grumpiness will shorten your life! maybe not?

I hear many people say, often to me, that being grumpy, or angry, or pissed off, or pretty much anything that many others see as negative behaviour, emotions, energy, what have you, will shorten one's life.

My response, with all due respect, bite me!

What others see as negativity, is often passion, drive, spirit, devotion, conviction, zeal. Just because others do not share that passion, conviction, zeal, does not mean it is something to be chastised, derided, or condemned.

Not everyone embraces the same causes, pursuits, or goals. If we did, we would be a pretty boring bunch of sad-sacks.

When I worked computer support for a regional airline, we more or less ran on a really crappy budget and had to teach ourselves a lot as training was virtually nonexistent. We also had a lot of crappy equipment that was difficult to maintain and was heavily abused. My passion and zeal, others might and did say that it was anger and frustration, would come to the forefront at times. Well, blow a few bucks on equipment and my enthusiasm may have been somewhat more subdued. One of my coworkers actually outright said two inappropriate things to me on separate occasions. 

First, that he actually expected me to "go postal". I laughed. I replied that it was very unlikely. I told him to think about all the news reports he ever saw about people flipping out at work and what was usually said about them. What? Well, that they were generally very quiet, nice people that kept to themselves. Also, that everyone interviewed was shocked that they could do such a thing. I then advised him that, he, and not me, would most likely be the one to "go postal" as he fit that description far more closely than I could. He agreed. He also looked a little concerned.

The second thing he said to me on a different occasion, was that with all my bluster and freak-outs, I would say drive and spirit, I was going to have a heart attack and die. I laughed at that too. I responded again that that was highly unlikely. I embraced my passion, zeal, and enthusiasm and displayed, perhaps a little too readily at times, my heart on my sleeve. I used what he saw as negativity, to me it was dedication, to drive myself. I did not bottle anything up inside, so how could I have a heart attack. I advised him, that as he kept everything inside and did not share his passion, that he probably had hypertension, I never have, and that by keeping all the negative energy, as he saw it, inside himself, that he most likely would have a heart attack long before I ever would. He looked concerned with my comments. In fact, he did tell me that he had hypertension. Oh yeah, he did have a heart related event too. I do not know specifically as it was second hand and, to be honest, I did not really care. Since he saw me in such a poor light, I really do not have time for people like that. They truly are the negative ones.

I know many people who on the surface appear easy going, laid back, relaxed, and approachable, many of these people have had warnings from their physicians about impending medical issues. Many have had heart attacks and strokes. Me, none yet. Personally, these people had no outward displays of passion, zeal, or drive. I also know people who do have these outward displays and have had medical events.

I know many so-called, angry, negative, pissed off, grumpy people. Many of them are advanced in years. Why do you think they made a movie called Grumpy Old Men? It may be truly random why people have strokes, heart attacks, or "go postal". However, I think the more people keep locked up inside, the more likely something not too healthy is going to happen to them. That energy has to go somewhere.

That being said, I am now probably due. In the last couple/few years, I have been making an effort to be less publicly passionate. Frankly, I have grown tired of being jacked up and colluded against by others for just being forthright and enthused. This is most likely why I am about to lose one tooth and probably two. Probably why my sleep cycle is so messed up too.

What really gets my goat about all this is the hypocrisy. These people bitch and moan about what they like, albeit in a very dispassionate manner, but when I start to express my thoughts and share my convictions, I am ignored, shouted over, contradicted, lied too, or even physically waved off.

You know what? They can all go and eat a big giant bowl of jello. Why should I subdue my passion because others do not like it. As I said earlier: Bite me! I better roll down my sleeves because I need somewhere to put my heart. I do not want any kind of major medical event, physical or mental, just because I am appeasing others. I pledged a long time ago that I refuse to die and that I am going to live forever. Well, at least to one-hundred-and-sixty-seven.

Well, I feel better.

i am running out of teeth

Most adults have thirty-two teeth. I currently have twenty-two. I used to have thirty-two.

When I was in my late teens I got braces. However, before that could happen, I had to have four teeth removed because, as my orthodontist stated, my mouth was too small for all the teeth I had. Contrary to what all my elementary school teachers would write in my report card every year.

That left me with twenty-eight teeth.

Then many years later, my dentist recommended that I have my wisdom teeth removed as there was a very good chance they would cause me grief down the line. So, I had them pulled. Looking back, I probably should have left them in for as long as I could.

That left me with twenty-four teeth.

A few years later, while I was working for Dell Computers, I ground out a molar on the upper left side. I say ground out, but the dentist really removed it. Not that it took a lot of work as it was barely attached. It was at this point I started using a night guard. My dentist and I determined it was stress related in addition to the fact that I was a grinder when I slept. 

That left me with twenty-three teeth.

A couple of years ago I ground out a molar on the upper right side. At least I was balanced. Even with the night guard, my stress grinding still pushed it out. Different stress, not from Dell this time, some other crappy job.

That left me with twenty-two teeth.

Now, when the last tooth was on its way out, just before I had it pulled, I was in excruciating pain. It was also the weekend. Acetaminophen did not work. Ibuprofen did not work. Heavy-duty prescription naproxen did not work. The neighbour offered me some of his pain meds for a back injury he sustained. I think they were some pretty heavy-duty opioids. I turned those down. So, I took a page from those western movies and poured a shot of Wild Turkey 81 (the old stuff not the crappy stuff they are putting out now) and took tiny sips and let it wash over the tooth. Believe it or not, it worked. Some temporary pain relief. When I saw my dentist after the weekend, I found out the tooth was infected. Some antibiotics and a bunch of Tylenol 3 and then the tooth was pulled.

Where was I? Oh yeah. 22 Chiclets left.

In the last few months the next one in line on the upper right has started to concern me. Not to mention the upper left as well. When I was last at the dentist, he told me that I will lose that tooth, it is only a matter of time. No way to save it. That bites, so to speak. He has also informed me on more than one occasion, which is generally every time I visit and ask, that I do not have enough bone in there to put in a prosthetic. Contrary to what many people say about my having a thick skull. That really sucks for me. I know the one on the left is not far behind. I do not want to purée my food.

I asked about pulling all the upper teeth and putting in dentures. He recommended against it. He suggested a small prosthetic. Um, I though I did not have a enough bone. Oh yeah. Well, we will look at options. Okay?

I should not be surprised. My mother lost all her teeth by the time she was twenty-five. I am sure it was in part from all the great and healthy things not provided by the Communist Regime of Poland. At least I still have two-thirds of mine in not yet double that time.

I called the dentist office last week as that tooth has really become aggravated and warned them that they would most likely be seeing me soon. The last two days have been very unfun. I woke-up in the middle of the night last night and took acetaminophen. Extra strength. Two of them. The relief lasted less than two hours. I sucked it up and while I was hiking was distracted enough not to notice. When I got back, the pain was waiting for me. Six-hundred milligrams of ibuprofen this time.

After being out all day, the pain was absent for eight hours. Pretty good. The pain is starting to come back and I have popped another 600 mg of ibuprofen. Hopefully it works its magic again. I will call the dentist on Monday to set up the probable pulling and hopefully he will have some ideas on what can be done for me to keep chewing my food, as opposed to drinking it.

Soon to be 21 teeth. And probably shortly after that 20 teeth. At least that will be 62.5% of my teeth left.

Good thing I sent away for a free sample of Poligrip.

what i wish they still taught in school

What kids learn in school now is different from what I learnt. What I learnt in school is different from what the generations before me learnt.

 The so-called classical education died some time in the 1950s I guess. It may have lasted in to the 60s in some locales, but I do know what my parents learnt was vastly different. Even though my mother's education was during the Communist Regime in Poland and my father was educated largely in an orphanage in East Africa, it was not dissimilar from a classical English, or Western if you will, education as that in the UK and North America.

Up until about the 1950s sometime, kids, for the most part, still learnt astronomy, detailed and in depth history, Latin, classic literature, proper grammar and spelling, cursive writing. Oh, I learnt cursive in primary school and in secondary school I had an outstanding history teacher. Yet, other than my secondary school math, geography, and science instructors, not forgetting that history nut, my instructors prior to university were pretty ho-hum.

I did have one English teacher that had passion, but she wanted to be all modern and cutting edge. Oddly, we did study Macbeth. However, instead of an in depth analysis, we put Macbeth on trial. In fact, I was the coroner who examined the wake of bodies left by his treacherous climb to power. I had to give evidence on the intent and manner in which the killings were done. Good thing I watched a lot of Quincy. 

I honestly did not like performing. I was wearing my favourite sweater and in those days I was a one layer kind of guy. I was so nervous, I was sweating profusely and I was certain everyone could see it coming through my jumper as I could feel it trickling down all over my body. They did not, but that was the last day I did not wear a t-shirt underneath whatever shirt or sweater I had on. For a while I even wore two t-shirts if all I was putting on was a t-shirt. Needless to say, I was not inspired to take up Shakespearean studies, even though in the end, I have studied no less than four of his works including his sonnets, as well as reading several plays just for the pleasure of it. I even have a penchant for collecting old Penguin editions of Shakespeare's works.

a sample of the editions i like

Anyway, back to my lament. Last night I was outside and the night was clear. I could clearly see the stars and a constellation stood out. At first, I thought: the big dipper looks weird. Then, no, I am facing in a southerly direction. I had no idea what it was and I was not going to pull out an app or look it up on the interweb. I did admire it for its simple beauty for some time though. My dad would have known what it was. I know my father-in-law would have known what it was. Why? Because they learnt it in school. 

Yeah, I know there are apps and the interweb for that and I can teach myself, and maybe I should, but I think it is sad such knowledge is not formally passed on in a basic education. The Scouts I work with will ask about constellations and I tell them the only one I know and can find easily is the Big Dipper. I used to be able to find Cassiopeia, but no longer. I should be able to help them with it as no one else is teaching it to them. Another thing to add to the list of stuff to learn I guess.

Proper literature. From what I can gather, the so-called classics are turned to less in school as the youth cannot allegedly relate to it. Split it up. Some classics and some modern tripe. Easy. Done. I was always amazed when I would see my parents quote from classic plays and literature, albeit Classic Polish plays and literature, but still classic and still amazing. The wife's parents as well would quote Shakespeare and classic English literature. It was not emphasised when I was in school. What do people of my generation, and those that follow me, quote? Film and television. At least we quote something I guess.

In the same vein, I have seen my parents and aunts and uncles, as well as the in-laws, break into song spontaneously. Old timey, classic songs. What do we sing, theme songs from tv shows, when they could bother to write words for theme songs.

Latin would have been nice too. It would have helped me a lot. Especially now as I study and learn about wild edible plants and am really getting in to gardening now. I could have studied it in secondary school, but I would not have been able to go to the school I did, which offered everything I wanted, but Latin. There were two choices. One, no way, I felt the people that taught and attended classes there were a bunch of pretentious snobs. Funny, that is where the wife actually went, and she did study Latin. She was even put up for an award. So, I guess they were not all snooty pretentious snobs. I still hate that school though. Choice two? It was actually very close to where my family moved to when I was in grade nine. No way was I going to that school. It had a horrible academic reputation. Hey, maybe I am snob? Nah.

There is so much more, but the point is, modernising curriculum does not always mean improving it. I think some of the idea is that youth need to make their own choices. In fact, Scouts Canada's official policy is "Youth Led". In my opinion, some people take that way to seriously and literally. Teachers, Coaches, Scouters (adult members of Scouts), and Instructors of all types are there to mentor, teach, guide, show, help youth. 

Frankly, sometimes youth do not know what they want or what maybe they should want. Some people may be offended by that. Frankly, again, bite me! What is the point of being there to help youth, if you are not going to help them. Sure, they have to make mistakes and bad choices sometimes. That does not mean we cannot pass on lessons learnt or plain honest facts and information. 

I have been working with youth for about three decades. With me, they have always had choices. Sometimes not the choices they want, but it is an adult's, including young adults, responsibility to teach them, help them, and keep them safe. Let them make mistakes that will not be costly or regrettable. Again, I do not think many people understand that. I have been a Scouter for over six years now and have worked with different age groups: 5-7 (Beaver Scouts), 8-10 (Cub Scouts) 11-14 (Scouts). In every age group I have worked with, the youth have always been able to make choices. The whole time I have been with this Scout Group, it has always been youth led in the Sections I have volunteered in, long before it was touted officially by Scouts Canada.

That does not mean five year olds are purchasing provisions for a stay at a camp. Nor does it mean twelve year olds are booking facilities and arranging transportation and travel documents. They work within their experiences and expand on them as they get older and learn more. And we teach them how to do the various tasks and help them grow.

My point? Sometimes people, particularly young people, do not have certain knowledge, skills, or experience to perform certain tasks, duties, or responsibilities. Or even to have certain kinds of fun and/or extracurricular activities. Sometimes, responsible adults have to ensure that youth gain those assets. Like learning astronomy, Latin, literature, cursive, planning and time management, and yes, even Shakespeare. Whether they, or we, like it or not.

trail hike (for real) - hamilton

if the wind was not knocking me about, you would be able to read:

upper king's forest park

albion falls...something...something

Today, I found a real trail. I should actually say trails. I was on three different trails, which together made a loop. I found a little parking lot which was right by the Albion Falls and led me down the Mountain Brow Trail. This is a side trail of the Bruce Trail. Most of this stretch was pretty good. I was in the bush for the most part. Being  in the city it was inevitable I would be brought back up to the main road. That part sucked.

albion falls from the parking lot trailhead

While I was in the bush though, I walked mainly at the top of a ridge looking down a gully at the creek that runs from the falls. That was terrific. There was other human, and dog, activity on the trail, but what was most interesting was the amount of coyote tracks along the trail. One set even looked like it was playing around. 

looking from the ridge down a"slide" in to the gully with the creek at the bottom

The snow was anywhere from a foot to the top of my calves. Luckily, I found a pair of gaiters at Hiker's Haven yesterday. They were about $33 after tax. They were a so-called one-size-fits-all cheapo pair. Well, I really like them. They worked fantastic and they even came with a little stuff sack to carry them. I wish I bought a second pair. No soaking pants. No snow down my boots. No snow stuck to the gaiters. Woo-hoo! No luck yet with the surplus wool pants.

a side trail marker on the ridge

very different system from the rideau trail up in my neck of the woods

the main road up ahead, it was about to become blustery

some bonehead, who could clearly see me, splashed me with filthy road slush, i gave him a thumbs up

Eventually I got to a "T" in the trail and took the right fork down into the gully. This was the Red Hill Creek side trail. This was getting even better. I wanted to get down in the gully. When I was a fearless kid, I would have taken a scree slide down to the bottom and worried about getting back up later. I am no longer a kid and with my earned wisdom realise how foolish such an action would be.

the trail i left at the "t"

the trail i took down in to the gully at the "t"

As soon as I took the slope down to the gully, I was out of the wind. Awesome. I descended right down to the creek and continued on to the Bruce Trail proper. It was glorious. I was in sensory overload. After the first two urban hikes and the blustery and confusing hike yesterday, it was almost too much. I loved it. There was a little bridge that crossed the creek, which I was hoping for as I wanted to come back up on the other side of Albion Falls. I carried on to the other side of the creek and just enjoyed all that nature had to offer on this glorious day.

marker for the main trail

the bridge to the other side of the creek

looking back from whence i came, another bridge, and look (at the bottom left): ducks!

After trundling along for a bit, the inevitable happened: the trail started to slope upwards. Two things. First, it was steeper than coming down. Not a really big deal, but it surprised me as from what I could see, the slope, at least in part, was engineered. Oh well, no big deal. Two, going up meant this little journey was soon to end. Enjoy it while it lasts.

As I made my "ascent" I could see several unmarked, but well groomed, side trails. Perhaps some kind of utility road or ATV trail. Whatever, I may come back later on and investigate as I found another place to dump the truck on this side of the falls. So, I approached the falls and could see the road I would have to take to get back to the truck. How sad for me.

standing directly across the gully from my truck

it is the grey blob just left and up from centre

a none-too-safe looking railing to keep people from doing a header

albion falls from the other side, the end is near

Coming up to the road and checking my distance, I was amazed. One of the trail markers said this loop would be 3.7 km. Well, it looked like they were going to be bang on. As I wanted to do no less than 4 km, I had to make up 300 m. Not a lot, but nevertheless. I hiked just past the parking lot looped in and again past the truck and then looped back and when I got the the truck, hit just over 4 kliks.

All in all, the best hike so far in Hamilton. I am sure they will just get better. I do miss my little Cedar Grove Trail in the Marlborough Forest back home though.

my stats, much slower than usual

largely due to the snow and the slugging by the road

oh yeah, that ascent too was a bit slow

my route, a lot better than that whacky one yesterday

trail hike (kinda sorta) - hamilton

So, we were still getting lambasted this morning by the snow that started yesterday afternoon. However, I decided to find a trail to hike anyway. I found the Mohawk Sports Park Trail on a map that showed dozens of trails. I chose this trail as it was a loop and it was in the area that I used to hike when I was a young lad.

I figured that if it was a short trail, which I suspected, I could just repeat the loop to make up the minimum of 4 km that I want to hike daily. Well, I drove to the Mohawk Sports Park. I drove around it twice. I could not find the trail marked anywhere. I found the Rail Trail, but it is a straight line. I was not too interested in walking a straight line as I have done that the last two days.

I continued searching. Finally I pulled in to the parking lot of the Mohawk 4 Ice Centre as I saw people going in and out. I went up to the service desk and they were very nice and they told me that they sort of, kind of knew about the trail, but other than the Bruce Trail and the Rail Trail, not much was marked. It was suggested that if I ducked in behind the arena that I should find what I was looking for. I thanked them and went on my way.

mohawk 4 ice centre this morning

Well, when I got to the back, no dice. I could see the Rail Trail, but not much else. I figured a straight trail is better than no trail. Also, I thought I may come across some side trails. I humped along for a while and saw not too much. Then there was a bit of a side trail up from the gully I was walking in, so I went up the slope. Not much. I beat around the bush, so to speak, a bit and headed to a stand of trees and scrub.

rail trail, pretty sure it would be bleak in the best of weather

coming out of the bushes by the rail trail

I headed through a field past some scraggly conifers and entered the copse. I found a trail, so I took it. I was the first person of the day so far, both along this stretch of Rail Trail and this little path.The snow so far was no less than a foot high and at times it topped my calves. I was really quite foolish to do this hike actually. 

I was wearing cotton duck pants and they have no resiliency to rain or snow. These foibles I partake in I translate in to lessons for my son and the Scouting youth I work with. I truly knew I would be alright. It would not be hard for me to step out of the scrub and get to a road, no more than a few hundred metres away at any time. 

Nevertheless, I could have twisted my ankle bad enough to not be able to carry on. However, I did leave instructions with my friend that if I was not back by a certain time to contact me. If I did not respond, then take the appropriate steps. He also knew where I went. Even though I was not on the trail I intended to be on, I was in that area and I did check in with the arena. However, I would most likely have frostbitten legs if I was waylaid for any significant length of time.

looking back on my decision to hike this bush, the trail was narrow and laden with snow

Anyway, my trousers were caked in snow and ice. I made a note to get gaiters and try to find some surplus wool field pants. I slugged it out with the snow. I covered all the trails in that little stand doubling back on myself a few times. When I ran out of trail, I hit another stand of trees, then made my way back to the Rail Trail. Oh, someone has been out with their dog, but they were long gone. I carried on past the arena. There was a promising larger stand of trees ahead. I made for them. I walked down the Rail Trail which offered some protection from the wind. Then I saw it.

A real trail that went off to the side of the Rail Trail. I pursued that avenue. I was rewarded. The snow was still deep. Deeper! But now, I was having fun. Alas, I had wasted much time and not covered as much ground to this point as I would have liked. Time to move it and find out what this section had to offer. There was a little underpass going under the Rail Trail. It would obviously have been built while the trail was an actual rail line. I honestly cannot recall if I found it when I hiked these parts years ago.

the underpass from the side trail

a view from within

the other side, oddly, there appeared to be no trail from here

After inspecting this strange little gem, I pressed on. The "trail" I was on appeared to be a service road of some kind as there were three phone utility boxes along this trail. I know not why they were there. There was no housing of any kind. Something to worry about later. I made it up to Limeridge Road and went up to check the Rail Trail crossing through. I was hoping for a parking lot to come back to later and hit the area from here. No luck.

rail trail at limeridge

I carried myself back the my new found mini-forest and walked along the outer edge looking for a new trail. After getting blasted by the wind and sinking in snow up to my thighs at times, I found an in. I tromped through the trails, and as I was nearing the point where I entered, I knew it was time to head back. The wind was getting fiercer and coming off the harbour. Not nice. 

I decided to cut across the field separating me from the arena. Bad choice. The snow was pretty damn deep and the wind was hitting me hard. I took the shortest path to the back of the arena to get in the leeward side to be protected from the wind. Bad choice. Snow up to my crotch. No. Snow up to my hips. At least I was out of the wind. It is amazing how deceptive snow can be. I found a "shovelled" path by the building and went to the service desk. I let them know I got back and would not have to call the authorities to search for my frozen corpse.

the field i had to cross to get back to the arena

i came from the stand of trees in the centre back

i should have come through the centre where it was slightly higher, more wind, less snow, faster pace

I dusted as much snow and ice off my pants, my waist pack and elsewhere and hopped in the truck. I went down Mountain Brow Boulevard to Limeridge and found a little park where I should be able to park close enough to go back to this spot. I also spotted an entrance to the Bruce Trail that looks promising. I may yet go to Buttermilk Falls tomorrow though. We will see.

my stats, i did stop several times, my knees must have been knocking the whole time

my crazy route

look, a balloon showing my start and stop point

super deli - hamilton

All the Polish-type deli/grocery stores that I grew up with in Hamilton are long gone. Over the the years there have been attempts to resurrect various reincarnations, but none were greatly successful. Then I heard about one that was huge and in the far East End of Hamilton. Apparently, this is where many Polaks migrated to after the near-complete collapse of the steel industry in The Hammer. 

This was four years ago, but I could not get to it for a long time. The timing of our visits precluded such a journey. It is actually not too hard to get to from the West End, just time consuming. Years after I left Hamilton, the various levels of government finally got their collective heads out of their collective asses and started building expressways. Too late for me, I generally avoided them as I did not know them. In last couple of years I have been using them more and more, but I have trouble getting used to them. I am not comfortable on them. They have a low speed limit and many people drive well below that limit. And generally drive like asses.

Anyway, last December, I finally went to this super-deli in the East End. It was awesome. All kinds of Central and East European foods. Drinks, non-perishable foods, snacks, treats, mustards, cold cuts, sausages, oh mama! I purchased a great many, and greatly varied, products. I could hardly contain myself. Most everybody working there looked like they could be my cousin. The boy was particularly pleased with the selection of Fanta soft drinks I obtained for him; Fanta drinks are amongst his most favoured.

one of the many fanta flavours you will not find in your regular grocery store

I, myself, found something I particularly like, as well as the boy. A Swiss herb candy, not unlike Ricola, but way cheaper. They are Kräuter bonbons. We call them Boogie Lozenges as there is the word "boogie" on the packaging. I know not why. Interestingly, I found another lozenge product at my local pharmacy by the same company with "woogie" on the packaging. I think I need to get them just because of the boogie-woogie silliness of it all.

the boogie lozenges

the many languages listing the ingredients

no garbage ingredients, no artificial sweeteners

I went again to this store in February when we celebrated the mother-in-law's oaken birthday. Then I went for the hat trick today. It was hard to go easy on the purchases. I bought a bunch of Boogie Lozenges, some real mini-pepperonis, some of which never made it out of the parking lot, some various hibiscus teas, for my friend I am visiting I picked up some of his favourite tea and European, extra creamy Kit Kats. However, the most decadent thing I purchased for myself and which will probably take a year off my life for each one I eat, something deceptively and happily called "bacon chips". When I was growing up we call then skwarki, what you English lamely call pork rind, but it is not the same thing. Sooo delicious, sooo bad for you, but sooo delicious.

I was very pleased with my visit today. I was restrained, but I got a treat for myself. They will be great for my hikes this week. If they do not anchor me down, they will give a lot of energy. I am hoping that I will earn one tomorrow hiking in the King's Forest to Buttermilk Falls. As long as the snow that is sloughing down on us right now does not shut the city down, it is pretty wicked right now.

Back to the super-deli. It is much more than that, it is also a grocery store. Their produce is quite nice and fairly priced, they have a full butcher section, they do hot food as well. Before this place opened up the only thing close was Denninger's. I used to love it, and they opened a super store on the escarpment and the family would journey to it most every time we were in town. But over the last few years, not so much. Denninger's dropped a lot of the products we liked from Europe and my hometown deli, Baltyk, in Ottawa can do a better job on the salted and smoked meats, and there is no contest when it comes to sausage. Plus I have Bakker's Dutch Grocery as well.

But I have not mentioned the name of this great super-deli in Hamilton yet. Well, it is Starsky Fine Foods. They actually have two other locations, both in Mississauga. I have not been to those locations, but I bet they are just as terrific as the one on Queenston Road in Hamilton. If you live in Hamilton and have not been, then you should. If you ever find yourself in Hamilton, you should go. I wish I had visited it sooner, but better late than never. For me, it brought back so many childhood memories.

the hamilton location of starsky fine foods

urban hike - hamilton

I missed my daily hike yesterday, which I have made part of my daily routine. I was too relaxed after my drive to Hamilton. I was not going to miss my hike today and I wanted to make up some for yesterday.

I decided to take an urban hike today. It was semi-boring, but I did get to see a lot of lovely little homes. I basically walked in a giant, narrow rectangle.

my route, very geometric

The advantage of hiking in an urban environment is that it is often level and smooth. It lets one determine their true solo pace. I tend to walk or hike faster on my own and I found it interesting that my pace was consistent throughout the entire jaunt. I checked the app often as I did not count out my pacing in my head and I have not been able to learn how to use pace beads. Something to add to the list of things to learn, again. I wanted to know the distance I was covering, so I used the technology at hand. Once I was moving, I was moving at a consistent 6.3 km/h (3.9 mph), whereas most people walk at a speed of 5.0 km/h (3.1 mph). 

The wife is constantly telling me to slowdown when we are walking together. The boy tends to take a little jog every now and again to keep up with me. Funny, I slow my pace for them, and most people, as it is. I guess I still walk pretty fast even when I slow myself down. This quick pace of mine probably stems from being in a Light Infantry Regiment, The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. Light Infantry and Rifle Regiments have a faster marching pace than other regiments. When I transferred to a Highland Regiment, I was always feeling like I was standing still when marching with them.

So, level and flat. Constant pace. Sure, sounds wonderful. However, urban hiking or walking has a disadvantage. Cement and asphalt are hard surfaces. No give or flexibility. It is hard on your footwear. Harder still on your shins and calves. After about a klick-and-a-half, I could start to feel the strain on my legs. I know I have only recently returned to regular hiking, but I did not get the "burn" when I started on the trail. There are a couple factors why. Walking in a natural environment means everything is not flat and straight, which forcing ones gait to slow down. Also, the organic surface is kinder to the body. The ground gives when your foot impacts it.

Anyway, with all the advantages and disadvantages, I managed to walk 6.7 km (4.16 mi) in one hour and four minutes with an average pace of 6.26 km/h (3.89 mph). Not bad, but it would have been nice to have had better scenery and a route kinder on me and my boots.

good pace, good time, good burn-off of calories

I will seek out a trail within a reasonable driving distance in the next day or two. Perhaps I will go to my old trails at the escarpment near the north end of Upper Kenilworth and check out Buttermilk Falls. If any of those old trails still exist. It is not too far from where I am visiting. It will be interesting to see how things have changed from about two decades ago when I was last there.