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10 Flower Gardens You Should Visit This Summer
Note: I would visit the Rhododendrons as soon as possible at the Kentville Research Station I scoff at the suggestion of having any kind of a green thumb-really I do. But for some strange reason, I feel compelled over the last several years to dig, plant and even-horrors! weed a bit of a flower garden. Why is this so shocking, you ask? I grew up on a farm.Need I really say anymore? But I will say more. My mother worked outside the home. My father was crippled with extreme arthritis .We gardened to sell produce and survive-long before farmer’s markets and U Picks were a staple in Nova Scotia. You…
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Lightfoot and Wolfville Winery-A Restaurant Review
I’ve been wanting to check out one of the Kings County’s newest wineries (not THE newest-that’s Mercator) not for the wine but for the wood fired pizza that I’ve heard so much about since the opening of Lightfoot and Wolfville Vineyards. Finally, an opportunity presented itself. Lightfoot and Wolfville ‘s executive chef Geoff Hopgood is a Nova Scotia native who honed his craft in the big cities of Vancouver and Toronto before opening a successful restaurant in Toronto. Eventually, the call of the sea and the Nova Scotian air lured him Hopgood and his family back here. Now he oversees the kitchen at Lightfoot and Wolfville,using fresh, seasonal quality ingredients. First,…
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Returning to Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct
Hubby tells me it’s been 17 years since we last scrambled our way along the trail to Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct. He was 50. I would have been 46. Yes, we are THAT old. Over 2500 years ago, the now submerged sections of Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct was home to ancestors of the Mi’kmaq . Since then, it’s rocky and barren landscape lent itself to few successful occupations, however foundations of a large sheep farm are still found along the trails . You’ll find glacial erratics- large granite boulders left by receding glaciers-sticking up out of the bogs and fossilized tree stumps which may be 1000’s of years old. The bogs are home to…
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5 Great Spots to see Apple Blossoms
So, the Apple Blossom festival begins tomorrow and there are lots of events happening all across the valley. But what about the apple blossoms, you ask. Right. Well that is what it is all about. Unfortunately, it’s always a crap shoot as to whether the blossoms are ahead,behind or in full bloom. As of this writing (May 22) they are behind. But, it won’t be too long before they are out in all their glorious splendor. So, without further ado, here are my five best places to see the apple blossoms in the Annapolis Valley from east to west. Click the title for directions. Also, you may be interested in…
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The Crow’s Nest Restaurant -A Restaurant Review
What is this CROW thing? Welcome to the land of fishermen, their fathers, their grandfathers, their sons and their daughters. Many moons ago,a fisherman with the last name of Longmire was on a fishing boat, he was hungry, he snuck a few potatoes for his supper and ever since then, the Longmire’s have been dubbed crows. We’re the Longmire’s That’s it. That’s the story From the first page of the Crow’s Nest Restaurant menu It’s not hard to tell that the the Crow’s Nest Restaurant is proud of their fishing heritage.Every conceivable inch of the interior is covered with nautical themed decor, and a looped video showcases the story of the…
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Six Ways to Experience the Bay of Fundy Tides
As a native Nova Scotian growing up around the Bay of Fundy, I didn’t realize what a very big deal laying claim to the world’s highest tides actually is. It is a very big deal . If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience this phenomenon ( It is one of the 7 Wonders of North America , after all) then you are in for a treat. Several treats, in fact. Here are six of my favorites, in no particular order. Tidal Bore/Tidal Bore Rafting Shubenacadie River Wranglers (the only one I’ve tried-there are several) 8681 NS-215, Maitland, NS B0N 1T0 Truro Tidal Bore Viewing Centre 103 Tidal Bore…
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Two Easy Hikes in the Halifax Regional Municipality
I have been exploring new trails as much as I can just lately-and why not- in a couple weeks I go back to my real job 🙂 Just this past week I was able to explore what I consider a couple of pretty easy hikes in HRM Easy Hikes # 1 Hemlock Ravine Park Trails My friend Joan and I walked about 4.5 km of the 5 km Hemlock Ravine Park trails,located on Kent Avenue off the Bedford Highway. Apparently, this was all part of a luxurious landscaping project by Prince Edward, who was loaned the use of the estate and lands by lieutenant-governor John Wentworth.in the 1700’s.All that is…
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Just Us Coffee Roaster – Restaurant Review
Recently, I met a friend for coffee at Just Us Coffee Cafe in Grand Pre.Just Us is a play on words-a group of good friends believe that although they were without substantial assets they could still make a difference-making sure the brand they were creating stood for social justice. This company ushered in the fair trade coffee business in the Valley in 1995. The head office and roastery is located in the same building, as well as a small coffee museum.If you’ve been there at all you know they have a smorgasbord of products for sale- from coffee beans to coffee makers, raw sugars, chocolate and more. Located right off…
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Part 3 26 Nova Scotia Day Trips Q-Z
Well, that title lies. I could get z..I tried. I went through phone books, maps, online resources and atlas to find a place that I have visited or could visited that started with Z so I could offer you a choice of Nova Scotia day trips from A to Z.Nope. And in the spirit of transparency-I couldn’t find X either. However, I WILL give you 26 day trips. And I will gather all this info into a little e-book – print it off and use it to plan your summer. Here we go. Q. Queensland Beach. I am beginning to sense a theme-water, water everywhere. This is nice little beach…
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Part 2- 26 Nova Scotia Day Trips I to P
Here we go with part 2 of this three part series of Nova Scotia day trips . An alphabet soup of exploration, if you will. Sometimes, it’s hard to pick between several places with the same first letter, and sometimes, it’s hard to dig up one at all (just wait until I get to ‘z’ next week.) I always try to refer to places I’ve actually been so I can give honest information. For now, have a look and make some notes for your upcoming days off this summer. Happy Planning! I.Ingonish Beach We visited this small beach when touring the Cabot Trail last Sept, a sandy beach about…
