Explore Hamilton

The thing about Confederation Park

2009-08-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

..is that it is beautiful

Imagine if Lake Ontario was clean? The possibilities would be endless, at the very least I wouldn't have to drive over an hour to find a decent beach, it would all be right here in the Hammer.

I've been away for a while, I went to Europe and focused on some other things...but the blog is back! Thanks to anyone who still checks back.

Hostile Territory

2009-02-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Glendale Golf and Country":

first of all, its a wonderful use of natural space,,not a waste,, and if you dont enjoy watching from behing the gates, (like you would at any private club),, then reach into your pocket book and join. you say rediculous?? i think your comments are rediculous, and yes you are breaking the law by trespassing onto private property, so please stay off the golf course property!!

I replied to this.....

Why so hostile?

It is a waste of natural space because only a select few get to enjoy it. I don't see what is wonderful about it.

Thanks for the trespassing tip.

Also, I'm being 'ridiculous' not, 'rediculous'.

This made me really mad. It's not that someone is being rude to me online, because a certain amount of that should be expected on the internet. Whenever you put something out there you should be prepared to have it judged.

It is the central message of this comment. The claim that to enjoy nature you should have to fork over the cash.

The notion that a well manicured natural space is for the privileged to enjoy is horrible.

Golf Courses are a complete waste of natural space. Nothing will ever change my mind about this.

Here is a direct link to this post .

Burlington Rib Fest

2008-09-20T06:01:00.000-07:00

After a long summer hiatus Explore Hamilton is back. If anyone is still checking back - thank you(!) and I apologize for the absence.

The annual Burlington Rib Fest was calling my name this year, it was the first time I've been. Also, surprising to most people, this was the first time I've eaten "ribs" - prepared like this.

This was a silver jewlery stand. I really liked how fancy their tent was.

A one-stop-shop for all of your classy t-shirts.

Festival cover-bands are never good. These guys were no exception.

I decided to get my ribs from this place because they had the longest lines.

Not exactly appetizing.

..my fist rib fest experience was good. I can't see myself eating ribs like these on a regular basis because I found them to be really sweet and too rare for my tastes. The first piece or two were good, but it was a challenge to finish the "1/2 rack".

The weather was perfect that day.

I realize that the quality of these pictures isn't the greatest. It was a last minute decision to go there so I just grabbed my small digital camera. In hindsight, I should have brought my Cannon and taken some real pictures, but these are good enough to document the event.

The rib fest was a neat experience; I have never been to anything like it. It was a fun way to say goodbye to summer.

Abandoned Cities

2008-07-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

Check out this amazing website I found today: Web Urbanist, they have this article about abandoned cities, that is amazing. The pictures featured in the article are really special.

That is something that I would like to explore in the nearer future, and abandoned, or nearly abandoned, city or town in Ontario.

Binbrook Conservation - Hiking Trail

2008-07-06T18:46:00.000-07:00

My adventure this week took place at the Binbrook Conservation area. This is a very well kept park with long hiking trails and access to the lake, which I believe runs off the Grand River - but I could be wrong.

This is easy to get to, and is just a few turns off Centennial Parkway.

The mosquitoes that day were out in full force, and I was attacked in a big way. I still have red splotches all over my legs and arms.

Beautiful sky

Wild raspberry bush

..and a handful of beautiful wild raspberries which were delicious. This is my favourite picture of the bunch because I had to sit my camera on a ledge and position the camera to have proper focus and everything; it took a few shots to get it right. Tricky business.

My most favourite fruit in the world: wild strawberries.

Lady bug

This plant is very good for tea, I forget how to say it in english.

A random lookout platform. It is pretty high and it offers some great views of the park.

..like this one

...and this one

I had an awesome time at this park, it would be great to come back to it with a bike as all of the trails are maintained well. The wild berries were a really nice surprise, they inspired us to go strawberry picking at a farm near the park. The best part of summer in Hamilton are all of the "pick your own.." farms.

Vanishing Point

2008-06-29T15:57:00.000-07:00

Do you know about Vanishing Point?

If not, you need to check it out right now. It is an amazing urban exploration website focusing on our part of Ontario. It is exceptionally done by a fellow Hamiltonian.

The quality of the pictures is outstanding, but what really gets me is the brilliant idea for this website. I wish I would have thought of that myself.

This is a website about exploring some of those spaces, about immersing oneself in stormwater sewers and utility tunnels and abandoned industry, about tapping into the worlds that are embedded in our urban environment yet are decidedly removed from the collective experience of civilized life. This is a website about spaces that exist at the boundaries of modern control, as concessions to the landscape, as the debris left by economic transition, as evidence of the transient nature of our place upon this earth.

Sam Lawrence Park

2008-06-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures during a lovely family excursion to Sam Lawrence Park. This is where my header banner pictures is from. This park is one of the great parks of Hamilton, well manicured and very popular with the locals.

The day I was there the park was filled with everyone from strolling seniors, to young lovers on blankets.

Explore Burlington - La Salle Park

2008-06-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I took a walk through La Salle Park in Burlington, I'm late posting the pictures, but here they are. I have been to this park before, it is really nice and excellent for exploring different parts and aspects of it.

Many people get married at the banquet hall in the park, but I am more interested in the lake and forest trails.

To me, the best part of this park is how well the trails are taken care of. It is a joy to walk through the forest on this wooden path, it is also really great for unkind weather, wheelchairs, bikes, strollers..etc.

This pesky squirell followed me for a while. At one point, I feared that it would jump on me because it was above me on a branch looking at me in a very sinister fashion.

I love this bird house. I love the faded paint most of all.

Don't mess with those ducks man, they will f&*# you up.

I'm not going to lie, this sign scared me a little. Snakes are my kryptonite.

I hope this man wasn't planning on eating those fish. I like his snappy fishing outfit. Well played.

Another example of La Salle's exceptional paths.

Cute little inch worm just going about his day.

I was sternly warned against following this family of geese, the parents can get quite protective of the young. I threw caution to the wind and followed them anyway. Slowly..and carefully.

The young geese were adorable.

Sadly, if you move your camera in certain directions the reality of our "great~~ly polluted~~ lakes" becomes clear.

La Salle park is awesome. If you are in Burlington and are wanting to visit the lake, this park is far more interesting than the more popular Lakeshore beach strip.

News

2008-05-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

My photographs of the St.Nicholas church will be used on
St.NicholasCenter.org.

St Nicholas Center, a non-profit with US tax-exempt status, exists solely to spread the word about St Nicholas and to help people understand who Santa Claus/Father Christmas really is. We provide information about the saint, customs from around the world, and a large variety of resources for churches, schools, and families to use to celebrate his feast day

Very cool. My photos can be seen here.

St. Paul's Church

2008-05-24T01:42:00.000-07:00

This church is gorgeous. This is one church that I've always wanted to explore. While the exterior is a gorgeous sight on its own, I've always wanted to see the interior. I've called and left a few messages but I haven't really gotten anywhere with anyone about setting up a tour. Can you just walk in with a camera and take pictures? I doubt it, but I'm not sure.

I've sat on these stairs many-a-time while waiting for the bus.

This is my favourite picture of the set. There is something so beautiful about the aged headstone and the bright vibrant grass and flowers sprouting up.

I'm not quite sure what this is all about. These headstones(?) line the bottom of the right side of the church. The side with the mini graveyard.

This is the back of the church.

R.I.P. John Miller

A solemn way to end the set.

The most darling thing happened to me while I was taking pictures of this church. An elderly Italian man came up to me and asked me about my camera. He had a very charming accent. He told me that when he was young he loved taking pictures. We talked about lenses for a while.

He summed up the love of photography like this: First you take the picture, then you develop the picture, then you have something very nice. Well said.

Church of Ascension

2008-05-24T01:37:00.000-07:00

I had a few hours to kill while my sister was getting her 'hair did' a while ago. I always bring my camera for these sort of time killing situations. This church is such a gem.

While I was taking pictures a random man came up to me and told me that there was a lovely Magnolia tree behind the church that I should check out.

This is located downtown just below the 'mountain' near the hospital.

Such a lovely view. This is at the back of the property.

I would really like to go inside this church to take pictures, but I don't know how to set that up. Any tips?

A hike through Albion Falls

2008-05-24T01:34:00.001-07:00

Over the May 24th long weekend I took a hike from the King's Forest Golf Course to the Albion Falls. It took a good hour to reach the falls and there were some risky spots with my camera - - which is why I didn't take too many pictures.

Some parts were amazing and I just had to stop and get my camera out to capture them.

Topsy Turvyyy waterfall

The waterfall itself was disappointing. The water flow was weaker than I've seen it in years and I decided not to take too many pictures of it. I'd rather come back after a heavy rainfall to capture the falls in their glory.

St.Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church

2008-05-24T00:38:00.001-07:00

This adventure took place at the St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox church on Barton St East. This is a church that I've visited many times with my family as I am Serbian Orthodox. I usually feel awkward about taking pictures in churches but this was during a tourism open house day. so I felt at ease to let my camera work its magic.

Entrance

It is customary to cross yourself three times before entering the church

In cyrylics this says: The Serbian Orthodox Church of St.Nicholas

The women stand on the left, and the man stand on the right. Nobody sits. Seats are for the very old or ill. I've seen many church faintings, it can get hot and crowded.

The bottom rim of the big chandalier

Inside of the highest peak: Jesus

This church is very unique and is beautifuly decorated. You should check out an Orthodox church if you ever get the chance.

McNab Presbyterian / Whitehern Mansion

2008-04-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to explore this McNab area for a long time, especialy the church. How gorgeous is this area of Hamilton?!. The neat thing is that it doesn't even look like the rest of Hamilton, it is like a block of Montreal transplanted downtown.

The church was locked so I couldn't get inside, too bad. Whitehern Mansion was really beautiful too, what a neat property.

I believe that this clock is accurate.

Check out this video:

Check out the rest of these videos on YouTube, they are amazing. What a cool idea. I wish I had the gull to do this.

The side entrance to Whitehern, how charming.

oh so pretty

In the memory of Calvin McQueensten, M.D 1801-1885

Who cam eto Hamilton from New Hampshire in 1835, joined his cousin John Fisher and established the first iron foundry in this city.

He was the first president of the Gore Bank and an active supporter of the Presbyterian Church.

Whitehern was purchased by Dr.McQueensten in the 1840's. He lived her for the remainder of his life.

..just one lonely window

the view from here

Red Hill Valley

2008-04-14T06:20:00.000-07:00

On the first beautiful spring weekend of the year I decided to take a hike to the Red Hill Valley.

Red Hill Valley has a special place in my heart because I live very close to it, and it was closely tied to my elementary education - often involving gym class runs, and science trips. When the whole expressway shamozel was first brought up I was very much against the idea of destroying this beautiful part of Hamilton in order to speed up some commutes.

When the expressway was built I was heartbroken to see that no one could stop City Hall. Much of the valley was destroyed for the expressway but some parts - namely the parts attached to Kings Golf Course, were preserved. That is where my adventure took place.

All of this was beautiful greenery before..

The overview from the top of the hill.

I'm not quite sure what happened here, but this tree has been like this since the fall.

This creek comes from Albion Falls - just a short hike away.

This is a new bridge. It goes over to the golf course part.

As you can see from the amount of pictures focused on it: I love water.

This is my favourite picture of the set.

Sparkle sparkle

This one was a dangerous feat. I stood on top of some slippery rocks to get this shot, risking my dear cameras life, not to mention my own.

These guys flew around the entire time I was there. I kept waiting for them to fly lower so I could get a good picture, but apparantely they had other things in mind.

Best news ever: CLAY! I noticed that the bottom of the creek was white in spots and I thought it was snow. When I stuck a stick in it I realized that it was soft. A quick inspection with my fingers confirmed my hopes it was indeed clay.

I grabbed a chunk of it with my hands and made this bowl. I left it beside the clay in the ground. I took a ball of it home and have even used it on my face. Crazy, I know. But I feel that since it is natural that it can't hurt me. And guess what: it hasn't. It has produced great skin results!

This was a great adventure for me. The weather was amazing and the spring thaw brought a strong flow for the creek. Other people had the bright idea of coming here too, as there were countless dog walkers and joggers present.

I still feel that it is a shame that the valley got greatly reduced, but there is no sense not-enjoying what is left.

Explore Hamilton-ians

2008-03-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

My lovely friend Maggie sent me this website today.
Hamilton365.com

This is the blurb in the About Me section:

When someone reaches into their wallet to pull out a picture of a loved one, they are showing you the picture in the hope that you will see what they see – the beauty and value of the person in the image.

They want to share their joy that they feel for that person.

So it is for the author of this project. While having lived in Hamilton less than a year, through exploring the city on his bicycle and with his camera, the author has come to see and appreciate the beauty and character in the people of this city.

This project is to celebrate them!

What an awesome idea!

Curious Downtown Creatures

2008-03-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

I was driving around Jackson Square the other day and I saw these out of the corner of my eye. Luckily the light turned red, and I was able to franticaly get my camera out and take some pictures. The two of them are on seperate buildings, just below each roof.

Very Cool.

Man made Forest

2008-03-15T14:53:00.001-07:00

I've driven past this building a few times in the last little while, it has always caught my attention. Finally, this past Friday, I decided that it was time for a closer look.

This building was even more stunning upon a closer look. The bottom of the building is signed by a female artist, and the art work is dated August 2007. I guess I haven't been in that part of the city in a while, otherwise I would have remembered this building.

What a great idea?! A forest in the middle of downtown Hamilton? Yes please. Wouldn't it be amazing if there was some sort of a movement, or incentive, for more downtown buildings to feature 'nature' themed facades? I think that it would be awesome, I mean, these buildings are there anyway, it would be so much prettier if they looked like trees..mountains..waterfalls...etc.

This will be my platform when I run for Mayor.

Pretty

Glendale Golf and Country

2008-03-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

Last week I bought a beautiful camera, and since we got 30 cm of new snow and it was a sunny day, I decided to take it out for a spin. Glendale Golf and Country club is located on Mnt Albion Road in Hamilton's east end. Taking the Greenhill exit off ~~the unnecessary environment ruin~~ the Red Hill Expressway, will get you there in 2 minutes.

I am not a Golf and/or Country Club person at all. I think that it is a dated idea, and a waste of natural space. Why should a wealthy few get to enjoy a prime peace of nature, while the rest of us watch from behind the gates? Ridiculous.

Anyway, the Glendale Golf club is located under the escarpment, and directly underneath the Bruce Trail. It is a gorgeous hilly property, with many streams and weeping willows. In the winter, it is made even more magnificent when it is covered with snow. Since the golfers have to sit the season out, the property is taken over by toboggans, sleds, and snowboards.

Because of the size of the property, and the variety of hills, this place is perfect for snow sports.

The view from the street.

This was a mean slope. I couldn't resist taking a turn down this bad boy, I got a jacket full of snow as a result. Snow in the pockets, socks, pants, everywhere. Brr.

These kids and their space age snow toys were intense.

This stream is my favorite part of this property. The ice was thinner than it appeared and I got my boot quite stuck in it.

I took this as a mere suggestion..

This entire area is the frozen water..

..and my boot print in the ice.

This is very cool. It looks like a meteor hit the spot.

I'm not entirely sure if this is considered trespassing, I'll just put this awesome idea out there. You know..you do with it what you want. It's all yours.

Hamilton, 1859

2008-02-04T09:33:00.000-08:00

I found this image today while browsing the internet, I got it from the City of Hamilton website.

This is the blurb that accompanies it:

Published by Rice & Duncan in 1859, and drawn by G.S. Rice. This view shows the harbour in the distance, with a key at the bottom identifying buildings and landmarks. It currently resides in the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division in Washington D.C.

Downtown Walk

2008-01-26T19:32:00.000-08:00

Two days ago I took a walk downtown before lunch. I was there with the specific intention of finding and photographing a variety of alleys. However, due to the -20 windchill, my adventures were cut short. It was incredibly cold and windy, and I could not take any prolonged walking around. Taking my camera out and setting up the shots was enough for my hands to turn red from the bitter cold.

The Church pictures are from St.Mary's Slovenian Church. It is on McNab Street.

The alley pics were taken around Cannon and James st.

This statue is at the top of St. Mary's, facing the south side.

I love the top of that building. Also, MEX-I-CAN is a good authentic Mexican restaurant.

This was the gate entrance to an alley separating a Ballet school and a European Barber.

This is a block down. I like the fancy design.

This is the back of a building near Cannon and John St. I liked the red.

Without mittens, my hands freeze. But with mittens, I can't control anything on my camera. You win this round Canadian winter, but I'll be back. Oh yes.

Albion Falls

2008-01-23T18:25:00.000-08:00

A little while ago I took a trip to Albion Falls after a minor snow storm. I have been to Albion Falls many many times, but never during the winter. It was a neat experience seeing it in this light. Everything was really slippery and the snow was deeper in some areas than others. I did not fall at any point, but I did have a few close calls.

Albion Falls is located in the east end, near the mountain brow.

Check it out! If not now, wait for the spring and check it out then.

My boots barely handeled this snow.

This cliff ends suddenly, and in snowy/muddy conditions it is easy to slip and fall. However, that didn't stop me from trying to inch down lower to see what the bottom looked like.

I loved these charming old steps to the top of the hill. These days, they just lead to road - I wonder what they lead to before.

Deer

Rabbit

Me

I don't know if I would recommend walking around Albion Falls during the winter for everyone, at least not with children or older people. It can get pretty slippery, and since some of the cliffs, and walking paths, are so steep - it is really easy to slip and get hurt.

Other than the danger aspect, it was really quiet and peaceful.

Pimp my Gore Park.

2008-01-12T19:50:00.000-08:00

Christmas is the time of year when Gore Park gets dolled up for one and all.

The best thing about Christmas at Gore Park this year is: no deer. For years, I've ranted and complained about the poor deer that were locked up there for weeks in that cramped space. People would throw trash in, smoke around them, and not to mention the rest of the downtown pollutants that the deer had to deal with. This year, instead of deer, we got a fancy ride.

Well played City of Hamilton.

I tried to take a picture of these birds that were sitting on a branch, but they had other things in mind and would not stick around for me to adjust my focus.

No Deer were humiliated in the making of this Gore Park center piece.

then/than, potatoe/potato

The fountain looks so classy when it is filled with snow, rather than filthy water like in the summer.

Cho Choo

Centenary United Church

2007-12-08T17:48:00.000-08:00

For as long as I have wandered around downtown, I have wondered about the Centenary United Church. The massive size of it, the bright purple entrance, the location, everything about this place has been peaking my interest for years. One day, this past October, I finally decided to put my curiosities to rest. I googled the name, and found that there was an official website for the church. How modern, and convenient! After reading up on the history, and some happenings, I discovered Reverend Wayne Irwin's email. I quickly sent an email asking if I could have a tour of his stunning building, and he agreed!

I really have to thank Rev.Wayne Irwin for his informative tour, he answered all of my questions, and gave me plenty of opportunities of take pictures along the way. I really appreciate his kindness and willingness to help me.

Instead of reading my summary of Centenary United's history, you can find it - in rich detail, on the website.

This amazing building opened in 1868, and has had minor renovations, additions, and subtractions, since then. For example, the back end - facing the office building on King St., was once extended. Sometime in the not too distant past, the back end of the building was destroyed, and the land sold to be used for parking - as it is still being used today.

The purple entrance that first caught my eye. This entrance, that faces Main St., used to be the main way in - this has been changed to a side door.

..and this is it. The main entrance.

Tucked away in that small charming building are the administrative offices.

Since 1868, people have been walking up and down these original marble stairs. It is amazing to think of all of the people who have used them, and their stories and reasons for visiting the church.

Those chairs provide additional seating in the front, and can be moved around to accommodate wheel chair users. For the most part,
Centenary United is very accessible.

This is my favourite picture of the set.

This, brand new, state of the art keyboard, controlls one of the oldest, and biggest organs in Hamilton.

These are massive in size, and were being maintained when I was there on my tour.

This is facing Main St.

My partner in crime, along on the tour. The wooden floors were so squeaky.

This is an example of some of the beautiful stained glass I saw.

Mixing the old with the new: This mixing board controls all of the audio.

The view from the top.

Hidden deep in the basement of the building, this is the power house of the organ. The air that powers the pipes is pumped from this central location. It is very clausterphobic in there.

United Centenary participates in the "Out of the Cold" program, and provides shelter and food for people seeking it, in the cold months of the year. This kitchen is where the food is prepared by the numerous volunteers that support the program. Rev. Irwin told me that another place of worship that supports this program is the synogauge in Westdale, along with other churches downtown.

This is a very charming tea room, this can be rented out for celebrations.

One of the few meeting spaces.

A feature on Taize - The Christian worship focusing on silence and meditation. This article is about their visit to Centenary United.

This room is dedicated to Taize worship, and is filled with beautiful orange furniture and fabrics.

This is one of the many things dedicated to the memory
and work of Martha Cartmell.

These 2000 cranes were a gift to the chuch from the Japanese students who went to Martha Cartmell's church.

As I learned, these gates were used back when the church was first built, and when the main entrance faced Main St.

The biggest reason for why I have been sitting on this adventure for months ( I went there before Hallowe'en ) is because I was overwhelmed by the amount of pictures I took. I came home with 100 pictures, and I knew there was no way I could describe and display all of them, and It took me a long time to sift through them and pick the most appropriate ones to show.

This was a really special adventure for me, and I high suggest that you to stop by and check out the beauty of one of Hamilton's oldest churches.

Canterbury Hills

2007-12-08T15:40:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon Canterbury Hills yesterday. We took a side street in Ancaster and I saw a sign pointing to a road going uphill, the wooden sign said Canterbury Hills, I was intrigued.

It turns out that Canterbury Hills is an Anglican camp ground / Conference Centre / Brownie's Station /Environmental Preserve.

This is what their website says, "Canterbury Hills is situated in the Dundas Valley on 72 beautiful acres of unique Carolinian Forest, just 18 minutes from downtown Hamilton."

This place was so quiet, and creepy, and beautiful. I am disappointed that I didn't discover this place before the snow fell. It was hard to walk around and check out the property, when everything was covered in snow, and I was grossly under dressed for the weather - as per usual.

Directions

This is the main building, and the icy icy parking lot

One of the many marked trails

..And one of the many charming bird houses

I could not believe the amount of deer tracks I saw on the property - an overwhelming amount. Sadly, no deer sightings.

I risked my life, and the life of my camera, climbing down these ice covered wooden steps.

These wooden steps are all over the place. Can you see the deer tracks?

Sadly, I did not go down to the water. By this point, my walking shoes and jeans were soaked.

This is looking at the narrow dirt road that takes you to the property. I was scared for my life on these roads because there was so much ice and they are so narrow, I don't know what I would have done if another car tried to drive past us in the opposite direction.

Walking around, I realized that this place is just begging to be explored -by me. I saw signs pointing to turtle ponds, creeks, and I even saw a babbling waterfall from a distance. And you know how I love a good waterfall! Sadly, the snow put a real damper on my exploration. I will be back in the spring Canterbury!