For the last few days, I have been filming in Stoney Creek Ont. for a project about the Albion Mills Ghost Town (not technically a ghost town but a heavily developed area with lots left behind from an early 1800s town). Today was my last day of filming and was an easy day, So I decided to bring my 3 year old daughter with me!
It was a rainy day, which meant lots of fun jumping in puddles on the paved path to Albion Falls.
Typically when at a waterfall, we would make our way to the bottom of it, but that cannot be done at Albion Falls. Not because of difficulty or anything like that, rather because of bylaw enforcement. This waterfall became a big tourist spot for quite a while and after countless rescues of injured people (most falling from the falls while taking selfies etc.), the city decided to close access and have bylaw officers on site. Giving out $400 fines for anyone who climbs down.
So I filmed from the top and we took in the beauty.
After finishing there, my daughter made it very clear that we were not done until we did more trails lol. Leading the way to a neighboring waterfall.
This was a half hour hike through some of Autumns beauty.
We arrived at Buttermilk falls, she stopped, looked and had no intention of stopping!
It was at this point that I realized this was one of those moments that I needed to be fully present with her. So I packed up the camera gear and we continued on. It had already been an hour of hiking, so I figured she would wear out shortly, boy was I wrong!
She marched down a trail that lead us down the escarpment and into Kings forest. Through the forest and across a golf course. Before I knew it, it became a 3 and half hour hike with tones of talking and bonding. I had no idea that she was capable of hiking for this long and even offered to pick her several times. Each time it was no daddy, I am a big girl and I love hiking with you.
This was a great walk and a great reminder to be present in those seemingly small moments. Magic really does come from it!
