Daytripper: Wolfville and Gaspereau Winter Roadtrip
By Emily Leeson
While you are wandering your way between wineries (and breweries, and cideries, and coffee shops) here are few stops worth the while along the Wolfville/Gaspereau route:
Gaspereau Valley Fibres
Wind your way over the ridge and into the scenic Gaspereau Valley. Open year-round, Gaspereau Valley Fibres is located at 830 Gaspereau River Road, next to L’Acadie Vineyards, the province’s first organic vineyard. The yarn store is packed to the ceiling with an extensive yarn and fibre collection, including many Canadian, organic, and local natural and hand-painted yarns, as well as their own yarn and fibre from their flock of Cotswold sheep, a heritage breed now endangered and highly prized for its lustrous, curly, and heavy fleece. Brace yourself for a visit that is sure to expand your list of projects to do, and don’t be surprised if a sheep pops its head over the fence to say hello on your way in.
Dabro Farms Market‘
Now speaking of sheep, over at Dabro Farms Market, 105 Gaspereau River Road, a few new lambs have already been born this season. This little farm market is worth the stop for the ambiance alone, but it’s also a great place to pick up a few farm-fresh staples like eggs, meat, and some home-made treats.
Reservoir Park Trails
Located at the end of Pleasant Street in Wolfville, Reservoir Park is the place to be for swimming and beaching in town during the summer months, but when the snow starts to fly it turns into a winter wonderland. There are 1.8 kilometres of trails in Reservoir Park and these trails have a direct connection with the Millennium and mountain bike trails. For a wintry hike (or snowshoe or ski) this is where to be. If you’re there on a good day, you might even catch some skating on the pond itself (for up-to-date ice conditions, visit wolfvillereservoir.blogspot.com/).
Applewicks
Forgot your scarf? Pop in to Applewicks at 341 Main Street in Wolfville to pick one up and check out their candles and other crafts while you’re in there. All of their products are made right here in town. Applewicks creates meaningful work and opportunities for adults with special needs. The shop is part of Wolfville’s L’Arche Homefires which was one of the first L’Arche communities to be established in Nova Scotia in 1981.
The Community Art Gallery at the Wolfville Memorial Library
One street towards the dykes from Main Street, the Wolfville Memorial Library at 21 Elm Avenue is the place to be if you’re in town during their open hours. The library is situated in a century-old train station: one of the province’s few remaining brick railway stations. In the mid-nineties, through community fundraising, private donations, and help from the Town of Wolfville, as well as the province, the building was purchased for use as a library and renovated. Today, the library features everything you might expect: books, easy membership sign-up for residents and guests, computer use and internet access, daily activities, and the Wolfville Community Art Gallery, a monthly-rotating exhibit dedicated to showcasing the work of local artists (February’s exhibiting artist is Jack Chipman).
The Garden Room in the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre
The K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens on the Acadia campus are beautiful any time of year, but when the winter months take over, the grand Garden Room fireplace is lit and it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful spot to take a break or get a bit of work done. Open daily from 8am to 10pm, the centre also has a not-for-profit café that serves local, fair trade, and organic products. In addition to the Garden Room, the centre contains state-of-the-art research laboratories, greenhouses, a conservatory, and controlled environmental facilities.
Dabros Farms Market Photo credit: Dabros Farms Market
