Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Road Show, Hamilton, a strange story

We left the hotel on Centennial in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and drove across town to Spencer Gorge, just west of Hamilton. We hiked first to Webster Falls.




We were sad because we were unable to hike to the bottom of the goarge for a good view of the falls because the trail down was closed. We stepped over the chain and started down anyway, but there were workmen working on the landings of stairs. We had to go back.



We then hiked along the top of the gorge, with cliffs --big cliffs--falling away below. We went to Tew Falls (second picture), the largest of Hamilton's many waterfalls. Take a look at these cliffs! The Niagara Escarpments runs 700 miles through Canada and is very impressive in Hamilton.



This last picture is in lieu of a series of pictures I did not and could not take. We hiked from Tew Falls to Dundas peak, the point at which the escarpment is highest. When we arrived, these dogs were posed for a photo on the wall above the cliff. The dog's owners (from Illinois) mentioned a cop car (van) parked along the railroad track and as were petting the dogs, we looked down and saw two cops walking along the tracks. We had to use binoculars to see them, the cliffs there are that high. As we were watching, more cop cars arrived and a firetruck, and we heard sirens behind us as well, and then three cops came to where we were standing and asked us to LEAVE. I asked them if this was a drill and they said, "Unfortunately not."

The sweatshirt on the wall by the dogs was there when we got there and did not belong to the folks form Illinois. On the way back to the car, we speculated sadly (and humorously) about what might have happened. We were afraid someone may have jumped (suicide) and that that may have been their shirt which all of us inadvertently touched as we were petting the dogs. But that was only speculation--we have no idea what really happened. We do know that TV crews and newspaper reporters and photographers were arriving--and the cops were cordoning off the area and not letting them in. And turning back other hikers.

An ambulance came, but did not have its siren on. We worried that that was a bad omen. Eric, in the comments below, has given a link to a story! :-( (Thanks, Eric!) And another related link. More 11/18. (Thanks, Stine).

18 comments:

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

Did you find out what happened?

The waterfall and limestone cliffs are beautiful. My dog doesn't like heights - he would never pose like that!
Three Rivers Daily Photo

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

NO--we never found out what happened! Becasue we left the area and drve home right after that.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I tried googling Hamilton News but found nothing.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

That is, nothing relevant to this.

Eric said...

Awesome pictures! (as usual...)

But a sad story. Check this link out I found: http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/674148

Lowell said...

These are gorgeous photos of a gorgeous place. And the dogs are to die for! What cuties!

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Thanks so much Eric and Jacob.

Eric, I will check out that link!

THANKS!

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Oh dear! :-(

I wonder if it was suicide or murder. How terribly sad.

Of course, they wouldn't tell us anything.

VP said...

Unlucky hike from the start for the works on the trail. Sorry to read the story of the missing man.
The views are amazing as the portrait of the dogs. I hope the rest didn't spoil what seems a wonderful trip.

Montag said...

I stood at the foot of those falls 40 years ago with a lovely local girl.

I have not seen a picture, nor been back, since. It is a beautiful spot.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Thanks, VP and Montag! We had a wonderful trip. Sad news though about the missing boy (young man).

B SQUARED said...

What a tragedy. Nice shots and very pretty dogs, however.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I felt bad joking about it a little in the beginning because it all seemed so bizarre, but it turned out not to be funny at all, but VERY SAD!

Unknown said...

The photos are wonderful, Mary, but the news doesn't sound good about David Skarratt. Hmmmm.

Unknown said...

Mary,
This is dated November 18th:

http://www.630ched.com/Channels/LocalNews/Hamilton/Story.aspx?id=1166150

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Thanks so much Asta and Stine.

Because we were there at the time the body was discovered, I'm kind of interested in learning more about it. Thank you. Sad.

Rose said...

Haven't visited the link yet, but these photos are of an amazing site!

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

It IS amazing, and gorgeous, and well worth a visit!