Uli’s Stairs pt.2

I’ve mentioned these before.

Possibly my favourite thing in Hamilton.

I’ve been there a bunch of times since I posted those photos (6 years ago already - yikes), but hadn’t bothered taking any more.

Took some friends and their kids there on Sunday. A few changes, but still the awe-inspiring combo of an amazing feat of one (in his 70’s [!] )man’s ingenuity and hard work, and a beautiful natural area.

When I take my millions, and build the giant theme park of my dreams, it will feature stairs like this leading up to all sorts of magical sites.

Uli has added his own whimsical sign to the official legalese sign.

The lookout as you walk up.

The lookout.

Top of the stairs.

And Uli’s warning sign at the top.

The reward at the top. The Red Hill Valley.

The Niagara Escarpment.

And then I was dropped back off close to home.

Bruce Trail Hike August 5

Went and explored a local section of the Bruce Trail, that for some inexplicable reason have only ever been on once. A long time ago. From Highway 6 towards Waterdown. Friends Michelle and Amanda came down from Toronto. Not too long of a hike, but time spent in the woods is always good in my books. And it was an opportunity to try out my new pack, the Squish’mups. Stay tuned for an update on it.

One side and the other of the underpass beneath Hwy. 6. Big improvement. Before you had the choice of trying to run across the highway and dodge traffic or make a long detour.

One of the first things you come across is the ruins of a homesteaders cabin. Not sure how old it is.

Some scenes in the woods.

A quarry has been turned into a managed wetland area.

Amanda and I in the underpass. (Photo by Michelle M.)

April 7 Dusk Wander

Went for a walk down to the Valley Inn Road bridge and back on a Friday night, before stopping in the spot in the cemetery where I do calisthenics. Windy and cold, but the light was gorgeous. And other than about a half dozen people walking their dogs in Dundurn Park, didn’t see anyone. (Cars passing by don’t really count.)

The cockpit and Dundurn Castle.

Dundurn Castle and the promenade.

The promenade.

Burlington Bay.

Gnarly roots.

The coach house.

Burlington Bay.

Burlington Bay and Carroll’s Point.

Moon over Hamilton.

Moon over Hamilton.

Looking back towards the High Level Bridge. The restored turtle habitat on the right.

My phone takes lousy night time shots, but I kinda dig the weird scuz in the night sky it creates. Looking out across Cootes Paradise.

Around The Bay Race

I took part in the Around The Bay Race for the first time today. (Which is the oldest road race in North America.)

Participated as a member the team my company, FellFab, sent to take part. We were only doing the 5 km option, rather than the 30 km option. (I had originally hoped to ruck the 30 km part, but there’s no way I could finish it before they packed it all in and left.) Running sucks when you’re my height and weight, but I opted to walk it carrying a rucksack, and decided I would at least do it twice.

Loaded up my Kifaru ZXR with just shy of 40 kg (87 lbs.) 

Not bad considering I didn’t run and carried a pack that weighed more than some of the adult participants. Off for round 2.

Second round took me just over 49 minutes. My hips are going to be sore tomorrow.

Finished 1773rd out of 2869 participants for the 5 km race. My gender place is 763 out of 1131. My pace was 8:51 a kilometre. 

So, for a guy almost a half century old, walking rather than running, and carrying between a third and half his body weight – not too shabby. I suspect I was also one of the few, maybe the only one, who did the 5 km twice, and certainly the only one who rucked it.

I did it for the fun of it, the camaraderie of doing it with my colleagues, the exercise, but also to help raise money for St. Joseph Hospital here in Hamilton, if you’d like to sponsor me, you can do so at the link below. I, and the people your generosity will help, thank you.
http://support.stjoesfoundation.ca/site/TR/Events/2017ATB?px=1108756&pg=personal&fr_id=1081#.WM_RwVUrKUk

Burlington Bay Panorama

9th Floor View

I visited my friend Ryan again recently, and while I took a photo from his balcony once before, couldn’t resist another. What the heck. Different time of day, different lighting, it’s all good.

Bloody Remains

One of the office towers here in Hamilton, the BDC tower at Main and MacNab, several times this year now, I’ve walked past one particular spot below it and found the remains of the bloody work of the Peregrine falcons who hunt from the top of it.

I’m not sure whether they’re ripped off as they swoop in to grab their prey, or they lose them as they’re ripping them apart after. Either way, it amuses me that they always end up in the same spot. And I don’t even go by there that often. Wonder if this is only part of their detritus.

And something else I contemplate is how important they might be to an entire eco-system with this “discarded” food. Other animals, not as proficient a hunter, might well benefit from this fresh meat that they would drop below the cliffs they inhabit. Sharing the spoils so to speak.

Bryce Huffman Carter Park Mural

Gage Park Greenhouse

Roxann and I went to Gage Park this morning to check out the greenhouse there. It’s already a gem in Hamilton and the greenhouse is a gem within that gem. Weird how I’ve lived here for years and it’s only the first time checking it out. Worth a trip.
https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/culture/gage-park-tropical-greenhouse