“It surprises me that there are still places, not too far away, that offer quiet solitude” – Ed Lehming

I got a bit introspective on this one. You see, it’s summer here in “The County,” which means that thousands of people pour into the area to enjoy its world-renowned beaches, wineries, breweries, and dining. The summers here are overrun with people looking to enjoy all that the County has to offer. So, it’s pleasantly surprising to find places that are, for lack of a better word, empty. I’ve lived here for close to six years and have not, till this day, driven in search of this spot. It’s in a rather obscure location, and there is no parking without a special permit. I have such a permit, so I parked my car and headed on the short hike toward the shore. When I crested the small ridge that bounds the beach, I saw this: as far as the eye can see, this stretch of beach was “empty,” empty and serene. I simply sat for a while, slowed my breathing, and drank in the view—the shimmering waters of Lake Ontario stretching along the beach in front of me.

The water of Lake Ontario, in some of the bays, has an almost tropical turquoise tone, which those who have not witnessed it often accuse me of doctoring, but that is not the case. There is something about the minerals (limestone) in the bedrock, which you can see as slabs of rock in this image, and the quality of the light, that creates this effect. However, this is Lake Ontario, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, and it is deep, with an average depth of 283 ft / 86 m. The deepest part of the lake, the Rochester Basin, at 802 ft / 244 m, is just a few miles away, just around the bend behind me. The summer water temperature ranges from 21°C to 25.5°C (70°F to 78°F). It was at the low end that day, with summer storms churning up deeper, colder water. It’s a brisk and refreshing swim, but it’s not the tropics.

And while it is tranquil, this area is known for its undertows, so swimming is not encouraged.

So, there are all the facts about the water. Getting back to this day of quiet solitude, it was unusual, as locals are often found seeking the same quiet that I was, and there are often people out for a stroll or walking their dogs. Not today; I had it all to myself, and I simply enjoyed it, wandered the shore, and took some photos. It made me think that all the beaches and shorelines around here were once like this. It would have been a sight to behold.

Of note as well, the beach here is quite steep and rocky for a long stretch, and it does not turn to a sandy beach until well past the center of this image, so it’s a bit of a walk if you want a traditional sandy beach.

iPhone 17 Pro Max
Main Camera — 24 mm
1/914 sec, ƒ/1,78 ISO 64