Fall Wild Flower Walk

        Every year since 1981 I have led a wild flower walk during the weekend closest to the end of October and beginning of November. For the last 12 years or so Fleur-Ange has co-lead with me. Most, but not all, of the walks have been on the Hamilton Waterfront trail for the last few years. There seem to be more flowers there later in the season. I am attributing the streetlights by the trail as well as the location right next to the harbour for the later blooms. In any case there are always more flowers blooming there.

        This year, on Saturday, November 1st, we found 52 wild flowers in bloom. Following is the list and two photos:

Alyssum, Hoary *

Aster, Frost

Aster, Heath

Aster, New England

Aster, Panicled

Beggar Tick Photo by Fleur-Ange

Beggar Tick, Tall

Bindweed, Hedge

Black-Eyed Susan

Bugleweed, Rough

Butter-And-Eggs*

Catnip *

Chickweed, Mouse-Ear *

Chicory *

Cinquefoil, Rough

Clover, White *

Clover, White Sweet *

Crown-vetch,       Purple  *

Dandelion, Red-Seeded *

Dogwood, Red-Osier (S)

Evening Primrose, Common

Flax, Common *

Fleabane, Daisy

Galinsoga *

Galinsoga, Small-Flowered

Goldenrod, Lance-Leaved

Goldenrod, Tall

Groundsel, Sticky * (S.Ragwort)

Heal-All

Knotgrass, Common *

Knotweed, Japanese *

Lady's Thumb *

Medick, Black *

Mint, Wild

Moth Mullein Photo by Dean

Mustard, Black *

Nightshade, Eastern Black

Queen Anne's Lace *

Ragweed, Common

Ragweed, Perennial (Western)

Saint Johnswort, Common *

Smartweed,   Water

Snowberry

Sow Thistle, Common *

Sow Thistle, Field *

Thistle, Bull *

Thistle, Canada *

Touch-Me-Not, Spotted

Vetch, Cow * (Tufted V.)

Wallrocket *

Yarrow, Common * My apologies for the errors in the list. Blogger is doing strange things to my format for some reason.

Another Half Marathon

        I have run Hamilton’s Road-2-Hope race all eight times that it has been run. Seven times I ran the half marathon and one time, when I was 66, I ran the full marathon. During the past four half marathons I have been just a bit faster each time with today’s being the best of the last four. Before that I had one very slow run and two faster runs. Last year I actually place in the top three with a second place finish. Even though I ran faster this year, I came in forth in my age group out of 5. I was a bit disappointed but then I did come in before 236 other runners of whom almost all were younger than I and then there are all those who are not running or did not even make it to my age so I cannot feel too bad. 

Thanks to Fleur-Ange for the photo!

        Oh, today’s time was 2:22:24 compared to my slowest half marathon 2:37:54 back when I was 66. My fastest half was when I was 48 years old and it was 1:43:56. I am hoping to keep running for a few more years. I signed up for the Hamilton Bay Race next March. It is 30 km with a few more ups and downs compared to what I ran today. I shall not be trying for a faster time in that race but just to finish as it has always been a challenge for me and resulted in a long 6 year recess from running years ago due to an injury. I will be pleased to just finish!

Thanks to Donna Quick for this photo!