Old Mill Trail, South Farmington, Annapolis County
Old Mill Trail, South Farmington, Annapolis County
The Old Mill Trail in South Farmington, Annapolis County, is a lovely little trail, tucked away in the back of a subdivision.
Looking for a new hike to try, we decided to check out the Old Mill Trail which is tucked away in behind Wilmot, off Route 1.
The trail is a figure 8 loop trail, only 700m long.
This is what the website says:
Old Mill Trail is the first wheelchair accessible walking trail opened by the Municipality of the County of Annapolis.The trail has been leveled, compacted and designed in a way that people who require a wheelchair can move along it with ease. Throughout the trail, there are benches, picnic tables, and bridges that are accessible to people walking the trail, and to those using a wheelchair. Old Mill Trail is situated on 2.2 acres of land along the banks of the beautiful Annapolis River.
The walk only took us about 15 minutes.
We were awarded with some stunning views.
And, see if you can spot the Christmas tree!
The trail weaves and wends through a hardwood forest. It is definitely stroller and toddler friendly.
How to Get There
Old Mill Trail is located at 213 Adam Drive, South Farmington, Annapolis County.
When you are driving Route 1, take Old Mill Road immediately beside Frenchys to reach Adam Drive.
*Keep in mind that there is construction on the Old Mill Road Bridge, so you might have to go further down to Bayard Road, cross the river and double back, to reach the trail.*
At the entrance to the subdivision, there is a sign for the trail.
Go to the end of the cul-de-sac and you can’t miss it!
The next time you are driving through Annapolis County and need to stretch your legs, take a quick jaunt to check out this beautiful setting. Bring your picnic, too!
VALLEY FAMILY FUN: Kentville’s soccer dome a big hit with all ages
VALLEY FAMILY FUN: Kentville’s soccer dome a big hit with all ages
It’s winter! Who doesn’t want to curl up in a ball and hibernate? As good as this might sound, I know our boys start to go stir crazy and need a way to burn off some of that energy. While outdoor play is vital, it’s not always possible. This is where the Kentville indoor soccer facility comes into play.
Located on Park Street in Kentville next to Kings County Academy, the “dome” is an indoor soccer stadium and multi-sport facility. The field turf is actually made of ground rubber from recycled tires – hence the little black dots you’ll find everywhere when you leave!
Continue reading in my bi-weekly column in the Advertiser…
Eating out with Friends and Family: Hill’s Grills
Eating out with Friends and Family: Hill’s Grills and Panini Press and Tea House
PLEASE NOTE: THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED
Valley Family Fun is eating out with friends and family around the Annapolis Valley to report back to you new places to try. It’s all about supporting our local business owners and eating locally!
Have you heard? Hill’s Grills is the new word in Kentville, and a place you need to check out!
Opened in downtown Kentville in September 2017, Hill’s Grills has been busy ever since!
I got a backstage look at the owner Hillary and the story behind the restaurant when I interviewed her for a story for the Advertiser.
READ ARTICLE HERE
Step inside and you are greeted with bright, cheerful colours and decor that makes you want to sit down and enjoy your morning.
There is a wide array of teas to choose from, and if you like it that much, you can buy it on site, too!
The coffee is also great, and as one friend joked,
“The coffee changed my life!”
When you go, make sure you order one of their specialty paninis. I’ve had both the roast beef and vegetarian sandwiches. I’m hard pressed to decide which one I liked better!
Hill’s Grills also serves breakfast, so we’ll be back soon to check that out, too! And, there is a wide array of sweet treats including lots of gluten-free options.
Hours and Location
2 Webster Street, Kentville, on the corner of Cornwallis and Webster Street
Open most days from 6:30am to 4:30pm
Next time you are hungry, thirsty, need a great place for a meeting or to meet with friends, check out another local business, Hill’s Grills in Kentville!
5 Thanksgiving Name Cards
Today I’m participating in a Maritime Parenting Bloggers Thanksgiving Turkey blog hop! After you read my post be sure to click over to some of the other blog posts linked at the bottom for more turkey ideas!
5 Thanksgiving Name Cards
Every year we have a big family gathering for Thanksgiving. I always have the boys make name cards for the table. It started as a craft activity when they were younger – learning to cut, glue, and playing with paint. As they got older, it was a way for them to practice their printing.
Because we usually have around 20 people for dinner, we usually start making the name cards at least a week in advance as the kids get tired quickly!
I am NOT crafty at all. So, these are quick and easy crafts that anyone should be able to handle!
Here are 5 ways to make Thanksgiving name cards:
Turkey Apple
Cut out tail feathers from a variety of colours of construction paper.
Write the person’s name on one of the tail feathers.
Cut out a turkey head from a different colour of construction paper. Draw on an eye, or use googly eyes.
With a sharp knife, make a slit in the apple and stick in the head and tail feathers.
Fall leaves
Collect coloured fall leaves – enough for one per person
Cut small slips of paper (or use labels) and write the name of each person on the slips of paper.
Cut a piece of waxed paper slightly bigger than the leaf.
Place the leaf on the waxed paper (waxy side up) and put the name tag on top of the leaf.
Cut another piece of waxed paper the same size as the first, and place it over top of the leaf (waxy side down).
Place the waxed paper-leaf-waxed paper stack on top of a hand towel.
Place another hand towel over top of the stack.
With a warm iron, iron the stack through the towels. This should melt the wax of the waxed paper, and cause it to stick together.
Trim around the leaf if you want. After you trim it, you might need to re-seal the edges by ironing it again.
Hand-shaped Turkey
Trace your child’s hand on a clear piece of paper. I personally LOVE the look of a baby’s hand with this craft!
When you trace the hand, try to have the 4 fingers together and the thumb slightly separated.
On the thumb, draw an eye (or use a googly eye) and a waddle.
On the tips of the finger, colour stripes of red, orange and yellow with crayon.
Cut out the hand.
Write the person’s name on the turkey
Corn
Cut two leaves out of green construction paper.
Cut a cob-like shape out of yellow construction paper.
Set out brown paint. Have kids dip their fingers into the paint and make “dots” all over the yellow corn shape. This will be like the kernels on the cob.
Write the person’s name on the yellow cob.
Glue the leaves behind the cob.
Painted Turkeys
Set out red paint and yellow paint.
With a sponge or brush, paint one hand red and the other yellow. (OR, paint both hands red, and when that dries, paint both hands yellow and layer over top)
Press the hands, side-by-side, on the piece of paper to look like tail feathers.
Let dry.
Paint the bottom of the child’s foot with brown paint.
Press his foot down over top of the painted (dry) hand prints.
Add eyes and any other details.
Write the person’s name on the paper.
Now, Try some of these other great turkey activities!
Almond Bars: an ooey gooey irresistible treat
Almond Bars: An Ooey Gooey Irresistible Treat
My grandmother used to make these almond bars all the time. When I pulled the recipe out of my box, I found it in her handwriting, and it brought back so many great memories.
These almond bars are so easy to make, and I usually have the ingredients on hand, so it’s great in a pinch when you realize you need to take a treat to a party!
Make them without the almonds so you can take them to nut-free places or use the leftovers in school lunches.
When you take them out of the oven, you can sprinkle them with chocolate chips so they melt in, for an extra layer of yumminess!
- Graham Crackers
- 1 C butter
- 3/4 brown sugar
- Almonds (optional)
- Chocolate Chips (optional)
- Line a cookie sheet with tin foil or waxed paper.
- Place graham crackers on top to fill pan.
- Put sliced almonds on top of crackers (optional if making nut free)
- In a pot, melt butter and brown sugar.
- Boil for 4 minutes exactly.
- Pour gently over crackers on cookie sheet. Cover all the crackers.
- Place in 350 oven and cook for exactly 9 minutes.
- When out of the oven and still hot, sprinkle chocolate chips over the top, letting them melt in. You might have to take the back of a spoon to gently spread it around. (optional)
- When cool, crack the bars along the edges of the crackers.
- Timing is important.
VALLEY FAMILY FUN: A-MAZE-ing family fun
VALLEY FAMILY FUN: A-MAZE-ing family fun
“I’m enjoying this so much more than I thought I would!”
When we told our sons, seven-year-old Daniel and five-year-old Thomas that we were heading to a corn maze, they had originally thought it sounded like a lot of aimless walking around. Were they ever wrong!
Continue reading in my bi-weekly column in the Advertiser…