Jun 16 2008
Fundy Fun / Sunrise Trail
We headed west, around the coast, and swung up to the north. The Bay of Fundy is supposed to be an amazing place to see – with the prevalence of whales, the largest tidal waves in the world, etc. – but we weren’t seeing too much, because the fog was pretty dense. We spent the night in Annapolis Royal, ate at a delicious cafe, and then headed further north, in the rain, towards Cape Split, a small peninsula that juts out into the Bay, and on a clear day, is supposed to showcase the amazing tides. Well, because of the fog, we didn’t see them, but I could hear them…
One of the most technical trails I have ever hiked (and the longest at 16k – nearly 10 miles), Cape Split was an amazing experience. After a few days of rain, and a winter off-season, I imagine the trail was probably not in the same condition that it is in during the warmer summer months. There were felled trees, steep dropoffs, some deep mud patches, and some narrow passageways – but there were also some beautiful sights.
These trillium blossoms were all over the trail. So beautiful and photogenic!
The western plains of the province are the agricultural center, there are farms and orchards dotting the landscape. The geography of the region is relatively flat, but further west, and to the north, there are some small rises, which add an interesting air effect, allowing grapes to grow rather well. So, with grapes comes wine. And wine? well, we just had to taste.
Lolly swilling around.
Here we are at Domaine de Grand Pré, sampling the Marechal Foch. This was a new-to-me grape, and I enjoyed the different varieties I tasted in Nova Scotia. Some of the premiere Nova Scotia wines are the ice wines, the sweet dessert wine made possible by the colder climate – virtually allowing the grape to freeze on the vine, locking in all of the sugars. Dessert in a bottle, I tell you. Grand Pré had a particularly interesting Muscat IceWine, and another favorite was the ice wine aged in whiskey barrels (Whiskey Ortega Ice Wine) from Jost Vineyards near Tatamagouche.
Although we did not get to travel as far west as I originally hoped, we did make it to several stops on the Sunrise Trail, the area closer to the provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. A real highlight of the Sunrise Trail was the visit at Sunrise Mercantile. Mimi, the shop owner in Halifax, had suggested stopping by the shop/cafe, So glad we followed her suggestion!
Sunrise Mercantile is a gourmet shop and cafe – in every sense of the word. They have amazing yarns, but also an extensive selection of local and regional foods, gifts, and supplies. The thing that made this shop so special? the owners: I talked weaving and knitting with Suzy, and talked alpacas and the current fiber trends with Dave, her husband. Suzy showed me her latest projects right off the loom, and Dave showed me the newest issue of Alpacas magazine, which he edits. The serendipity of meeting such amazing people! Their shop is great, and the cafe is amazing too (fresh local foods abound!)
Other highlights: Balmoral Grist Mill, and the beautiful Lismore Sheep Farm
Almost done… hope you aren’t tiring of this yet! Because the best scenery is yet to come! Many thanks to those that took the time to leave comments, it is so nice to get feedback.
Next up: Cape Breton Island.
OH how I wish I was with you on this trip!
My greatest joy will be when I can spend some time there.
Thought it was to be this October but could not get in our timeshare until late October and early November and afraid weather will not be good.
However we may wait and see.
Continue to have a great trip!
qltann
Don’t worry – we’re not gettig tired! I am thoroughly enjoying reading these entries. I wish I could have been there!
nope – certainly not tiring of these updates! chad and i booked our flights to halifax this morning – so excited – and these posts have been so helpful and inspiring!
The Canadian Maritimes are one of my favorite places on Earth, so definitely not getting bored with these! I can’t wait to see Cape Breton!
The foggy picture is stunning – I wish I could have been with you on the trip. It all looks so wonderful. The yarn-craft-local shop looks great, too. I wish there were more ‘combined’ shops around.
Not tired yet – keep ‘em coming!
Yarn…wine…hiking…SHEEP!! That sounds absolutely fabulous! And the fog really is quite beautiful. It seems like you had a wonderful vacation, and I’m enjoying reading about it.
Oh, fog. My big backpacking trip on Lake Superior was nothing but rain and fog. However, once I got immune to having wet feet, I thought it was sublime! There was even someone hiking the whole trail just to get pictures of the mist and fog and rain. I hope your trip was like that.
Definitely not tiring of your travel posts! I’m thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to vicariously experience these places
More more more! I’m loving this – you’ve inspired Amy and me to change our summer vacation plans and head to NS again rather than VT. Thanks!
Keep writing and posting pictures. Its been really fun to read!!
I’m really enjoying taking this trip with you – love the photos.
Your photos and descriptions totally make me want to go to Nova Scotia for my next vacation!
I’ve never been out East, but you are peaking my interest! It’s on the to-do list for sure.
Trilliums, the official flower of Ontario. Pretty picture.
Looks like you had an amazing time! I was in Nova Scotia when I was 14, and was blown away by what we saw. I’m loving your descriptions of things, it’s triggering lots of memories. And I also love icewine! I was first introduced in Niagara-on-the-Lake when I was on my honeymoon, and I’ve been in love with it ever since. Canada makes some fabulous wine!
I’ll never tire of your travel pics!
wow, simply wow! what great sights… and you had me at “lolly swishing”
how cute is that sheep!
yup i can read! i mean swilling! haha i’m just staring at the wine… obviously!
I’ve always wanted to go to the Maritimes, so I’m really enjoying reading your travel diary.
And I LOVE ice wine, so please have a glass for me. It’s so expensive in the US, if you can find it, that is.
Marechal Foch is a fabulous grape – I would definitely recommend trying it again and again (I’m always excited when I find a winery that grows it). Enjoying your pictures as usual!
Wow! Just wow . . . I’m so inspired by your pictures and writeup that I’m going to put Nova Scotia on my Must Go list (the one in my head). Hiking and flowers and wool and wine? What could be better?
wow, that mill is absolutely gorgeous! your photos are amazing!
this sounds like an excellent trip! thanks for sharing it with us
Oh wow, can’t wait for the Cape Breton post, I’ve always wanted to go there!!!
It warms my heart that you all love my home province so much. I can point folk here to see why I get so homesick…especially for a good ol’ thick Atlantic FOG!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the trip, Lolly. You’re making me wanna go home.
Wow – I love the photo of you on the bridge – such a cool shot!
I’m enjoying reading all about your trip!
Wow, those photos are amazing. That first one made me wonder if you were on the Oregon Coast, with the fog against the trees… That hike sounds wonderful, too!
How could we get tired of this?
This is the area of Nova Scotia I didn’t have the chance to see when I visited that province. Of course, whenever I go back, I’ll make sure to head in that direction, so I’m taking note of your recommendations!
I’m looking forward to reading your post about Cape Breton Island, and to seeing your pictures, of course! It’s such a beautiful area…
Thank you so much for sharing all your travel adventures and the wonderful photos. I’m bookmarking these for future reference – I was in Halifax for a conference last year and after just a little taste then it is on my must-do list for a family vacation. Looking forward to the remaining post(s).
That looks fabulous, the flowers are so perfect.
Ever since I was a little kid playing with a globe (you know, spinning in round and putting your finger on at random, etc) I have wanted to visit the Bay of Fundy!
I’ve wanted to go to Nova Scotia for so long and now just after reading your trip it’s a MUST. Last night I showed all your photos to my boyfriend and made him promise that someday we will go there
Thanks for sharing!
too bad about the fog, but even the little scenery you can see is amazing!!
That is so beautiful, we have always wanted to go Prince Edward Island. We’ve have made it as far as Maine. Thank you for sharing your trip, did you pick up any yarn to weave?
Well, I have been reading your blog for a short while and love going along with you on your trips. I do not travel so I am getting to travel and see wonderful things that I would love to see from a much better perspective than from the travel logs on TV. Your pictures are great fun and quite beautiful scenes. Thanks for sharing. I am a fiber fool and knit everyday so I really enjoy your knitting stuff too.
I remember barely these places when I visited NS. I wish I had taken notes. I remember the Bay of Fundy too, but can’t tell you what’s what from my old photos!
Love looking at your pics, and thanks for sharing them.
I’m absolutely enjoying your trip vicariously! The pictures are so beautiful.