread from USA Today.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destination...o-tourism_N.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destination...ronto/flash.htm

Quick edit to add a couple of photos I found on Flickr that give some idea of the kind of views I had the last couple of days.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregorypleau/794540828/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skylinemarc/3795626153/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seanrobichaud/2736700464/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30855862@N07/3663027104/

Pat, its a shame that Toronto isn't alot closer to me. It sounds like a great place to visit. Maybe someday..........

I love this time of year -- and your pictures make me think I need to go to Toronto sometime.

Took in the Air Show today at the Ex. Great performance by the US Navy Blue Angels, who apparently haven't performed at the Toronto Air Show since 1983. I took some pics, but they won't be ready for posting for a bit.

They were practicing Thursday and Friday and anyone working or living downtown heard them loud and clear.

Here are some pics from the CTV website. Good YouTube video of the Friday practice flights. Labour Day is the last day for the Air Show.

Having visited Toronto for the first time in February many years ago, I have to say that there isn't ever a bad time to be there. The weather was -- well, it was February -- but the urban pleasures more than compensated. Lucky you, CanMark.

Brings back fond memories of the JIPWCOH2K4TOC. It's been five years! Hard to believe.