It's late January in Halifax, Nova Scotia and look what I found popping out of the snow yesterday. A crocus. Doesn't it make your heart sing!I think, just like novascotia.com's annual Fall Leaf Watch updates, where people across Nova Scotia can give daily progress reports on the colours of leaves in their areas, there should also be a daffodil or crocus or tulip watch. Just a thought.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all seasons but a little greenery this time of year sure is nice.
By Maria
The Right Coast Nova Scotia Blog
http://therightcoastnovascotia.blogspot.com
The last girls weekend was no different. We checked into a 
While some of us had 
Following our swim and soak, a couple of us stayed behind to read a book or make an earnest attempt at the Saturday crossword. One couldn't help but look up from the lounge chair and out at the gorgeous view. Later, we moved to the large fireplace off the main lobby where we read the newspaper and munched on a plate of sweet potatoe fries. Before sunset, one sole adventurer couldn't resist a walk along the shore and brought back beautiful pictures to our cozy chalet. 
Legend has it that there is treasure on Oak Island. The Oak Island Money Pit, "the worlds greatest treasure hunt", is privately owned. For 200 years, men have attempted to dig through the booby traps and unscramble a secret code that leads to the treasure. Some say it's a hoax but others are adamant that there is gold to be found. There is a lot of debate as to how the treasure got there to begin with, yet alone who buried it. Maybe pirates? The islands investors work closely with the Oak Island Tourism Society (OITS), and promote the Oak Island Money Pit as a fascinating heritage site with the aim of 'securing the rights to operate guided tours on Oak Island'. 
Yes, at this time of year we curse the ice and snow but before you reach for that shovel and ice pick, discover the beauty in the white stuff. Take a picture of it. Get close-up, and zoom in on an icicle.
January and February are the best months for viewing eagles and the 
I'm usually corrected when I say "coasting" but I grew up saying it on the Eastern Shore. Must be a Maritime saying. Whatever you call it, it really gets the heart rate up. It's self-explanatory, find a hill, get on something that slides and go. While it's not wise to wear suede, it sure is fun. 
On a chilly afternoon, we decided to go for a walk around 
At many locations along the trails you'll come across feeders filled with seeds or oatmeal. Critters such as chickadees and squirrels find some sustenance in these feeders as well as from park visitors. Next time you go, fill your pockets with sunflower seeds. Look for a wooded area, stand really still, 
Because of its location, the park is exposed to the harsh elements. Just a week before we visited, there was a bad winter storm. These storms wash up sea urchins, mussels, sea weed etc. It's here where adults and children alike can crunch along as they stomp on shells. Seagulls and crows feast at low tide. It's amazing to watch them put a mussel in their beak, then fly into the air and let the mussel drop onto the ground. Natures fast food.
In September, 2003, Point Pleasant Park was devastated by 
Last Friday, Amy, Fred and I had the day off to spend an afternoon on my favourite trail at 
It was such a beautiful day on Friday, and the fall colours looked so amazing in contrast with the brilliant blue sky and the deep blue lake. My senses were alive with fresh nature smells, the darling breeze, and the bright sunshine. It was totally invigorating.
Amy, Mandy, Jett (Mandy's dog) and I excitedly jumped into my car at around 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, and we headed to the beautiful Annapolis Valley to hike Cape Split, Nova Scotia... finally! Although I grew up in the valley, this was my first Cape Split experience.
Gradually we made our way up-hill, and over many rocks and roots. We passed a bunch of other hikers along the way, which was not surprise given the beautiful weather.
On the drive back down the mountain, we stopped at the Blomidon Look-off to grab a couple of shots of the Annapolis Valley's beautiful fall colours. Check out Amy's amazing pic. It's hard to believe the view is even more spectacular in person.
Built in 1793 by the Duke of Kent to defend Halifax from invasion from the French, the walls of the fort are rock solid. To get to the other side of the fort, you can walk through a long tunnel to get to the other side. York ReDoubt is part of the Halifax defense complex comprised of 
One trail led us to York Shore Battery, an abandoned WWII Command Centre where you can still explore around the rooms and all but climb onto the grass roofs. There is also an informative display panel explaining the role the facility had during its operation. One of them was keeping a watchful eye on German U-Boats that floated just outside the Halifax harbour. A giant underwater gate ran from here to McNab’s Island that kept the U-Boats out and our ships (and city) safe from attack.
The walk back to the car was another adventure. A shortcut to connect onto the path to the tunnel, ended up being a steep crazy climb. We happened to arrive at the tunnel entrance just in time, because the park attendant was about to lock up for the night. I am glad we took the shortcut.
One of my favourite places in Nova Scotia is located on an off-the-beaten-track trail, located near New Boston in 
My great aunt Eleanor lives in Annapolis Royal, home to the oldest fort in Canada, 
The Fort Anne Museum houses an amazing needlepoint tapestry, depicting over four centuries of local history. This quilt was unveiled on Canada Day in 1995 to commemorate the 400-year history of Annapolis Royal and the story of Fort Anne.
My kids are world class architects and developers. They create cities, residential areas, freeways and industrial parks. Just add sand and lots of imagination. No tools necessary - seaweed, driftwood and rocks will do perfectly. I am assured they're the greenest of cities, they rely on solar, tidal and wind power.
On Friday during our lunch hour, my friend Mike and I grabbed some take out at Extreme Pita, and headed over to Grand Parade square for a picnic.
My friend Laura checked out 
The photos feature that Dutchman's wooden shoes left outside the front door of the cheese factory. She could put her entire shoed foot inside one of these shoes, still leaving lots of space. She also captured mamma and baby highland cattle. Aren't they cute!
On Monday, Steve and I went to visit our friend Glenn at his family's cottage near the 
To my delight, Glenn showed me how to find a myriad of sea creatures in the red mud that lines the shore. We spotted baby crabs, star fishes, and more. Since it was low tide, we were able to walk through and around the puddles, squishing our bare feet in the soft mud. What fun!
All day, Glenn's mom June spoiled us with yummy food, including the best shortbread cookies in the world. To top things off, we also played a merry round of 45s - a popular card game I grew up playing with my own family in the Annapolis Valley.
My friend Laura took these great shots during the Louisbourg Encampment (July 25-27). You can see the lone French captain in dark blue, and all the British invaders encroaching on him. I just love this shot in the fog, because it really makes the event seem real to me.
Today, you can visit this magnificently restored fortress in Cape Breton from May to October. Depending on the day, the French or the British may be in power, but you will be sure to experience how these fort dwellers lived in the early 1700s.
My friend Laura tells me that the Cape d'Or Lighthouse is an excellent destination for a day trip from Halifax. Nestled on the 
The day Laura visited for lunch, among other tasty treats on the menu, fresh biscuits, homemade seafood chowder, and homemade minestrone were the crowd favourites.
I just love 
My friend Mike sent me an email with these adorable shots of his family and friends at 
Although it depends on the season, the beach usually has very few rocks and beautifully fine sand for miles and miles. The waves are typically small and the water deepens gradually, making Rissers a great beach to visit with small children. You can even follow in Mike's footsteps and plan a family weekend at the nearby 
Have you heard that the 
To celebrate, I'm happy to feature these shots taken by my friend Laura on her last visit to the 
Laura's second shot features a fossil found along the beach near the Joggins Cliffs. According to her, specimens like this can be found along the rugged shores, but she asks us to remember that you must not take them home! Also, she cautions us to be careful not to get to close to the cliffs, as the eroding rock may fall at any time.
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