Hiking & Walking
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Wandering the Wolfville Watershed Trails
The Wolfville Watershed trails are a network of trails located on the Gaspereau Mountain-up past Gaspereau school located on Greenfield Road and then left on Forest Hill Road. At the very end of Forest Hill road is a small parking area on the right. I’m not one to get lost easily (haha -joke) and these trails were a bit confusing. I DID get a bit confused at my first attempt. Now I feel like I have a good handle of the three trails I explore most frequently: The Hemlock Ravine and Havey Trail combined. The Hemlock Ravine Trail and the Mud Dam Trail to the Gaspereau Mountain Reservoir. …
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Packing Your Backpack
My first time backpacking was with a knowledgeable friend within the Bluff Wilderness System. I knew less than nothing. Her partner decided to unceremoniously dump my backpack out and proceeded to repack it for me. There is a system-who knew? Now, I’m going to tell you how I learned to fill my pack for the best weight distribution, ease of grabbing contents and less pressure on my back and shoulders. First grab a large garbage to line the inside of your backpack. Then: (1) My lightweight but warm sleeping bag squishes up really small in it’s compression sack-that goes in the bottom. Why? It cushions my lower back. If there…
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Dawson Brook Falls
If you are looking for a short but pretty stroll after Sunday supper, Dawson Brook Falls might be it,if you live near Hants County or Eastern Kings County. I’m always up to find new trails and waterfalls, so we set out to find this spot inspired by the travels of @newtrailsouthere . Google Maps was up to her old tricks. After taking us to the gated road, she insisted the trail started on our left directly onside the gate. And it did look like a trail, which we followed for short way. Wrong. Unless I am really familiar with a trail-and I mean really, I use a GPS app,…
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Hiking Cape Split During Mud Season
The temperature was perfect as we wound our way along the trail. We encountered some big fluffy snowflakes followed by sunny skies. All were welcome. I’ve hiked Cape Split numerous times but this is only the second time I did the the new loop. I had done some research and was expecting mud and I was not disappointed to find, it was indeed, mud season. The newly looped trail, 13.2 km, not including distance to viewpoints, and runs through old growth forest with some new scenic look offs. Scots Bay trail-the new section, offers views of the Bay of Fundy while the ‘old’ trail-the Minas Basin Trail, now…
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My 5 Favorite Hikes In the Annapolis Valley
It was a foggy morning and the sun wouldn’t make the climb over Blomidon for a while so we hiked quickly to catch the sunrise. No one else was on the Jodrey Trail, and although the sunrise was muted due to clouds, it was still a great hike. It was and remains, one of my favorite hikes. 1. Jodrey Trail at Blomidon Provincial Park. This slightly challenging, heart pumping11k hike starts from the picnic area and climbs up to the top of Blomidon. There are some nice views along this trail, as it winds through the woods. I also enjoy hiking from the picnic park to the Visitor Centre and then…
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The Jodrey Trail Loop- Northward to Indian Springs
I love Blomidon and the moderately difficult Jodrey Trail is my favorite. Up until recently, time and lack of motivation kept me from hiking to the end of it , usually choosing to head back along the Woodland Trail., or crossing over at the Visitor Centre and going down Borden Brook. This time, my goal was to get to Indian Springs and that last look off. I parked at the Visitor Centre to do the 8.5 km round trip upper loop. There were some climbs but nothing like the lower part of the Jodrey Trail. Lots of roots -a walking stick is handy. Part of the trail leads through the…
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I Quit Cape Chignecto
Cape Chignecto was a goal, a dream, a Bucket List item. I wanted to see the Three Sisters from up high; to take a selfie with the sign on the cabin saying Carey’s Brook. In the end, I did neither of those things. What happened? January is the month that encourages you to plan,and to make and work steadily towards goals. I feel it was not for nothing that I stumbled across the phrase “ Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone.” I took that literally. I announced my decision to hike Cape Chignecto to all the world via Facebook. I inquired if anyone may be interested in…
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26 Nova Scotia Day Trips From A to Z
I think Nova Scotia is one of th best places to live and explore – I live here and I love it. I want to share with you some of my favorite Nova Scotia Day Trips A to Z to start you off on your adventures here. A- Advocate Harbour- I love Advocate Harbour.The scenery is stunning and NovaShores Adventures tours is definitely on my bucket list. Cape d’Or Lighthouse is a steep down hill stroll from the parking lot, but you can grab a meal or even stay overnight. Please note that restaurant hours are subject to change without notice so please call ahead 1-902-670-8314 or email at [email protected] (or…
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My Planned Gear List for Cape Chignecto
Almost as important as starting to get in shape for a backpacking trip, is planning gear list. Backpacking is not cheap but I am trying to do it as economically as I can, at the same time getting quality. Here the humongous suggested gear list for Cape Chignecto straight from the mouth of Mountain Equipment Co-Op. Because of the looonnngg list I’m going to break it up into several posts. FYI, Because of Covid, MEC is not offering their gear rental option this year, but hope to in 2023. Too bad because that’s a way to try on backpacking with too much of an investment-in case you hate it guts.…
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What is Your Why -Cape Chignecto Hike
I did it! I booked nights at 3 bunkhouses along the Cape Chignecto Loop. Not as easy as it might seem-sort of like a puzzle to get consecutive available nights booked. Get two booked and the third is not available for the night you want..go back and start all over again. Some may ask why I would want to do such a crazy thing at my age. Certainly my husband does…often. What is my reason? My why?? I guess I want to prove I can do it – that ‘women’ of a certain age’ can do hard things -providing we aren’t foolish about it and are totally prepared and physically…
