Olde Towne Stoney Creek

This fountain has been 'down town' Stoney Creek for many years. It used to be plain, with out any statues, they were just added a few years ago. A funny local prank used to be to sneak there at night and pour laundry soap into the fountain. In the morning, King St. would be full of foam. I swear, the joke never got old, those zany kids and their pranks. Fortunately, or unfortunately, after the man and the eagle were installed, the foam party was no more.

Now people walk there to relax, chat, and watch the fountain. While I was there today, a few little girls were splashing around in the fountain. I was envious, I didn't think that it would be as cute if I did the same. Maybe one day..

You should get a coffee, or an ice cream, and take a walk around Olde Towne Stoney Creek, it's very charming. Here is a map of the downtown/fountain area.







The "Ivan Delicatessen" in the back, is an old Croatian bakery / travel agency. They sell great smoked ham and various imported European treats.

These roses smelled very nice. I broke a little flower off and took it home, then the guilt set in. I'm sorry downtown stoney creek...I regret stealing the flower.


Right behind the fountain is the Old Powerhouse Restaurant. It is gorgeous on the inside, and has a patio in the back that is surrounded with Weeping Willow trees. The only downside is the food, which for a restaurant - is quite the downside. The menu is very limited, and the food is overpriced. It is a nice place for some wine and pastries. It is also a nice place for a date.

East End Hamilton is Lush

Whenever I tell someone that I live in the 'east end', I almost always get a negative response. "East End?, Really?, isn't that like really dangerous?".
I blame it on Barton Street, it really muddies the water for the rest of the east end, which rocks. One of the best parts of the east end is the green space. The Bruce Trail, Devil's Punchbowl, two golf courses, Confederation Park, Battlefield Caste..and so on...are all in the east end.

These are a few pictures that I recently took on an evening walk, here is a map of the general area.


Looking at the escarpment.
On a clear day, you can see all the way to Burlington, and even Toronto, from this hill.
I believe that this is some sort of a water treatment building, I could be wrong. There are 'Warning: Chemicals" signs everywhere, and I've never seen anyone going in or out, or working there in any capacity. For the past 10 years, this building has been a mystery to me.

This cat knows how to relax and take in the evening sun.
Way to go cat, waay to go.

Garth Stairs

Today's adventure took place at the Garth Street Stairs. I realize that most people have seen these stairs, driven past them, or even taken them up or down the mountain, at some point. If not the Garth stairs, then maybe some of the other stairs that scale the escarpment.

Someone has counted, and numbered, the stairs, and I believe that there are around 300. When we were there, there were two guys running up and down..and up..and down. That is physical fitness, my friends. I remember walking up and down those stairs a few times during college - it was no walk in the park. My clearest memories are ones of panting and the urge to vomit. For someone living close to these stairs, or any of the other stairs, it is a great workout opportunity. Who needs a gym membership when you have an out door stair master, fresh air and creeps like me taking your picture while you try to get a good workout. I was getting in the way of the joggers, so I made this adventure a brief one. My quads thanked me.



Another smoggy day in Hammertown.














You can see the numbering in these pictures.




To me, one of the greatest things about Hamilton, is the great amount of green space! Hamilton has so many forests, fields, parks, walking paths...and even outdoor fitness centers like this one.

Lister Block Heating Unit

A few sunny thursdays ago, I was walking around downtown waiting for inspiration to find me, when all of a sudden it hit me like a tone of bricks! I turned the corner at King William Street and saw an odd 'tower-esque' thing growing out of a parking lot.

I walked closer and was mesmerized by this tower/chimney structure. I was walking around and taking pictures of wires and the backs of the buildings when a security guard started approaching me. He was concerned about me walking around and taking pictures, thinking on my feet, I complimented him on his fine parking lot and asked what he knew of the structure. This lead into a 30minute discussion, it was wonderful. It turns out that I was standing directly behind the Lister Block, and this structure I was so taken by, was a chimney. A chimney that used to provide heat for the entire Lister Block! Apparantley, the reason the security guard wasn't originaly too fond of my snooping around with a camera, was because many people come by and sneak into the Lister Block to do drugs, have sex, or die. He said he found dead bodies inside once. (!!) I would like to take a peek inside before they restore the building, but I don't know if I have cahoonies for that sort of an adventure. Maybe I can get my new security friend to take me up there.

This place is a block away from Jackson Square, or a few steps away from the Pepper Jack Cafe. Check it out!

This treasure is just a few steps away from this street sign.


The Lister Block
High Window Street Art

The back of the building.



Near the Chimney


The full structure.

The security guard told me that he expects the top of the chimney to fall over in the next year. The years and the weathering have made the top very crooked.




I climbed over some garbage and old wires to take a gander inside the chimney. Very cool.













Power Tree

This was a great adventure, I look forward to more, as summer school settles down a bit.

Until next time!