Saltfleet Conservation Area (Hamilton)

 After another one of our "All You Can Eat" outtings in Stoney Creek, we found a nearby Conservation Area with a rather unusal name.  Saltfleet Conservation Area is Hamilton Conversation Area's newest project still in the works.  It's located south of the Niagra Esparment near the Upper Battlefield and Upper Stoney Creek watersheds.

When the Saltfleet Conservation area is complete it will open up to 411 acres of unique natural features. As if the Niagara escarpment wasn't gorgeous enough!  We mostly came across lots of marshy fields and woodland which provides a home to many species of breeding birds.  I have not yet gotten into birdwatching or photography - mostly because my camera is still the highest in the Canon rebel series and my zoom lens maxes at 300 mm.  I'm working my way up to the pros! Maybe I might indulge myself to spend a bit of money to update.

Although there were construction signs up, you are still able to walk through the trails.  Like I said this is a new area, so the area currently has a small trail system with the Heritage Green Community Trust Trail which is a mouthful!  The trail is gorgeous and unspoiled and runs east and west through the wetlands.  It also connnects to the Dofasco 2000 Trail and the Devil's Punchbowl  Conservation Area for those into waterfall pictures 

We paid $8 to get in, but we were the only car there!  There are many dog owners who let their dogs offleash so be mindful of that when you go.  We did happen to pass by a couple with 2 very scary dogs, the pitbull and mastis.  They actually look like they were walking their owners :D.  

We did the whole trail right to the Devils punchbowl and back to the car on foot.  We ended up with over 25,000 steps and it took about 3 hours I think.  The weather was beautiful so I didn't complain too much.

If you ever want to check it out, I'd wait until the late spring - summer as you won't find too many fall colurs here, its mostly meadow land and wetlands.

Happy Trails!

Felkers Falls- Hamilton

Felkers Falls is a lovely spot located in amidst a residential neighbourhood.  The Felker’s Falls Conservation area is accessed from the Peter Street trail and follows a loop around to give you lots of great photo-op vantage points.  A nice hike indeed and like many waterflows on the escarpment, there is an upper and lower gorge. 

Upper Felkers

Felkers Falls is a 22 metre ‘ribbon’ waterfall and falls in the middle of forested trails, river streams, knotted hills, and open hooded caves.  Lucky are those who lives around this urban setting.

For those of you who don’t live nearby, exit the QEW on Centennial Pkwy heading south to head up the escarpment (East mountain).  Once you see Mud st, turn right and again at Paramount Dr. Turn right again onto Ackland Street.  Around the bend, you will see a parking lot.  All signs and maps are there to decide which route you wish to take.  

You can also enter Felkers from Quigley Road, and walk in to get to the falls.  This is a more adventurous way to view as climb over rocks and mud.  There is a clear pathway more or less so sounds a lot worse than it is.  As well, you will pass by Lower Davis Falls.  I didn't really get a good picture as there was no tripod and now I swear by them.  You can't always rely on the steadiness of rock and the view finder doesn't always accurately depict the picture you'll get when you're back home looking at it on your computer.  

This fall, normally rates high out of the top 16 waterfalls in Hamilton as far as accessibility and waterflow.

The setting is peaceful and usually isolated, although occasionally you may find a few people enjoying this hidden treasure as well, so if you think you've discovered paradise, you may have some company...

 
All year round flow, this is a must-go place in Hamilton to check out.  Have you been to any of the falls in Hamilton?  

Let me know in the comments!

Harmony Valley Conserservation Area

After stopping in Oshawa to indulge at India's Taste and Sweets, we decided to burn off some calories and check out the local trails as well to find a quiet spot to stretch our legs, we decided to found a short trip over to the Harmony Valley Conservation Area (located off Grandview Street North in Oshawa, just a short drive east in the Durham region).

Harmony Valley doubles as an off-leash dog park. As we walked, we encountered several dogs roaming the fields and forest edges. It was funny seeing them trot through the tall trees!  It felt less like watching pets on a walk and more like observing a pack of polite, gentle wolves wandering completely free. What struck us most was how impeccably well-behaved they were. It was as if they were just fellow hikers sharing the path. They strolled casually past strangers without a single bark or greeting, simply soaking in their own outdoor freedom.

The trail winds through a surprisingly rich mix of hardwood forests, open fields, and quiet wetlands. Jack pines stood tall and strong providing much needed shade from the sun.  We also came across 3 separate wooden structures in the shape of teepees.

Although we didn't see anything wilder than a few family pets and some squirrels, there have been signtings of white-tailed deer in the early morning before the dogs arrive.  This area also has cottontial rabbits and red chipmunks gathering seeds under the pines.

If you are quiet you can hear the sounds above of hawks over the open meadow.  The wetands nearby in the creek beds have green frogs, painted turtles and the occassional signting of the great blue heron if you are patient enough.

Overall it was a great 3 km nature trail right in the middle of the suburban landscape fo Richmond Hill.

Feel free to share any ideas you might have of where we should go next!

Bata Shoe Museum

The Bata Shoe Museum located at 327 Bloor Street West is what I would call a hidden gem. I’ve lived in Toronto my whole life and have never been.

Honestly, I’m not sure what took me so long. The museum has been around since 1995, sitting right in our backyard inside that distinct, shoebox-shaped building designed by Raymond Moriyama. 

To be honest, part of me always assumed it would be a bit boring! I mean, how interesting could a building full of old footwear really be?

I was completely wrong.

I was blown away by how much history they managed to pack into every single display. It isn't just a row of dusty shoes; it’s a fascinating look into human history, exploring why we made certain footwear, its practical purpose, and who wore it throughout the ages.

Take Roman foot soldiers, for instance. They had to march hundreds of miles across grueling terrain, so their open-toed leather sandals (called caligae) were engineered specifically for endurance. The open design prevented sweat build-up and blisters, while the thick soles were studded with iron hobnails for grip. I recall reading somewhere that because of these meticulously strapped designs and ventilated layouts, soldiers rarely suffered from the debilitating foot problems that plagued later armies. 

It’s wild to think that thousands of years ago, shoe design was already a precise science for survival.

Fast forward through the centuries, and functional footwear evolved into pure artistry. Shoe fashion really took off in the 20th century, transformed by avant-garde Italian-French designers like André Perugia. Perugia essentially revolutionized what a shoe could look like. Drawing on his background working in aircraft factories during WWI, he applied principles of engineering and weight distribution to footwear. 

He started experimenting with bold new materials—incorporating metals, carved wooden heels, and intricate fabrics and famously created heel-less shoes and open-backed evening sandals long before they were considered acceptable.

He turned shoes into wearable, structural sculptures.

Stepping out onto Bloor Street after my visit, I realized the trip was far from boring. It’s amazing how much a simple pair of shoes can tell us about culture, class, and human ingenuity across the eras.

Have any of you made the trip to the Bata Shoe Museum? If you've been, what display stood out to you the most?