Posts tagged ‘Travel’

October 17th, 2011

Plants at Blomidon

On the first part of the Jodery Trail, which is mostly open, there are lots of pin cherries.

mystery wild flower gone to seed. Any guesses?

During our hike along the trails at Blomidon Provincial Park, one thing stood out, and that was fall colors. By that I mean the lack thereof!

“Scientists don’t quite know if global warming is changing the signs of fall like it already has with an earlier-arriving spring. They’re turning their attention to fall foliage in hopes of determining whether climate change is leading to a later arrival of autumn’s golden, orange and red hues.” Read the whole story on MSNBC.

A vernal pond? This spot was magical, but alas, it does not show well in the picture:(

The changes don’t necessarily indicate long-term trends. It could have been the heavy rain and hurricanes we had this year leading to fungal growth, which in turn, cause some tree s to forego the colourful display with leaves to turning brown and dropping earlier. However, there are some studies that indicate long-term trends. 

But in the last week, the fall colors came out, and many are already on the ground.

There are spots along the trail where the forest is all maple trees. There are four speices of maple in the park. I can't tell you want they are because we didn't walk the interpretive trail!

One of my favourite things to do when hiking in the woods is to pay attention to the smells. The types of plants in an area affect the smells. Some areas are full of that pine scent, others smell of rich humus, but my favourite smell is that sweet, cotton-candy smell! What causes that smell out in the middle of the forest? (Douglas fir trees?) (twin flower?)

I hate to admit it, but I don't know my trees! I most correct this gap in my knowledge.

Fireweed gone to seed.

I've always wondered what this black stuff is, anyone know?I think the black stuff is Black Knot Fungus.

Orange Hawkweed, sometimes called Devil's Paint Brush

August 22nd, 2011

Hiking in West Dover, Nova Scotia

Last summer when I went hiking in West Dover, I had a mystical experience. Well, it looked mystical anyway, what with all that fog! It made for a very enchanting hike, and as you may have gathered from my blog’s subtitle, enchantment is what I’m all about! Read about my last hike in West Dover here and here.

The other week my parents wanted to experience this magical land of rocks for themselves. First we started off on the side of the road opposite the ocean. By the way, the world famous Peggy’s Cove is just down the road.

On this day we had beautiful, clear skies. Whereas before my vision was limited due to the fog, this time I could still see cars far off in the distance! Apparently I wasn’t out in the middle of nowhere as much as I had thought. Although, depending on which direction you look, it sure does seem like it:

 

After two hours were spent on the one side of the road, we decided to cross the street for the ocean views offered at Polly’s Cove. It was incredibly beautiful.

My parents.

I have many more photos I could share, but I think I’ve posted enough for now.

What you are looking at in these photographs is land formed by glaciers during the last ice age (approx. 100,000 years ago). “The Barrens” as the land is called, has more than exposed granite, but many lakes and bogs which provide a rich ecosystem for pitcher plants, so please tread carefully. (See my wildflower page for pitcher plants). The area is also popular for bouldering, if hiking is not exciting enough for you. (Both times I have come here I have seem good-looking lads! Just in case that sort of info is important to you.)

August 10th, 2011

Vote For Bay of Fundy

Hopewell Rocks at High Tide

 The Bay of Fundy is one of two North American contenders in the New 7 Wonders of the world campaign (the Grand Canyon is the other one).
 
Why should you vote for the Bay of Fundy? Well, there are seven reasons: 
  •  Highest tides in the world.
  •  Marine ecology comparable to the Amazon Rainforest.
  •  World renowned dinosaurs and fossil discoveries.
  •  Home to over 12 species of rare and endangered whales.
  •  Best site on planet for green tidal energy.
  •  Rich in history and culture.
  •  Home to 2 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, one World Heritage Site and a Geopark.

(Source)

You can vote for seven candidates here.

 

Walking on the ocean floor during low tide.

I grew up at the foot of the North Mountain, Nova Scotia, so I’m no stranger to the Bay of Fundy, but my trip to New Brunswick was my first time seeing it from the other side. I can now check Hopewell Rocks off my bucklist (and ziplining, too, but that’s another post). Not only did we see some beautiful millions-of-years-old rock formations, we also saw flocks of shimmering Semipalmated Sandpipers

 

One of many “before” shots. Bay of Fundy at Hopewell Rocks during high tide. (Mother/Me/Sister)
“After” Shot. Same location, low tide.
That light grey border on the horizon is home, i.e., Nova Scotia! I waved.

You don’t have to travel far to have fun. I have lots more New Brunswick photos to share later, including a few more of Hopewell Rocks.

 
Oh, don’t forget to vote. Let me know who you voted for!

August 8th, 2011

Miner’s Marsh, Kentville, Nova Scotia

Yucca plant

I know I said in my last post that the next vacation post would be Hopewell Rocks and the Bay of Fundy, but I forgot about these photos and I may as well post my vacation pictures in order—boy, do I have a lot of them!

Before I get to Miner’s Marsh Trail, let me indulge myself by sharing these photos of my mother’s garden. Her garden is beautiful and has been built over the years. My garden is definitely still at the beginning stages, and, as I recently learned, you cannot garden and expect it to look amazing if you abandon it for 21 days! Oh the weeds!

First up, Yucca plant blooms:


The beautiful purple clematises that I woke up to every morning (they were outside the bedroom window).

 

A variety of lilies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now, Miner’s Marsh.

 We saw lots of ducks and other birds, but I can never get good pictures of those. The walk is an easy 1.5km.

Possible wildlife sightings include:  black ducks, wood ducks, bald eagles, muskrats, dragonflies and more! We saw black ducks. 

 

 

Can you spot the duck?

I also got a variety of pictures while away of some wild flowers (I’ve been hoarding a few) so that will be a separate post.

August 6th, 2011

Halifax Public Gardens and Point Pleasant Park in Summer

When I lived in Halifax, I used to go to the Public Gardens and Point Pleasant Park all the time. So I was excited to visit both places again when I was in town visiting a friend. Halifax is only 45 mins away, but you’re only going in for a few hours at time (for business, shopping, shows etc) there never seems to be the time to stop at the park!

First I met fellow blogger, Lisa from Eco Yogini for some Yoga in the Park. She’s just as I imagined her to be! Good thing she is not shy like me. This was my first blogger meet up, and I was a little more than nervous.

Lisa from Eco-Yogini after Yoga in The Park

Lisa from Eco-Yogini after Yoga in The Park

Another fun thing to do at the park is Shakespeare By The Sea. This year I watched “Comedy of Errors.” This theatre company always puts a unique spin on the classic tales that leave you laughing. Highly recommended.

One year while visiting the park while I was hanging out in “my secret spot” near an inlet (I used to climb the rocks along the edge of the park, staying off the main paths, before the brown spruce longhorn beetle and a hurricane took down a lot of the trees) and saw a Minke Whale! It was lost, and I don’t think it’s a good sign when a whale’s navigational system stops working. At one point the whale jumped out of the water, head first, and I got a close look. It was thrilling.

The day we went to the Public Gardens was warm and sunny. The gardens were as beautiful as I remembered. Here are my favorite pictures.

I’d post more pictures, but I am having a lot of computer problems! (enough to make me want to move back to Blogger!) Anyhoo, after the gardens we walked up the road to go to the Natural History Museum. Luckily for me, being a horse lover, the Bengal Dancers were out and frolicking in the dirt. Frolicking seems like too dainty of a word to describe the actions of the huge horses!

Frolicking pictures didn't turn out, so instead you get to see this one:)

Well, I must end there before WordPress does something really weird and makes me lose what I’ve already got! Next post will be about Hopewell Rocks and the Bay of Fundy.

July 26th, 2011

Mills, Rivers, and Beaches (Hanging Out in Pictou County, Nova Scotia)

One of the highlights from my visit to Pictou County was swimming at Melmerby Beach, part of Northumberland Straight —probably the best beach in Nova Scotia I’ve ever been too (Risser’s Beach is a close second). I don’t know what the waves are like on a regular basis, but they were excellent when I was there last weekend. It was funny to watch all the beachgoers congregate to one of the two spots where the waves were “awesome.” Young and old stood facing and waiting for the next “big one” and with arms in air we all let ourselves get carried away!

“The Merb,” as the locals call it, got its name from the barque “Melmerby” which sank off the beach on October 12, 1890. “The Merb” is one’s of Nova Scotia’s busiest beaches and also home to lots of position ivy, so watch out. Other plant life found along the 2km beach is dune grass, beach pea, and the pretty pink bindweed. It is apparently one of the warmest beaches in Nova Scotia. I can’t say it was “warm” per se, but compared to swimming at Bayswater beach, it “ain’t so bad,” especially once you get used to it.

Facilitates include: ample parking, change rooms and bathrooms, salt-water shower, vending machines, and boardwalks. Parts of the beach are supervised.

Balmoral Grist Mill

 

My friends also took me to Balmoral Grist Mill, a working mill from 1874. I won’t lie to you and pretend we went through the museum part (not always in the mood for such things). Instead we went for a leisurely walk along the trail following Matheson’s Brook. It was a quick stopover between yard sales and Rushton Beach were we “sunbathed” and waited to warm up before swimming—which we ended up not doing as it was too cold and there were too many jelly fish. Still, it made for a beautiful picnic stop for supper.

The Walk to Rushtons Beach

As the second part of my vacation comes to a close (in the city visiting another friend), I look forward to returning to country life in the valley with my parents for a few days before heading out yet again with my mother and sister to New Brunswick. Yeah, I’m a little homesick.