Author Archives: mariamcgowan

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About mariamcgowan

Social Media strategist, coach, content creator and manager. I am the owner of Sociable Media, a company that takes away the overwhelm of the fast-paced social media world and simplifies it for you. So you can expand your network, grow your business and free up time for you.

York ReDoubt…No Doubt #1

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As often as we can, my husband and I organize “family days”. We like to create adventures wherever we go. Since we haven’t been to York ReDoubt, we knew this would be cool place to check out.

So we pried the kids off the computer and followed the well marked signs along Purcell’s Cove road to York ReDoubt National Historic Site (which was about 15 minutes from the Armdale Rotary).

Once there, we quickly paired off to explore the rooms of the fort on our own. By the way, this is THE perfect place to play tag or hide and seek!

Built in 1793 by the Duke of Kent to defend Halifax from invasion from the French, the walls of the fort are rock solid. To get to the other side of the fort, you can walk through a long tunnel to get to the other side. York ReDoubt is part of the Halifax defense complex comprised of Citadel Hill, Prince of Wales Tower, Fort McNab and George’s Island. I’m told that, back in the day, they all communicated to each other using an elaborate flag system.

After going through a tunnel that takes you to the ocean side of the fort, we discovered many hiking trails. As we walked along, we noticed a cruise ship leaving the harbour, a bunch of blackberry bushes that were bursting with berries too early to pick (darn!) Along the way by daughter collected burrs that, unbeknownst to me, were secretly placed all over my back.

One trail led us to York Shore Battery, an abandoned WWII Command Centre where you can still explore around the rooms and all but climb onto the grass roofs. There is also an informative display panel explaining the role the facility had during its operation. One of them was keeping a watchful eye on German U-Boats that floated just outside the Halifax harbour. A giant underwater gate ran from here to McNab’s Island that kept the U-Boats out and our ships (and city) safe from attack.


The walk back to the car was another adventure. A shortcut to connect onto the path to the tunnel, ended up being a steep crazy climb. We happened to arrive at the tunnel entrance just in time, because the park attendant was about to lock up for the night. I am glad we took the shortcut.

My new love

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I love my bike.

Why? Because it’s the nicest bike I’ve ever had.
Another reason? I love zooming past long lines of traffic on my way to and from work. If you live in Halifax, it’s a busy time of year with a lot of cars. Usually I commute with my fellow eco-conscious friends Kim and Frank. Yesterday it took us one hour to get home (usually it takes 15-20 minutes).

So, today I took my bike. It was lovely.

I can’t wait to go home.

Cranberries and Inukshuk’s

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These are a couple pictures from my favourite Provincial Park in Nova Scotia. It’s Taylor Head Provincial Park in Spry Bay, about an 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Halifax, along the Eastern Shore.

Lately, Inukshuk’s have been popping up along the rocks and it’s been really nice to see. Cranberries grow like crazy here and if you want some for Thanksgiving dinner, you’d better start picking now.

Pier 21 Canada’s Immigration Museum

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Pier 21, Halifax, Nova ScotiaA place that is very near and dear to my heart is Pier 21. It’s a museum/interpretive centre/art gallery located along Halifax’s waterfront. In 2007, it was voted one of Canada’s Seven Wonders in a national contest.

It was at Pier 21 where 1 million immigrants, displaced persons and war brides first stepped foot on Canadian soil between the years of 1928 and 1971. To these people, every day was Canada Day. Canada was a country of hope and promise for a better future.

This National Historic Site was lovingly restored and re-opened with national fanfare on July 1st, 1999. I had the privilege of working at Pier 21 for 4 1/2 years. I’ve never worked in a place where I was so inspired and so moved. It instilled in me a strong pride in my country and it’s immigrants. Cause, when you think of it, we are all immigrants (with the exception of First Nations, such as the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq).

We all have a story to tell and Pier 21 is all about stories. Some are poignant, of surviving the holocaust and weeping for joy when finally arriving in Halifax to start anew. It was always nice to see them, years later, return to the new Pier 21 with their families. The emotions of that day of arrival are still very raw and sometimes there are tears. I recall one day a man stood quietly alone, looking pensive, after a very long time, he knelt down and kissed the floor.

That’s my Canada.

P.S. The guy in the photo is our friend Rob from BC. His father arrived in Canada through Pier 21 from Holland.

Teepee Town

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Our house in Halifax backs onto a wooded area near Long Lake Provincial Park and it’s where “Teepee Town” is located. Teepee Town was built 2 years ago by my kids and a few of their friends. It’s a busy town. It’s constantly is going through upgrades, demolitions and additions.

Fallen trees from Hurricane Juan are perfect for building teepees and shelters. The currency there is tree bark and moss. Two slices of bark and a handful of moss will get you a ground floor condominium and a skylight.

There is even a mayor (my son, who appointed himself). Council meets infrequently and a couple times they’ve come close to a mutiny.

Sand developments not castles

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My kids are world class architects and developers. They create cities, residential areas, freeways and industrial parks. Just add sand and lots of imagination. No tools necessary – seaweed, driftwood and rocks will do perfectly. I am assured they’re the greenest of cities, they rely on solar, tidal and wind power.

The beach at Taylor Head Provincial Park is a blank canvas that provides hours of fun. The rise of the tide creates opportunities for these urban planners to erect dikes, bridges or swimming pools. As the tide falls, new building materials expose themselves. Streams and sand bars appear that are in dire need of causeways.

Mackerel Fishing

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No technical fishing knowledge or gear required. All you need is a wharf that you’ll share with the locals. Sometimes, if they are “running” you can catch 10 mackerel in 10 minutes. One time my sister tied a ring on the end of her line and a bunch of mackerel tried to bite it! They’ll bite at anything flashy. That’s because they are after huge schools of minnows.

Mackerel fishing is one of best childhood memories growing up along the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. It’s a social gathering for the locals. They welcome any newcomers, they might even give you some of their catch because their freezer at home is already full.

In this photo, my brother and daughter are showing off their big catch. No exaggerated fish stories here!

Originally posted in 2008

The Great Annual Lobster Fest

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Each year my family gathers to celebrate the opening of lobster season along the Eastern Shore. It’s the equivalent of Thanksgiving but with the added mess of eating lobster. We all agree, this isn’t the event to introduce the new person you are dating. One is bound to “miss their bib” and it’s inevitable that something will get stuck in your teeth. It’s best to leave the first impressions for another time.