There is no better way to spend Sunday afternoon than with a fresh tour booking to officially kick off the 2024 season. Soley Cove beckoned and it was glorious! My happy client was glad she didn’t have to worry about the tides and when she should turn back to avoid being cut off. She welcomed the countless photo ops along the way. Thank you, Leeanna for letting me show you around the Jurassic Coast Cliffs of Soley Cove!
Solitude, sea caves and flower pots! The Cliffs of Fundy Geopark has them all. Nova Scotia’s best kept secret… hands down.
Between trail marker 27 and 28 km, just before or after the halfway mark, depending if one travels clockwise or counter-clockwise, this ancient, gnarly, attention-demanding sentinel calls the hiker to attention! Many a picture has been captured with this tree… many a story could be told if it could speak!
Refugee Cove with the Ol’ Sal Sea Stack is a place for rest, filtering water and prepare for the last 11 km to complete the coastal loop. Bittersweet! Looking forward to my own bed😊
Just a few images to keep you in the loop. I am well on my way by now sauntering counter-clockwise. I am doing the hike solo this year to get away from everyday noise and routines.
View toward Cape Chignecto with Isle Haute in the distance
I spent yesterday dividing my time between reviewing the hiking supply list, a meeting with the Geopark manager and fitting back country hiking gear into my backpack. It weighs in at 30 lbs this year (including 2.5 litres of water and food for five days). It felt balanced and quite comfortable as I tried it on to adjust straps and tighten the hip and chest belts. When you read this I will be nearing this particular look off on my way to Eatonville. I plan to take things slow and saunter to take in more views and revisit favourite places along the way! Have a great weekend!
Yes, that’s a tick. We recently pulled one off our black ShihTzu and that was my sign to kick my springtime prep into prevention mode.
Much time during the winter was spent conducting research. Yes, you can purchase tick-repellent clothing but it’s only good for six wash cycles. Why spend all the extra money when you can treat your hiking clothes yourself? I am all about DIY and with the sun fully out, a weekend of hiking ahead and in full prep mode it was time to spray my outerwear layers with Pro-Perm. I found this product on Amazon.ca for around $40/gal. I can treat a lot of clothes with nearly 4 litres! The scent is not strong but pleasant and the light mist penetrated the fabric quickly. As stated on the label: apply a safe distance away from pets.
Merino tops, pants and neck gaiters are treated. I am ready for the battle of the ticks!
For clients during woodland tours I offer these repellents. “Atlantick” is my proven go-to since we lived in Saskatchewan. I use it on my small dogs with great success! I spray it on my palm, rub my hands together and rub down their legs and back. For humans I recommend spraying the lower part of pant legs just in case there are ticks waiting in the grass bordering the trail.
My hope for this year is that I don’t feel even one little tick crawling across my legs or arms. I will update this post with reports on how well my action plan works.
Happy spring and summer hiking! Remember, ticks become active at +4C and they don’t die during a cold snap in the winter, they have an uncanny ability to go dormant. The long cold spells might reduce reproductive activity but definitely won’t destroy them. These are facts coming from my entomologist husband.
In the event that you find a tick has latched on seek immediate help. Your pharmacist will be able to assess the need to treat. Don’t let those tiny critters mess with your health!
First impressions are great at Cochrane Road Beach in Port Greville. We truly love this beach for walks at high and low tide and anytime in-between. Waves leaping at the shore, gulls squawking overhead and an occasional bald eagle soaring high in the sky.
Upon closer inspection we discover pieces of plastic, rope of varying lengths, styrofoam, glass bottles, aluminum cans, food containers, empty oil bottles and so much more! This type of trash is not unique to this beach. What sets this beach apart is that accessibility is relatively easy and we can drive along and pick up full bags of collected trash instead of hauling them out straining our backs.
There were six of us today bending, reaching and stuffing… trash bags that is! The initial tally was just under 85 lbs until we found another large piece of rusty metal and bits and pieces of rope and plastic. We took a total of 90 lbs from a relatively short distance on the beach. It’s our way to commemorate Earth Month and say thank you to the county for allowing us unlimited access to the amazing Bay of Fundy! Beach clean up events are a fabulous way to build community, connect with like-minded people and make visitors feel that we care for our surroundings. Thank you to all who came out today to join the special event!
We had a fabulous turn out for the Earth Day hike to Clarke Head. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. John Calder for sharing his in-depth knowledge of the area and to geoscientist Louise Leslie from GeoLearn for providing answers to on-the-spot questions along the way. This was the first joint interpretive walk between the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark and Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers (ParrsboroShoreTours.ca) and judging by its popularity it won’t be the last!
Looking forward to this special interpretive Earth Day hike. Due to illness Dr. Calder will not be attending. Instead local geoscientist Louise Leslie from GeoLearn will be sharing her knowledge and insights as we make our way to the Clarke Head arch.
Soley Cove called for the second time this week. Monday I took a geologist friend out for her first ever exploration. Today two groups came together: Parrsboro and Truro hikers joined together to discover the trek to the Redhead under grey skies.
There were the usual first time ooohs and ahhhs and cameras were working overtime.
The Aeolian Sandstone cliffs never disappoint. Even with cloudy conditions the colours are strong making for great visual impact.
The guided hike was well received and even after nearly 11 km return the smiles were still infectious. A great afternoon with like-minded people. There is nothing better to push away gloomy clouds!
A month ago I participated in the Wilderness First Aid course at the Search and Rescue Centre near Waverly. The Advanced module was rescheduled for today. I decided to make my way there yesterday afternoon to avoid an early morning commute. When I arrived I was told that there would not be a class after all. Hmmm, I was hugely disappointed but proceeded to follow my original plan and explore the woods for some exercise. Down the steep hill I went and it was definitely worth it! The log used to cross the fast flowing creek just a month ago was just decoration: the path was dry and the creek bed easy to navigate!
The forest beyond last month’s section was calling!
Time slips away when the forest envelops… there wasn’t a soul anywhere!
Climbing the rope I performed a mental check-in on how I felt about the cancelled class and I was fine, ready for the 2 hour drive home! Forest bathing is good for the body and mind, I invite you to try it if you are not a regular subscriber already😀.
Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers... 