Destination Guy's Frenchys

"I won't buy anything from a bin", this is what an out of province relative said when Guy's Frenchys was described to her. The idea of buying used clothing was not appealing at all to her, in fact it was appalling. The eco-conscious will say it's "recycled clothing", I say roll up your sleeves and dig in.

Recently, I went on a "Frenchys run" where we started in Digby one day and traveled along the Evangeline Trail to the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Region the next. Through villages such as Meteghan, Saulnierville and Church Point.

6 Guy's Frenchys in 36 hours, a new record.

Here's what I got:
3 sweaters (American Eagle, Banana Republic and Aeropostale),
2 hoodies (both Aeropostale)
1 blouse (Banana Republic)
3 shirts (Banana Republic, Gap and H&M)
= one happy camper who paid a fraction of the cost for gently used clothing

There are so many diamonds in the ruff just waiting to be grabbed. Seasoned "Frenchys" goers have a particular method of how they sort through the clothing. Just like how you may have a strategy for hanging clothes on your clothesline or how you unload your dishwasher. It's fascinating to watch them but then again, there's no time to waste, there are diamonds to be found!

Most of what you sort through will be quickly passed over. Hold tight because every hour, on the hour, there is a new arrival of goods that are tossed in the bins. Clothes, toys and household items are checked over by staff many times for quality. Some items still have the original store tags on them.

What started as a small store in Digby Guy's Frenchys has expanded to 18 stores throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick processing thousands of pounds of clothing daily. I've heard that many girlfriends take weekend Frenchys getaways, stopping at various locations along their pre-planned route. Even travel tour companies offer Guy's Frenchys motorcoach tours.

Oh, remember that relative who said she'd never shop from a bin? They say it took her 20 minutes to convert, only after finding a designer cocktail dress. This new convert joins the rest of the evangelists.

Canada's Best Smoked Salmon (from Nova Scotia)

Growing up on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore, I was aware that there was famous Danish smokehouse just up the road. So when time came for me to host a holiday brunch and wanted to make a smoked salmon quiche, there was no choice but to use salmon from J Willy Krauch's and Sons.

So off I went to my trusted Canadian Living website to search for recipes and came across a Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Quiche recipe. This quiche was simple to make but difficult to contain my urge to nibble on the salmon. I went a little overboard and made four quiches but knew they'd freeze well if there were leftovers, there barely were any.

J. Willy Krauch & Son's Smokehouse smokes high quality Atlantic salmon, mackerel and eels in traditional Scandinavian style. Their newest flavour is lemon pepper and garlic mackerel or try others such as Cajun or Maple Pepper. You will find other delicacies such as smoked herring, smoked eels and smoked trout. Their products are available in most grocery stores in Nova Scotia.

Willy Krauch came to Canada from Denmark and began smoking fish in 1956. Willy developed a method that was uniquely his own and using only Nova Scotia hard wood kindling and sawdust. Willy passed away several years ago and the business is now run by his sons. They continue the fine craft of smoking the finest quality fish. In the tiny village of Tangier, Nova Scotia (about 1 hour 20 minutes outside of Halifax) you can see smoke billowing from the smokehouse. Tours are available but I recommend contacting them first.

The local rumor is that they ship their gourmet fish to famous people all over the world, royalty included. If you don't live in Nova Scotia, they'll even ship it to you.

To Order:
J. Willy Krauch & Son's Smokehouse
Tangier, Nova Scotia - Eastern Shore
Phone: 1-902-772-2188
Toll Free: 1-800-758-4412 or 1-800-299-9414
Email: willykrauch@ns.sympatico.ca
No website available

Grohmann Knives, Pictou, Nova Scotia

On a recent visit to Pictou, I just had to take a picture of the knife jutting out of the building at the Grohmann Knives Outlet. Whenever I visit the town of Pictou and drive by this location, my question always is, "who threw this knife?"

Grohmann Knives Limited is a small family-owned business in Nova Scotia. To these guys, making knives is as much an art as a trade. Their top quality knives are produced with as many as 53 steps between starting point & finished product.

When my sister got married and received a set of Grohmann knives as a present, I grew to realize that these are superior knives. In fact, they are the only knives I use in my kitchen. Nothing cuts my homemade bread better.

I often take advantage of the blade sharpening clinics that take place in various parts of the province.

Next time in Pictou, take a free factory tour. It's a "cut above the rest" (okay, I couldn't resist!)

Tidal Bore Rafting on the Shubenacadie River

A couple weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to go tidal bore rafting.

Tidal Bore Rafting in late October?

Yes! We wore survival suits :)

According to Wikipedia a Tidal Bore is "is a true tidal wave (not to be confused with a tsunami)." This wave comes from the Bay of Fundy (flowing in one direction) and meets the Shubenacadie River (flowing in in the opposite direction).

Picture this, you're in a power boat and you are heading full speed into a 10-20 foot wave STRAIGHT ON. While you're very instinct would be to flee, you are powerless as this giant wave splashes over you. No sooner can you say "let's do it again" the boat operator is turning around to go just ahead of the wave then turn around to ram into it again. Pow!

What is really eerie is just before the wave approaches, you can see and hear it coming like a locomotive up the river. First you see a ripple and then one minute later there is churning water all around you. All this while gigantic bald eagles are watching you from the trees along the bank. Silently laughing at the silly humans.

Before you knew it, it was time to go back to the dock, step out from the boat onto the muddy shore and then tear off the survival suits. The feeling was exhilarating and I can't wait to go back during the summer months on a 4 hour excursion that includes a bbq and mud sliding.

Here's where to get further info:
Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Rafting Park

Bay of Fundy Tourism Information:

novascotia.com

A 'Sweet' Nova Scotia Road Trip

I decided to play tourist for the day and check out some of the culinary offerings outside of the city. Our destination: Old town Lunenburg and Mahone Bay. The theme of this road-trip was definitely ‘sweet’.

Our first stop was for ice cream at Sweet Treasures in Lunenburg. Once inside, I was hit with the enticing smell of homemade fudge, compounded by that of freshly made waffle cones. The store offers eleven of their own house made flavors. It also sells the much-loved Scotsburn ice cream, but really, who would go for generic when you can get the real deal? We decided to keep it simple, trying pure chocolate, and upping the anti with mint chip. Both were full flavored, velvety and smooth, with the mint putting forth a blast of refreshment.

On our way back into Halifax, we made a visit to the Biscuit Eater in Mahone Bay to pick up a much-anticipated biscuit. I had it on good authority that these were some of the best in the province, and was not disappointed. I chose the blueberry, a mix of crumbly butter biscuit, packed with large sweet berries. I have to say that I’ve tasted no equal.

The eatery’s appeal is enhanced with comfortable seating and a relaxed ‘living-room’ feel. The café’s standout feature is the fact that it doubles as a used bookstore. With their mix of satisfying treats and literary treasures, the Biscuit Eater certainly does fuel the mind and the senses.

Also of note on this trip is Wild Elements. I stumbled onto the store, and much to my surprise and delight, found myself in one of the most diverse kitchenware Mecas this side of William Sonoma. If you’re planning a trip to Lunenburg and have a love of all things culinary, this shop definitely warrants a visit.

Sweet Treasures
Montague Street, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Wild Elements
55 Montague Street, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
www.wildelements.ca

The Biscuit Eater
16 Orchard Street, Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
www.biscuiteater.ca

Rissers Beach, South Shore, Nova Scotia

My friend Mike sent me an email with these adorable shots of his family and friends at Rissers Beach on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.

I love Rissers Beach. I worked there as a lifeguard during high school. I was stationed at a fresh water beach in the Annapolis Valley, and I chose Rissers for a couple of beach exchanges to get some experience at and ocean beach.

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 Rissers Beach Provincial Park. I hear Mike's family and friends had a fabulous time.

Rissers Beach is close to LaHave and Bridgewater. Every time I visit, I make sure to plan a stop along the way at the LaHave Bakery. There are always lots of tasty treats on display to help me prepare for a lovely picnic on the beach.

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.

Peggy's Cove, South Shore, Nova Scotia(Angela & Ken - Part 2 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 second story, she tells of a coastal escape in the South Shore Region:

"As we have a motorcycle, motoring out to Peggy's Cove was a huge fav of ours. Great spot for the motorcycle with all the turns in the road. We love climbing the rocks, and checking out the yummy gingerbread dessert at the restaurant."

Nova Scotia Vacation Ideas Welcome Message

My name is Jazmine, and I'm a cultural explorer. I like to immerse myself in nature, local culture and history around my beautiful homeland - Nova Scotia, Canada.

I started this blog, so I could tell the world about my favourite places in Nova Scotia. I lovingly refer to this province as "God's Country," and I intend to share all of my Nova Scotia vacations and weekend getaways with you.

If you're looking for a:

• Nova Scotia attraction



• Nova Scotia event



• Nova Scotia outdoor adventure

... You've come to the right place.

Feel free to share your Nova Scotia Vacation Ideas as well. I'd love to hear from you.

Kind regards,
Jazmine