[the dude]

join me on a circuitous trip from my house in strathcona to bad dog café in kirkendall. i make this trip several times a month because, well, the coffee’s good and the victorian architecture along the way is fantastic. i often chuckle when i view photo tours of other cities’ neighbourhoods because nine times outta ten, hamilton’s are nicer. we’ve got a wealth of beautiful, historic and [relatively] affordable housing that would make other cities blush…if they knew about it. with that in mind, let’s crack on!

here’s a map of the tour.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/baddogcafe.jpg

many homes in the area sport nice gingerbread woodwork and wrought iron details.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0455.jpg

lots of churches. zion united is too big for my little camera.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0412.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0410.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0411.jpg

tonnes of cottages.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0415.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0420.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0421.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0424.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0425.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0426.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0437.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0445.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0451.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0449.jpg

westside theatre on the ever-busy king st.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0418.jpg

the ever-present gilbert’s.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0416.jpg

more beautiful victorian-era homes.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0419.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0423.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0429.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0428.jpg

cp tracks heading to the GO station.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0431.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0430.jpg

locke street. trendy, vibrant.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0432.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0433.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0434.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0442.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0441.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0440.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0439.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0438.jpg

we have arrived, the bad dog café.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0435.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0436.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0444.jpg

much maligned main st. beautiful buildings still line this busy artery.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0446.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0447.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0448.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0422.jpg

back to king st.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0452.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0453.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0454.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0456.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/IMG_0450.jpg

that’s it! thanks for tagging along.

[DC83]

Sweet!!! Thanks, dude! BUTTTT... did u find any coffee?? (now that Bad Dog's gone?)

[flar]

In Hamilton you can walk a long, long way without ever leaving Victorian territory

[the dude]

no, not gone. the building's been sold but the coffee still flows. they have a contract that can't be touched by the new owner.

[raisethehammer]

no, not gone. the building's been sold but the coffee still flows. they have a contract that can't be touched by the new owner.

what!? do you know this for sure?? I hope so.
Amazing Dude, you and I walk the same streets! I was able to name almost every street by seeing the homes.
Awesome hood we live in.
I hope the Strathcona Firehall includes a Greek cafe. The idea has been thrown around.

[DC83]

Mmmmm Baclava!!
The Greek booth at the Farmer's Market (along the ramp) makes the best imo!
He should expand into the firehall!

Are those suites open yet? Were they retirement, or open to everyone?
(the Firehall bldg on Strathcona)

[raisethehammer]

I think the suites are for Greek folks in the nearby church. the church built it.