Category Archives: People and culture

Nova Scotia Christmas Trees, A Tradition

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A few minutes ago I asked my daughter, “what feeling do you get when you see a Christmas tree?” She simply replied, “happy!”

Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a real Christmas tree. Big or small, fat or skinny, with needles or rapidly falling ones – this over-sized air freshener brings the outdoors in and over three short weeks can add so much cheer.

Did you know that Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s top three producers of Christmas trees (along with Quebec and Ontario)? Up until this year, 80 per cent of Nova Scotia’s Christmas trees were exported to the United States. When I visited a tree lot the other day, a grower from the South Shore told me he cuts his trees in late October to get ready for the season.

Each year, it’s tradition that a Balsam Fir from Nova Scotia is sent to Boston to become the Boston Christmas Tree. This tree is a thank you gift from the province to the people of Boston in remembrance of the city’s response after the Halifax Explosion in 1917.

How we decorate a Christmas tree, we all know, is a personal choice. Many trees this year will be “green” with LED lights. It’ll be a preference between multi-coloured or plain white lights or blue or red. Some trees will be professionally decorated while many will be decorated with heirloom ornaments and dough treasures our kids made in pre-school. Whether your tree is 8 feet or a table top, decorated from head to toe or only the bottom third (thanks to an overzealous toddler), every tree is beautiful. Even Charlie Brown’s.

Mine definitely won’t have tinsel. “What’s tinsel?” my daughter asks.

Happy Christmas.

3 Ways to Help a Snowtruck Get Unstuck

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Last weekend we got about 30 centimeters of snow in Halifax. Not a lot of snow considering some parts of Canada but it’s plenty for here. Enough, in fact, for the snow plough to get stuck on our street for 30 minutes.

Here are 3 ways to help a tired snow plough driver get out of a frustrating situation:

1. Resist the urge to take a picture (oops)
2. Offer him a coffee
3. Grab your shovel and join your neighbours

Tidal Bore Rafting on the Shubenacadie River

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A couple weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to go tidal bore rafting.

Tidal Bore Rafting in late October?

Yes! We wore survival suits 🙂

According to Wikipedia a Tidal Bore is “is a true tidal wave (not to be confused with a tsunami).” This wave comes from the Bay of Fundy (flowing in one direction) and meets the Shubenacadie River (flowing in in the opposite direction).

Picture this, you’re in a power boat and you are heading full speed into a 10-20 foot wave STRAIGHT ON. While you’re very instinct would be to flee, you are powerless as this giant wave splashes over you. No sooner can you say “let’s do it again” the boat operator is turning around to go just ahead of the wave then turn around to ram into it again. Pow!

What is really eerie is just before the wave approaches, you can see and hear it coming like a locomotive up the river. First you see a ripple and then one minute later there is churning water all around you. All this while gigantic bald eagles are watching you from the trees along the bank. Silently laughing at the silly humans.
Sea of Shoes
Before you knew it, it was time to go back to the dock, step out from the boat onto the muddy shore and then tear off the survival suits. The feeling was exhilarating and I can’t wait to go back during the summer months on a 4 hour excursion that includes a bbq and mud sliding.

Here’s where to get further info:
Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Rafting Park

Bay of Fundy Tourism Information:

novascotia.com

Donair l’egg roll

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We Atlantic Canadian’s have a weakness for donair’s. For a select few, especially at 2 a.m. on a Saturday – when any knowledge of Canada’s four food groups is kicked to the curb.

Ok.

Wait one sec.

Let’s get something straight.

I am NOT up at 2 a.m. (anymore) I’m NOT 19 (anymore). I prefer a stick of celery as a snack (these days).

Not all Atlantic Canadian’s even like donair’s. Just thought I’d add that disclaimer.

So. Here’s an egg roll with a twist. It’s yummy and it comes with “donair sauce” to dip them in. What is that delicious white sauce called anyway? Never mind, there are some things one doesn’t need to know in life, like what is donair meat made of anyway? Don’t matter, it’s still good.

Someone told me today I should be a food photographer. I scoffed. Then reached for my bag of celery.

Falling for the leaves

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When I lived on the west coast, I longed for the bright reds and fiery oranges of fall. Since the leaves there were predominately yellow, a dear friend took pity on me and mailed me red and orange leaves from the east. The thing was, when they arrived in the mail, the leaves had turned brown because they were in a Ziploc bag. Guess it wasn’t in the cards for me to see gorgeous east coast leaves that year.

Sigh.

But I get my fair share now!

The French Basin Trail

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It’s funny. For the past 5 years my family and I have visited the town of Annapolis Royal and it wasn’t until this past weekend that I realized how much there was to explore. Don’t gasp when I tell you that I have YET to visit Port Royal National Historic Site. I told you not to gasp!

For the past few years, while driving past the Tidal Power Interpretive Centre, I’ve always noticed people walking along a marshy wetland. Well, on an overnight trip to Annapolis Royal this past weekend we went on a hike there. It was along this marshy wetland that I discovered its name, the French Basin Trail.

Basically right in the town of Annapolis Royal, the French Basin Trail is a 45-minute walk around a Ducks Unlimited wetland. Home to several species of ducks, at least one pair of Great Blue Herons, a family of muskrats and, if you’re lucky, foxes. The well-maintained gravel trail around the marshland leads into an old Dominion Atlantic Railroad line railbed/trail that goes east or west as far as your feet will take you.

Along the trail were decorations hanging from trees or lying on the ground made from pine cones, birch bark and other natural materials that were a hit with the squirrels and birds. I was told later that these were made by art students at a local school.

Next time I visit the area, I am definitely taking along my running shoes. With no hills and lots of scenery, this trail is a runners dream.

To get there: In Annapolis Royal, drive along Saint George Street until you see the set of traffic lights (Historic Gardens will be on your left), turn onto Prince Albert Road then drive 300 meters and turn right onto the gravel parking lot.

More info:
Annapolis Valley Vacation
Annapolis Royal Recreation

SNOWSHOE LUNCH-WALKS
Each Wednesday 12:15pm (January – March)
French Basin Trail
Shoes available
Info: 902.532-3144

OUTDOOR SKATING & WALKING
At the French Basin Trail & pond: watch for the skating sign in the parking area (green indicates skating; red – no skating).

Pomquet Acadian Trails (Sentiers Acadiens de Pomquet)

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Last weekend, my family and I made a quick visit to the village Pomquet. Located on the Northumberland Shore, this area was settled in 1761 by Acadians and it is one of the friendliest places in Nova Scotia.

We hiked a series of trails that led us through the Monks Head Provincial Park Reserve. The trail started just behind Chez Deslauriers, an Acadian historic site overlooking the magnificent expanse of Pomquet Beach. There are five trails starting with the Beach trail and ending with the Coastal trail. These trails (with the exception of the Coastal Trail) shoot off the main trail to their own loop. We decided to hike along the main trail along the coast.

The trail led us through a field, a wooded area and along the rocky shore of St. George’s Bay that offered stunning views of Cape Breton from across the water. Every now and then we’d have an opportunity to look (from a safe distance) over the edge to see the cliffs below. These cliffs are rapidly eroding and many well posted signs reminded us of this.

The only animals we encountered were two friendly red squirrels, very cute to see as they were as curious about them as they were about us. What weren’t so cute were Poison Ivy plants that were scattered along the outskirts of part of trail. As long as you steer clear of them, there would be no problem. We discovered cranberries along the shore were abundant and ripe for picking. Note to self for next fall: bring a bag.

This was a wonderful easy to moderate level hike with amazing views.

How to get there?
Pomquet is a 20 minute drive from Antigonish. Follow the 104 hwy (east)and watch for the large Pomquet sign.
Map

Pomquet Beach

Between a rock and a soft seat

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Economy, Nova Scotia

Today, I decided to venture off the Trans Canada Highway and meander through the communities of Bass River and Five Islands on my way to Parrsboro. Route #2, “The Glooscap Trail“, hugs the coast of the Minas Basin. This area is known for its powerful tides, courtesy of the Bay of Fundy. This is a route where drivers wish they were passengers so they can fully appreciate the scenery.

I knew that I just had to pull over, somewhere, anywhere. So just outside the village of Lower Economy and just before Five Islands Provincial Park, I turned left at Soley Cove Road. This windy gravel road, led past farmers fields to a large guard rail. Now, one knows a of popular spot when you notice the car tire prints from the hundreds of cars who also stopped there before you.

After soaking up the beauty of the Bay of Fundy, I jumped back in my car and drove about 500 meters to a dead end. It was also where a funky coach was sitting in a field. As a friend often informs me, it must’ve been “good garbage week”. Because for someone, this couch would be a real “find”.

I like to think this couch is saying, “enjoy the scenery, with the comfort of home”.

Paradise, Nova Scotia

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Ever been to Paradise?

Well, I can say that now I’ve been to Paradise. I was there long enough to snap a picture. I can’t say that I felt any different during my brief visit. I didn’t feel any sense of euphoria, I didn’t burst out in exultation. Certainly didn’t hear angels singing. But maybe that was because thirty minutes before I reached Paradise, I got a speeding ticket. Wouldn’t it have been interesting to get one in Paradise? I would’ve framed it.

You should go. Take your time. I know I will.

How to get there: Paradise (Nova Scotia) is on Trunk Highway #1, (Evangeline Trail) about 7 minutes outside Bridgetown. Take exit 20 off Hwy 101 and take a left if coming from Halifax or a right if coming from Yarmouth.

Download: Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley Driving Guide (4.41MB)

Peggy’s Cove in 15 minutes

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Fishing boats on the way to the lighthouseToday I had the chance to go to Peggy’s Cove for work-related business. Once I finished my tasks, and before jumping in the car for a 25 minute drive back to Halifax, I wanted to spend a couple minutes with “Peggy”.

This small fishing village is a photographer’s paradise. Every where you turn there’s a photo op. Today’s blue sky made it perfect but, then again, fog would have added mystique and drama. Even the local fisherman working on their boats while tourists watched were photogenic.Boats and buoy

Everything in Peggy’s Cove is a stones throw away. You can walk anywhere and everywhere there isn’t a “private road” sign. There is a mix of cars and people along the windy paved road leading up the hill and eventually to the rocks.

A fisherman’s glove caught my eye, doesn’t it look like it’s reaching for something? The tide was low during my brief visit and the water in the small cove was calm but just around the corner, it was a different story with wind and surf. So interesting to see how just a few feet away from this protected cove there were white caps.Reaching out

My 15 minute break is up. I’ll start walking back to the car now.