I had a return tour participant today and we ventured out to Soley Cove. With numerous Five Islands Provincial Park Tours Soley Cove warranted a special private tour.
I was shocked by the signs of extreme erosion after last Thursday’s heavy downpour. It had caused severe flooding, major damage and one death across the Bay from us. We got off lightly once again. Yes, there were culvert washouts on the way to Five Islands on Friday and Hidden Falls was impassable because the creek had washed out the path. What I witnessed today as I stepped onto Soley Cove Beach was disconcerting. We are all aware of the unstable nature of the soft sandstone and red mud cliffs, they seem to be melting away at an incredibly fast rate! Just look at the images above. One cannot deny how dire coastal erosion truly is.
On the bright side: the waterfalls have reappeared and are flowing strong. I last than witnessed them last fall. The low levels of precipitation last winter and spring had them all dry up. It was invigorating to hear the rush of the water!
Once again, Soley Cove did not disappoint! My client was thrilled to explore this unique site. We followed the tide out and watched the fog lift. Our timing was perfect – we arrived at the car just before the mid-day heat struck.
Did you know? We do not offer Rock Collecting / Rock Hounding Tours! We adhere to the Nova Scotia Beaches Act. Instead, we believe in and encourage everyone to embrace educational opportunities. We have teamed up with local geoscientist and educator Louise Leslie for a fantastic opportunity!
Mark Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 on your calendar of events! Join Louise, our very own geoscience educator, on a geological journey that spans more than 300 million years on site in Five Islands Provincial Park. Discover a multitude of colourful pebbles as you walk along the beach and learn how to unravel the stories within them during hands-on activities using your personal GeoLearns field kit. This kit is yours to keep and use over and over in the future as you dive deeper into the geology of your surroundings wherever you go.
The kit comprises a GeoLearn Pebble Guide workbook, 10x hand lens, ruler, pencil, marker and field journal. Sample bags are provided for any keepsake pebbles you may choose to take home.
A snack and beverages are included in the registration, please advise of food sensitivities at time of registration.
July 17th, 2024 – 1 – 4 pm, $ 120/person or $200/couple (will share one kit) We meet at Day Use Area parking lot in Five Islands Provincial Park Pre-registration required, limited to 6 participants.
Email: parrsboroshoretours@gmail.com to reserve your spot!
FIVE ISLANDS PROVINCIAL PARK JULY 2024 GUIDED OCEAN FLOOR WALKS & TOURS
Monday, July 1st Understanding the Highest Tides in the World Interpretive Beach Walk 3 – 5 pm – FREE (Happy Canada Day) Tips welcome to offset expenses
Saturday, July 6th Mid-day Eco Interpretive Hike to the Old Wife Formation 10 am – noon $10/person, children 12 and under free
Saturday, July 13th Understanding the Highest Tides in the World Interpretive Beach Walk 3 – 5 pm – FREE Tips welcome to offset expenses
Wednesday, July 17thRockin’ Around Five Islands Beach! Join geoscientist Louise for a hands-on pebble extravaganza! Limited to 6 participants . For more info see below.*** Pre-registration required, email parrsboroshoretours@gmail.com 1 – 4 pm – $120/person or $200/couple
Saturday, July 20th Afternoon Eco Interpretive Hike to the Old Wife Formation 3 – 5 pm $10/person, children 12 and under free
Saturday, July 27th Understanding the Highest Tides in the World Interpretive Beach Walk 3 – 5 pm – FREE Tips welcome to offset expenses
*** *SPECIAL EVENT * SPECIAL EVENT * SPECIAL EVENT* Rockin’ Around Five Islands Beach!
Join Louise Leslie, an experienced geoscience educator, on a geological journey that spans more than 300 million years on site in Five Islands Provincial Park. Discover a multitude of colourful pebbles as you walk along the beach and learn how to unravel the stories within them during hands-on activities using your personal GeoLearns field kit. This kit is yours to keep and use over and over in the future as you dive deeper into the geology of your surroundings wherever you go.
The kit is made up of a GeoLearn Pebble Guide workbook, 10x hand lens, ruler, pencil, marker and field journal. Samples bags are provided for any keepsake pebbles you may choose to take home.
A snack and beverages are included in the registration, please advise of food sensitivities at the time of registration.
July 17th, 2024 – 1 – 4 pm We meet at Day Use Area parking lot in Five Islands Provincial Park Pre-registration required, limited to 6 participants. $120/person or $200/couple
Email: parrsboroshoretours@gmail.com to reserve your spot!
*** *** *** *** ***
Feel free to share the schedule with friends, prospective guests and anyone else you think might be interested!
I already posted about Sylvie Mazerolle last week after spending and evening chasing the sunset and a full day during summer Solstice. Sylvie only lives 90 minutes from Parrsboro but she had no idea what she would discover here… Sylvie, the wordsmith and photographer, tells the story here:
After any guided ocean floor tour or hike I take the opportunity to ask for feedback. Some participants even take the time to log into TripAdvisor to leave a review. The last ten days have been extremely busy but when I opened my TripAdvisor account I found these reviews:
Anna took us on a 3-hour walk exploring the sea floor at low tide. She took us places we’d have never discovered on our own. She explained the geology, showed us the effects of the huge Fundy tides, and even told us about the wildlife. She was warm, knowledgeable, and very considerate. We’ve taken lots of tours, but this one blew us away.
Anna is great! She’s extremely knowledgeable about the area and very enthusiastic about sharing that with us. I want to return for a longer hike/overnight excursion once I’m in better shape! Loved it!
Anna took us on a tour of Five Islands Provincial Park, part of the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark. If you have ever been to the Bay of Fundy, you know that the tides are extreme and can come on fast. She is extremely knowledgeable of this, and of how they vary depending on the area you are in. She created a personalized tour for 4 people, aged 56 – 85 and included a delicious picnic lunch crafted to meet all our peculiar dietary requirements (gluten and lactose free, no flax, garlic or onion) followed by a walk along the beach and eroding cliffs that ended with a view of the Old Wife. Anna provided walking sticks as well which were very useful as the ground was level but rocky and sometimes slippery with mud and seaweed.
I would characterize us as being agile but not highly athletic. While for us, she modulated her pace to match ours, I am sure that she can provide an intensive hike/workout for those looking for a challenge with fascinating geology and beautiful scenery.
Anna was a most informative and interesting guide – very knowledgeable, friendly and set a good pace as we walked The Provincial Beaches of Five Islands, Nova Scotia. As a local, I was amazed and surprised at how little I knew!!!! Her cheery demeanour and delicious lunch was an added bonus and set the scene for an enjoyable and amazing day. The glorious sun was an added gift. My American friends were most impressed. I highly recommend her tours, and more importantly to we locals! Thank you Anna for a memorable day.
I toured Soley Cove with Anna, who was incredibly detail oriented and made the tour unforgettable. Anna had a wealth of knowledge and passion for history, geology, and plant/animal life. She was able to orient me to the entire area as well before our hike. I didn’t want the excursion to end as Anna pointed out so much. Will be returning to tour other areas with Anna!
Anna is great! She’s extremely knowledgeable about the area and very enthusiastic about sharing that with us. I want to return for a longer hike/overnight excursion once I’m in better shape! Loved it!
The Soley Cove trip was great! Anna shared so much local knowledge about the Bay of Fundy. We appreciated her knowledge of the tides so we could relax and enjoy the walk on along an isolated part of the beach.
A HUGE THANK YOU to all who take the time to provide feedback. Small businesses depend on these posts, we are truly grateful! Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers are found here “Things to do in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia”
My best intentions of keeping the blog up-to-date 2 to 3 times a week have been quickly derailed this week. My tour schedule heated up with the weather and I focussed on providing great experiences for clients from near and far.
Last Sunday I had the pleasure of spending time with Angela from Maine. Her first visit to Nova Scotia began in Parrsboro. Our all-day custom tour took us to beaches from Diligent River to Soley Cove. The images featured above are just a few of many I was able to capture.
Monday presented a mixed group of women friends from Parrsboro and Georgia. This custom tour included a picnic and interpretive guided hike along the red sandstone and dark basalt cliffs in Five Islands Provincial Park. Reviews are in and it looks like everyone had a stellar time!
Monday night took us to Economy for the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark AGM. I was fortunate enough to connect with old acquaintances and forge new connections by setting up a display to promote Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers. It made for a long day!
Tuesday night’s walk took place at Partridge Island Beach. The usual group had shrunk to four of us, but showing some newcomers to Parrsboro one of our great beaches generated great enthusiasm! Two participants learned about my free tidal talk at Five Islands the following night and joined that event.
My day was only half over. I met up with photographer and influencer Sylvie Mazerolle from Dieppe, NB of Hot Flash Photography to “chase the light” at sunset.
When you know, you just know! Sylvie and I finished each other’s sentences and recognized a kindred spirit immediately. I offered to spend Thursday with her to show her the area down shore.
We stopped to visit with artists participating in the Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival, explored lupin lined blueberry fields, walked on beaches, explored red sandstone rocks, smelled the wild roses, stopped briefly at the Wild Caraway Restaurant in Advocate and soaked up the sunshine.
Cape d’Or offered more artists to observe and the most memorable views… Sylvie knew instantly that this shoreline has not received the attention it deserves. Her camera was in constant capture mode and I was pleased to be showing her some of our most treasured destinations.
After a quick recharge with food at home and repacking my pack it was time for the Annual Summer Solstice Sunset Hike to Clarke Head. With the wind and increased wave activity we settled on a picnic spot near the trailhead on our way back to the cars. Fresh strawberries, chocolate fudge cookies, cheese and gluten-free crackers and cookies made for welcome nourishment while we built a small fire in a contained stove.
It was a busy week of sharing beaches and special destination points with strangers that left as friends!
Next on the agenda: a guided sunset walk on the beach of Five Islands Provincial Park from 7-8:30 pm tonight. Happy Weekend everyone!
It’s been a fantastic week with two more Soley Cove Tours. Susan and Mark from Montana on Wednesday and Angela from Maine today, lovely people who recognize a special place when they see it!
I could not have hoped for better weather. Both days offered up sunshine and a gentle breeze to keep us cool and energized.
Thanks to three interested women and their canine companions the season kick off at Five Islands Provincial Park was a success. We ventured along the beach toward Old Wife Rock, chatted about the fault line where Jurassic meets Triassic era, sandstone cliffs, erosion, columnar basalt and we carefully observed the endangered Mud Piddock ponds. The sunset was timid but as keen observers we caught some amazing light over Parrsboro and Two Islands.
It was a short night with little rest as my next tour started at 5:30 am. Photographers from Maryland had requested time to explore the ocean floor some time ago. I always know that clients are serious when they don’t hesitate to book despite a very early start.
Thank you, Janice and Mark for putting your trust into Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers to get you on and off the ocean floor at Soley Cove before the tide rolled in!
Here are a few of my favourite discoveries from yesterday:
Curious about tours and other low cost or free events? Subscribe to the blog and find out what’s happening! Here are some highlights… free, family-friendly guided beach walks at Five Islands Provincial Park, Annual Summer Solstice Sunset Excursion to Clarke Head, All About the Tides Walk and Talk in Five Islands… and so much more! Interested in a private tour? Send us an email to inquire about dates and availability. Custom Tours are our focus and speciality!
June 7th is fast approaching and I have been preparing for the season opener. The weather isn’t looking too promising for Saturday and Sunday. But what is a little rain when we can explore the best campground and beach in Nova Scotia? Here is June’s schedule for guided tours and walks within Five Islands Provincial Park:
Friday, June 7th, 7 – 8:30 pm “Kicking off the Season!” Guided Beach Walk – FREE
Saturday, June 15th, 1 – 3 pm Mid-day Eco Interpretive Hike to the Old Wife Formation – Family-friendly – $10/person, children 10 and under free
Wednesday, June 19th, 5 – 6 pm – Understanding the Highest Tides in the World – FREE
Saturday, June 22nd, 7 – 8:30 pm “Into the Sunset” Guided Beach Walk at Low Tide – – FREE
Please note: These are NOT the custom tours booked in advance via the ParrsboroShoreTours.ca website. These group events are Five Islands Provincial Park specific. They are open to all visitors and campers to the park. Group sizes vary. Events are family- and pet-friendly. Pets must be leashed at all times.
And here are a few images of cliffs and beaches we will explore this summer!
What are you waiting for? Come out and join us for one or several of our interpretive excursions!
This has been a long wait! Last year’s summit was cancelled due to wildfires. This year it’s full steam ahead😊!
It’s great to attend an event like this with a like-minded friend where we are thrilled about the views, the little treasures along the trail and the fact that we are surrounded by so many like-minded people…
…who willingly head up Keppoch Mountain at dusk in hope of capturing the sunset. And on the way down through the Hemlock forest make yet another magical discovery.
Three hikes, 17.1 km, nearly 26,000 steps, great conversations along the way and two more days of fun ahead!
It’s here! My special banner for networking and advertising opportunities has arrived along with a new batch of rack cards. I was so excited that I set the banner up immediately. Sorry for the hasty image.
Changes are in the works with three full years of blogging coming to an end. Daily blogs will be a thing of the past. Instead, I am reducing the blogging frequency to three times a week featuring special events, tour recaps and a regular newsletter packed with information from basic hike info, helpful gear tips and local happenings.
Stay tuned for the newsletter launch on Monday…
I am off to my first ever NS Hike Summit weekend in Antigonish tomorrow. I’ll post some images from there tomorrow.
The fog lifted around the time my Wednesday walk group gathered. By lunch time the sky was bright blue and my friend Deena and I took our e-bikes out for our first ride of the season.
Leake Lake was the perfect destination for a first outing. This small kettle lake is a popular hangout during the summer for locals and visitors alike. It’s easy to get to, located a short walk behind the Sunshine Inn Motel & Cottages. Today we had the Lake to ourselves.😀
While hiking the Cape Chignecto Costal Trail last month I was struck by the variety of shelf fungi adorning the trees. Here is a small selection of various collections along the trail.
I enjoyed this Sunday morning tour with Deb and her grandson studying rocks and minerals around Partridge Island. Deb had contacted me a few weeks ago to see if I would accommodate them for a treasure hunt. The tides were favourable. We explored the weir, the beach, columnar basalt cliffs and spent time warming up with a hot beverage and Fundy Jewel energy bites on the beach while watching the tide roll in.
Part of my tour supplies are Fundy Jewels, a high protein, nutritious, gluten-free, vegan energy bite. I first introduced them to the Keep Your Daydream folks. Since then I have refined and further enhanced the initial recipe. Packed with ingredients like wild blueberries, Cumberland County maple syrup and switching from peanut butter to almond butter has made these little morsels the hit at break time. My supplies have been replenished today just in time for the upcoming tours.
Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers... 