Cootes Paradise. Hamilton .....

The "war" on the Cootes Paradise squatters ....

OK - I admit I didn't take this shot!! Here's the story behind the photo ....
While researching my previous post (I was trying to find out where the name Cootes Paradise came from) and I came across a webpage from historycooperative.org, that included this picture as part of its narrative.
Apparently around 1912 Hamilton's population exploded as people came to work in the city's heavy industries, and affordable housing was very scarce.
Some workers built themselves "boathouses" on land in Cootes Paradise - later, someone else wanted the land!
I'm not going to say any more here, but if you are interested, and fancy a good read - then go here to the History Cooperative page .....
http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/llt/51/bouchier.html

Cootes Paradise. Hamilton ....

Cootes Paradise, part of the Royal Botanical Gardens ....

A carp barrier made from old Christmas trees. It was placed here to prevent the fish from invading the wetlands.

A red-winged blackbird broadcasting his presence ....

Spring Gardens road as it climbs the hill towards the Jewish cemetery on Plains road.
The road - as you can see - is closed, and is now just a footpath.
Nature, it seems, wants it back ....

Spring Gardens road as it crosses the wetland via the single track bridge.

Cootes Paradise is part of the Royal Botanical Gardens, and is named after Captain T. Coote. He was stationed at Niagara from 1782 to 1787.
He used to hunt and fish in the wetland area, and he liked it so much that he gave it his name.

Fall in Burlington .....

An eruption of a sugar maple ....

Burlington ....

Scenes off Number One sideroad ....

 

All this is five minutes away from traffic lights; stop signs; speed limits; multilane highways - Aaaaaah ....

Hamilton ....

A group of bird-watchers at Confederation Park ....

"Birding" is very popular around here.
With baby-boomers now retiring, and maybe looking for something to occupy themselves with, it's a pastime that can fill many a happy hour ....

Niagara Falls ....

 On their way to see ....

The Maids of the Mist ....

Niagara Falls ....

There was an American, there was a Horseshoe, and there were Maids in the Mist ....

Many fine words have been written, and millions of photographs have been taken, so I won't say any more ....
As you can see from one of the shots, the Maids in the Mist were as busy as ever. It's a great experience to take that trip.
Obviously they do not show you the experience, so to see that - go here ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuDaB-SqjOc

Niagara Falls ....

The Niagara Skywheel ....

It was a rare day, no wind; sunshine, and the falls mist rising vertically into a clear (though not cloudless) sky.
We tried out the Niagara Skywheel with our granddaughter, and I must say that we liked it a lot!
It gives you a great view of the falls, and it's totally smooth so it's very comfortable.
So if we'd recommend it? I think the answer's most definitely yes.

Burlington ....

Bronte Creek Provincial Park ....

Bronte Creek park is the one of the last unspoiled areas of  green-space between Hamilton and Toronto.

That's a terrible statement. It just goes to show how much asphalt and concrete we've poured around here!!

The story goes that a few years ago - when funds were tight - a developer tried to buy it off the province. Thankfully local pressure prevented that.

We use the park often - and are happy to pay for the privilege. We look at it as our contribution to keeping it as it is for our grandchildren and theirs too.

Please check out this link to the "Friends of Bronte" photo gallery of their website. Their pics are four seasonal, and can show you much more .....

http://www.brontecreek.org/pictures-of-bronte-creek-provincial-park.htm

   

Dylan ....

Are we there yet??

Dylan looking totally bored on one of his many roadtrips. He always likes the end result though ....

Hamilton ....

Yet another modern convenience.
A sign on Baranga's on the Beach volleyball court wall. It's a local restaurant right on the shore of Lake Ontario.
So here's their link (as a credit) ..... http://www.barangas.ca/

Cambridge ....

African Lion Safari ....

Blow the lions, this is more interesting ....

This "Safari" park near Cambridge, Ontario is a great family day out. You can drive through the very large animal enclosures in your own car (at your own risk), or take a black and white painted tour bus, as we did. The lions, by the way, were asleep!!
Either way you get a wonderful, close-up view of animals you would normally see behind bars.
As you can see, you can take a toy train ride too!!
I won't (can't more like) give you the full list of animals there - but their website can. The list is in the "summary" section of the opening page, so here's the link ....
http://www.lionsafari.com/attractions.asp

Hamilton ....

Bayfront Park ....

Part of the lakeside trail at Beachway park ....

Burlington ....

Something special ....

It may look like nothing special, but a closer look reveals that it's a haven for natural fauna and wildlife.
It's a hydro line passing through Burlington.
Every month or so the man and his noisy machine - from the parks department - comes along and destroys it.
It only takes him a few hours to hack it down. It takes much, much longer to grow into the beauty it was before the man and his machine turned up.
Before the man returns, I like to go there on my own, and just listen to the "noxious weeds" quietly growing ....

Burlington ....

Bronte Creek at Lowville park ....

One of Dylan's (our golden retriever) favourite spots.
A lot of other people think so too, because finding a quiet time of the week there, can be quite a challenge ....

Hamilton ....

The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology ....
Looking into past for the future ....

Inside a building alongside the main pump house, there is this collection.
It's very much a "work-in-progress" at the moment, with antique steam powered equipment in various stages of refurbishment.
Is this a glimpse of the museum's future, or maybe the past??

Hamilton ...

The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology ....
Built to last, and it has ....

These photos are of parts of one of the steam rotary beam engines at the museum.
As you can see they're in absolutely beautiful condition, and a credit to the people who are maintaining it.
One of the engines is run every day - as long as someone is there to look at it! Why not you????
I want to go back again, that's for sure. Let me rephrase that - I will go back!
This link will take you to a webpage by UMA Engineering Ltd, who refurbished both engines to their current pristine condition.
http://www.esemag.com/1198/histori.htm
It also has great content about the history of the engines, and their renovation.

Hamilton ....

The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology ....
This building houses two 45 ft high, 70 ton, steam rotary beam engines, and believe me, they are beautiful ....

The arc of the massive 22 ton flywheels can be seen here through the engine-house windows. I had a booklet giving all the specs and history, but of course, I can't find it now :-(

I took this place it for granted every time I drove past it (nearly every day for the past three years).
Although some fascinating sites are on your doorstep, somehow you never seem to get around to visiting them, do you?
To me (a retired machine builder) it is absolutely gorgeous!! The inside is something else, and I'm afraid my photos don't do it justice. I'm going to pay it another call, and next time ....
Here's an unofficial link to it. I think it's better than the official one ....
http://www.myhamilton.ca/organizations/hamilton-museum-steam-technology
The engines are the last intact in North America, and were manufactured in Dundas, just up the road!

Grand Bend ....

Pinery Provincial Park ....

This lovely park is on the shore of Lake Huron. The park covers over 2,500 hectares, so it's pretty big. We had Dylan along so we were limited to either exploring the great variety of walking trails, or spending some quality time on the "Dog Beach". Seeing as he loves the water - say no more!!
One good thing about being on the shore of a lake - you don't have to walk half a mile for a dip when the tides out ....
The following link is to the gallery from "The Friends of Pinery". It has some really good pics on it.
Please check it out ....  
http://www.friendsofpinerypark.ca/gallery.html

Guelph ....

Guelph Lake Conservation Area ....

A nice peaceful spot to sit and contemplate the day's happenings - or non-happenings ....
This is where it's at ....
http://www.grandriver.ca/index/document.cfm?Sec=27&Sub1=126&sub2=0