Replicating the left coast experience

I tried to repeat the highly enjoyable running experience in Vancouver from the weekend by running by the water after work. All I got was a mouthful of aphids, I think, though the air was somewhat nicer than the smoggy streetscape as rush hour was winding down.
The West Coast Experience cannot be duplicated. This is an obvious observation, but I needed to try. First problem: the choice of body of water -- I didn't go to the lake, but the Don River. (I should have taken my phone with me tonight, but alas, did not, so can't show what it looks like). The Don River, if you don't know Toronto, is now a kind of a cesspool, though efforts are being made to clean it up. It's far from its former glory, teeming with fish and wildlife, and as a main artery for the transportation of goods, back in the day when factories making beer, bricks and other things lined the river. But enough of the history lesson.
I headed towards the river, where there's a great trail. I've never run there, just been by bike or inline skates. I headed south, and after a kilometer was stopped by construction. Instead of taking the stairs to the street and leaving the trail, because really 1K just seemed unworth the effort to go to the trail, I just doubled back ... and headed home. Slowish pace, but felt about normal. So most of the route ended up being streets anyway, but it was nice to mix in some nature. Total surprise when I got home and mapped my route: 7.8K (4.8miles, for my Imperial-minded friends)!