Healthy Hamilton

Just recently I have decided to try and change some of my less healthy habits. Maybe because it's pretty much swimsuit season or maybe because I'm just tired of being lazy and having no energy. Either way I have been trying to exercise more lately and eat better. Maybe writing about it will motivate me even more. I've always had that nasty weight issue but I'm no longer striving for the unrealistic. I just want to be a bit healthier. Nothing crazy. I thought it would be nice to put my top 5 favourite places for a workout. I love going for walks or jogs or something in between and Hamilton has lots of space to stroll around. Okay laces tied and tacky sweatband in place. GO!

#5. Mountain Stairs
Chedoke Stairs, Dundurn Stairs, James Stairs, Wentworth Stairs and Kenilworth Stairs. There are many different ones to choose from. They're all hell and I hate them all but I'm sure my heart will thank me. Also my wallet because it is free to go run the stairs.

Oh Sweet Mother.

#4. The Royal Botanical Gardens
This is somewhere I almost never get to go but it is beautiful if you are able to get out to it. Definitely makes going for a walk a real adventure for the senses what with all the colours and smells going on. Lovely.

Pretty pathways

#3. The Hermitage
Old ruins, wonderful forest trails and creepy ghost stories!? Count me in.

They even have Ghost Walks here. I want to go!

#2. Waterfalls, waterfalls...did I mention waterfalls?
Hamilton is known as the waterfall capital of the world. Basically we have around 120 waterfalls hidden throughout our city. Hrrmph and you thought we only had steel here. From Albion to Tews Falls. Almost all of them are in forests and include lovely nature hikes to get to them.

Beautiful Albion Falls

#1. Sam Lawrence Park aka. The Brow
I've talked about how my favourite tree is located here in a previous blog and that may have something to do with my love of the brow but definitely not all. I have always loved going for walks there. I can remember going there even as a little child. Lovely gardens and views of Hamilton.

One of the paths found at the brow.

The Tree Of Life...or something like that...

There are very few places in Hamilton that really stir my soul. I rarely get that weak in the knees or gut reaction to a place. I guess the beauty of a steel city is not what I would consider...well...beautiful. There are of course its' hidden gems. From the waterfalls masked by beautiful woods to the liveliness of Gore Park to my favourite place of all time, the Mountain Brow.

I know. I know. It's so obvious. Everybody likes the brow. It's beautiful no matter what time of year, but I have a specific reason for it being my favourite place. It is because the park houses my all time favourite tree. You may not know this about me but I am a tree freak! I am just so drawn to them. I blame J.R.R Tolkien for making me believe that trees are more than just trees...but that they are alive ( I still believe this by the way). I have seen so many beautiful, ancient, wise, old trees but this one takes the cake. I can remember climbing its branches when I was little. I remember sitting in it and having deep life discussions with my friends in high school. I remember my dad taking me here and I remember making my family pose in this tree for family photos (family tree...get it?)

I feel safe in this tree and I feel like it's been there watching me while I grew up. I know that sounds crazy and I also know that that tree doesn't have thoughts...but what if it did? Would it know who I was. Would it know that it has been there for me through some bad times. Would it ask me to stop climbing it? Who knows, but these are things I like to think about. I know that that tree will still be around (hopefully) when I have children, and when my childrens' children have children. Trees are good like that. You can trust that they will never change (only for the seasons) and they will never leave. It's beautiful really.

I realize that this makes me sound like I'm massively sentimental about a tree...but I guess I kind of am. Somehow a piece of wood can create so many emotions. I love most trees but this one just speaks to me. I know it's not mine, it belongs to anybody who appreciates beauty in Hamilton, but I still call it mine, because for very short moments in my life it has been mine and I'm glad it will always be around when I need somewhere to go.

My tree on December 26th, 2011.

Me, sitting in my tree Dec 26, 2011 <3

My family tree in full bloom circa May 2010