The Old Mill - Happy Acres: The Trail Toby Ditched

jeeksparties8
Dec 21, 2024
2 min read

Pepper and I finally made it to The Old Mill - Happy Acres, a hike I’ve had my eye on for ages.

The good news....I cannot recommend it enough! But before I get to the rave review, let’s address the upset of the day—Toby, our four-legged "trail guide."

Yes, we were gifted a guide. His name was Toby, and he was adorable.

So, children... wildlife... anything warm blooded—yep, Pepper and I repel them all like some kind of superhero magnet. Not intentionally, mind you. We’re not awful... at least, I don’t think we are. We’re kinda nice... probably. Approachable? Oh, absolutely not.

But now, a dog? Could it be possible? Could this be the one warm blooded creature willing to grace us with its presence?? Nope. Even Toby had higher standards.

Toby lasted approximately two minutes before he Houdini’d out of our lives. Poof. Gone. Not a paw in sight.

Obviously, Pepper and I instantly decided he surely doesn't join other hikers on the trail. (Turns out, Toby does guide other people, as I discovered in a post-hike review. Yes, I read reviews after a hike, not before. Don’t judge me—I don’t need MORE rejection in my life.......do I Toby??)

Despite Toby's apparent "high standards", the hike itself was incredible.

We booked in advance, and then, on arrival, things got a little… confusing. You’ll need to phone someone, who then calls someone, and after you pay that someone, they’ll guide you through a tunnel under the road to the starting point. Sounds a bit mysterious, but it actually works.

The hike itself.....open, peaceful, and not at all the scorching ordeal it could have been on a sunny day, thanks to some cloud cover and a breeze.

From the start, you’re hit with an incline that sneaks up on you like a zen ninja. One minute, you’re strolling along, blissfully unaware, and the next, you’re halfway up, thinking, “Wait a second, is this an incline?” It’s only when you turn around and see how far you’ve climbed that you dramatically gasp for air—completely unnecessarily, because honestly, it’s so gradual you barely need it.

The scenery? Not “knock your socks off” dramatic, but instead the kind of quiet beauty that wraps you in peace. Naturally, I couldn’t stop raving to Pepper about how peaceful it was...all while completely destroying his peace with my relentless commentary. Sorry Pepper!

Then comes one final incline (yes, still zen), followed by a steep decline. Nervous of loose gravel (of which there was none), I tiptoed down like I was defusing a bomb, while Pepper tore down like a pro. Show-off.

And just when you think, “Well, that’s it,” you’re greeted by the grand finale: a waterfall, a forest, and a stream. Talk about a mic-drop ending to an already awesome hike. Toby, buddy, you seriously missed out.