Our field trip to Avondale, Hants County this Saturday will include a visit to the historic home of Sherman Hines in Poplar Grove; the Avondale Trail System; and the Avondale Sky Winery.
We will meet at 10 a m at the home of Sherman Hines at 659 Avondale Road. This historic structure was originally built as a French Mission in 1699.
If you have a 5 by 7 print that you would like to donate to the Sherman Hines Museum of Photography in Liverpool, please bring one along. This is not a requirement to participate in the visit, but does afford the opportunity for one of your images to be kept in perpetuity at the Museum if you are so inclined.
Lunch options: The Avon River Heritage Society Museum at 17 Belmont Road has a café with a limited menu which opens at noon. The Museum is located at the spot where two ships with New England Planters landed in 1760. If you bring your own lunch, there is a municipal park next to the Museum which has some picnic tables. The Museum is less than a stone’s throw from the Avondale Cross Road. There is also a restaurant at the Winery.
After lunch, we will proceed at about 1 pm to the trail head behind the Avondale Community Centre at 50 Avondale Cross Road. Hiking boots, sunscreen and insect repellant are recommended.
The Trail System is primarily in the woods and consists of three interconnected trails – Westbrook, Mosher and Tunnel Quarry totalling 4.8 kms which are known for three lady slipper varieties. ( I scouted the trail last Saturday and saw a few lady slipper plants but none in bloom. Hopefully a week of better weather will bring them along.) The other trail head for the System is at the Avondale Sky Winery which is only a few hundred meters up the road from the Community Hall. So you can do as much or as little of the trail as you wish and then go to the Winery. The trail is of moderate difficulty with some steep grades and tree roots over the trail in a few areas. There are a few muddy areas but boardwalks in good repair are over the wettest areas. The trail is well marked with yellow markers and has excellent signage at all trail intersections. Here is a link to the trail website which includes a description and map.
As is the case almost everywhere on mainland Nova Scotia, there are ticks on this trail. Here is a link with information including how to dress for ticks.
Avondale Sky Winery – 80 Avondale Cross Road – The main building for the Winery has an interesting history. It was a church in another community and transported here in a creative feat of engineering. For those interested, a wine tasting will be arranged later in the afternoon.
How to get there: Take Exit 5 off the 101 Highway just east of Windsor. Off Exit 5 take Highway 14 toward Brooklyn. Go about 6 kms and just past the St. Croix River turn left toward Mantua, Poplar Grove and Avondale. Go 1 km and turn left at the stop sign toward Poplar Grove, Avondale and Newport Landing. Go about 4-5 kms and look for the Hines home on the right at 659 Avondale Road. To reach the trail head go another 2-3 kms into Newport Landing and then veer right onto the Avondale Cross Road. The Avondale Community Hall is a few hundred meters up the hill on the right side of the road. There is parking behind the Hall where the trail head is located.
Please :
Contact me if you have any questions at deanhirtle@ns.sympatico.ca or 902-422-8164.
Let me know if you plan to attend as Mr. Hines and the Winery would like some idea of the number of participants.
Bring a field trip waiver with you.
I hope you can join us on Saturday!
Dean
