Back when I was a kid, I loved to ride my bike everywhere. With a bike, it seemed you could go anywhere! Now that I have kids of my own, we have been enjoying the family bike ride.
A couple of years ago we were told about the gravel path that runs north of highway 5 (aka Dundas Street) from Riley Street all the way out to past Highway 6... in fact you cycle right under Highway 6. It is a short run, but for a family with kids it is the perfect length to spend 45 minutes to an hour cycling.
Our local Waterdown bike shop Bicycle Works is a great resource if you are a serious or casual biker. You can buy top of the line bikes from knowledgeable staff or take your bike in for tune up/repair. They also organize Group Bike Rides weekly for beginning, intermediate and advanced riders.
http://www.bicycleworkswaterdown.com
Even organizers of the Ride to Conquer Cancer have Waterdown as part of one of the routes you can choose to take... for more information on the 2012 ride please visit... http://to12.conquercancer.ca
As a mom of two girls that seem to grow faster than I can keep up with, I discovered a great little place to get used bikes. Big Red's on Parkside Drive, just west of Parkside Farms (almost at Evan's Road) has lots of choice when it comes to getting a good used bike. For $35 each, we have now purchased two bikes from Big Red, and we even traded in our old bike. He usually has an assortment at the end of his driveway leaning up against the fence. Some days there are lots to choose from, other days not so much. The later in the day, there seems to be more, as Red works on new bikes that come in and he puts them out as they are done. Red works out of his home garage and often has bikes, lawnmowers and snow blowers all over the yard waiting to be worked on. We have been very happy with our purchases there and will continue to buy our bikes there for our growing girls!!
Biking is a great activity for families to be involved in together, get some good exercise and see parts of the community you don't normally notice as you quickly drive around town.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Best Animal Encounter
The the Flamborough countryside has a fantastic destination that attracts people from all over... and it's right in our backyard. African Lion Safari is a great way for you to spend the day and an awesome way to get up close to wild animals from the safety of your car or the Safari transportation.
I grew up in the Hamilton area, and as a kid we had heard of and seen commercials for African Lion Safari... but it wasn't until last year when we took our kids that I actually had my first visit. It was a beautiful warm August day and I have to say that I became a kid again and thoroughly enjoyed all that the safari had to offer.
We started our day off with the safari tour of the animal habitats. We chose to drive in our car instead of the park transportation... one because of the wait to get on the park transportation and we also thought that it would feel more personal to choose what areas we wanted to spend more/less time in and experiencing the monkey exhibit, having them sitting on the hood or your roof is an animal encounter not to be missed!! I could have spent all day there with the joy of having the monkeys crawling all over our car. But, I think I enjoyed seeing them on the cars in front, behind and beside us even more as it gave us a better view.
I grew up in the Hamilton area, and as a kid we had heard of and seen commercials for African Lion Safari... but it wasn't until last year when we took our kids that I actually had my first visit. It was a beautiful warm August day and I have to say that I became a kid again and thoroughly enjoyed all that the safari had to offer.
We started our day off with the safari tour of the animal habitats. We chose to drive in our car instead of the park transportation... one because of the wait to get on the park transportation and we also thought that it would feel more personal to choose what areas we wanted to spend more/less time in and experiencing the monkey exhibit, having them sitting on the hood or your roof is an animal encounter not to be missed!! I could have spent all day there with the joy of having the monkeys crawling all over our car. But, I think I enjoyed seeing them on the cars in front, behind and beside us even more as it gave us a better view.
Our favourite areas of the safari park were the lions, monkeys, giraffes, ostrich, rhinos and buffalo. After we enjoyed our "safari time", we took our kids to the amusement part of the park. There is a waterpark area (more like a splash pad & small water slides) which my girls enjoyed, but at 7 and 9 yrs old, they felt like they might be a little old for this area.
Then we headed over to the rides and shows. Great little rides (highly recommend the wait and extra cost of the elephant ride) and we loved the shows... the bird shows were good and we just loved the elephant show. We also loved the petting zoo area with the baby goats and deer. One of the best parts of the park that we enjoyed so much was at the end of the day, they walk most of the elephants to the big pond and the elephants have some fun playing in the water. It is a real, honest and insightful look into the personality of the elephants.
We love the African Lion Safari, it is a short drive from Waterdown, Burlington and Hamilton... a great way to spend the day with "wild" animals!!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Best People
We've just spent the last two days enjoying the OH Canada Ribfest in Memorial Park Waterdown. I am just overflowing with pride in my town and country at this moment.
When we were looking to buy our first house in 2002, I felt a pull to look in Waterdown. From the time we moved here, I was impressed at the feel of this small bedroom community nestled between commuter cities of Burlington and Hamilton. The friendliness of everyone from the local grocery store, schools, churches, YMCA, neighbours and local businesses is so different for me. Having lived in big cities like Hamilton and Toronto, you tend to feel anonymous... you go somewhere and you don't know or recognize anyone.
Not in Waterdown! Spend about a year here, get involved in the community and you will never shop at the grocery store and not run into someone you know.
Going to Ribfest totally re-inforced that fact to me. The countless volunteers who have given their time to plan and staff the 4 day event is mind boggling. The girl clearing tables tonight of all the garbage with a smile on her face, the friendliness of the people working the VERY busy alcohol tent, the support of local retailers taking out boothes to chat with everyone about the great services offered around Waterdown, and the pride I felt today watching so many turn up to watch new Canadians being sworn in... moving. My own kids spent time volunteering to entertain rib-goers today... dancing on stage with their dance studio... many other studios will also be performing over the 4 days.
I also thank the organizers of the Ribfest for not only putting on a fantastic and packed event, but for finally bringing fireworks back to Waterdown after a 10 year absense. It meant so much to me to be able to bring my family to the park to watch the fireworks tonight... I could have cried I was so proud. There are still 2 more days to get out to Waterdown, enjoy ribfest and meet some great people.
I love this town... great people, great local business, and great small town feel. Don't ever change!
www.ohcanadaribfest.ca
When we were looking to buy our first house in 2002, I felt a pull to look in Waterdown. From the time we moved here, I was impressed at the feel of this small bedroom community nestled between commuter cities of Burlington and Hamilton. The friendliness of everyone from the local grocery store, schools, churches, YMCA, neighbours and local businesses is so different for me. Having lived in big cities like Hamilton and Toronto, you tend to feel anonymous... you go somewhere and you don't know or recognize anyone.
Not in Waterdown! Spend about a year here, get involved in the community and you will never shop at the grocery store and not run into someone you know.
Going to Ribfest totally re-inforced that fact to me. The countless volunteers who have given their time to plan and staff the 4 day event is mind boggling. The girl clearing tables tonight of all the garbage with a smile on her face, the friendliness of the people working the VERY busy alcohol tent, the support of local retailers taking out boothes to chat with everyone about the great services offered around Waterdown, and the pride I felt today watching so many turn up to watch new Canadians being sworn in... moving. My own kids spent time volunteering to entertain rib-goers today... dancing on stage with their dance studio... many other studios will also be performing over the 4 days.
I also thank the organizers of the Ribfest for not only putting on a fantastic and packed event, but for finally bringing fireworks back to Waterdown after a 10 year absense. It meant so much to me to be able to bring my family to the park to watch the fireworks tonight... I could have cried I was so proud. There are still 2 more days to get out to Waterdown, enjoy ribfest and meet some great people.
I love this town... great people, great local business, and great small town feel. Don't ever change!
www.ohcanadaribfest.ca
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