Category Archives: Outdoors

Mahoneys Beach

 

 

Mahoneys Beach is situated at the mouth of Antigonish Harbour along the Sunrise Trail, just 11 KM out of Antigonish on Route 337.

 

View on Route 337

View on Route 337
 Along the route are beautiful views of rolling farmland, dairy farms and some spectacular glimpses of the meandering Antigonish Harbour.
Mahoneys Beach

Mahoneys Beach

 

 Mahoneys Beach is a relaxing sand and beach stone sand bar that you can walk along at low tide. Explore the lagoons and sandbar, the tide pools, and beach grasses and flowers.

Heron Fishing in Tide Pool

 

 I was lucky to see herons skimming along the coastline, wading in the tidal pools and fishing.

Kayak at Mahoneys Beach on a calm day

 

 On a calm day people were enjoying kayaking along the coast line. The many coves and islets make it an interesting place to explore.

Mahoneys Beach Collage

Mahoneys Beach Collage

Things to take

  • Beach shoes for walking on rocks
  • Hat, sun glasses, sun screen, long sleeve shirt
  • Insect repellent
  • Water
  • Snack – or grab a sandwich or Salad from the Prissy Pig Café and Deli on your way out of town
  • Camera

Directions

  • Head out of Antigonish past the hospital towards Cape George on Hwy 337 , along the Sunrise Trail approximately 11 KM. Turn right.
  • Parking available. No lifeguards or beach services

Aerial View of Coastline and Antigonish Harbour

Mahoney’s Beach – Aerial View Google

Spring in Nova Scotia

It has been many years since I experienced spring in Nova Scotia. What an amazing season of the year.  Buds and blossoms appear and unfold into masses of flowers and leaves — all in an amazingly short time.   Even with cloudy days – it just seemed to take a few hours of sun to have things burst into color.

Each tree had its own shape of bud and unfurling leave patterns.  A joy to watch and almost a magical process since each type of tree seems to be on the same schedule.  Suddenly overnight an entire area burst into flower.

Leaf buds grew and the tiny leaves would appear and come out crisp and shiny in shades of green and reds.  The tiny leaves grow amazingly fast and within days the trees are sporting a lush green canopy.  What an amazing process to go from the sculptured bare branches to the many greens now carpeting the countryside.

The Horse Chestnut trees were particularly amazing.  The buds had a very sculptured look and each day you could watch them grow till they finally burst into the unfurling leaves and the pod with the flower.  The flowers grow to an amazing 10 or more inches long made from tiny white and pink flowers.

 

Along with the colors of course are the bird songs as the birds return from their wintering grounds and feast on the buds and bugs.   The rushing streams and rivers add to the sounds of spring and invite walks and to explore and enjoy being out in nature.

And of course the apple blossoms with their delicate shades of pinks, reds and whites.

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Hike the Acadian Trail

The Pomquet Acadian Trail and Chez Deslaurier

Acadian Trail - Wildflowers

Colorful Wildflowers on the Acadian Trail

This October day was a perfect day for a hike with crisp clean air, deep blue sky with spectacular ocean views from a grassy meadow high above the ocean looking over St. George’s Bay and a view of Cape Breton in the distance.   The sunlight shone on fields of wild flowers in purples, yellows, golds, reds and orange with even a few butterflies and dragon flies humming around.

Chez Deslaurier is a tea house set in an old farm house on high ground, not

Chez Deslauriers

Chez Deslauriers – Pomquet

far from Pomquet.  This is an Acadian French area of Nova Scotia where French is spoken and Acadian traditions are still celebrated.

From the farm house you overlook Monk’s Head and a series of islands and islets and Pomquet Beach.  With the sun and cloud playing over the land and the sea you could sit for hours and watch the changes in the light and shadow.

Behind the farm house several old farm implements are set off in the grassy meadow.   Keep walking along the grassy track with the water to your right and you will come to the trail head for the “Acadian Trail”.

Pomquet Acadian Trail

Pomquet Acadian Trail – Map

The trail is well marked and has maps of the area with a choice of several loop trails. The trails wind  through a variety of natural areas. Numbered markers along the trails are linked to a self-guided interpretive brochure, available at Chez Deslauriers.  The walking is easy and suitable for families.  A longer trail continues along the water and along Monks Head.

The first part of the trail is along an old cart road through a grassy meadow

Acadian Trail

Acadian Trail

area.  In fall this was thick with wild flowers of all colors – Queen Anne’s Lace, wild roses, clover, daisies, asters and grasses.  Off to the right were the views of the deep blue ocean below and towards Cape Breton.    This grassy trail is along the cliff top with open fields and hedged with evergreens and the occasional fruit tree.

The path then descends with a choice of going to the right down to the beach.  We took the left fork which heads down into a beautiful forest area with a well kept trail.  There were many varieties of mosses in greens with patches of reds,

Acadian Trail Forest Path

Acadian Trail Forest Path

evergreens and many types of mushrooms.     The light filtering through the forest was cool and inviting and great for exploring.   This is a great place to go with your camera and bring along a book about trees or mosses.  You will definitely find lots to investigate.

A left turn at a small pond takes you back to the open old farm land and leads back up to the Chez Deslaurier house in a circle route.  The whole short loop route took less than an hour.    You can easily spend a day in the area exploring the different trails or head down to Pomquet Beach.

The Chez Deslauriers property is maintained and administered by the

Mushrooms and Mosses

Mushrooms and Mosses

Pomquet Development Society, a volunteer organization aimed at promoting the Acadian culture and encouraging tourism in the community.  According to Collette Rennie of the Pomquet Development Society,  “The trails are open year-round. [The Society] will be performing maintenance on these trails before the summer ‘walking’ season as winter along the coast can create much damage. The tearoom will be open each Friday beginning on July 8 from 11 AM to 2 PM.  We serve a different traditional homemade Acadian meal each Friday, along with traditional Acadian meatpie ($8 per meal). “

Chez Deslauriers Tea Houase

Chez Deslauriers Tea House and Interpretive Centre

“The interpretive centre will be open during those times as well. As well, we will have two lobster roll dinners during the summer – on August 14 and September 11. Both will be from 3-6 PM and include local entertainment, BBQ and a delicious lobster roll meal. The interpretive centre will be available to visitors as well during these two events. This information will soon be posted on our website.” (http://www.pomquet.net/en/trails.html )

Photo Gallery

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How to get there

To get to  Pomquet, take either Exit 35 or 36 north off Highway 104.  Then turn right at the north end of Monk’s Head Road and follow the gravel road for approximately 1.5 km.  It is approximately a 25 minute drive from Antigonish or 40 minutes from the Canso Causway if you are coming from Cape Breton.

Antigonish to Chez DesLaurier


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Updates and more information

Enjoy a Day at the Halifax Waterfront

Halifax Waterfront

You can easily spend a day – or if you have just a few hours you can make a shorter version of this inexpensive way to enjoy the Halifax harbour and its many attractions.  It has something for everyone young or old.

Along the Halifax Boardwalk

Along the Halifax Boardwalk

The Boardwalk on the Halifax side of the harbour stretches from Pier 21 on the South end to the Casino on the North end.  As you walk along you will enjoy the view of the boats and ships on this largest xx …    Many visitors to Halifax arrive via cruise ships and to boardwalk is a great way to experience the historical side of Halifax, enjoy the harbour views and have many places to drop in and shop or enjoy a meal. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and dress in layers even on a sunny day.

The Farmer’s Market near Pier 21 is open daily and has a huge selection of produce but also arts and crafts, baked goods and much more.  Great place to browse or buy.

There is a large Tourist Information Centre with lots of brochures, maps and

Halifax Waterfront

friendly people to advise on where to go and what to see throughout Nova Scotia.  It’s a great place to help in planning your visit.

If you are interested in history, Pier 21 is the Museum of Immigration.  So many people entered Canada through Pier 21 and the exhibits are interesting to give us a view of our history.  The Maritime Museum includes both small and large craft, boat building, sailing, the Titanic explosion in Halifax.

There is plenty of shopping and browsing along the route if you are so inclined.  Nova Scotia crafts, salt water taffy, t-shirts and souvenirs.

The restaurants and snack places are dotted along the route with upscale dining, and family style restaurants as well as take outs if you wish to enjoy your lunch out of doors along the boardwalk.   The small parks along the way have seating or you can perch on the wooden

Ferry Trip

One of my favourite things to do is to take the ferry from Halifax to Dartmouth.  This is the poor man’s harbour cruise.  For $ 1.50 (senior) or $ 2.50 (adult) you can buy a ticket that takes you from the Halifax Ferry terminal to Alderney Landing in Dartmouth. Sit up on

Halifax McDonald Bridge at night from the ferry

Halifax McDonald Bridge at night from the ferry - Time lapse photo

the upper deck and enjoy the activities in the harbour, see the two bridges spanning and joining these two cities.   The ferry system is part of the Halifax Metro transport system.  So you can even use your ticket to get on a bus on the other side.  Or you can enjoy walking around the Alderney Landing area, have a snack or browse and then hop back on the ferry within a 2 hour limit and use the same ticket!

Nighttime also gives a spectacular view of the skyline of Halifax and the bridges.  Best on a clear night and be sure to wrap up warmly.

Dartmouth Waterfront

The Dartmouth side of the harbour gives you a great view of the Halifax skyline.  On the weekend you can visit the Farmers Market.  The Alderney Landing Library is just a few steps away and you can drop in to relax and read a magazine or look at the views of the waterfront from the upper floors.

Alderney Landing Dartmouth

Alderney Landing Dartmouth

If you are in the mood for more walking take a right from the Alderney Landing along the waterfront and follow the path.  This leads over a small bridge which is the beginning of the Shubenacadie Canal.  There are several museums and heritage sites in the vicinity well worth visiting including Evergreen House – the Dartmouth Heritage Museum.  They have “high tea” several afternoons a week.  Check their website for timings.

 

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Map

Click on the map to get bus transit details and to zoom in on the route.  The route shown uses Lower Water street – but just head towards the water to get on the boardwalk at any point.


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Useful Links

 

Winter Stroll in Point Pleasant Park

It was a January cold, frosty, icy day in Halifax but the sun was shining brightly. Bundled up for the cold I headed for Point Pleasant Park to see what the park looked like in the winter time.

Families walking in Point Pleasant Park

Families walking in Point Pleasant Park

This is a great family park and lots of people were out enjoying a walk with their dogs.  There are both on and off leash areas.  According to Andre’ Chiasson “It’s a great place to take Ceilidh (our dog) – she can run off leash and be safe. We like to see the dogs there – people are very friendly and the dogs are friendlier off leash. We used to go every week even though it takes us a half hour each way to get there. Ceilidh loves it – when we drive down she starts to get excited when we’re on Connaught Avenue and the closer we get, the more excited she gets. She can’t wait.”

The park has miles of roads and trails. There are many paths where you can go off on your own and explore.  Some of the paths were very icy – more like a skate than a walk.  But most of the trails were cleared and OK for walking.   The occasional maps will show where you are and three sides of the park are on the water with views of Dartmouth, McNab’s Island, the docks,  Purcells Cove, and on summer days you will see sailboats from the different sailing clubs.

In 2003 there was a violent hurricane – Juan that destroyed many of the old

Sculptured Trees

Sculptured Trees Point Pleasant Park

trees in the park.  Some of these are still standing and their beauty is in the sculptured look of their shape.  It is great to see the park is coming back to life.

There are old fortifications to explore and plenty of areas to view the ocean and get down on rocky beaches to watch the waves and the sea gulls.  On this day there were waves rolling in with a view of McNab’s island out towards the mouth of the harbour.   You can enjoy getting down to the water on the rocky beaches – lots of colors in the stones and sea weeds, and the smell of the salt sea air and sound of the sea gulls and waves are peaceful and refreshing.

Point Pleasant Park is situated at the south end of the peninsula of Halifax, near the CPR, tourist ship docking and the South End of Halifax with its stately homes.  You can catch a bus, drive or a 20 minute walk from downtown Halifax.   Be sure to bring your own water and snacks as there is nothing open during the winter.

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Whether you live in or near Halifax or are visiting by car or coming in on a tourist ship take some time to enjoy the peaceful trails and explore a historic and natural part of the city.  Every season will have its own special views and things to enjoy.
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Find more hiking places in and around Halifax see these books: