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What Not To Wear (on Your Summer Hike)
We are all familiar with the concept of layering, especially here in Nova Scotia where the weather can go from snow, to rain to humid and hot -not only in a matter of hours but within the distance of a few kilometers. (Everyone knows Mount Uniacke has its own weather system, am I right?) But what if you are heading out on a day hike on a sticky July Saturday? Here ,in a nutshell, is what you need to know when thinking about hiking clothing for summer. Bottom line for hiking tops: Cotton breathes & soaks up sweat-which can keep you cool but also allow you to…
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Polly’s Cove Hiking Trail
It took me three tries, but I finally found the Polly’s Cove hiking trail. And it’s not because it’s all that hard to find either. I don’t know what that says about me. We won’t go there, I guess. The parking at the trail head is sparse indeed- 4 vehicles would mean each being perfectly parked. Highway 333 is winding with some sharp corners and there is very little in the way of shoulder so not the safest place to park by the side of the road. There is another small parking lot just down the road (towards Peggy’s Cove).That just means a short hike before your hike. The terrain…
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Hiking Etiquette On and Off the Trail
As someone who hikes fairly frequently, I have noticed a marked increase in trail use over the last 10 years. Like all activities involving the human race, more people can sometimes equal more rudeness, carelessness and frustration, most of which can be virtually eliminated by adhering to a few (mostly) unspoken rules. For instance, who has the right of way on a trail? The hierarchy so to speak goes like this: Bikers yield to hikers. That being said, I have often stepped out of the way of a stream of bikers furiously peddling along the path-it’s just easier. Hikers yield to horses- although that is something I have yet to…
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5 Beaches Worth a Visit this Winter
Updated March 13 2019 As I write this, Nova Scotia is suffering through an intense cold spell- minus 12 but feeling like minus 20. Snow is expected to start in an hour or so. The last thing you’d probably be thinking about is checking out any of our beaches. But we Nova Scotians are hardy people. And not only that, there are myriad reasons to avoid staying cooped up all winter. In winter, getting outside as much as possible;e help fights seasonal depression. Add to the the peace giving calm of ocean waters and a trip to the beach seems a great way of combating the winter doldrums, just when…
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Winter Walk at Keji
Anyone who knows me knows I love Kejimkujik National Park for all kinds of reasons. I can jump on my bike like a wild and fearless 11 year old and rock along the narrow trail from Slapfoot to Jake’s Landing, pack a bologna sandwich and kayak traditional Mi’kmaq waterways, swim under a falls, hike an old growth forest, roast hot dogs under a canopy of stars , take in a night theater or a guided walk…so much to do. Keji is a mecca for families, couple and solo campers with over 350 campsites pretty much filled every weekend from May to October. But it’s not simply known for camping and it’s…
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Forest Lakes Trails -Hike to Cameron Lake
Don’t you love Facebook events? It’s an opportunity to find trails I would probably never know about. This was the case on a recent frosty Sunday when a couple of friends and I took advantage of a guided trail along the Forest Lakes Trail system in Ardoise. Forest Lakes is a country club with luxury seasonal and overnight housing rentals and real estate. Out of my price range ? Absolutely. No matter. The trails are open to everyone. I suspect this was a marketing maneuver to get people up close and personal with their property. And why not? But with my my less than stylish hiking gear-I was wearing my…
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13 Things You Need to Know Before You Date a Hiker
So, you’ve met this person-and you are on your first date. You getting to know each other over a double-double . It’s going well, all talk about jobs and home towns and interests. He mentions he loves the outdoors and especially hiking. You don’t bother to say you…don’t. Or, at least,that you are not very familiar with this activity. Or even a big fan of the great outdoors. After all, how bad can it be to date a person who hikes? Ignorance may be bliss but not when it comes to melding of opposite personalities. Forewarned is, as they say, forearmed. Here’s what to expect if you date a hiker…
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A January Walk Around Graves island
Nova Scotia has soooo many awesome trails that walking around a provincial park may not at first come to mind.Of course ,parks like Blomidon and Cape Split are well-known, but don’t rule these smaller gems like Graves Island out of you walking repertoire. To be honest, we were headed to Polly’s Cove trail, but once again Google maps thwarted our best efforts to find the trail head.Curses! Graves Island is a popular provincial park located on Highway 3 just about 5 km east of Chester. We love it for summer picnics and mackerel fishing-it has a great little boat launch. The campground is busy all season-and why not?…
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Atlantic View Trail
The Atlantic View Trail is located within the Halifax Regional Municipality near Lawrencetown -it stretches for almost 20 km round trip along the abandoned Musquodoboit trail bed and so far we have only done part of this beautiful coastal trail section – from the end of highway 207 just past Three Fathom Harbour Road in Porters Lake. Entrance can also be gained from the opposite end, at the Lawrencetown Community Centre. I’d rate this trail as easy (find other easy Halifax hikes here) the only difficult thing about it is it’s length-and how far you go is up to you. Just remember-you need to walk back too.The trail is …
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Hiking the Coney Brook Trail
Since experiencing the beautiful Skyline Trail along the Cabot Trail last September,we’ve been planning for almost a year to hike to do it again in October when the fall leaves would be at their most vibrant. Mother Nature had a different idea. Skyline was closed due to aggressive moose behavior-it is the rutting season after all. So. No Skyline. 🙠.alas. (However we were very lucky to see a pair of moose across from the Coney Brook trail head) But there are plenty of other hikes along the Cabot Trail, so after a bit of research, we decided to try the Coney Brook Trail. It’s not far from…
