Nine Mile River Hike

This is a wonderful trail system in Nine Mile River.  The maps are a little confusing but there is signage now.  I can't imagine one would get lost here, but you might end up going longer than expected...as we met someone who had done just that by accident, and it helped us make our decision to retrace our steps (about 4 kms total for us today, and a long stop) rather than do the full distance (only because we are in football Sunday season!)  I don't know exactly who has built the trails, other than some local dedicated folks doing a beautiful job.  It is a really fun trail.  I did a 10 kms hike with an adult group back in September.  I thought it looked like an interesting place to take the family, but I wasn't sure if the kids would like the trails as we usually do much more single-track with rocks and roots.  I find kids generally are much more interested in technically trails.  This trail is mostly clear (crusher dust for several kms) but it has lots of twists and turns, and little ups and down that the kids found interesting to run.  I will definitely return in the spring to trail run the whole distance myself!

The best part for the kids, without a doubt, was the hidden treasure of a
zipline in the middle of nowhere!!
















We all had our turns climbing this tree by the rive, and we all had our pictures taken there.  I'm just posting mine this time :)
 
Such an enchanting place, with the river running quickly by and the ice melting and cracking with a boom in the quietness.  I could imagine spending hours here.  Unfortunately the zipline wasn't high enough for the adults, so we were getting chilled.  We let the kids play for an extended time, but then bribed them with snacks back on the "real" trail.

Snack time, micro-geocache found, and turn around point for us.

Admiral lake loop

I'm in love with this rugged backwoods trail.  I did this trail with a group of 12 adults last Tuesday.  I was amazed that I had never made more of effort to do this trail previously.  The trail is relatively short at 5.5 kms and some added flat rail trail, however it has lots of rocks and roots and many look-offs.  The Musquodoboit Railway Association suggest giving yourself 4-5 hours which is pretty reasonable depending on your group. 

When I got home from that hike, I ranted and raved to the kids how great the trail was, and showed them pictures of "the cave".  This morning, the kids insisted that they could handle this tough hike as they really wanted to explore around the cave.  Last year, we did some fantastic hikes in the Gaspe region that were up mountains and longer distances.  I was excited to try the Admiral Lake Loop as a family hike, but for some reason still a little hesitant.  I compensated by packing more chocolate :)
We also stopped on route for juice packs and chocolate covered PB granola bars.  It's always a good idea to pack some exciting food things that the kids don't usually get at home. 

Often we start our hikes in the afternoon, that way we are sure the adults have had enough caffeine and we get lunch out of the way too.  Today, we managed to be on the trail by 11:15am. 

We started on the Musquodoboit Trail (a flat rails to trails).  We decided to get the flat section out of the way first and did the loop in a clockwise direction.  (if you read the http://www.mta-ns.ca/Index.asp?inc=AdmiralLoop&s=Spring description, we did it the opposite way).

After a quick ascent, we stopped at Jessie's Diner (what a view of the lake below).  The kids had a juice pack.  Unfortunately, we left their water bottles in the cars.  I was trying to get them to drink more water on the way to the hike so they would be hydrated! Oh well, luckily we had a water filter with us.  I just needed to remind the kids to drink from my water pack more often. 

The next stop was at Eunice Lake.  The kids were happy to throw pebbles into the lake, attempting to get all the bugs that were resting on top of the still water.  The adults found a rest stop in the shade and called the kids over for their granola bars.  Al filtered some water while the kids and I started up the trail. 

It didn't seem to take long to reach Admiral Lake Look-off.  It is quite a sight to look out over the White Lake Wilderness Area.  There were several groups here.  I was surprised to see how many families were out...even though it was a spectacular spring day for a hike...it is sometimes unusual to see other kids of any age on the trails, particularly a backcountry trail.  We had our lunch here.  It also gave us a chance to take off our sneakers and air out our feet.  That felt great! (I was wearing some new Merrill barefoot trail shoes).  Hummus and pita, cheese and crackers, hard chips, and two bite brownie! yum-yum!

We stopped at a stream to get some more water shortly.  Liam was not listening about staying out of the water and not throwing things in it (as Al was about to filter water from there).  In hindsight, it's easy to see why he would want to play around the water on such a hot day, and how acknowledging that first would help.  Unfortunately, we both got too upset that he wasn't listening to us.   We need to remind ourselves at these times, that Liam has spent enough time on the trail and knows well enough by now - if your feet get wet, you just have to keep walking as there is nothing we can do about it.  And if you knowlingly get your feet wet, then you are the one that is going to be uncomfortable.  It certainly wasn't a bit threat as it was warm day.  Again, I took the kids ahead so Al could filter without distraction. 

Next stop was the much anticipated cave! The kids were not disappointed!  With the adult group, I had walked through the cave (insert picture as it's not really a cave but a fallen rock but still cool).  With the kids, we explored above and below the rock and up and around every crevice we could find.

Zachary had his poop of the day - we didn't have time to find the perfect spotto dig a hole and he wasn't far off the trail  (luckily no one came by).  Al was still able to bury it after the fact (yes, I know, details that you care about! :)  We all had juice packs (hydrate! hydrate!) and we were on our way again.  

Zachary lost a little steam after finally gettting to explore the cave but mostly managed to keep trucking along.  He took a break on a fun little stool with backrest made out of a tree stump.  We met up again with Liam and Al at the Harbour Look-off.  We stood on the "peak" past the fenced area, but we made the kids hold our hands the entire time.  The boys were excited to find a geo-cache.  I aired out my feet again, and found the secret box of Pot of Gold chocolates.  Woohoo!

Zachary and I got a chance to chat and walk along holding hands most of the way.  I think he enjoyed us moving mostly at his pace and he made up 14 secret superhero names for himself.  So cute. 

We met numerous people with dogs on this hike.  This is always more of an issue for us because of our experience of a child being bitten, but all the dog owners were more than considerate.  A few of them didn't have their dogs leashed, but the dogs were more interested in continuing down the trail than meeting us. 

Al and Liam made it to the junction to the Skull Trail and then backtracked to meet up with us again.  We headed down the rocky boulder path and took the new barely broken in trail that leads you to the old cart trail, turned left and followed it back directly to where we had parked our car.  The old cart trail gave us an opportunity to do some trail running in which we all participated.  It always relieves me that they are running at the end of the trail, meaning we didn't totally wear them out. 

Supper in musquodoboit harbour :)

Sugar Moon Farm - 2013 March Break

March 15 - Friday of the March Break

I'm still not entirely sure how the Sugar Moon adventure all worked out so well, and to think I almost just said no as I assumed I wouldn't be able to pull it off.  Our family stayed at my brother in law's place in Greenhill.  We did a very short walk at Greenhill provincial park on Thursday.  It was incredibly wet on the trail, and an uncontrolled dog made the decision an easy one to head back to the car.  It was a bit of a difficult night for the boys, but somehow they finally managed to fall asleep.  I tried my best to get a good night's sleep but a couple of owls hooted all night long....made me reconsider whether I could actually be a country girl or not!!

I was certain that I wouldn't be able to hike with others on this day, but after breakfast, Al suggested I go take another rest.  I'm really glad that I did.  After a couple more coffee, we made plans to meet Ash and the boys, and Dave, Sue and Jarod at Sugar Moon for 12 noon.  We also took one of our nieces (11yrs) with us in our car. We figured if the trails were not that suitable, we would do a short 1/2 hr in, and then be back for 1pm to eat at the restaurant.  We were late because we didn't get gas the night before and the gas light came on on the way there.  No one seemed to mind too much. 

The boys were full of energy though, and scooted up the trail in record time and didn't seem to want to break too much.  By the half way point, we were committed to doing the whole loop (6.2k).  It was super fun to have so many people on the trail with us.  We also had a dog on leash with us.  My niece was so pleased to be able to take care of her for Ash.  Liam seemed to get much more comfortable with the dog too. 

I left a couple things in the car because I assumed we would do a shorter hike.  Luckily, there wasn't much consequence for this, but a good reminder to not make such assumptions.  The things in my backpack got wet as well - another reminder to keep a garbage bag in my backpack.  Zach's feet did get cold today, and I felt pretty bad for not taking a different pair of footwear for him.  I carried him for a bit, as did Al, which never happens anymore, but it's really important that he is left with more positive memories of the trails. 

The apple cider, fresh biscuits with maple butter, and pancakes with loads of maple syrup were definitely a fantastic way to finish off an adventure.  The kids also enjoyed some sugar on snow before leaving  - as if the maple syrup wasn't enough!

chebucto head

Raincoats are made for rain

Your gear is important.  There is no question about that.  It's paramount in children's gear, particularly on a wet winter's day hike.  Our gear held up decently on our hour and half walk through Oakfield Provincial Park, but I'm not sure all of us would have been warm and dry still after 3 or 4 hours, especially in the downpour rains that started just as we were ending our walk...so it's shopping time ;)

I love how the forecast, the actual rain, and/or the planned route needing to be changed at the last minute didn't affect us from getting out there.  My youngest doesn't always love the idea of going but he's always so determined when he gets going.  It's always a lot more work for him but he doesn't complain much once he's doing it. 

Of course, it helps immensely how much their dad engages them in play.  I don't mind playing the part of Princess Leia or Ventress or Queen Amadayla, but I usually just keep walking along, occassionally holding out a pretend lightsaber or drive a landspeeder.  Their dad really helps them with using their imagination.  They love it.  I sometimes wish they would notice the size of a tree, see a footprint in the snow, or hear the raindrops falling, but that will come one day.  Right now, it's just important that they equate being outside with fun times. 

Breadalbane with and without kids over the holidays