Bike, kayak, hike, outdoor exercise equipment and playground day

This was a busy Sunday Family Day! Al went for a run in Shubie park while Liam rode his bike. I'm so excited that we're at that stage, or I guess I should say, Liam is.  Zachary stayed home with me to play some games, and help clean up the toy room.  We hope he gets excited about biking too, but we won't push it, especially when he's willing to help me clean. 
Then we headed to MEC's paddle fest at Graham's Cove in Dartmouth.  There were lots of boats to try.  From my perspective, it could have been better organized, and/or staff that knew what was going on.  However, there were lots of people on the water trying out new things. And soon after arriving,   my kids had a couple of kids sit-on-top kayaks.  The paddles were a bit heavy and a little long for them, but it was great to give them a try for free.  I'd love to see the kids and us get on the water some this summer, but still not sure what boat would be the best  for the boys to learn to paddle.  The kids jumped in the water to cool off (in their pants).  It started to get quite warm and we had a change of clothes for them.  We had our free chocolate milk from Scotsburn Milk - Yum, and then headed for hiking.
I have been wanting to check out the Nova Scotia Nature Trust Conservation Lands in Purcell's Cove for awhile now.  It was almost 2pm and it's a shorter hike, so we figured this was a good day to hike it.  By the time we arrived, it was really warm and sunny, with a few slight breezes.  Thankfully, I packed lots of water, even for a short hike.  I loved the trail, but wet in a few sections. It's not signed so we were not entirely sure of where we were going.  Al knew there was a pond, and he was a bit familiar with the property from his work, plus he had his GPS phone. Again, he assured me that we would be fine, and we were.  There were a few other parties at the pond, sunbathing and relaxing.  We didn't hang out much as everyone in our family were quite hot, and there were a few flies annoying the adults (funny how they buzzed us, and not the kids).  We had a little snack in the shade right on the trail. Two girls in flipflops walked by us.  Liam tried to warn them that it was difficult ahead, but they decided to go for it anyway.  It's not a terribly difficult hike, but I wouldn't want flip flops for it (there's my old age showing! ha! I probably wouldn't have thought anything of it when I was a teenager either).  We explored a bit around the other side of the pond.  Zachary had a poop! and I wiped his bum with moss.  I love that he's completely comfortable with doing it outside now.  (yeah, I know I'm weird about the things I plan to pick up a book on plants, trees, and animals to increase my knowledge, and add to the kids' experience in the outdoors.
We headed to the Dingle Tower ice cream stand (now Beavertails), and the boys all had ice cream.  They shared a few licks with me :) From the parking lot, it's a minute to the playground which was extremely busy.  We stayed a little while, and Liam wet his feet at the beach (I didn't have any further changes of clothes). 
In the car again, and again we weren't sure where we were going.  We ended up at Rogue's Roost on Spring Garden Rd.- a nice little pub with a new kids' menu, and not terribly busy.  We were starving and the food was good.  It was great to have window seats overlooking Spring Garden Rd.  It kept the kids busy, and the helpful waiter brought some superhero coloring books, too.
With full bellies, we decided we needed a little more exercise for the day.  After much discussion, we drove to the Lake Banook playground where new exercise equipment had been installed.  When we arrived, no one was using them.  It was fun to check out all the different equipment.  I got a workout for my core and arms.  The kids had fun at them too.  Then we played hide-and-seek and police-and-robbers on the playground equipment. 
By 7:30pm, we had some very tired kids and parents! Time to head home!

Love a random hike

Happy Father's Day! June 19, 2011This past weekend, we were in PEI.  Al & I got out for a whole night with the kids staying at my mom's (woohooo!) That's pretty exciting for us so I thought I'd just add that in.  We even had some Gahan House beers (the only beer brewed in PEI). 
Normally we try to ensure we get a family hike in on Sundays, but I was a bit worried with our travels back to Dartmouth (NS) that it would get put by the wayside.  Things were hectic in the AM with cooking a big breakfast for Father's Day, then we decided we'd do a big lunch with lobsters because I hadn't been home for Mother's Day.  Busy. Busy! And packing, too.  It was nearly lunch and I was still in my PJs so I sent the boys out for a geocaching hike, and I hopped in the shower at 11:30am! So at least the boys had some outside time.  It was a crazy weather pattern day;  it was sunny and warm for 5 mins., then pouring and thundering and lightning.  It made it hard to plan to stop anywhere on the drive back home.  However, Liam insisted he needed to stop for a bathroom break, and I figured we all probably could, so we stopped at Wentworth provincial day park.  It was sunny and we decided to explore a bit.   We headed for a run towards the little bridge in the park which led to a beautiful green field, but we noticed a little path leading up a hill beside it.  We followed it to the top.  Although, it was not well marked, it did continue so we followed it a bit further.  Then it led to a well defined trail but it had several trails that went in different directions.  I was a little worried that we didn't have a map or any supplies with us.  Al seemed to think we would be fine (and we were). The kids were eager to keep moving, running most of the way.  The trail got muddy, and there were falls in the mud.  I didn't stress, as I  knew we had a full supply of clothes in the car, and because I didn't stress, it made the whole adventure a great little hike for everyone.  I thought the kids looked hilarious falling in the mud puddles, but unfortunately I didn't have a camera.  We ended up doing a little circle route around the provincial day park.  The thunder was starting to roll back in, and the bugs got crazy when we stopped at the car, so it was a relief to get moving towards home (or, I should say ice cream cones at Masstown Market).

Prospect

May 29th, 2011
Another family day hike. I just discovered how to post multiple pictures to this blog, so I'm really just testing this.
This was a fabulous hike, and I wish I had blogged about it on the Sunday that we did the hike. You can hike right into the little village of Prospect, but we weren't exactly sure how long it was, and it was extremely foggy at times. We just hiked until we felt like turning back to our vehicle, but I suspect we will be back to do the full hike someday. It was relatively warm, despite the fog, and the sun tried desperately to come out. We all ended up feeling pretty worn out after the hike. We weren't sure if we had gone longer than we thought, just got dehydrated, or maybe just not the right fuel food, or if perhaps it was deceivingly difficult. There was a lot of different terrain - rocky, lots of roots, wet and muddy section, the beach sand, the big rocks to leap on and climb over.
We did do geo-caching, and even did a clean-up by the geo-cache. We found tubing and parts of hola-hoop on the beach. We took the sticks, but left the tubing (it's in one of pictures).
steep

Rogart Mountain and Sugar Moon Farm

We just had a fantastic family weekend!! My husband had bought a ticket for the Tatamagouche Train Station Inn (www.trainstation.ca) at the Nova Scotia Nature Trust Dinner and Auction last year.  We had seen the place while travelling through Tatamagouche previously, and someone at his work had been there, so it was on our list of things to do someday.  So glad we made it there.  What a unique experience!  We hadn't talked it up to the kids too much, but they didn't need it, they were sooo excited.  When we made it there on Saturday afternoon, they could hardly contain themselves.  We were in Caboose #6.  We had a late lunch in the diningcar. (yummy seafood chowder for me! the kids loved their pita pizza, too).  Then we headed back to the caboose so the kids could play while Al was getting a run in on the old trainbed trail that was right beside our place.  The kids loved climbing up to the cupola where they could sit in the chairs and make the windshield wipers move.  They also discovered the closets that they could hide in.  They played hide and seek.  They got along splendidly :) After awhile, I decided we needed some outside time so we strolled down the Trans Canada trail, looking out for their dad, and finding a little artsy store selling souvenirs, baked goods and ice cream.  We settled on some gingerbread cookies - delish!! We decided to hang out in the Creamery Square outside (too bad we missed the Saturday morning market), until we spotted a hot & sweaty dad.  I can't say much, as I haven't been doing my runs lately.  I did decide it was time to get a walk in myself (that's right, all by myself!) and I walked up the trail to the Mercantile Store.  They had a few nice things but not the pottery butter dish that I have been looking for.  The boys met me there in the car, and we decided it was time for the kids to get some outside time at the school playground.  All too soon (for the kids), it was time to go for supper.  We did love the diningcar experience for lunch, but I was worried about it too formal for us for the evening and tired kids.  We checked out Big Al's which is right next door.  The server was awesome,  the place had some interesting characters (in person and wood statues), and we met Big Al!! A little walk through downtown Tatamagouche after supper, then back to the caboose for more climbing and hiding.  It did take awhile for Zach to settle down for bed, partly because he was in a train, and partly because that's just what he does some nights.  There were a few ATVs for by, but not many, and none that I heard after I went to sleep (and I'm a light sleeper, even after a glass of red wine). 

The next morning, we had our complimentary scones and coffee (kids had cereal and juice).  You can buy a full breakfast but we planned on going to Sugar Moon Farm later so we opted for the complimentary light breakfast. I had some time to check out the gift shop (quite a variety - too bad I'm not a better shopper) while the kids and Al went back to the caboose to play again.  It was really like having an indoor playground in your room.  Oh, and I do have to make special mention to the water pressure in the shower - absolutely fantastic! I gathered from reading some of the guests comments that this place is a special and unique place for a variety of people, young and old.  My children just loved it immensely, and I wonder when the questions will start, "when can we go back to the train station inn?" 

When we left the train station inn, it was surprising quiet in the car as we headed for Sugar Moon Farm (www.sugarmoon.ca).  We arrived about noon.  The parking lot was full.  Liam decided that he could wait to eat, and we should do our hike first.   This is a 6.2k loop trail which goes over Rogart Mt., and initially we thought we would do a short section and return back to the restaurant.  None the less,  Al packed up our backpack with snacks, water, and extra clothes.  We all donned our rain jackets as it was a little chilly and looked like it might rain soon.  We did this trail last year with my dad and his girlfriend (may 9th, 2010 as we discovered in the trail book of one of geocaches we found again).  As is somewhat common, Liam and I took off quickly, and Zachary and Al stayed together.  We did link up as "trains" for a few sections of the trail which helped keep the motivation going.  Overall, we seemed to be zooming along sections, and before long, we knew we would be doing the whole trail.  I worried that we didn't have enough food and water, but the kids kept a great pace.  We stopped at several geocaches, and for a few snack breaks.  Liam and I ran quite a few sections of it - super great for trail running.  Liam had a couple of falls but seemed to recover quickly.  Zach had one that "required" a little band-aid.  By the time we returned to the parking lot, and more importantly, the restaurant, things had cleared out.  We had a feast of pancakes and juice, and Al enjoyed the sausage and beans, too.  And lots and lots of maple syrup!!! in the lovely log cabin setting.  With a new map for more hiking trails in the area, full bellies and a wonderful kids CD, we headed down the road for home.