“Sir the clearance section is just over here”. I must radiated some sort of ray which gives people the impression that I’m either poor or a bargain rack shopper. As we entered the Lululemon store at Square One during our back to school shopping trip yesterday, the very first store associate that saw me, directed me to the sale/clearance section. While the other associates took Caron and our girls to the “latest” arrivals section. I’m not sure what her reasoning was for this, but I looked her in the eye and walked out.

Back in 1973, Square One took shape in the middle of farmers’ fields. Today it has grown to truly be a shopper’s paradise! With over 330 stores, Square One offers the most unique blend of leading retailers, specialty shops, 40 dining venues and four successful major department stores. Recent dramatic renovations have resulted in a fashion-forward interior design that offers customers a cosmopolitan and vibrant shopping experience with three new “neighbourhoods” as well as new and improved features.

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I knew from past experience that going to Square One over the weekend does mean having to deal with large crowds, irate shoppers and the usual fight for parking spots. So we decided on a weekday evening so we could have the mall to ourselves. And we did. The mall itself is well spread out so be prepared for walking and do keep track of where you are by using the many directory listings throughout the hallways since it’s very easy to find yourself back in a section you’ve already been.

With bright, wide and colorful hallways with a modern feel, it makes for a wonderful shopping experience. Prices are comparable to stores in any mall you’d shop at in Ontario, except you can truly find just about anything under one roof at Square One. There are anchor stores such as, Walmart, Sears, The Bay, Zellers and for the “geeks” there’s the Apple Store which seems to attract just about everyone who visit. Including me… had to check my email.

There’s a wide selection of dining options in the food court, with the average meal combo priced around $7-$10 and there’s also Johnny Rockets (excellent burger) and a few other specialty restaurants (see store director below). Even on this day when the crowds were thin, we did have to be a bit patient to find a table in the food court, so if you’re going on the weekend, be prepared to hunt for seating.

The mall is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators so feel free to bring the young ones, even if it means having to bring your stroller. BTW, the guest services areas do have baby strollers for rent in the event you forget yours at home.

Our girls did comment that though the same stores can be found in other malls in the area, there seems to be a wider selection here and some of the items you simply couldn’t get at the smaller malls. Fellas, rest assured that there are chairs (nice and comfy) throughout the hallways in the event you’re like me and have to take a break ever so often.

MALL HOURS
Mon – Fri: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Sat: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Sun: 11:00am – 6:00pm

Square One Shopping Centre
100 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, ON
L5B 2C9

Telephone: 905-279-SHOP (7467)
Mall Office: 905-270-7771
Administration Fax: 905-270-1180

You may contact Guest Services for immediate assistance at 905-270-7771 ext. 2248.
For a complete directory listing of all the stores, see here!

Anchor store hours of operation:

Wal-Mart
Monday – Friday:     7:00am – 11:00pm
Saturday:     7:00am – 11:00pm
Sunday:     7:00am – 11:00pm

The Bay
Monday – Friday:     9:30am – 9:30pm
Saturday:     9:30am – 7:00pm
Sunday:     11:00am – 6:00pm

Sears
Monday – Friday:     10:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday:     8:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday:     11:00am – 6:00pm

Zellers
Monday – Friday:     8:00am – 10:00pm
Saturday:     8:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday:     10:00am – 7:00pm

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The Keg Steakhouse on Upper James street on Hamilton’s “Mountain” is one of those restaurants where you’re guaranteed to get a good steak without having to break the bank (but, seems good things don’t last long). After our last visit it should have been enough to confirm that the quantity and quality of their food is no longer what we’ve grown to expect, but we didn’t think much of it and decided that we would give them another try.

It was a Friday night so we went with the expectation that we’d have to wait to be seated as we’d be dealing with the weekend dinner crowd, plus the weather was great so the patio crowd was also there. It took us about 30 minutes to be seated and it was a great opportunity to people-watch as we tormented ourselves with the lovely scent of grilling steaks from the kitchen. Our server for the night was very good at his job, something we’ve also grown accustomed to at the Keg (good service).

We started off with  non-alcoholic beverages and I settled for my normal decaf coffee which was hot. I can’t say much more of this coffee as it was bland and if not for it being dark like coffee, I could easily be drinking a hot glass of water with cream and sugar. After placing our dinner order we settled for the Garlic Cheese Bread appetizer (Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheeses oven toasted to a golden brown on French stick), which I must confess was the hit of the night. The sort of tangy taste of the aged Parmesan was simply delightful and overall very filling.

As we waited for our meal to arrive it gave us the opportunity to chat, scope out some of the dishes that were making it’s way to the other tables ( the lovely scent was so punishing when you’re hungry… lobster seems to have been the hit this night) and take in the general ambiance. A multil-level restaurant, with different size tables and booths, filtered light to give a sort of romantic feel and there was a buzz of activity since it was a full house.

Indy wasn’t very hungry so she ordered the Keg Caesar – Crisp romaine and aged Parmesan cheese in a creamy dressing, which she mentioned was excellent. Tehya ordered off the kids menu and settled on the Kids Sirloin Steak – Each meal includes your choice of fries, Caesar salad or seasonal vegetables. All meals include a vegetable plate, ice cream for dessert and a soft drink, juice or milk. In the pics you’ll  notice two things about this kids meal. It was similar in portion size to the steak Caron ordered off the main menu and with the inclusion of the vegetable plate, you got the impression that you got much more for your money by ordering off the kids menu.

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As mentioned above, Caron got the  Grilled Top Sirloin served with fries. (choice of baked potato, fries, salad) Generally the steak was rather small and bland, but at least it was cooked to her liking. I strongly believe that if you’re going to have a scanty plate, use a smaller plate so at least we get the impression we’re getting a full meal. In my quest to move away from my traditional order of “steak” I opted for the grilled chicken topped with lobster sauce with chunks of perfectly cooked lobster pieces and asparagus. Just wish there was more lobster and less of the overcooked chicken breast. I’m no fan of chicken breast and this horrid attempt at grilling only confirmed this. My meal came with garlic mashed potato, which is why I keep coming back to the Keg. Their garlic mash is probably the best in the city.

Our bill with tip came to just over $100 ( we didn’t order any alcoholic beverages) and though the service was excellent and it also gave us the opportunity to spend time out as a family, I would really have to think twice before going back to the Keg for dinner. There’s some work to be done on quality and quantity to get back to the standards they originally set for patrons. I realize that this night was very busy, but it’s my opinion that a good restaurant can be judged on a busy night to see if they can maintain a level of standard when more is demanded from the kitchen.

Hamilton Mountain Keg
1170 Upper James Street
Hamilton, Ontario
L9C 3B1
Canada
(905) 574-7880

HOURS:

DINING ROOM
Monday – Thursday 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Friday 4:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday 3:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

BAR
Monday – Thursday 4:30 p.m. – Midnight
Friday 4:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Sunday 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

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Immediately after our buffet breakfast at Stone Crock Restaurant, it was our plan to browse the many shops in the village and then head over to the Farmer’s Market, since that was the last stop on our way out of St Jacobs. I was stuffed from that magnificent breakfast and was really not in the mood to walk, as I would much prefer a shady tree, cool breeze and hammock. However the “tourists” were just starting to pack the one street town and there was a nice buzz of activity. Plus Caron and Toni were eager to get started, even if it was just window shopping. Thankfully there were many benches along the street where Marko and I could sit and relax as the ladies did their thing.

Though the shops themselves are not run by the Mennonites, there was the occasional time I would see someone dressed in their traditional gear walking about town and I even caught the glimpse of a horse and buggy driven by a Mennonite gentleman. I’ve seen such on tv, but never live an direct (very neat). The town itself is basically one street lined with several unique shops, restaurants and what could be considered working museums.

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Our first stop was the mini mall at the end of the strip on the left side facing the bridge that crosses the river that runs through the far end of the town. Caron was intrigued by the assortment of items from Scotland and the other British Isles, but I found the woman who manned the cash register to be very rude and unwelcoming. She’s one of those people who makes you think you did something wrong, even though you know you’ve not. I walked out the same speed I walked in after this negative vibes and I can guarantee you that I will never go back to “A Touch Of Scotland”. Next door, within the same mini mall building is Taste- The Forth Sense (Gourmet condiments: oils and specialty sauces.) , so I was like a kid in a candy store with all the hot sauces they had on sale. The young man on duty was very helpful in explaining the background of all the hot sauces he had on display and I could see his face light up when I asked to try what he said was their hottest sauce in stock. “He’ll regret asking me to try this sauce” is what I could see going through his head and was very sorry to disappoint him when my reaction was not what he expected. I have a very high tolerance for anything hot and spicy and though this sauce was very hot, it didn’t phase me one bit. The selection, friendly atmosphere and the ability to sample, is why I would highly recommend a visit to “Taste- The Forth Sense”.

By this time the sun was getting hot and the touristy crowds were starting to get thick, so make note of this if you’re planning a trip to St Jacobs. Arrive early to get a jump-start on things. Basically the Village of St. Jacobs, is where simplicities of small town life complement the fabulous shopping in many fine specialty shops, boutiques and artist’s studios. And though I personally didn’t go into each store, I must make mention of the ones that stuck out…

Chocolate ‘n More: Featuring truffles, creams, caramels, clusters, bark and No-Sugar-Added products. Plus Brittles ‘N More featuring handmade fudge, brittles, beernuts, Turkish Delight, sponge toffee. Enjoy selections from espresso/coffee bar and 17 flavours of soft-serve “Flavorburst” and “Crunchi Creme” icecream.

Christmas in St Jacobs – An all year store with tons of Christmas decorations and trinkets.

Artistic: The Gift And Garden Place – This store is jammed with stuff you can use to decorate your outdoor (and indoor) living spaces and it’s a great option for finding that perfect gift for someone without having to break the bank. Be sure to check out the model train that run through the ceiling of the store and whimsical water wheel on the outside of the building.

Hamel Broom – Manufacturer and retailer of corn brooms. Absolutely my favorite spot as it’s like a working museum on how corn brooms are made. A bit dusty, but definitely something you must not miss.

The Cake Box 2 – Cupcakes, cookies, organic teas, gourmet coffees. And I believe they also offer cake decorating classes on the weekend.

If your back is towards the river and you’re facing the way into town, on the left side there are 2 stores that you must also check out, the bakery and the butcher shop. In the pics above you’ll catch a glimpse of the inside of these two establishments. As you enter the bakery a sudden hunger takes over your body, with the tasty scent of breads and dessert fresh out of the oven and as you look around you notice that you’re surrounded by pies and other baked goods that causes you to almost drool on yourself. I’m, so sorry I can’t remember the names of these two stores to give them full credit for their amazing product line.

I’m sure if you were to ask the girls what their favorite stores were on this trip they would probably mention some of the Jewelery, Clothing, Quilts and other specialty store that are geared for women. So ladies, go prepared to shop, but at a laid-back pace as no one seems to be in a rush.

One last thing I must mention before I wrap up this review. In the pics above you’ll see a snap of a “Home Hardware”, supposedly this is the very first location of this proud Canadian franchise and we were told that not too far from the town’s core,  is a massive distribution center for Home Hardware. I guess the locals are very proud of this as they suggested we drive over to see this building.

If you’re looking for something to do as a family, couple or with friends, why not head out to St Jacobs and be sure to also check out the Farmer’s market!

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One of the benefits of operating this website is that it gives us the opportunity to explore things we wouldn’t normally do before. One of then being, experimenting  new tastes and flavours and with the wonderful multicultural landscape of Canada, there are so many options. Last Wednesday we spent a couple hours hiking Mt Nemo (look for that review soon) and it was agreed that after the hike we would head over to Lulu’s Shawarma in Hamilton for dinner. Marco and Toni (our partners in crime) are veterans at dining out and they mentioned that it’s a good option for eating affordable Middle Eastern food. Cheap! Good!.. I’m sold.

Lulu’s can be found within the heart of downtown Hamilton, just off John St North and it’s very easy to pass by and never really notice due to it’s small size. The inside is about 15 x 20 feet and on a busy day I can see this place being really cramped. The counter to order overlooks the small kitchen with the hot-top grill where at any given time you’ll see an assortment of meats being cooked by lovely couple who owns and operates this joint. There’s space for about 12 people (being generous) at the tables where you can sit and dine if you so choose and the place itself is very clean and welcoming. There’s a smile to greet you on entry and just the same when you leave.

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A quick look on the walls and you’ll see what a popular establishment LuLu’s is, with all the awards they’ve won over the years (see pics above). While we waited for our orders to be called my senses were immediately called into action, as I could smell some sort of meat being cooked with a hint of spices and diced onions. Yes, I couldn’t wait to give this a try. We all got the Chicken Shawarma with “everything” and I also asked for mine spicy! Let’s be clear… I’m a pepper head and have been disappointed in the past with lame sauces that parade around as being spicy or hot. So I didn’t really expect much when I asked from my order to be made spicy.

Between the time we got our orders to the time I spent cleaning up the rich remnants of garlic sauce off my face, it was blank to me as I was in a trance of food goodness. You get a pita stuffed with the works and topped with layers of chicken.. so much so that it’s served in a pouch wrapped in tin foil and you’re given a fork to start the eating process. As I worked my way down the pile of food, I got a slight hint of the hot-sauce they added for me and though it was not blazing hot, it was the perfect balance for this meal. Our table was quiet, expect for the occasional “how do you like it”. We were hungry and this meal was absolutely hitting the spot!

The owners/operators glanced over and also inquired if everything was ok and they got thumbs up from our table. One couldn’t also help but notice how friendly and welcoming they made us feel. This was a true example of a mom and pop business at it’s best! I/we don’t claim to be experts in Middle Eastern cuisine, but this was truly a wonderful meal and it was relatively cheap. The Shawarma cost $4.82 + tax and it was very filling. So much so that Caron couldn’t even finish her’s onsite. BTW, if you’re dining in get the container with the garlic sauce and add as necessary… it’s outstanding.

If you look at the pics above you’ll notice that they also serve Humus, a variety of Salads, rice, Falafel and an assortment of other fast foods.

Lulu’s Shawarma
32 John Street North @King William, Hamilton, ON L8R1H3
Phone: (905) 521-4848

Mon – Fri – 11am-10pm

Sat 12pm – 10pm

Sun-Holidays – Closed.

Since LuLu’s is family owned and run by the hard working couple I touched on above, I guess they need time off on Sundays.. just wish they could clone themselves and give us the opportunity to eat here 24-7 7 days a week. I did say the food was outstanding!

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Last weekend I stopped by Ontario Place with no intention to do a review, but armed with a point and shoot camera I decided to take some pics and share some thoughts with you. Caribana, dubbed the largest street festival in North America moves the festivities to Ontario Place on the Sunday and Monday following the street parade on Saturday so we decided to take in some of the vibes from the islands. Speaking with vendors and other attendees who had been there the day before, we learned that the Sunday event was much bigger and even included a food symposium by “Grace Foods”, highlighting the cuisine of the Caribbean.

The Caribana event was not as large as I hoped,  but there was still the opportunity to enjoy in the cuisine, live music and cultural vibe of the islands. As a son of the islands I was beaming with pride as I witnessed one of the best sounding steel pan bands perform, who were on tour from Trinidad and Tobago. Where else in North America can you drink a cold coconut, taste fresh sugar cane and if you’re really hungry, devour a hot chicken roti all in one place? If you’ve not experienced Caribana yet, make next year’s event as a must do on your calendar.

Since I didn’t go with the intention to do an actual review I didn’t take notes or pay much attention to my surrounding, however I did take some pictures:

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After enjoying some of the live music I decided to take a walk through the lovely grounds of Ontario Place, since I had never been here before. Overall a lovely place to spend time with your family, but it did seem a bit dated and could really do with a little sprucing up. Seems the two hot spots this day were the area designated for the Caribana events and the water park “Foster’s Soak City”. With it’s massive water slide and other water activities, on this hot day it was a hit with kids cooling down.

Here’s a quick run-through of what you can expect when you visit Ontario Place, however you may have to check their website for additional charges for some of the activities…

Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Atlantis
Cinesphere

Current entry prices: http://www.ontarioplace.com/en/03_prices/pas.html

Rides (general family)

4D ONTARIO
H2O GENERATION STATION
THE ATOM BLASTER
FIRST FLIGHT
FREE FALL
SUPER SLIDE
PEDAL BOAT ADVENTURE
MINI GREENS
COOL HOOPS
WILD WORLD OF WEATHER
ARCADE

Rides  (Thrill)

WILDERNESS ADVENTURE RIDE
BUMPER BOATS
F/X Adventure Theatre

There’s ample space on the garden-like greens for having a picnic overlooking Lake Ontario if you decide to take in food and there’s also the option of a few food stalls if you prefer to eat there (burger, fries, pizza etc). But be prepared to pay “park” prices.

To contact Ontario Place:

Automated Information Line 416-314-9900
Outside the GTA, call toll-free 1-866-ONE-4-FUN

Mailing Address
955 Lake Shore Blvd. West
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M6K 3B9

BTW, if you’d like to save on the entry fee to Ontario Place, check the facebook group (see image/link below) as we have a coupon we found online that you can use.

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Nothing signals that summer is here than feasting on a large plate of  fish and chips at Hutch’s on the beach, after you’ve enjoyed the sights and sounds of all the activity at the beach. We had spent the morning trying to launch our friend’s sailboat and by noon we were getting frustrated, tired and needed to replenish our fuel or risk passing out in the heat of the midday sun. We were 2 minutes walk from Hutch’s, so it was the obvious choice.

Be prepared on warm days to experience long lines to place your order and people hovering over you to claim your seat in the cool 50′s styled dining room as the place gets very crowded. On these beautiful summer days, the beach and boardwalk (paved trail) is usually packed and everyone seems to end up in Hutch’s to cool down, grab a bite or get a frozen dessert from the ice cream store built within the restaurant itself.

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We were lucky enough to find an empty booth, so the girls claimed it before someone else did, while I joined the line to place our orders. The line was rather long and went to the outside of the building, No worries as it moved quickly. Order placed I went back to our table since you’re given a ticket with your order number, which is called over the overhead speakers when it’s up. I think we waited about 10 minutes, which wasn’t that long of a wait considering the amount of people that packed the restaurant.

Marko and Toni each got the large fish and chips plate which goes for $10 (still can’t believe they eat it all). You get two pieces of battered, deep fried fish covered with a pile of fresh cut fries. Since I’ve been trying to eat a little healthier and we knew from our last visit that the large order is huge, Caron and I decided to split one. If you’re like me and like your fries with mayo, be sure to ask the person at the sales counter to include a small container for you. I doubt that it’s made inhouse, but it’s tangy and creamy – perfect for dipping those wonderful fresh cut fries.

The chips are short and thick and I honestly believe that they could have been cooked a couple minutes more. But we were hungry and were enjoying them just the same. The fish on the other hand was VERY greasy and the batter seemed to have been over cooked. However this was probably due to the thickness of the fish, which I’m sure had to stay a bit longer in the deep fryer to cook all the way through. The thickness of the fish is also to blame for the sort of wet or soggy interior when you broke through it with your fork. Just too much moisture for my liking! But I was the only one at the table who felt this way.

The tall cup of orange Crush really help tie this fried dish together and I love the fact that there were no fishy smell or taste to the fries. The tartar sauce comes in little plastic envelopes and though the ketchup comes from one of those pump containers where you serve yourself, it’s fresh and of good quality. There’s the usual salt, pepper and basic vinegar on the tables.I can be a bit nosy (not intrusive)  in restaurants and I noticed on the table across from us they ordered what seemed to be the footlong hotdog and the other person had the cheeseburger. Both looked very tasty and I immediately wished I had gone for the hot dog instead, which looked like of of those tasty all-beef ones.

Done to mimic a 50′s style diner (actually I think the place was built back in the 50′s), there’s a huge juke box at the front where you wait for your order to be called and on each table there’s a miniature version (see pics above) as well. The walls are covered with a tons of sports memorabilia and if you didn’t know better you’d think ti was a shrine to local football and hockey. The bathrooms are clean, but in the ladies vanity area I was told that the taps were installed incorrectly. The ones marked hot is cold and cold is hot.

The best seating option for me are the ones directly facing the paved path of the beach area as you can people watch while you enjoy your meal as well as watch the boaters and on a clear day you can see across the lake to Toronto. Great use of windows to bring a bit of the outdoor activity and scenery in.

The staff at Hutch’s does a great job keeping the dining room clean, as we saw on at least 3 occasions the teenage staff were busy sweeping, wiping and removing garbage… with a smile on their faces.

To recap… be prepared for lines on warm days, if there’s 2 or more in your group (BTW the seating can only accommodate 4 people at the tables) one should place the order while the other secure seating, the large fish and chips order feeds two people easily and ladies don’t forget about the switched taps in the bathroom.

Hutch’s On The Beach Diner.

Address

280 Van Wagners Beach Road,
Hamilton, ON
L8E 3L8

Phone : (905) 545-5508

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After  a lovely breakfast at Stone Crock Restaurant, we headed over to the St Jacobs Farmer’s Market, since this was the real reason for our day trip to St Jacobs. A vibrant market with over 600 vendors and aisle upon aisle of fresh produce from across Ontario and from local farm gardens. Plus, there’s meats, cheese, baking, local crafts, home decor, furniture, clothes, tools, housewares, and more.

I was like a kid in a candy store this day! We arrived around noon and the parking lots were jammed packed, however the amount of people you have coming and going, a spot was not that difficult to find. On entering the indoor market you’re immediately greeted with the vibrancy of a packed farmers market. The sounds of people negotiating prices, placing their orders and the occasional shouts from vendors broadcasting what they have on special for the hour. The scent of baked goods, smoked meats and ripe fruits permeated the entire two floors of this master crafted wooden structure. With exposed timber and fine craftsmanship, it felt as if you were in a glamorous barn type building. It reminded me of a scene in the movie “Witness” during a barn raising by the Amish people. But as far as I could tell, the Mennonites were the ones who can lay claim to founding this astounding market.

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The selection and quality of products were unmatched as far as freshness, size and taste goes, but I found the prices to be about 10-15% more than what you’d pay at the grocery store. There were samples galore and one could easily skip lunch and dine just of the wide variety of samples vendors were giving out to shoppers. And in all honesty, it’s the widest selection of pies I’d ever seen in my life and to top it all off I saw a kid selling pickles on a stick. As you would expect to find popsicles, this kid (see pic above) had pickles on sale and they seemed to be hit, with the large crowd I saw around him.

Couple pointers I must mention though… the crowds can be extensive and navigating the market can become a bit of a challenge, without bumping into others and if you plan on bringing your children with you, you may want to think twice about bringing that baby buggy. With the crowds and tight hallways, navigating the aisles may be a bit challenging. However, the outdoor market is well suited for the entire family with it’s complete openness and the kids will get a kick out of the petting zoo at the rear.

You also got the sense of the true multicultural aspect of life in Canada as the food on sale represented many corners of the world. And if you listened closely you could also pick up on a wide array of languages and accents from the vendors and those shopping and others like me who were just mesmerized by everything.

It’s takes a good hour or so to walk through and really grasp everything the indoor market has to offer so do consider this when planning your trip. St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market  is a unique and lively place to shop.

The Outdoor Market.

Just when the sadness of having to leave the market came over me, our friends who’d been here several times before said it was time to go to the outdoor part of the market. My eyes lit up once again and this time I was in for a bigger and better treat. This section reminded me of my childhood days accompanying my mom to Sunday market in the Caribbean. Which was all open-air. The only thing that was missing was the fresh catch of the day, since the market we went to also had a seafood section where the local fishermen would sell what they caught that morning.

Here you’re greeted with the smell of cooking food as there were many options for street food to choose from. Including some of the best pita sandwiches I’d ever seen. Fresh grilled meats, topped with mouthwatering cooked vegetables (peppers,onions etc) and wrapped tightly into a sandwich which you could hold onto while still walking through the market. Seems the fresh cut fries were just as popular, with the huge lines that were gathered to fork over cash for this deep fried goodness.

Just as the indoor market had a wide selection to choose from, the outdoor market was not to be out done, except you here you could find buskers, a flea market and a small petting zoo. There were chickens, ducks, pony rides and from the pics below you’ll see a couple beautiful horses that stuck their heads out the window just in time for me to capture them with my camera.

I’ve never been a friend of flea markets so I quickly browsed through the cheaply made stuff on sale, but I did come across the most magnificent horses I’d ever seen at the rear/side of all the vendors. They was part of the trolley ride you can take through town and this can be found at the back of the outdoor market, where the flea market section is.

It seems that this section of the St Jacobs Market was also used for wholesale selling as there were options to buy in huge quantities. I saw bushels of corns, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, etc and I can only image if we came later in the summer when the local farmers were really reaping their crops.

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BTW if you’re looking for bathrooms you have two options. There’s some within the indoor market on the ground floor and in the outdoor market, work you way into the red building where there’s the designated seating area. And if you’re visiting on a sunny day remember the sunblock and walk with a bottle of water as it gets pretty hot.

I can honestly say that there’s no better way to spend the day or reason to take the drive to St Jacobs. Enjoy international favourites, and local delicacies including sausage, apple fritters, and pure maple syrup sold by Mennonite farmers who travel to market by horse and buggy. Oh yea! – don’t forget to try the pickle on a stick

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market & Flea Market:

878 Weber Street North, Waterloo Ontario

Hours of Operation Phone: 519-747-1830
E-mail:markets@stjacobs.com

3 km. south of Village of St. Jacobs

DAYS & TIMES

Thursday & Saturday year around

7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday Summer Market

June 16 to September 1, 2009

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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I finally got to see my footballing hero, Warren Moon’s dedication at the Canadian Football Hall Of Fame. Unlike most North American boys, I didn’t grow up watching football but I played, soccer, cricket and rugby. Only after moving to Canada some 20+ years ago did I fall madly in love with football. I’m first and foremost an NFL fan, but nothing beats heading out on a warm summer’s evening to watch two CFL teams do battle. The chants, the fans, the smell of spilled beer in the stands and food sizzling away on the grill during the tailgating gives the entire experience a sort of electric feeling.  Don’t forget the bone crunching hits and creative plays on the field.

Downtown Hamilton is notorious for not having adequate parking spots, so I went expecting to have to search for parking. But since the Canadian Football Hall Of fame is situated adjacent to the City Hall, there’s a a wide selection of paid parking (about $2/hr) just off Jackson Street going west. I was greeted by the curator of the Hall of Fame, Meghan Sturgeon who was very welcoming and kind enough to give me a personal tour. I was always under the impression that the hall catered solely to the Canadian Football League and the players and coaches that went through it’s ranks. Meghan explained to me that this was not the case and that the Hall was open to all forms of football history and memorabilia from coast to coast (Canada) and this was even more clear as we continued with the tour and I saw pieces from the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).

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The tour itself lasted about 30 minutes, but if you’re doing this on your own and really want to take in every little bit of football history, I’d suggest you reserve about 40 minutes of your time. The highlight on this tour for me was the Hall of Fame, with all the busts of former football greats. And as I mentioned above, it gave me the opportunity to see the one dedicated to Warren Moon who to this day remains one of my favourite  CFL players. It’s a neat game to see if you can identify the players who have been inducted or at least see if you know the names of these past heroes.

To be quite honest, if you’re not a fan of football you won’t find the Hall of Fame that interesting. However the true fan of the game will have an excellent time being surrounded by so much history and boyhood memories.

The Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum.

58 Jackson Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8P 1L4

Pricing:

Adult                          $7.00
Student                      $3.50
Senior                        $3.50
Family                        $16.00 (limit 2 adults 2 children)
Children under 5 are      Free

Present a CFL, CIS or CJFL game ticket and receive $3.00 off an Adult & $1.00 off Senior and Youth admission (one ticket per discount)

The Canadian Football Hall of Fame was awarded to Hamilton in February 1962 after a successful presentation by Mayor Lloyd D. Jackson. The Parks Board made available a large, old residence near the stadium where the soon to be gathered football treasures could be temporarily housed. Ivan Miller, retired sports editor of The Spectator, was named the first curator.

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Absolutely one of the best 18 hole miniature golf course I’ve ever played. It was one of those hot and humid days where you just didn’t want to leave the refreshing cool air inside the car to venture out, however our visit to Adventure Village was put off the last two times we planned a visit, due to poor weather conditions and nothing was going to stop us having a great time today. I just wished I had on shorts instead of the jeans I was wearing. Our girls were a bit smarter and dressed cool and with a good dose of sunscreen on, we were off to challenge the 18 hole mini putt golf course, climb the 24 foot rock wall, hit some balls at the batting cages, toss and twirl on the bungee trampoline and finish off with a crash derby on the Krazy Kars bumper cars.

It was around noon when we arrived and the miniature golf area was just starting to get a bit busy, so we opted to start off our day at the batting cages. With the long winters we have, this heat wasn’t going to keep people from enjoying the summer. I had never played baseball nor have I ever hit balls in a batting cage before, so Andrew was going to be our guinea pig. I was allowed behind the machine that delivered the balls, so you can see a few action shots in the picture gallery below. Basically you grab a bat and helmet and go into the designated enclosed area to start hitting the balls. The system is fully automated and delivery of the ball makes for an excellent opportunity to really pound away at the balls. Great for fine tuning your technique and hitting power, but controlled enough that anyone can safely hit some balls.

* There are 4 slow softball, 1 medium softball, 1 fast softball, 1 medium baseball, 1 fast baseball, 1 very fast baseball batting cages. Safe for everyone over 4 years old and a great way to get that extra practice.

We then headed over to the Bungee Trampoline which seems to be fairly new as I don’t recall this being here when we visited a couple years back. Tehya being a former provincial level gymnast and current competitive cheerleader, she was eager to give this a try. After being weighed in (yes you have to get on a scale – there may be weight and height restrictions) you’re securely harnessed in and then elevated a bit via the bungee cords and off you go. With the help of the assistant (he adds extra weight as you bounce to really propel you up) , you really start going high and you’re free to do tricks you’re comfortable with. If I were to guess I’d say Tehya reached heights over 25 ft in the air and from the pics you can see all the flips etc she was doing. As we looked on, we could tell that it was fun and something you must try when you visit Adventure Village.

With the heat and humidity (felt like 44 C) we had to take a break to get hydrated a bit, after which we headed over to the rock climbing area. Both Andrew and Kieana got strapped in and after a quick “how to” by the attendant, they began their climb. The route starts off easy and the more you move around the wall in a clockwise direction the hard the route got. Again, a fun event with just as much excitement for us on the ground as onlookers. You could see them struggle as they tried to navigate their way up and as the beads of sweat trickled down their faces, you could see the true determination to reach the top. This attraction is safe for all ages, as you’re secured via ropes and a harness system and the attendant is there with you every step of the way. On coming back down you could tell that Kieana was tired as her legs jiggled under her and she landed up on the ground on her bum. Laughter broke out from us in the peanut gallery and it was all in good fun.

Break two not only included cool drinks, but this time we were attracted by the scent of grilling and deep frying from Big Al’s Cookhouse , so we took a longer break than the last and enjoyed some burgers and poutine. There’s a fairly good menu to choose from and the food to my amazement was much better than I expected. There”s a a huge outdoor seating area where you can kick back and relax while enjoying any of the meals they have on sale. The food is reasonably priced and quite tasty as I mentioned. (good buy are the combos and monthly specials)

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It was now time for the real challenge. 18 holes to prove who’s the best mini putt golfer in the family and we all had our game faces on. We can be very competitive family, but by the time we hit hole 13 the heat had taken it’s toll on us. If you’re looking for a course that attractive, well maintained and challenging, but well suited for any age  or skill level, this one is for you. Without a doubt, this course is the best I’ve played in Southern Ontario.

“An elaborate multi-level 18 hole miniature golf course built over two acres of rapids, waterfalls, shipwrecks, and a train trestle. Every hole provides you with a little history of Southern Ontario and a different challenge.”

The winner this day will remain anonymous as the heat forced us to call it a draw! We’ll be back for another round next week to finally prove who’s the champ!

Our day ended at the Krazy Kars bumper cars area where the cars can actually go 360 degrees and there are no poles attached, so you can really enforce a good pounding on others. With all the harnesses etc we’ve seen in use at Adventure Village we could clearly see that personal safety is one of their main concerns and they work very hard to maintain a safe and enjoyable park for visitors. That said… you’re once again harnessed (strapped) into the cars, then when it’s safe you’re given the green light to start using levers to control your direction and speed. As with everything at adventure Village, the Krazy Kars can be maneuvered by just about anyone. So kids (and big kids) can have the same amount of fun and not worry about anything being complicated to use.

Overall we had an excellent time and if not for the blistering heat we would have tried the out door laser tag and the arcade room as both areas also seemed like tons of fun. For the younger kids, there’s Big Al’s Mining Camp, where kids can experience the excitement of panning for semi-precious gemstones in a sluiceway of rushing waters similar to the Alaska gold rush days.

Adventure Village
580 Van Wagners Beach Road
Hamilton, Ontario L8E 3L8

Toll Free: 1.800.387.8727
Telephone: 905.549.9444

What a great place to come with all your friends and family. Adventure Village is a great place to go for a great school trip, church picnic, camp outing, or let the whole office unwind at the end of a busy day! they cater to:

* Company Outings
* Camp Day Trips
* Team Parties
* School Trips
* Church Picnics
* Senior Outings

For up to date info on pricing and time of operation, check out the links below:

Hours: http://www.adventure-village.com/hours.html
Price List: http://www.adventure-village.com/price_list.html

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NOTE: Special thanks to Denise Ralph and her team at Adventure Village for extending this invitation and for making us feel so welcome.

Don’t forget to leave us your question or comments in the area provided below for commenting. We’d love to get your feedback on Adventure Village. Additionally, we’d love for you to join us on facebook as we’re building one of the largest groups dedicated to all things “Ontario” Click on the image below to be part of this select group on face book.

If you’d like to feature your business or service on Ontarioalive.com or if you’d like to be a reviewer, please contact us today. We’d be happy to accommodate you at our earliest convenience. If you have videos of things that were done in Ontario, we’d love to feature them on the site. Do contact us.

It’s like exploring an enchanted forest with streaks of light forcing it’s way through the lush canopy of trees and spring wild flowers stretching out of the ground in an attempt to catch every second of these rays of sun from above. On our way back from St Jacobs we decided to explore the trails at Hilton Falls, as we had not done anything outdoor related for the season and we all know how fast this wonderful warm weather can be transformed into bitter wintery conditions.

Marko and Toni are very active and have been doing walks, mountain biking and other trails in the area, so I assumed they were better prepared for the hike. However Caron and I have been couch potatoes the past few months and though we consider ourselves outdoor people, in reality the closest we’ve come to doing something like this would be watching an episode of Survivorman on tv. Hey, but at least if we got lost I’d put my fire starting skills that I learned from Les Shroud to good use.

Trail Guides For Ontario Trails.

The conservation area at Hilton Falls is about 1592 acres and is a hub of activity all year for outdoor enthusiast who enjoy hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowshoeing on it’s 33.5 kilometers of overlapping trails. The trails are all colour coded and very easy to identify with the colour tags that are posted along each route. Here’s a list of the trails that can be explored:

Hilton Falls Trail (Yellow Marking) - 4 km – Takes about 1.5 hrs Hiking or 1 hour skiing (This is the trail we did – more on that later)

Red Oak Trail (Red Marking) – 3 km – Takes about 45 minutes hiking or 30 mins skiing.

Beaver Dam Trail (Orange Marking) – 9 km – takes about 2.5 hours hiking or 2 hours skiing.

Bent Rim Trail (Green Marking) – Biking -  5 km – takes about 1.5 – 2 hrs.

Single Track Mountain Bike Trail (Blue Marking) – Biking 7 km - takes about 1.0 -1.5 hrs

Wandering Lynx Backcountry Trail System (Brown Marking) – 6.5 km for biking and takes about 1-1.5 hours.

Then there’s part of the famous Bruce Trail (725 km) which follows the Niagara escarpment from Georgian Bay to the Niagara river and is marked with white painted blazes on the trees.

As you enter the conservation area you’ll be required to pay an entry fee (see link below for current prices) which goes directly to the upkeep of the conservation area. However in my humble opinion – it’s priced too high. With all we see, hear and read about being fit and enjoying the outdoors etc, and the fact that we pay so much taxes in Canada, this should be cheaper. Marko gets the yearly membership for all the conservations in the area, so we didn’t have to pay this day. After you check through the gates you’re given (be sure to ask) a map of all the trails and then head over to the designated parking area, which is free.

Not only did Marko (our trail leader for the expedition) choose what turned out to be the shortest and easiest trail for us, it was the most scenic. It gave us an introduction into the trails at Hilton Falls, without having to worry too much about our physical capabilities as confessed couch potatoes. The trails does have old logging roads through them, so in the event of an emergency I assume it would be fairly easy for rescue to get to you. The mixed forest would have seen better days prior to the forestry that occurred here years ago, but it’s still teeming with life, both flora and fauna.There’s wooded swamps, beaver ponds, stream, wetland pools and brush. As an avid gardener I was amazed at the wide assortment of wild ferns and the moss covered rocks were absolutely stunning.

The prize view this day had to have been the  intrinsic beauty of the 10 metre waterfall that cascades over the Niagara Escarpment like a sheet of water glistening with the rays of the midday sun and the mysterious mill ruins that can be seen to the left side of the pool that formed at the bottom of the falls. Kids will be kids, which would probably explain the teenage girls (in dresses) that were allured to take a dip in the cool water, this warm and humid day. Quite honestly, I wished I had packed my swimming shorts as well. That water looked absolutely refreshing as well as the rush of water pouring off the top tempted me to come stand below it’s flow.

Here are some of the pictures I took along the way. Pay attention to the rock formation (hole carved in the rock-bed) that was formed during the ice age I believe and you’ll also see a couple pics of the dam that was built back in the 1970′s to help control flooding in the area.

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The trail itself is fairly easy to navigate and I would recommend this one is you’re just starting off hiking or if you’re doing this as a family with younger children. Iit’s short, not too demanding physically, marked, there are benches along the way if you need to take a breather and depending on the time of the year you go, you’ll even come across raspberries in fruit! I did notice a sort of outhouse bathroom setup and at the top of the falls, there a picnic area where I did see a campfire lit. Do pack water, sun block and your camera.

Hours of Operation

Park entrance gates open daily at 8:30 a.m. all year round.

Park entrance gate closing times vary by season and are as follows:

June/July/August – 9 p.m.
September/October – 7:30 p.m.
November/December/January – 5 p.m.
February / March – 6:30 p.m.
April/May – 7:30 p.m.

Please note facilities and activities begin at varying times during these hours.

For Current Pricing: http://www.hrca.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1292

Hilton Falls Contact Information
Tel: 905.854.0262
Fax: 905.854.2303

Address: 4985 Campbellville Sideroad Milton, ON

Mailing Address: 2596 Britannia Road West Burlington, ON L7P 0G3

Email: Hilton@hrca.on.ca

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Don’t forget to leave us your questions or comments in the area provided below for commenting. We’d love to get your feedback on the Trails at Hilton Falls. Additionally, we’d love for you to join us on facebook as we’re building one of the largest groups dedicated to all things “Ontario” Click on the image below to be part of this select group on face book.