A Visitor…

…at lunchtime on Saturday.

Once again I am reminded of how much slower and more relaxed porcupine’s behaviour is in Nova Scotia. I could only dream of getting this close when I lived in Saskatchewan.

Happy Sunday, everyone.

Great Custom Tour with Clients from Alaska!

I just knew that an email ten days ago would bring very motivated clients my way! The brief requested a walk on the ocean floor and exploring dinosaurs!

My initial hesitation centred around the fact that these best friends were arriving via cruise ship in Halifax and the logistics of getting them to the area. These competent and well-organized women had it all figured out! They had rented a vehicle from Halifax and once I suggested a meeting place they committed!

We made the best of our limited time as the tide was already rolling in. Soley Cove was a hit! After a brief stop at Five Islands Lighthouse Park we were off to Parrsboro where we said good bye at the Fundy Geological Museum for the dinosaur part of their Nova Scotia adventure.

Dynamic travellers! Delightful and full of appreciation of our fantastic coastline! Tours are available year-round in case anyone is wondering. Spread the word!

Happy Thursday!

Announcing: Cliffs of Fundy Hiking Badge

New Cliffs of Fundy Hiker Challenge Badge

Hike Nova Scotia and the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark are happy to announce the launch of the new Cliffs of Fundy Badge as part of Hike NS’s Hiker Challenge. Your reward for completing a challenge is a badge to show off on clothing or backpacks and making the Honour Roll with prize draws each season for gift cards generously provided by The Trail Shop. The badge is free and challenges you to hike at least eight trails among a select list of Geopark trails within a year. Learn more at https://www.hikenovascotia.ca/projects-hiker-challenge/.

NS Walks Leader Training

October 30th… a momentous day! Three years ago our life in Nova Scotia began officially – we had finished quarantine and started to explore the Parrsboro area.

Today we were blessed with the first snowfall of the season. Perfect timing to participate in a live-session to train several new NS Walk leaders. I was so happy to provide taxi services for three new walk leaders from Parrsboro.

Part of the NS Walks Leader workshop was a joined walk. With Pit Pond Park across the street from the arena we didn’t venture far.

What a fantastic way to spend a snowy afternoon! Parrsboro gained three new certified walk leaders. I am much more relaxed about the weekly walk program continuing. For the past several months I was worried about interruptions in case of illness or emergencies.

A special thank you to Catherine Droesbeck, NS Walks Coordinator for delivering the in-person workshop. And thank you to Coline, Gaby and Linda for supporting the NS Walks Parrsboro weekly walks programme!

Nova Scotia Showcase: Saltscapes Expo 2023

Our day started early: Destination the annual Saltscapes Expo at Halifax Exhibition Centre. We volunteered for the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark. It was a fantastic opportunity to spread the word about our little corner of the world!

Seven hours of chatting with people about our beaches, the geology, info visual museums and businesses flew by.

It was wonderful to experience the excitement, see familiar faces and connect with new people and businesses! Thanks to the Cliffs of Fundy for this fabulous opportunity to promote local initiatives and businesses.

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words…

Soley Cove Beach discovery: weathered tree root, covered in seaweed washed up on the sandbar…

Above and Below… Clarke Head Beach

Sharing a few more images from my Monday mid-day hike to Clarke Head. Enjoy, Anna

Moody Clarke Head…

There was a little rain, a little sun, wind and… solitude! Sharing images from my solitary, at times moody, low tide hike to Clarke Head. Enjoy! I certainly did.

Fall Colours…

…over the years: brought to you by my iPhone. This little video was compiled and suggested from my photo files today.

Enjoy and Happy Sunday, everyone!

A Wet Adventure For A Great Cause!

I can’t imagine a better way to start a rainy Saturday in October😜… get up at 5:45, pile everyone into the car for a 6:45 departure and drive in complete darkness on muddy gravel roads to walk 10+km to raise funds for the Pugwash Ground Search & Rescue organization.

The trail was well signed, it was not difficult but boy, was it wet!! Huge puddles and relentless rain took its toll. Despite my supposedly water-proof rain jacket and water-resistant boots I was soaked well before the half-way mark. What kept me mentally and physically going was the great company, three inspiring trail runners and hikers from PEI who had driven across the Confederation Bridge early in the morning to take part in this worthwhile fundraiser.

I didn’t hang around for the barbecue offerings. Instead I was happy to see Colin and the pups arrive with the car. I waved good bye to my new trail friends after exchanging contact information and sunk into the passenger seat in hopes of drying out. I was wetter than expected and arrived home chilled to the bone. Nothing a warm wool sweater, dry pants and socks can’t remedy. Next step: a steaming Americano Misto in my brand-new mug while admiring the sweet participation medal! Well done, Pugwash Ground Search & Rescue! Fun was had by all! See you next year!

Last but not least, thanks to Colin for being my chauffeur through darkness and over slippery gravel roads!

Last Minute Soley Cove Autumn Tour…

…with a sweet honeymoon couple! The request was for flowerpots… I think I delivered!

Fabulous Friday morning low tide walk in October!

Five Islands Provincial Park Estuary Trail

It was one of those days: hours spent in front of the computer catching up on office stuff and correspondence called for some much needed time in nature. We decided on the Five Islands Provincial Park Estuary Loop, a well defined undulating trail through the woods with some small hills to get the heart rate up.

The bonus: I stumbled across mushrooms galore… most of them edible!

And the light was glorious to highlight fall colours along the way. The Estuary Loop lends itself well to hiking during any season. I intend to try the loop with snow shoes this winter! The terrain at this time is easy to moderate. If you have some mobility limitations make sure to bring trekking poles. The trail is advertised as a 4km loop. according to my hiking app it is a 3km loop. I took my time for photos and foraging.

Wait Five Minutes…

…and the weather will change! That was certainly true today! It was a glorious fall day with rain showers, a rainbow and some vivid autumn colours!