Horseback Riding with Evangeline Trail Rides
Horseback Riding with Evangeline Trail Rides
Disclosure: Our family received a horseback riding session in exchange for this blog post. We make it our mission to test out family fun so we can better promote it to our readers. All opinions are our own.
“I had no idea horseback riding was going to be so much fun!”
The only time my kids had ever been on a horse was being led around a stadium for a birthday party. But, you could hardly call that horseback riding! In their minds, horses and riding was something that girls enjoyed. Boy! Did they ever find out they were wrong!
Watch Daniel’s video about our awesome day out:
As a youth, we often went horseback riding in PEI, and then later with friends we used to go every summer. I’ve also ridden on the beach in Fiji and through the mountains in New Zealand. I am no horse expert, but think horseback riding is one of the greatest adventures!
We made contact with Crystal from Evangeline Trail Rides in Stanley (outside Windsor) and arranged for a trail ride for our family.
Our Trip
We arrived at the stables for a morning ride before it got to hot. We were greeted by Crystal and her volunteer helpers who got us outfitted with helmets. As Crystal said.. it’s more for the going through the trees and branches than anything else!
We were then each matched with a horse to suit our size and personality.
We were given instructions on how to steer, stop and back up the horses. When we were comfortable and properly adjusted, we headed off down the open road!
Crystal and her crew were phenomenal with us, and especially the kids. They provided pointers and encouragement, talked to them to make them less nervous, and were so wonderful the whole way!
We rode through the open roads, through the woods, across waterways, up hills and downhills. The best part was when everyone felt comfortable enough, we did some trotting!
Our ride lasted about an hour-and-a-half and we covered a lot of terrain and different types of trails.
What was great, too, was that the horses weren’t blindly following each other. You had to work at giving them direction, but not too much that it was unmanageable. They were beautiful animals!
What I loved seeing was the change in the boys, especially Thomas. At first he hung to the back, afraid to hurt the horse and wasn’t sure what he was doing. Over the course of the ride, he gained so much confidence and was at the head of the group!
“I LOVED IT!”
Age
Crystal says that children need to be at least 9 years old to go trail riding. Thomas is 9, and I can’t imagine anyone younger being able to handle the horse. It all depends on the child and when they are ready, but 9 is a good age to start with!
Packages and Pricing
There are different packages of trail rides from one hour to two hours. Sleigh rides are also available in the winter!
Here’s what their website says:
No two rides are the same as we explore our many trails and features. This could mean any combination of riding Eagle Ridge where we often see bald eagles, or ride along the scenic Kennetcook river, ride through fields, or ride alongside the historic Stanley airport runways or explore some of our many trails that intertwine throughout the area.
Find out details on the packages and prices here
What to wear:
- Long pants only. Jeans are recommended.
- We recommend boots/shoes with a small heel. NO sandals/crocs or open toed shoes please.
- Waterproof jacket (raincoat). No ponchos, please.
- Please feel free to bring a small bottle of water and a small camera. We provide saddle bags. (No backpacks, fanny packs, large camera cases, purses or loose items please.)
How to Get There
Evangeline Trail Rides are located in Stanley, outside Windsor, towards Kennetcook, on Route 236.
From Kentville, it is a 45 minute drive.
Take Exit 5a off Highway 101. After turning in Brooklyn at “the monument”, go to the top of the hill, and follow the signs for Route 236.
Drive about 10 minutes down this road, and you will see the signs for the Stanley airport, and signs pointing to the left for Evangeline Trail Rides.
If you are looking for a fun activity for the family, try horseback riding. You’ll see kids grow in confidence, and maybe you’ll find something new that the whole family loves doing together!
Happy Trails!
Contact Evangeline Trail Rides
Top 10 Hikes in the Annapolis Valley
Top 10 Hikes in the Annapolis Valley
The Annapolis Valley is full of great places to walk! Most of these walks are great to do in all seasons (some with snowshoes) to mark the changes.
These walks are most appropriate for children 5+. But, you know your children and what they are capable of doing.
Print off the maps or have them with you on your phone. Some trails are not labeled, so this is a necessity.
Respect the trails and the property.
Do these walks at your own risk. Valley Family Fun is not responsible for your hiking experience. Do so at your own risk and discretion.
2. Woodville Community Trails
3. Crystal Falls, Greenwood
4. Black Rock Community Trails
5. Acadia Nature Trail, Wolfville
6. Noggins Farm Trails, Greenwich
7. Carolina Shipwreck, Baxter’s Harbour
8. Kentville Bird Sanctuary
Or, to make this more of an extensive trails, try combining this with the Coldbrook trails:
9. White Rock Community Trails
10. Kentville Gorge
Want more suggestions? Try a hike listed HERE.
Have kids who hate hiking? Who complain constantly? Try one of these tips
What are your favourite trails?
Sea Cones Ice Cream Boat in Hall’s Harbour
Sea Cones Ice Cream Boat in Hall’s Harbour
Disclosure: Our family received an ice cream sundae party in exchange for this blog post. we decided to take one for the team and try it out so we can tell you all about our experience! All opinions are our own.
As soon as you arrive at Sea Cones, you immediately get the feel of a nautical piece of history, steeped in tradition and inspired by its ocean setting. On deck, you’ll be served with our friendly Maritime hospitality.
I think this is the most unique place we have ever eaten ice cream!
Sea Cones Sea Cones is an authentic Nova Scotia fishing vessel, anchored on the mainland; transformed into a full service ice cream parlour.
We had a hard time choosing which sundae we were going to try, because they all sounded so delicious! Owner Bobbie said that they had a great time coming up with all these interesting concoctions!
David ended up with his all-time favourite Coke float
While the boys each went for a “Ship-to-Shore” that included vanilla ice cream, sea salt caramel sauce and a chocolate brownie. You can’t go wrong with that!
I tried the “High-n-Low Tide” sundae with hot fudge and peanut butter sauce with Reeses Pieces!
*Note: always find out what way the wind is blowing so your hair doesn’t go all in the ice cream!*
What immediately drew me to Sea Cones Ice Cream Boat is that they have special treats for dogs! This was one of our main reasons for coming here.
After having left our dog for 5 months when we moved to the UK, we wanted to take her somewhere special. Besides, she’s 14 and we’re not sure if we’ll have another summer with her, so we wanted to spoil her rotten with the “Paw-Toon Doggie Bowl”. And, $1 from every dog treat goes towards an animal shelter!
Gracie was a huge fan!
Besides the ice cream, the treat came with an all-natural doggie treat, too!
Besides the novelty of the ice cream boat, there is also a playground for children under 8.
And lots of places to sit, including a table with some pretty cool tractor seats.
If you are hungry for more than just ice cream, there is a snack shack open from Thursdays to Sundays.
Serving everything from lobster rolls to hot dogs, scallops and burgers!
Location and Hours
Sea Cones is open daily from 12:30 to 8:30 everyday til Labour Day Weekend with the food take out shack open Thursday to Sundays 12-7 (subject to change).
3744 Highway 359, Halls Harbour, N.S.
We had a great family outing and can’t wait to go back again!
What will we try the next time?
While you are in Hall’s Harbour
Check out a ghost walk with Valley Ghost Walks: Folk Lore of the Fundy Shore!
Photo by Twin Bridges Photography
This is a great show. I might be a bit biased because I wrote it! But, it is great family fun for kids 8+.
Or the Hall’s Harbour Eco Trail. There are two sections of this trail to explore!
Finally, on the beach this year is an installment of the Uncommon Common Art!
This summer have your family fun in Hall’s Harbour and don’t forget to stop at Sea Cones for your treats!
Peggys Cove Family Fun
Peggys Cove Family Fun
I had never taken my kids to Peggy’s Cove before.
There, I said it. My kids are 9 and 10 and we only live 1.5hours away, and yet, I had never taken them to the most quintessential Nova Scotian landmark!
My kids are active. If you think you have an active kid, I would challenge you to trade with me for even 10 minutes.
As a result, I was terrified to take them to Peggy’s Cove!
I was scared to death that they would run off, and not listen to us about the dangers of the “Black Rocks”. I wanted to wait until they were old enough to listen and I had more confidence in their abilities to stick together.
Growing up in Nova Scotia, you constantly hear of people who have died at Peggy’s Cove, being swept away by the waves. I even followed a great Twitter Account: Morons of Peggy’s Cove.
I am thrilled to report that we had a FANTASTIC morning visiting Peggy’s Cove, and we all survived to tell the tale!
We were surrounded by lots of families and children who were having lots of fun scrambling over the rocks. Toddlers and infants were being carried by their parents, but everyone was out having family fun!
There are a few paved concrete paths, and one leading up to the lighthouse, that you could take a stroller on, but for the most part, to fully explore, you need to scramble over the rocks.
I realized that all my fear was in vain, and the boys would have loved exploring here at a much earlier year!
Just remember to stay off the black rocks and use your common sense!
Try to go to Peggy’s Cove outside the summer, so there are fewer people crowding the rocks! But, whenever you go, make sure you take in this most photographed lighthouse in Canada!
In the vicinity there are lots of shops and places to eat, as well as public washrooms at the Visitor Information Centre. What we love is that it is FREE to visit Peggy’s Cove, making it accessible for everyone!
Around Peggy’s Cove
Swiss Air Memorial
On September 2, 1998 Swissair Flight 111 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean southwest of Halifax Stanfield International Airport at the entrance to St. Margaret’s Bay. All 229 people on board perished. The crash site was 8 km / 5 mi from the shore, not far from Peggy’s Cove in the South Shore region.
This is less than 5 minutes down the road from Peggy’s Cove and worth a visit. There is a short walk along a path to get to the memorial. It has great views of the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, too.
Delish Fine Foods Cafe
In Upper Tantallon, at the top of Route 333 that leads down to Peggy’s Cove is a delightful cafe and British import shop called Delish Fine Foods.
Since we are less than 3 weeks from moving back from living in the UK for 5 months, we needed to pick up some of the food we missed!
They had a great selection of British food, including Ribena,Vimto and IronBru!
If you are in the area and fancy a pastie or Pot Noodle, stop into this delightful cafe and grocery mart!
If you’re looking for a great day out, explore Peggy’s Cove with your family!
Eating out with Friends and Family: Big Wigs
Valley Family Fun is starting a series of posts to feature great local restaurants and cafes to check out to encourage everyone to get out and explore and support our local businesses!
Today’s eating adventure was at Big Wigs Family Diner in Canning!
My friend Lia and I love to take our 90 year old friend, Harold, out for lunch as often as we can. The only stipulation is that it must serve fish and chips! So, today, we thought we would explore Big Wigs!
“The building is conveniently located across the street from the meat shop, and the meat shop conveniently supplies the diner with an assortment of fresh meats at wholesale costs.” ~ Advertiser
Read more about the Big Wigs business venture in this article by the Advertiser.
I can attest to the delicious freshness of the meat in my sandwich!
We had a great meal and will definitely be back to check out the desserts!
And, thank you to Big Wigs for being a supporter of Campaign for Kids’ Burger Wars!
Big Wigs is located at 9819 Main Street, Canning.
FAMILY FUN: Store workshops let kids learn from the experts
FAMILY FUN: Store workshops let kids learn from the experts
Sometimes you find really cool activities for kids when you least expect them
Many stores are devoted to providing experiences and products for kids, but there are a few big box stores in the Valley that offer workshops for kids.
Here are a few of our favourites …
Continue reading in my bi-weekly Family Fun column in the Advertiser…
