Lunenburg, South Shore, Nova Scotia

I heard today that Lunenburg ranked 16th in Trip Advisor's 2008 top 25 travel destinations in Canada. I'm very impressed that this quaint little fishing village on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, and home to the Bluenose II, is such a popular destination Canada-wide.

The news reminded me to plan my annual trip down to Lunenburg this summer to see what's new at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, wave to this year's Bluenose II crew, and enjoy some fish cakes with rhubarb chutney at my favourite Lunenburg restaurant - Magnolia's Grill.

Happily, my friend Cordell recently attended the Toronto Nautical Festival, and he shared this great shot of himself with our beloved Bluenose II tall ship in the background.

DRUM! Nova Scotia (Part 1 of 2)

Over the past couple of months, I've been involved in the makings of two Gathering Chants with the amazing artists from DRUM! Thanks to Trevor my instructor (featured in full dress in the image on the right), I've learned to keep the beat Mi'kmaq style.

I think the DRUM! website says it best: "DRUM! is a spectacular musical event featuring four of Nova Scotia's principal cultures: Aboriginal, Black, Celtic and Acadian in a heart-pumping fusion of music, dance, rhythm and song."

What an awesome experience it was for my friend Karen and me to create the pulse for our chant with teams of people gathered around, and beating on, big Mi'kmaq drums. All the while, we were belting out the Mi'kmaq lyrics. Suffice it to say, we got goose bumps. Thanks go to my friend Lang for taking this action shot of us.

After my participation in these Gathering Chants, featuring performances from artists in all four cultures, I can't wait to check out one of the DRUM! performances held throughout the fall across Nova Scotia.

Explore Georges Island, Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia

This weekend, Parks Canada made it possible for Steve, me and many others to visit Georges Island National Historic Site of Canada for the first time, as part of a new two-day event called Explore Georges Island. On June 14 and 15 only, visitors could purchase a $14 round-trip ticket to Georges Island on a Dartmouth-Halifax Harbour Ferry.

We headed out to the island on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on one of the ferries brimming over with 380 passengers. The buzz on the ferry got us very excited to discover the island on such a beautiful summer day.

As soon as we arrived on the island, we were ushered up the hill to Fort Charlotte to take a tour through the tunnels and underground passageways where cannon balls and cannon were stored to protect our port. Actually, Georges Island is one of five forts built to protect our port city of Halifax from international invaders in the 1700s & 1800s. Visit Wikipedia for more information on the unique history of Georges Island.

While exploring the parameter of the fort, Steve took a cool shot of one of the many cannons on the island, and caught me gazing out at the Dartmouth shore and the new Waterfront Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College. I have also featured a picture I took of the Georges Island Lighthouse with Halifax's Pier 21 in the background.

Hopefully Parks Canada will again make it possible for us to Explore Georges Island. We had a lovely time, and based on the masses of people, it certainly seemed like a huge success.

Local Farms, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia(Angela & Ken - Part 6 of 6)

I've known my friend Angela since kindergarten. When she found out I had started this blog, she sent me a series of great stories and photos from her travels with her partner Ken. In this, her sixth story, she tells of bountiful harvests in the Annapolis Valley Region:

"We love all the road side stands of fresh fruits and veggies. This is something we really, really miss here in Manitoba. They simply do not exist. When we were home in January we went to Foote's Farm over near Grafton to pick up their honey and apple cider. They even gave us a tour of the apple cider press. Just a feel good spot with local valley charm."

Halifax Farmers Market, Nova Scotia(Angela & Ken - Part 5 of 6)

I've known my friend Angela since kindergarten. When she found out I had started this blog, she sent me a series of great stories and photos from her travels with her partner Ken. In this, her fifth story, she tells of an exciting attraction in the Halifax Metro Region:

"Every Saturday morning at the Keith's Brewery in Halifax we sample yummy maritime fresh food (love the dulse and apple cider!) at the Halifax Farmers Market. We find lots of local art, and great crowds of people. It's just a great experience, and it's always a fun thing to do on an early Saturday morning."

Tidal Bore Rafting, Nova Scotia(Angela & Ken - Part 4 of 6)

I've known my friend Angela since kindergarten. When she found out I had started this blog, she sent me a series of great stories and photos from her travels with her partner Ken. In this, her forth story, she tells of an exciting adventure in the Fundy Shore Region:

"For Canada Day and my sister's birthday a couple years ago, Michelle, Troy, Ken and I went Tidal Bore Rafting. What a rocking good time that is. It's definitely one of the coolest things to do in Nova Scotia. You get to ride the waves and then swim in the waves, and then at the end you go mud sliding down the hills of into the water. Very, very, very cool, and a good bang for your buck in terms of fun and excitement."

Mountain Biking in Victoria Park, Truro, Nova Scotia

There are dozens of Victoria Parks in the world according to Wikipedia, but I just so happened to be at the one in Truro, Nova Scotia last weekend.

Steve and I thought Victoria Park might be a nice place to explore, and to take some photos of a race called Victoria's Secret Cross Country Mountain Bike Race.

Also, it just so happened that our Ultimate Frisbee friend, Peter Craig, was in the race, and Steve got some great shots of him.

I’ve featured one shot of Peter in a very big puddle at the bottom of a steep technical downhill, and one of him on a gruelling climb about to pass!

Victoria Park is only about a 45-minute drive from Halifax Metro, and it really turned out to be a great day trip.