Wednesdays - What's so cool about Hamilton?

We have been trying this summer to get to know our new city a little better.  So each Wednesday I am going to try to post about something cool that we have discovered in Hamilton.

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting a couple of friends who came to visit from North Carolina.  It was fun to take them around town and do some touristy type things.  On Sunday night, we decided to visit the waterfront and to take tour on the Hamilton Waterfront Trolley.  This trackless trolley follows along the 12 kilometers of shoreline of the western part of the harbour.  There is lots to see and the trolley makes twelve stops along the way where you can get off and then back on.  If you stay on the trolley for the whole tour it is about 80 minutes.  Pretty good for the price which is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children (4-12) children 3 and under are free!  The trip is suppose to be narrated but our conductor was rather silent.  This was my only disappointment of the night, since we are new to the area it would have been great to hear some commentary about the great view along the way.

 

Shelly and TJ smile as we start on our trip!

Caroline and Kelly sittin' pretty as we depart.

Fantastic murals by local elementary students decorate the docks.

The steel mills loom in the distance

Up close and personal with the SS Haida

I loved all the murals by local students that adorned the warehouses along the docks.  The fantastic colours were a wonderful surprise along the way.  The kids were fascinated with the steel mills and ships in the distance.  I really liked the HMCS Haida which has been named a National Historic Site and is the last remaining example of 27 Tribal Class Destroyer built between 1937 and 1945.  It was huge and driving right up beside this large ship was fascinating.  I wanted a picture of the massive anchor but I was on the wrong side of the trolley so I couldn't get a good shot.  Maybe we will have to tour it at some point so it can have it's own post!

Beautiful scenery along the trail

Heading toward Princess Point

Lots of birds along the way but most were too fast for my camera

 Lush greenery dominated the scene as we made our way to Bayfront Park, Fishway and finally Princess Point.  Wonderful benches, trails, marinas and wildlife were seen along the way.  This looked to be a great place to run, bike or roller blade.  As the sun began to set as we left Princess Point for our return trip home the beauty of this place began to sink in.  Below are my favourite pictures of the night.  The first is of Shelly and TJ looking out over Cootes Paradise and the second is the sun setting near Pier Four.  All in all this was a fabulous way to spend a warm summer night in Hamilton!

Beautiful