Day 5 N.S. trip recap!

Today we woke up to a raw, windy, rainy day. My favorite. (No sarcasm intended, I actually love rainy days. Why? Because "there's more scope for the imagination" as Anne Shirley said.) (Anne of Green Gables? Okay. Moving on)

So, we decided to go find the local farmers market for Lunenburg that we had seen advertised around town. It was relatively easy to find because it was right next to the curling club of Lunenburg. 

Only in Canada...

 I love going to farmers markets in general and getting the chance to go to one while traveling always promises a cool experience. There was everything from coffee to veggies to homemade leather shoes available at the market. Everyone there was so down to earth and welcoming. And just a bunch of hippies. Loves it. We get some veggies, fish and coffee. Then we went on to explore the near by town of Blue Rocks. We couldn't have picked a more perfect day to go explore this town. The overcast rainy day contrasted with the many colorful fishing boat perfectly and gave the small fishing town a hearty feeling. If that makes any sense. 

See the little Christmas tree decorated with lobster trap buoys? That perfectly describes the vibe this town gives off.

After exploring this area, we went back into Lunenburg and my mom did some shopping. Then when we returned back to our cottage, I went on the woods trail on the property and found this little structure someone had built. I spent the rest of the day working on it. Yes, I am 5 years old.

 I got all muddy and wet and chilled to the core, so it was nice to come back to the warm little cottage and have some fish cakes we had gotten from the Farmers market.

Day 4 N.S. trip recap

11/7/12
 Here we go, day 4! These posts are long, but thanks for sticking around them. I have a few more to do, then its back to regular content. Anyway, I hope you are enjoying.

So today was our Halifax day. It was freezing cold, gray, and overcast.  

Woke up to everything covered in frost.

After about an hour and half drive and some very nice city navigating by myself, we arrived in downtown Halifax and began our day by going to the Maritime Museum. It gave an in depth look at the rich  maritime history that Halifax has seen throughout the years. One of the coolest things for me, was the Titanic exhibit. For my junior year history class, I wrote a whole paper about Titanic, so I had done a lot of research and learned a lot about the tragedy. But one thing I did not realize was how involved Halifax was in the aftermath of the sinking. It was the closest port, so all the recovered bodies were brought to Halifax to be embalmed.  and then laid to rest. It is a chilling thought and something the I found very interesting considering how long I had spent writing about the Titanic itself.

A photo of some random old swords. I forgot to take picture of any of the really good stuff because I was to busy being a nerd.

To the gallows. Lovely isn't it?

The Kraken.

tAfter looking through the museum, my mom and I took off through the streets of downtown Halifax trying to find a select few store we wanted to see.  It was a biting, bitter cold that we made our shopping spree rather quick.

While making our way through downtown, we found Theodore the tugboat. The real actual factual Theodore! How awesome is that? Please, tell me you remember Theo the tugboat? It was like Thomas that tank engine, but better. If not, look it up.

After some shopping and meandering (although is was actually speed walking because it was so cold...) through downtown, we made our way through Dalhousie University campus. I never applied, but I did want to, and after seeing it, let's just say I am glad I chose Vermont. I am definitely a nature freak. I don't think I could do the whole city thing. Anyway, we went to one of three Titanic graveyard cites in Halifax. Fairview Cemetery has the largest number of victims from Titanic in all of the city. It was situated in, what seemed to be, a crack neighborhood. Or maybe it was just my country bumpkin imagination... My mom stayed in the car and I quickly ran in and went to take a look.

This is just one of many of the graves that just says "died". No name. It is a very lonely feeling looking at these graves and wondering what they felt before they died. And wondering what the people who recovered the bodies must have felt. Perhaps I have been watching too much Ghost Adventures, but it is an eerie thought.

This is a grave of the child whose identity they did not know until just very recently. Once again looking at it was saddening and a little chilling.

Actually seeing these graves brought the magnitude of the tragedy of Titanic to life. I wrote a whole paper on it, but those were just facts and words. This was the real aftermath. It truly represents the amount of lives lost due to a series of avoidable mistakes. Despite the cold and my worry of being approached by a drug dealer, I found it a worthwhile stop.-

Day 3 N.S. trip recap

 11/6/12 (election day)
Before I dive right in, I just want to mention that it was very nice to be away from America during that time because I was incredibly fed up with the political ads (as most were). Also, this was the first election I voted in and I am so glad I did and I am totally pleased with the outcome. Here's to another four years for President Obama!

Despite cold wind, freezing water, and odd looks from tough Swiss Germans,  my mom and I went for a kayak in the morning on our third day there. At the Second Paradise Retreat, they have a little boat house with many kayaks if you so desire to use one. We woke up to a gorgeously sunny day, so we decided we would take advantage of that and take them out to a little island just a stone's throw away from the beach (that's still a term right?). 

Does this spray skirt make me look fat?

Can't really see in this photo, but this kayak I used is a product of West Germany. Maybe it's just me but I think that is kind of cool.

The island kayaked to.

On the island. 

 

 

 Then afterwards we decided to go an see Indian Falls. It was a place my mom came across on a list of "local gems" of the area, so we decided, to check it out. After driving for what seemed like a very very long time, we turned onto a dirt road surrounded by woods. Simply out, it was the middle of nowhere. It was a little freaky. I just kept thinking about Stephen King and what kind of plot would come from our exploration in the middle of nowhere... We got to the end of the road that was cut off by a large orange gate. A small sign told us we had indeed made it to Indian Falls. 

There were two dirt roads to follow beyond the gate. We tried both, and luckily they both lead to the same place. But going down them in the chilly air with nothing but woods all around not knowing where we were headed plus the isolation of the location was enough to give it a creepy edge. Maybe it was just my imagination...

Indian Falls itself.

Sunset that evening after we returned home.

Day 2 N.S. trip recap

11/5/12

After another exploration around the beach area in the morning, we went out to find a local hike that we had learned about from our hosts at Second Paradise. 

 

A look at the trail. That moss is incredible.

Enjoying some very edible Reindeer moss. Thanks Bear Grylls for that one. (Fun random fact; He is my hero.)

More trail-side views.

Just what you want to see on a hike. Yay.

A lookout point.

Relaxing on the moss that I love so much.

Trail map. Always good to know...

So once again I had a day of nature exploration and hiking. My favorite :)
The Indian Paths Common trail was amazing and if you ever find yourself up in Nova Scotia, it is definitely worth checking out. There's gorgeous views overlooking the peninsula, a babbling brook, and abundant unkempt nature at its best. A very good day indeed.

Day 1 of N.S. trip

11/4/12- N.S. , Canada

We spent most of the morning exploring the 27 acres  around our cottage. We walked through the woods path, down past the llamas, and to then to the dock house and beach.
The words there are totally astounding and completely different from where I live. It is boreal forest. There's tall dead pines laced with old man's beard, carpets of brilliant green moss beneath brand new scrubby pines. 
It is what I imagine heaven to be. 

Sky scape pf the woods.

Some type of fungi- just one of many that resides within the woods of Nova Scotia.

Old Man's Beard shrouds the branches of tall dead pines everywhere.

The wonderful and charming Manuel the llama.

Extreme close-up!

Le boat house.

Underwater photo type thing. Sea weed and all. 

Then after some wonderful outside exploration time in nature, we went to go check out the actual town of Lunenburg.

Adorable husky we met waiting for his owner. I wanted to take him home... :p

Nova Scotia trip - Part 1

Today, my mom and I drove from NH to St.Andrews, New Brunswick. Then tomorrow we are headed to Nova Scotia for a week. This little trip is a surprise gift type thing from my mom to get my gap year travels into action and to just go see Nova Scotia. I've made it through two months of the year, and have worked and hiked through those first two months. So this a perfect getaway that I am looking forward to.

St. Andrews New Brunswick is a little maritime town in Canada that resides in the Bay of Fundy. For those of you who don't know, the Bay of Fundy has the worlds largest tides. It's the most amazing thing. They rise on average of about 25 feet per ride cycle. It's an incredible wonder of nature and it is something I thoroughly enjoy every time I'm here. I have been here (in this very same hotel actually) a few times before, on trips to Prince Edward Island with my family. St. Andrews is a perfect stopping point in long road trips of that sort and a wonderful example of a quaint maritime town. (Damn. After re-reading that, I'm thinking I have a career in travel writing...)

As soon as we arrived, the first thing I notice (as I have in the past) was the smell of the briney sea. I love that smell. Perhaps it is because I grew up on the ocean, but there's something about the fragrance of this ocean air that differs from back home. It seems so pure and more intense. Its refreshing and strong and almost overpowering (depending on where you are by the shore). Immediately, I picture some gnarled, scruffy, bearded fisherman heading out when the tide is high and knowing just how the extreme tides work better than anyone else. It's funny how certain smells make you visualize certain things.
Anyway, I put on my boots and went directly out onto the beach, despite it being already dark. The night was so still and quiet. There were no other sounds besides my squishing footsteps and the slight gurgling of the water as the tide slowly washed out. The quiet was almost unnerving. I kept feeling as though someone was going to hear me walking along because every step sounded 50 times louder than they normally would have been. It was very strange, but also very serene. It was just the gurgling of the tide and the smell of the ocean and me roaming around a red sand beach after dark. Yes, I don't really fit the atypical mold of an 18 year old girl...but hey, I am who I am. And that is one of the biggest lessons I seem to be learning in this year.
I'll be sure to update about further trip adventures!

Oh and by the way, we drive trough Maine today. Let me just say, I totally understand where Stephen King gets his inspiration. It's an interesting place inner Maine is...

Back from Nova Scotia

Well, I am back from my wonderful trip to Nova Scotia. It was an incredible adventure and this post is sort of a summing up of what when down in the maritime province during the past week. I would have posted everyday after each adventure while I was there, but the Wi-Fi network did not work at the place where we were staying. Which was actually fine by me, because the lack of Internet brought me that much closer to actually finishing Gone with the Wind (all 1037 pages...). So without further ado here is a quick recap of my week in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. 

 It was a long drive from St. Andrews that pretty much consisted of woods and more woods and being the only car with US plates on the road. Finally after 6 or 7 hours in the car (I can't remember which one) we arrived at Second Paradise Retreat in Lunenburg Nova Scotia. Here is their website so you can check them out and see what an amazing place it is.  

http://www.secondparadise.ns.ca/

It is an area of 27 acres right on the water. They have 7 llamas, a boat house, a big farm house with individual rooms, a loft, and two cabins. My mom and I stayed in the "Blue cottage". It was a wonderful little cottage with everything one could possibly need. The name Second Paradise is spot on because it is paradise indeed.Here is a picture:

 
Every morning we woke up to these views:

Aren't those ugly? Most definitely.      (I'm being sarcastic if you didn't catch it)


Here is my room:
 

So that is a pretty comprehensive look at where it was we were staying. Now I will move on to our adventures day by day, but since I do not want to make the longest post in Blogger history, I'm going to break it down my post. That way everyday will be more exciting and hopefully not painfully boring. Thanks!