Hamilton- the Waterfall Capital of the World
City of Waterfalls: Family Day
If you have ever wondered how a dedicated group of waterfallers would celebrate the new Family Day statutory holiday, the answer is here. When trails and terrain may be too slippery or sloppy to explore the surroundings of our favorite waterfalls, we find another place, one conducive to doing what we love. That's why more than a hundred people, including children but with a separate count for dogs, gathered beside the boat launch at Bayfront Park around noon that Monday.
It had everything we loved. There were Dan and the hot dogs and hot drinks to get us in a together mood while we waited for others to find us. There was water galore. Granted, it was solid and not falling now, but with our imaginations working full force we could see it when it had been tumbling down Grindstone Creek, Borer's Creek, Logie's Creek, Spencer Creek, Chedoke Creek, and others in the shape of our favorite waterfalls. The expanse of the bay was more than a relative to our waterfalls: it was family.
And we were family, joined by more ties than blood. We were there because we love this city. We were there because we love the outdooors. We were there because we love to walk, stroll, motor or move through the sunshine and the cool air of the afternoon. We were there because we wanted to be with people who felt bright and upbeat like we do.
Nothing momentous happened. We strolled from Bayside Park through Pier Four Park, past the Yacht Club and Williams Pub around toward the Discovery Center, along the Port Authority sheds to the Haida and then back to Bayfront Park. No one sprained an ankle, broke a leg. No one went sliding along face first or fell though the ice. We watched ice boats manouver on the Bay, ducks and geese establish their rights to patches of open water. We saw the children's art on the walls of the sheds. We faced the old image of waterside steel mills and renewed the promise to ourselves of green space and waterfalls. Strung out in clusters and evershifting groupings, we enjoyed Hamilton, its natural beauty, and the people we were with. Family. On Family Day.
Back at the starting point Chris Ecklund showed us the great motor coach he plans to wrap with waterfall design. We are looking to the future: Hamilton green and clean and flowing with world-renowned waterfalls. And always, more walks. Maybe not always as easy. Perhaps rated to different levels of ability. But don't stop the activity. Don't stop talking about what we have.
If a handfull can become twenty, become fifty and now a hundred, we can do anything. Social change begins with a small number in action. It always has, it still does; we are the proof.
It had everything we loved. There were Dan and the hot dogs and hot drinks to get us in a together mood while we waited for others to find us. There was water galore. Granted, it was solid and not falling now, but with our imaginations working full force we could see it when it had been tumbling down Grindstone Creek, Borer's Creek, Logie's Creek, Spencer Creek, Chedoke Creek, and others in the shape of our favorite waterfalls. The expanse of the bay was more than a relative to our waterfalls: it was family.
And we were family, joined by more ties than blood. We were there because we love this city. We were there because we love the outdooors. We were there because we love to walk, stroll, motor or move through the sunshine and the cool air of the afternoon. We were there because we wanted to be with people who felt bright and upbeat like we do.
Nothing momentous happened. We strolled from Bayside Park through Pier Four Park, past the Yacht Club and Williams Pub around toward the Discovery Center, along the Port Authority sheds to the Haida and then back to Bayfront Park. No one sprained an ankle, broke a leg. No one went sliding along face first or fell though the ice. We watched ice boats manouver on the Bay, ducks and geese establish their rights to patches of open water. We saw the children's art on the walls of the sheds. We faced the old image of waterside steel mills and renewed the promise to ourselves of green space and waterfalls. Strung out in clusters and evershifting groupings, we enjoyed Hamilton, its natural beauty, and the people we were with. Family. On Family Day.
Back at the starting point Chris Ecklund showed us the great motor coach he plans to wrap with waterfall design. We are looking to the future: Hamilton green and clean and flowing with world-renowned waterfalls. And always, more walks. Maybe not always as easy. Perhaps rated to different levels of ability. But don't stop the activity. Don't stop talking about what we have.
If a handfull can become twenty, become fifty and now a hundred, we can do anything. Social change begins with a small number in action. It always has, it still does; we are the proof.
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Comment by Chris Ecklund on February 18, 2009 at 12:08 -
Jeff excellent as usual :)
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Comment by Frances on February 18, 2009 at 22:42 -
Very well put, Jeff!
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Comment by Pat McCabe on February 18, 2009 at 22:59 -
What an awesome job of summing up a wonderful afternoon!!!!!! I am sure glad I was part of it!! :)
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Comment by Kurtis Elsliger on February 19, 2009 at 2:15 -
Awesome job Jeff Im glad I was able to be part of it and I will continue to be there to take part in history :)
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Comment by Joseph Hollick on February 19, 2009 at 8:44 -
I always enjoy reading your blog about the waterfall/waterfront walks.
There was one point missing in this blog, as it omitted you helping the bronze lady pull in the sail. There are several photos of you doing this and it appeared you were very happy to be helping her!
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Comment by Jeff Seffinga on February 19, 2009 at 8:55 -
That was a private encounter between me and the lady! Those intruding paparazzi!!!
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Comment by Chris Ecklund on February 19, 2009 at 12:12
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Joe....I dont know I have some pics of you and the same lady......maybe thats why you where holding hands with the wife after the walk you felt a bit ...guilty???
Paparazzi rule!!!!! Lol
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Comment by pamelaaa on February 20, 2009 at 20:42 -
OMG, I have a tear...
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