So it's February 1st and instead of the normal everyday treadmill run we decide to change it up. We get dressed decent for walking in the park pulling Cadence behind in a sled. We didn't have to drive too far about 5 minutes and the temperature looking good for a winter day at -6 degrees. Upon pulling into the parking lot we noticed a lot of baricades, a few tent top shelters and some tables set up in the middle. There were not many people around and it looked as though the trails were blocked as well. I noticed one of the tents had a Doc Braces logo and figured it was something staff related so we jumped back in the van and started to make our way out of the lot. I noticed the access road for the cycling club and park maintenance so I took a quick spin down it to investigate further and seen a couple with their dog coming out of the trails. Upon speaking with them they said the trails were open and really bumpy but I could probably make out ok with the sled and was worth a shot.
YES! We parked the van and started heading to the trail, while walking over notice a man getting horses out of a trailer. I thought he must be just dropping them off for tomorrow as they do horse and sleigh rides on Sundays. We hit the trail....it was absolutely beautiful, smooth hard packed and easy to walk and pull the sled. It was so peaceful and great to spend time alone together. We walked and walked having the odd cross country skiier pass us by... Sometimes so fast as to scare the hell out of you and then laugh it off. Cadence had a blast as we played with her in the sled the whole way...the usual father way like. "Ohhh Daddies going to let you go down this hill whoops my hand is slipping off the rope! Lolol", while mommy is going "babe, don't do that and laughing!". Oh don't you worry you moms do other things just as crazy funny and deny it.
So we are almost at the end of the trail when we start to smell something familiarly awesome! Oh my dear lord, I smell maple syrup being heated up!!! Sure enough under one of the tents they had huge pots and burners and we're boiling syrup. Tables setup with snow for taffy, cross country ski's setup from a local business (Mike's Bike Shop) and sleigh rides. I paid $5 which gave us a huge paint stir stick and a large tongue depressor which enabled us to consume more sugar than any human being should in such a short period of time but man ohhhhh it was so good and worth every minute. Until the pots came up to temperature they would have a lineup to dip your large stick and cool it off to scrape and eat it with the small one.
We had enough dipping and noticed that indeed they were having sleigh rides and Cadence had never been on one so we went to wait in line for the next run. Just as we reached our spot about 5th in line another sleigh with another team of horses came around the corner ready to go!! Awesome, no waiting. About a 10-15 ride through some trails listening to the happiness of other people and their children on the ride was also a heartwarming experience.
Then the real fun began, the pouring of syrup in the snow to form taffy on the small stick. Well let me tell you it was not small! By the time it was rolled on the stick it was just short the size of a hardball and we each had three. This is after making approximately ten trips in the other line dipping the stick.
Long story short whatever you do with you family together time is special and leaves lasting memories for all of you. This is one we will not soon forget. I know our province does not recognize family day, which is foolish in my opinion, but does mean you can't make a family day of your own!
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