The posts are getting a bit backed up now that we've hit the trails after the long and drawn out winter. We've been busy hiking!
Sussex Bluff Trail:
Earlier in April, I took the girls on a trip up the Sussex Bluff Trail. the snow slowly retreating from the woods, the Bluff trail was a nice steady climb along hard packed snow. It was one of the warmer days of spring, which made the walk very enjoyable.
There are six geocaches to get along the way. We visited three, which provided some distraction to keep the little ones interested.
Abby is showing off a rock. I'm thinking, 'please don't throw it over the cliff!' Willow is thinking, "Rock, rock rock!"
Lunchtime! The lunch time view was nice and peaceful. There were a few 'ahh, I like hikin' Dad!' (I thought to myself, I may just have them hooked!).
Midland Ice Caves:
A couple of weekends ago, Abby announced that she wanted to go to the 'Ice Caves'. The ice caves in Midland are a popular spot in the winter time for snowmobilers as it is along one of the regular routes through the area. The 'caves' can be found in a forest gully which has the beginnings a stream leading down the hill toward Springfield. A small stream flows over a rocky overhang and freezes into a pictureseque ice wall. It is very busy in the winter as a result. However, once the snow melts, it can be a fun spot to visit without crowds. The ice usually lasts well into the spring, so visiting is not a problem. Plus, as we found on our visit, the ice had started melting (along with the surrounding snow), which created a neat waterfall on the left side of the gully. Abby enjoyed the walk and found another geocache nearby as well.
Tracey Falls:
This past weekend — we were lucky to have a 11 degree Saturday with sunshine. Naturally, with the balmy weather brought beaches and waterfalls! We drove to the Garnett Settlement area near Saint John and took a short hike to Tracey Falls. Tracey Falls flow through a break in the rocks, plunging down a steep 20 metre rock cliff. A well used ATV trail leads the way to the falls. We spent the time hopping overflowing streams and picking up bottles (grr) on the way back.
Duck Cove Beach:
Afterward, we took a side adventure to Duck Cove Beach, a little farther down Garnett Settlement on the Bay of Fundy. When we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised by the quiet and expansive beach extending out to a sandstone point split similar to Hopewell Cape (NB) and Cape Split (NS). The sandstone cliffs, caves and rocky seaweed covered rocks had the kids busy for a couple of hours exploring the area. We were quite pleased to find such a neat off-the-beaten path destination.
Enjoying our walk, seeing what we can find amongst the seaweed and tidal pools.
My buddy Willow was taking a break from a long day.
A nice freshwater brook ran through the beach rock.
We have a couple of climbers at heart!