Checking Off Your Summer Bucket List

 

Listen. I know it’s the middle of July. But there’s still time, I tell you!
Why not choose a few to do over the next month and a half?

Cape Split

999 Cape Split Road
Scots Bay

Open year Round-Be prepared for Winter Conditions in season

Cape Split is a 13.3 trail with elevation . Doing the new loop there are several beautiful lookouts that will add a kilometre or so to your hike. Hikers should plan on 4 – 6 daylight hours to hours to make the return trip. Plan time to relax and enjoy the view at the Split-it’s lovely.

Bring water, food , bug spray,sunscreen and layers-It can be chilly when you stop for  a break. Please leash your dog for their own safety. Pack out you garbage. There are two toilets at the trail head and one other about 1.5 km up along the trail .

You will likely meet others on the trail-I don’t think I’ve been there when I have not.

There’s a huge parking lot but it can quickly fill up.

You may encounter muddy conditions in spots.

Beachy Corn Boil

Houston (Heustis) Beach-Stewart Mountain Road, Canning, NS
From Canning take Stewart Mountain Rd to your right.

Our favourite spot is Houston Beach as the tide is going out. Fresh corn is available in the valley near mid August.

We plan the boil for the outgoing tide ,

You will need a gigantic pot, water from home, fire starting material and wood.(Not from the beach please)

corn, butter, salt, pepper, paper plates, knives for spreading butter, paper towel,tongs, potholder, camp chairs. A small folding table is useful.You can farm these supplies out among your guests to help with the load. Make it Bring Your Own Drinks.

Build  a fire on the beach where the sand/rock is dry but not near the tree line. Please be aware of burn restrictions-I’m speaking from experience here.

Set your humongous pot of the calls and fill it will water, wait until boiling, add some salt and the shucked corn and after 15 minutes-voila! Corn. On.The Cob

Plan on 3 ears per person. Some will gobble more, some less.

Make sure your bonfire is completely out before you leave and take all garbage with you.

Striped Bass

There are lots of places to fish striped bass in Nova Scotia. In my neck of the woods you can see people with lines in the water along the Gaspereau River Rd, the Avon River (at Blue Beach and Avonport Dyke and many other spots, when the tide is outgoing until it turns.

The great thing is-you don’t need a license when fishing tidal waters. The season is open year round too.

Watch the video here for information on bait and gear.

George’s Island

If you are paddling or taking a your own boat over here’s the coordinates:

GPS coordinates: 44.64136265063332, -63.55915582186938

Free Admission this year until Sept 7th! Explore the history and enjoy the scenery. Pack a lunch. And bug spray,water and sunscreen.

To get here you can:

Paddle your own canoe or boat over and tour for free or take Ambasstours ferry across-tickets range from $11.75 for youth to $24.20 for adults, available at the waterfront or online. Under 5 free. ( I find the rate structure confusing)

Indian Falls

1585 Newburne Rd, Newburne, NS B0R 1A0

Google may try to lead you in the back way. You’re looking for a municipal park.

This is a lovely little park in Lunenburg County, not far from Lunenburg County Winery. Benches overlooking the falls and picnic tables , and washrooms big enough to change into your swimsuit.

The bottom of the LaHave River above the falls  is rocky so bring shoes you can swim in.

Nova Scotia’s Best Fish and Chips

Dennis Point Cafe
214 Dennis Point Rd, Middle West Pubnico, NS

 

We eat a lot of fish and chips. We do, whether it’s home made or restaurant. This gives gives us the right to have an educated opinion. (we hope)

I did s survey on Facebook a few years ago and peoples choices varied widely!

We think we’ve found the best Fish and Chips and that is at Dennis Point Cafe in  Pubnico.( My mouth is watering right now) We challenge you to try them and prove us wrong.

Watch the Sunset at Bohaker’s Cove Trail

2077 Shore Road West, Delaps Cove,
Annapolis County

2077 Shore Road West, Delaps Cove, Annapolis County

So.. this is a short , about 2 km round trip. Please bring on the necessities you’d bring on  longer hike – layers water, sunscreen, bug spray food but most especially a headlamp with extra batteries. Try the headlamp out before you leave home, please. Its rooty and rocky so wear good shoes. There is also a lovely waterfall, I’d suggest you see it on the way in- instead of turning right at the guest book, keep straight. Outhouse and picnic table at the trailhead

It’s best to leave extra time so you can be sure to make it for the sunset.I’d suggest at least 30 minutes before the projected time. It’s lovely there. Relax and enjoy the view. The entire loop only takes 1.5 hour.

Bike the Entire Harvest Moon Trail

Grand Pre National Historic Site to the Old Train Station on Victoria Street. All I can say about this is “oww”.  Err, I mean it’s such a beautiful trail -with wineries, restaurants and more close by

(The ‘oww’ comes from lack or training. My backside!)

We took two days to do the trail, stopping overnight in Kingston, the half way point. When we did it, which is a few years ago now, the section from Annapolis Royal to Bridgetown was sandy and tough going. Learn more about our trip here.

Hike the Skyline Trail

19685 Cabot Trail Cape Breton Highlands National Park

 

Everybody wants to hike the Skyline Trail.  Why not? It’s beautiful. But then Cape Breton is beautiful.

Things have changed there though now. If you weren’t aware, you must  now reserve your parking space to access the trail yes, it’s that busy. Once the spaces are filled, you can’t hike it.

Parks Canada strongly recommends booking your reservation in advance of your visit. Book them here.

Dogs are not allowed on this trail. I suggest checking with the Groom Room near Cheticamp for someone to watch you pet while you hike.

Splurge on Kayaking Cape  Chignecto

Nova Shores Adventures
37 School Ln, Advocate Harbour, NS B0M 1S0

We were fortunate to do this 3 years ago – a day trip around the Three Sisters. It was awesome and beginner friendly. with an easy pace and lots of exploring-and I must say-an absolutely delicious lunch on the beach. I’ve always loved Cape Chignecto and the Three Sisters and this was definitely a Bucket List thing for me.

I’d advise against where flip flops-they are painful on the beach with the little stones.  Nova Shore Adventures offers 2 and 3 day overnight tours as well.

Nova Shores has a guest room you can book  so you needed travel after your day.

Tube Down the Gaspereau River

3486 Black River Rd, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R1

*River is currently down July 16/2026

 

The above address is for King of The River Tubing-a tube rental spot situated just about the tubing starting point. I suggest you join this Facebook group, because Joy is in the know about everything. She knows when Nova Scotia Power is lowering the river  and when it will be up (Unfortunately, currently it is down. )

It’s fun ride down to the bridge where you will get out. You will still have to tuck your bum once in a while. Wear shoes.

Best to have two vehicles because it is quite a little walk back up to the starting point to get your car.

THERE IS LIMITED PARKING

Register For the Not Since Moses Race

Directions: Take Highway 102 North toward Truro. Just past Truro, keep left to merge onto Highway 104 West toward Amherst.

Take Exit 12 (Highways 2 & 4/Masstown), then turn right at the end of the ramp. At the Masstown roundabout, take the first exit. After approximately 3 km, turn left onto Highway 2 West toward Parrsboro/Five Islands.

Continue on Highway 2 for approximately 40 km. As you descend Economy Mountain, you’ll arrive in Five Islands. Continue into the village—the Five Islands Baseball Field will be on your left and serves as parking for all race events.

 

The date for the 2026 race is coming right up – August 16 in Five Islands at the Lighthouse Park. I’ve never done the 10 K , which requires you to run in order to beat the tide, but walked the 5 k twice. The word ‘walk’ is relative. Plodding ankle deep in mud is more like it. You’ll have 90 minutes to complete the 5k.

Wear old shoes and tie them tight. Old clothes, too, unless you plan never to fall in the mud….

You’ll park at a baseball field and grab a bus to the start. There are change spots and places to store clean clothes but no showers. You can wash off your feet. Bring extra bags to but filthy shoes and whatnot in. Register here.

 

Visit Grand Pre National Historic Site and World Unesco Site

2205 Grand-Pré Road
Grand-Pré, N.S.

This is the year to but this and other National Parks on your Bucket List -why?

Because in 2026, from June 19 to September 7, there is free admission for all visitors to all national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada.

This historic is an important part of out local historic and it’s beautiful to stroll though the grounds, learn about the Acadians, Evangeline and the dykes.

*parking in the museum parking lot is for museum visitors only. Please use the parking lot across the road for Harvest Moon trailway parking

Hike to Crystal Falls and Swim

*Directions to Falls in link below

Nestled near Greenwwood, Nova Scotia, Crystal Falls is a popular year round hike. There is some elevation especially going up and down to the falls and a pretty good chance of girting your feet wet along the way. Worth it.

Jump on the Ferry and Go to Tancook Island

Leaves from the government wharf in Chester, Be there 15 min. early.

Jump on the ferry in Chester (very limited parking space) and make your way to Big Tancook Island. You’ll have a quick stop at Little Tancook first-it’s the largest of the 365 islands in Mahone Bay.

The ferry schedule can be found here. There is no cost to take the ferry. Make sure you don’t jump on the last ferry departing Chester or you won’t get back that day. And there is no place to stay there. And no place to eat, either. Despite what you may read, Carolyn’s Cafe is closed.

So bring a lunch. Bring your bike  or walking shoes. Explore the trail, look for sea glass and stop at the Wishing Stone Gallery. It’s a lovely stop

Here’s a link to a Tancook community Facebook page 

Try A Sunset Paddle with East Coast Outfitters

2017 Lower Prospect Rd, Lower Prospect, NS B3T 1Y8,

I’ve paddled with these guys a couple times, but the one I’m speaking of now is  the Ladies Evening Sunset Paddle – now known as Ladies Night . Held on Thursday , it’s a very reasonable $40 +tax with kayak included and ends with a BBQ on the wharf.

We enjoyed this very much. I did find I was a weak paddler compared to others. However, they never left me behind! Spaces are limited.

Registration needed  24 hours beforehand.

Hunt for Fossils on Blue Beach

127 Blue Beach Rd, Hantsport, NS B0P 1P0

Park in the spaces by the old train bridge-(also parking for the Blue Beach Museum  – and striped bass fishermen )you need to walk from there. There is a bit of a steep downhill to get on the beach

This place is in my own stomping ground. I grew up learning to swim the the river there-at that age I had little interest in fossils.

Now it is very well known for it’s fossils. Check the tide-you can access the beach about 3 hours once the tide starts to ebb. check tide times for Hantsport here

It is not permitted to take fossils off the beach with approval from the Nova Scotia Government  Feel free to check  in at the museum to let Chris identify the fossil

Enjoy tackling this list. If you have any questions about these

activities, please email me @ susancareycoaching@gmail.com