Roy Thompson Hall

Well, I finally experienced the symphony for the first time in my life.  What I saw was a uniquely beautiful geometrically charged facility with its geometrical designs and luxurious plush carpeting with layers and layers of mirrors and glass, chrome and brass.

Winding staircases everywhere with large doorways that brought you to whichever level of the stage you would be lucky enough to enter.  The pictures of the actual stage were taken when the concert was finished, as we were forbidden to take pictures (for obvious reasons) while the concert was on.

What I heard was something else!  The most eloquent balance of harmony and transparency ever before heard.  There were 3 pieces all conducted by Peter Oundjian.  The first piece was composed by Kati Agocs, a young female composer who was humbled by the experience of having the Toronto Symphony playing "Shenanigan", which sounded very exotic to me.

The second piece, composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor was a crowd favorite, which featured  Joyce Yang, a 26 year old pianist who has been playing since she was 4 years old!  She completely nailed it! A flawless performance.  

The third and final piece was my favorite, Modest Mussorgsky "Pictures at an Exhibition". It sounded like a soundtrack of a movie, very moving.  Although it was written over 130 years ago, it isn't too hard to see where modern day composers get their inspirations from. 

The entire duration lasted two hours, which is fine by me as I usually become restless by that time. 

lower right was the art display out the window :)

We left for the "after party" which featured a male trio playing several instruments in the lobby, which had free coffee, and entertainment.  This allowed me the opportunity for plenty of photo ops around.  You may have heard about the Nuit Blanche (sponsored again by Scotiabank), in Toronto, where artists were displaying their works, while Torontonians walked the streets all night long checking out various exhibits.   Right out front of the Roy Thompson Hall is a water feature, and looking through the glass window I thought someone was littering!  It appeared like a bicycle, several articles of clothing, a cane and a pizza box.  It wasn't until later, it was revealed that this was in fact ...art....

Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology

To tell you the truth, I wasn’t all that keen on going into the steam museum. Although I knew it was something great that emerged from the Victorian era (my fave), I was really more enthusiastic about the aesthetic designs and art forms (furniture, clothing, literature, etc.) than that of the more practical kind.

But what a unique experience this was (especially if you have young kids or eager adult minds)! There was a demonstration going on, so just arrived at the right time. There was a family of 4 there with two young children (a boy and a girl, both of which were intelligent and well behaved asking all sort of questions) The guide was personable, and knowledgeable about the mechanics of steam in the technology of its day. 

James McFarlane

This 19th century public work architecture (pump house), looks somewhat like a church from the outside and was designed by Thomas Coltrin Keffer in the mid 1800s. Today it's still in its original form, as it has been perfectly preserved as a historical museum. The two 45 foot high, 70 ton steam engines once pumped the first clean water to the city of Hamilton almost 140 years ago. The engines are oiled every day and there are demonstrations as well daily. 

I have to say that it was really something to see once everything gets going. The sounds of the slow revolutions of the engines and the sights of the huge iron die cast bolts and giant pistons and wheels looming overhead to the very last brick laid which surrounded you. Picture in your mind's eye, how they dragged these huge multi-ton iron and steel parts over the frozen lake in the winter pulled by horses in the freezing cold...everything ...built by hand. We are so fortunate to be born in this time.
You can almost imagine James McFarlane walking up and down the centre hallway upstairs, monitoring every movement, watching every gauge and logging the steam pressure, revolutions and temperatures every hour on the hour for over 51 years. James retired well into his 80's and emigrated to Hamilton from Scotland and became the Chief Engineer of the Public Works department from 1859-1910.

Non Paying Customers

Since the this is the only remaining example of its type in North America, it's worth a visit once in your lifetime..you might see some unexpected visitors onsite too though they neglected to pay their admission :)
Located at 900 Woodward Avenue in Hamilton.

Great Falls and Grindstone Creek

Great Falls in Waterdown, Ontario.  You'll always find a good water flow here if you want to take pictures.  

It's a very accessible waterfall as well located just off the parking log lot off Mill Street (Waterdown becomes Mill Street).  

There's also a decent hike south west of the waterfall in Dundas Valley as well.  Bring your hiking gear, you'll enjoy this one!  he creek is just downstream of Great falls.  As you can see from the pictures the water was very turbulent and rugged today.  

Catch your breath here as you walk through the valley as there are plenty of plateaus of varying levels.   Termed also as 'Smokey Hollow' from the mill town this originated from over a hundred years ago, it gets its water supply from the Grindstone Creek.   
If you have a few hours, you can take this hike along the Bruce Trail and see the escarpment cliffs and in about 15 minutes time, you will get to the Grindstone cascade. 

I wondered why Grindstone would be considered in the list of 'waterfalls', so did some reading up on the 'minimum requirements' in order for it to be so.  Apparently this particular section has a combined drop of 3 metres which means it meets the 'requirement' for criteria of a 3 metre drop.

The Great Smokey Hollow Walk is enjoyed all year long. 

Progreston Falls .. Again!

We went back to Progreston Falls again, for a quick visit to take another look at this beauty in Carlisle.

This area is so peaceful and has a very nostalgic feel to it.  The last time I had photographed the falls from a very unique angle off the left bank while perched on a 45 degree angle!


I find though that getting lower by using the metal staircase will give you a clearer access point to take a good shot, without risking your life or getting wet..  Of course please be careful, as in any waterfall area you never know what to expect.  I found that the best defense is to buy a good pair of rubber boots with solid traction, at least.  I wear hunting boots with vulcanized rubber and have warm neoprene lining and adjustable straps so this is a very good choice when you're buying a pair.



Respect this particular waterfall as I do believe it is designated as private property.  You will find an interesting history with Carlisle.  (search this blog for 'Progreston Falls-Carlisle').

Forks of the Credit Provincial Park

 

A few more pictures to add of the Forks of Credit Provincial Park.  This park offers a different kind of twist to your usual hiking experience.  Normally when hiking, you travel through forested areas, but this hike was mostly through fields and meadows (my fave!) that surrounds the mouth of a beautiful gorge.

 So there's a variety that's all its own!  You've got staircases along the gorge to challenge yourself as well as the Credit River to enjoy.  There are ruins to explore, waterfalls to photograph and hills to climb, with meadows to enjoy. 

There were families everywhere enjoying this popular hiking destination.  Kids were running along the paths where the grass grew well over their heads.  

This time of year the butterflies are heading to Mexico, where they tend to make their way south.  It's hard to believe that Monarchs can actually make their way there and come back in the spring.  Their lifespan can actually do this for 2 to 3 generations.  Amazing little creatures aren't they? 


I don't usually stand still long enough to catch a glimpse of the variety of birds that have made their homes in the trees here.  There are grass snakes that slither among the trails too, so watch out for them!


The waterfalls, are lovely, and you can take a nice trek down the stairs that bring you closer to the river.  Once back up again, you can rest overlooking Kettle Lake.  The lake was created by glaciers 10,000 years ago.   I will come back again to try and explore more of the trails again.  If you ever get a chance to go, its in Caledon just off Highway 10.  Its a little bit of a distance from the main highway, but I promise you, its worth the search!