Over the past few weeks we have been venturing out to many of our local conservation areas and public parks to explore and enjoy the winter season. With many of our other travel and outdoor plans cancelled, it’s been a great time to revisit these local places – some of which we haven’t been to for years – and (re)discover new outdoor opportunities that are close to home.
One of our biggest surprises O’Hara Mill Homestead. Many years ago when Hayden was much younger we had visited O’Hara Mill during the summer months, however, we didn’t venture far from the main area where all the buildings are located. This homestead showcases what it was like in early pioneer times and how they lived their day to day lives. During normal operational times, they offer tours of each building and many school classes visit during the school year. If you want to read more about these programs as well as virtual tours, you can visit their website. Trail map located here.
The last time we were here, we spent time investigating the displays, buildings, and of course the mill with Hayden, but didn’t even realize there were also walking trails! So on this visit we wanted to walk the trails and explore more of the area. We were surprised about just how many trails meandered through the conservation area. We had never known these trails exists and we were quite happy to explore the network of trails.
Each trail is marked with a tag as well as a colored map and trail markers along each intersection. We didn’t really know where each trail would bring us, but they are all pretty short so we just made decisions as we reached intersections to try to cover as much ground as possible. We started on the Creekside Trail to Deer Creek Trail then around the edge of the property on the Heritage Trail.
One highlight on the trail was a nature checkpoint which gives instructions to hikers to take a minute to stop and listen to the sounds around us, smell the smells and just feel nature all around.
There were hiking sticks provided at the beginning of the trail 
As we walked along the outer edge of the property we were greeted with peace and quiet as there were no other hikers on this section of the trail. It wasn’t until we hiked closer to the main building that we started to see more people.
Back at the main area we walked around the buildings and checked out more of the old homesteads. There are many buildings that would normally be open, but for now we looked through the windows and checked out the “wall of terror” – a wall with various saws, spikes, clamps etc. that would have been used at the mill, but looks like something out of a Friday the 13th movie scene.
The waterfalls along the mill buildings are so pretty that we stopped one final time on our way out to take in their sights and sounds, as well as pose for one final picutre.
It was a beautiful morning and we are looking forward to coming back here in the spring and summer.
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