Day 6 N.S. trip recap

This is how we spend out final day in Nova Scotia. I know this post is incredibly delayed... and I have no real valid excuse. I just haven't given myself the time I suppose. And I have been contemplating other matters that I wish to write about, but I want to get this out of the way first. So enjoy!

(oh and be prepared for lots of photos)

On this chilly overcast morning, We set out to go find another "local gem" according to the handy dandy map we had found a few days before. It was called Gaff Point. And it was spectacular. Probably the prettiest view I saw the whole time there. We drove for what seemed like a lot longer than it actually was, we turned onto a very bumpy paved road littered with chuck holes. The farther we went down the road, and the more secluded it got the more we began to question our directional skills. Perhaps We had turned to soon... and then the road bore to the right and boom. There we were. The earth dropped away into the ocean in massive brown cliffs. It was incredible. I knew we were in for a good hike. We pulled into the dirt parking lot packed up and set out.

As soon as we get out of our car, this was the beginning of the hike.

Off to a very good start.

Our goal? Out across the beach and out to the end of Gaff Point and back.

Someone else enjoying the chilly day on the beach.

About halfway across the beach. All these smooth, round rocks the whole way.

Hiking yay!

The ocean reclaiming the trees.

Weird space houses. Very modern.

 After a pretty long trek across the smooth stoned beach, and a lunch stop we made it to the trail head. Right away after heading out onto the trail and up away from the beach, the moss came back and the pines spread out in every direction. Back to the wild woods.

First glimpse of the trail after leaving the beach and beginning to head out to Gaff Point itself.

This is what a majority of the trail out to the point looked like. This stuff is supposed to only exist on nature shows...totally amazing.

The woods receded and this was the view. Then back in for a little while longer.

Another path view. I just can't get over it.

Some cool cliff side rocks out at the tip of Gaff Point.

"AHH IT'S SO PRETTY" that's what I was thinking in my head. yup.

 The point was awe inspiring. Crashing turquoise waves, jagged shale cliffs, tidal pools, old washed up lobster traps, and drift wood. Just a few of the things apprent during the hike. It was a wonderful walk with astoundong views of untouched Canadian maritime nature. Awesome. I just wanted to sit out there and watch the waves all day. I want to go do that now actually...

The sun came out on the return leg of our hike.

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.