The Rocky River Grist Mill

What plays music, has lots of colorful lights and running water with boats and aquatic life?

If you guessed Lemax’s The Rocky River Grist Mill then you’d be right. What a miniature set-up! So realistic!

I’d like to do something a little bit different this time around in writing my review about the Grist Mill than I have done on previous Lemax products.

I’m not going to concentrate on describing each and every piece of the set but more of the overall look, nostalgia and memories.

Like all of Lemax’s products the The Rocky River Grist Mill shipped in a heavy-duty cardboard box sealed with tape. The inner product box with its wraparound photos of the Grist Mill has a flip lid with tabs. The Grist Mill itself is packed in a form-fitted cardboard sheath and secured with a Velcro strap.

Additional small pieces and the power cord are wrapped in tissue paper.

My wife’s family is from Tennessee. When we go to visit her relatives in Tennessee and the Carolinas it’s not uncommon to see similar buildings such as Lemax’s Grist Mill. Many of the things I’ll mention about the mill I’ve seen in person and close-up.

There is something quiet, peaceful and down-homey about the Grist Mill. It’s exudes a feeling of coming home to a simpler time when life was at a slower pace and holiday and family traditions meant something. None of the hustle and bustle of today’s society.

People actually took time to appreciate what they had, their surroundings and most of all the holiday season.

Lemax’s Rocky River Grist Mill display is cradled in a semi-circular stones white enclosure with a few of the stones showing through their true natural color.

Set about two inches up the Grist Mill cluster of buildings surround a sunken area that can be filled with water and once the display is turned on the water circulates through a small hose and pump to a water trough that cascades down to a red and brown water wheel that turns with the flow..

A small dock extends out into the small pond. On the dock is a boy with his fishing tackle and pole hoping to catch some fish. A dog sits at the end of the dock close to packing crates. 

Boy does that bring back memories to when I was a small boy and often fished off a similar dock, floppy hat, overalls and all.

Just to right of the boy is a fully-decorated Christmas tree sitting on a board walk that has a small cottage on it.

The single door building has two windows and several signs both on its front and roof. All advertise the Grist Mill and supplies. It is beautifully painted with its green high-pitch roof, creamy side slats, chimney and eave lights and large spotlights. Inside lights also shine.

The building butts up against the water slew that has a large wooden crate on it. Behind it is a mountain peak which is snow-capped.

Back to the pond. Encircling the pond is a small bridge and railed walkway with two people on it. Ducks and raccoons line the shore. Several white ducks on wires that keep them stationery and on top of the water and two small rowboats, one is empty and one with a fisherman. They float on the water and are held stationary by the clever use of strings held in place by magnets magnetized to metal at the bottom of the pond.

Starting on the left of pond a large lit Christmas tree that cradles up against a high, vertical Grist Mill building with a pitched roof, eave lights, a window casing, a capped chimney, a small side room with a window, a sign and a Christmas wreath. 

The slim building is attached to the large main building by a red roof, multi-color walkway which is also decorated with a Christmas wreath.

Man, I can almost smell the pine and feel the chill in the air.

The main building is capped by a small wraparound porch with eaves and porch lights, a tall chimney, a Christmas wreath and a snow covered roof. The water flew and water wheel attached to the building.

All over the display are various rock and wood walls, stairs, decks, signs, lights and plenty of snow. It is a very quaint and peaceful setting and if you turn up the volume a very special Christmas song plays!

My wife is absolutely crazy about it and can hardly wait to put it on display during the Christmas season. I can think of no better compliment.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.