When I started my desire to go on an adventure a week I knew there would be some weeks that would be more exciting than others. I also knew that some plans would fall through and I should always have a back up plan.
Gage Park is in the east end of Hamilton. A large open space with a great play area, band shell, and many paths to walk. It also has a giant tropical greenhouse. When I began creating plans for adventures a year ago I knew about the greenhouse and kept it in my back pocket for a week when I had nothing else. There were some weeks I thought I had to use it. I would even tell friends I was heading there. However, I always found something else to do. Something else would pop up, and I would put it off for another time. I once issued a formal apology to the greenhouse, for always making it my last resort.
The week finally came that I had to use my back up plan. With a crazy busy week I couldn’t fit in another adventure. Off to the Gage park I went. I arrived right after 9am, when the greenhouse opens. Parking was free, and there wasn’t very many people there.
Upon walking into the greenhouse I could see 4 other people total. A father and toddler, as well as two women sitting at tables having coffee. They all gave me a warm smile as I walked past. Well, 3 out of the 4, the child glared at me. I descended the stairs and to the glass bridge. I watched the koi fish and looked for turtles. I read the plaques, and searched for the corpse flower. I took a moment next to the waterfall, gazing at the beauty of a giant palm tree, and that was it. Walking very slowly, and trying to take as much time as possible I had spent 15 minutes in the tropical greenhouse.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a beautiful place. A great place to meet a friend for coffee, or take a small child to watch the fish. The other people there had the right idea. If you’re a person who can sit with their thoughts it would be perfect. Unfortunately, I’m not good at being quiet or sitting still. For someone like me who has to keep moving, keep exploring, I went through it rather quickly.
I walked back outside through the rose gardens, surprised to see that on November 15th there were in fact still roses. I spent more time walking around the park, looking at the outside of the greenhouse, and trying to catch a glimpse of inside the other greenhouses that are blocked to the public. During this time it started to snow.
It was the first snowfall of the year, and at first I didn’t know what it was. My comment to the camera is that it was pollen hitting me in the face. It wasn’t until later did I realize it was snow. I love snow. I love the freshness it brings, and the magic of it. I was very pleased with this discovery, and that I had managed to capture it on camera. So while the greenhouse hadn’t quite held up to my expectations, the day definitely did.
Now I need a new backup plan.
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