Hike 9, Groovy Hamilton

Date: February 8th, 2016
Location: Kingsview Drive Side Trail (25.5) to Scenic Drive(40.6)
Highlights: Kings Forest, Chedoke Park
*See "Note" at the end.

The “Graffiti” Trail – The tree’s, the rock, the path, the buildings, everywhere is graffiti. Unique in a very unique way! Even the branch I picked up for my walking stick had graffiti on it. This part of the Bruce Trail is very, well, groovy, with all of it’s colorful art everywhere! And, because it’s so groovy, I dedicate this hike to my bestie – Moe (Maureen). We are kind of typical (hm, maybe not) best friends. She is the coolest chick I know, full of beauty inside and out. I would like to brag that Moe is the Woodstock cover girl. Yup, Front page of the Toronto Star, that’s how cool she is. Although I was just a wee one at that time, I am living it vicariously through Moe, and when I grow up I want to be just like her – a beautiful and groovy person in every way imaginable ! She is a young heart with an old soul and when she grows up she can be just like Janis Joplin!

 

 

This is how I will be rapping about the Hamilton Club Section of the Trail in this blog.

With

 

Red Hill Valley Trail

It started out on the Red Hill Valley Trail. It is a really rad forest hike, with all of its beautiful trees, creeks and birds. I walked through a forest that had wild grape trees that were positioned like they were playing a game of “Twister”. I then passed through a large field of red Sumac that gave that burst of color to a flat canvas. Did you know that the red sumac can be made into tea and contains high levels of vitamin c.? and it tastes good!

 

Nature’s Art

Nature has a very special way of sculpting its own art. A slow, cold drip from a log shapes itself into a beautiful bird. The ice that is attaching the “beak” to the log is so thin that it is transparent, thus making the “ice bird” look as if it is suspended. My eyes are open to the mystical studio of the forest, created by the natural skill of the artists that live here. The wonders of nature.

Bruce Trail Conservancy – Trail Captain Peter – Iroquoia Club

I was lucky enough to met up with a dude named Peter, who is the trail captain for this section. He and his team have done much work to keep this area clean and repaired. We walked for a bit and he told me about the trail. He explained that I was about to enter into a “free spirited” kind of section and his only caution was not to hike at night or light fires along the trail. Cool forest, but a bit rough around the edges…if you know what I mean.

The Wentworth Street Steps

What is divided into 296, made of steel and has graffiti art all the way up?…the Wentworth Street steps on the Bruce Trail going up the Escarpment, Hamilton style! Now that’s a lot of steps!! The view at the top was really outta sight, man. You could see all of Hamilton and the peeps below busy with their day. Totally rad!

 

After some Rock & Roll, Twist Again and some up and down in this section, I finally made it to Chedoke “Rad”ial Trail (get it?) I was now into a graffiti area where everything was painted. These artist can be called graffiti artist or graffitist and they call it “writing” and their signature is called a “tag”or tagging.

Here I saw a different kind of peace… “Piece” short for “Masterpiece”. Pieces are sometimes called burners, as in “this piece is so hot, it’s burning off the wall and onto my retinas.”

Once I split from here, I hiked further on Radial Trail above a reservoir until I reach Scenic Drive. Of course, it wouldn’t be truly psychedelic without a tree decorated with Christmas ornaments and a funky waterfall flowing out of the rock wall. Groovy baby!

I’m outta here…keep it tripping cool cats! Peace out…

 

NOTE:

*I do believe in the “Leave no Trace” policy. The Iroquoia Club cannot do anything about the graffitti, it is all over the city and has unfortunately over-flowed into the forest. The Club does the best that they can with repairs and cleanliness and do a great job with that. It’s a tough city. Thanks for making this hike an interesting experience , to say the least ! 

Hike 8, For Mark

Date: February 5, 2016
Location: Kingsview Drive Side Trail (25.5) - Felker's Fall Conservation Area - (20.7) *I did change my travel direction to SE today, see below as to why.

Musings

This was a very special hike for me. I dedicated the day and all of its glories to my dear friend, Marc, who, just the day before, had lost hope in finding peace in this world and ended his own life. At the entrance where I began my hike, I asked for a sign that Marc’s soul was at peace. The smallest of sign was all that I needed to settle my thoughts, such as a feather, a coin or a specific stone. As I walked, I was thinking of Marc. I could feel the gentle and peaceful energy in this forest. The waterfall and creeks were beautiful. The forest was warm and calm, and the squirrels were running around and playing with each other, as friends. I took a moment to look up at the hawks that were soaring above a shoe tree. I thought about the connection between the shoe and the bird. It made me think of the freedom of travelling on our own adventure path, of how both methods of travel allows us to feel the gentle breeze and the warmth of the sun,  all whilst moving rhythmically to the sounds of nature. It is a blessed day, indeed. I took some time to reflect at the creek’s edge. The sun’s rays had a scintillating personality as it connected with the movement the water. The flow was gentle, yet steady and determined to make it to the end. Thoughts of Mark came once again, this time about his strong desire to love for as far as he could go. Family and Friendship were very important to him and he took it with him right to the end.  I stopped suddenly on the path. My sign had arrived. Twelve black and white feathers were spread along the path. I think that the over-whelming spiritual sign of the feathers is that Marc is at peace and may he now rest as such, forever. You will be missed…

Jan 29th, Marc commented on my Bruce Trail Hike Post.
“Yes my sister keep going”, and I responded, ” you know I will brother, it’s in my blood…thanks!” and I will keep going. You are now watching over me like you said you always would.

Werifesteria

“I could hear the  beating of heart valves opening and closing in perfect synchronicity with each other and I looked around the forest to find it’s source. There, in the growth of the ancient fern was a man. He said no words, but his aura spoke to me as he struggled to continue to stand. He slowly lifted his head and as he looked at me his face revealed all of the past moments of his injuries of despair. The wounds were deep and I knew by his thoughts that his intention was to leave this life. As our eyes continued to meet, I spoke to him through silence with a kindness and respect that he understood. A few moments past and we slowly nodded to each other. With that, his eyes closed and bright flames encompassed his entire being. From the ashes he rose again,  he had transitioned from the shoe to the bird and his journey continues to live on in renewed life…

The Phoenix

 

 

Felker’s Falls Conservation Area, Felder’s Falls

Wooded Area running parallel to Greenhill Ave. East

Ended at the Centennial Parkway overpass (20.7)

*When I began my hike in the morning I came upon a man who was acting very peculiar. All of my spidy senses told me to leave immediately. I did not question my instincts and called my safety person. I left the area and my SCIP picked up to go to another starting point. Thank-you, Mark, for looking out for me .

Hike #6, Map 5, Grimsby

Date: February 1, 2016
Weather: 4c, mostly sunny
Mountain Rd. (67.5 - Quarry Rd/Ridge Rd (2.6)

Ridge to ridge, I can see where I have come from and where I am going. I need not see further past my last place and I need not see too far ahead. Within this space, I can enjoy all of the moments of spectacular beauty that nature will display for me. I am not over-whelmed by too much time; I am over-whelmed by the smallest of intricacies that I now see with each section that I hike through. I am living for the many moments of  just this 1 day, and I don’t want to miss a thing.

I hiked in and out of small stretches of forest. The ground was soft under my feet and there was a strong sense of peace here. The squirrels were busy scampering around the trees and running through the leaves left on the ground from the previous fall. Every once and a while they would stop and look at me; not sure what to make of me, their interest was short lived and they quickly got back to their scampering. It was cute to see the friendships that they had with each other. I walked past wineries and to be honest, I didn’t realize there are so many located in this area.

Mountainview Conservation Area (70.6)

This forested area was quite unique. I have not seen one like this before. The Mountainview Conservation Area is a passive natural area located in the Town of Lincoln. Comprised of Carolinian forest, this 25 hectare (61 acre) area conserves  Carolinian plants, provides habitat for animals and shelters a portion of the Niagara Escarpment. Each step of mine took my feet on a journey crossing over exposed dolostone rock, many bedrock fractures and eroded talus slopes of the Escarpment. My eyes saw a canvas of trees in various species of ash, birch, chestnut, hickory, oak, and walnut; tallest of all is the tulip tree. I stopped several times to view these incredible standing structures in their bare form and could only imagine them fully dressed with their leaves of summer. Fruit trees native to this zone include the pawpaw, but, of course, I did not see the fruit. I grew a deep respect for the determination of each living thing of this place in keeping the forest flourishing in its own glorious, rare beauty and energy.

I left the forest with a renewed feeling and continued on towards Grimsby. It was a long stretch of road and after twisting in and out of the bush, I finally made it to the town. I couldn’t help but smile. Such a cute place with people going about their business of the day. No one seemed to notice me as I walked through with my backpack, muddy pants and rosey cheeks.

I crossed back into the bush and was met with a field of bulrush. The first species appeared in the Mesozoic era, Cretaceous Period, following the Jurassic Period, approx 145-66 million years ago. They are also a great fire starter and tasty appetizer!

Thirty Mile Creek

A Chapel or the doorway to Narnia? (78.9)

Junction of Niagara/Iroquoia Section. Stunning!!

Beamers side trail to Beamers Falls

At the top, Lookout trail to Beamer Conservation Area

That’s it for another day! Thank-you Iroquoia Section, just beautiful! (2.6)