better left unsaid

Devil's Bend trail to Economy Falls

2013-04-28T18:15:00-03:00

[Writing]

One of my favourite hikes in the province is Devil's Bend, in the hills above Economy. I've hiked it at least four times now and it never disappoints, except maybe when I try it too early in the spring and I forget to bring my snowshoes. It's a quality trail with many ups and downs with a few lookoffs along the way. It's a great workout with a beautiful reward at the end, Economy Falls.

Pine forest, 9 Mile River

2013-04-23T21:00:00-03:00

[Photo]

I found this on a roll of film I had sitting on my desk from last autumn. It has that nice, harsh, early winter light I like so much. It was taken on a hike at 9 Mile River, a nice community-driven set of trails near Enfield, NS.

Peninsula park to park urban hike

2013-04-07T16:45:00-03:00

[Writing]

I decided to switch it up this weekend and leave the hiking boots at home and do something I've been meaning to do since I moved to Halifax. I've always wanted to walk the entire length of the peninsula but for one reason or another I've just not gotten to it. As I'm trying to add some distance to my hikes, I thought this would be perfect as it's around 18 kilometres to walk the loop.

Winter, Murray Brook

2013-04-02T12:00:00-03:00

[Photo]

One of the high points of the hike around the Black Rock Community Trails was the little bridge over Murray Brook. Up to this point the hike wasn't too bad, the trails made sense and the weather was nice. It was after this point that it all went south. You can read the whole story if you're interested. Suffice to say I'm glad we stopped here for a few minutes and took some photos before setting off again.

Spring hike to Pennant Point

2013-03-30T15:45:00-03:00

[Writing]

Continuing with the string of spring hikes I've been taking this year, a friend and I decided to stay local and drive out to East Pennant and hike along the ocean out to Pennant Point. It's a relatively easy hike, about 9.6km return with no hills. There's a bit of scrambling along the rocks at the beginning and end of the hike, but nothing too demanding.

Black Rock Community Trails

2013-03-19T18:30:00-03:00

[Writing]

The Black Rock Community Trails are a set of trails located in the small community of Black Rock, NS, a short drive north of Berwick, off exit 15 of Highway 101 close to the Bay of Fundy. A friend and I decided to make the drive from the city and try out the longest of the trails. It was a sunny morning as we left the city and got on the highway toward the valley.

Morning sun and sea smoke, Halifax Harbour

2013-02-27T21:00:00-04:00

[Photo]

During the winter when the air temperature is colder than the water temperature, you get sea smoke. It happens every now and then during the few cold weeks of winter we still get. I always enjoy seeing it, but since it means it's very cold outside, its appearance also brings the whining from people who forget its winter on the North Atlantic.

For distant viewing

2013-01-16T19:30:00-04:00

[Photo]

On the south shore of Nova Scotia lies Kejimkujik National Park Seaside Adjunct, a beautiful headland south of Liverpool on the Atlantic coast. When my mom was visiting in the fall we decided to take a walk to the shore and take in the breathtaking views and hopefully see a little wildlife.

Crowbar Lake Trail, January 2013

2013-01-06T16:00:00-04:00

[Writing]

After too much to eat and drink over the holidays it was time to get back on the trail and work some of it off. I decided to enlist a friend and head outside of the city for a hike over the Crowbar Lake Trail, part of the Waverley-Salmon River Long Lake Wilderness Area. I particularly enjoy hiking in wilderness areas as they are left alone and there are no motorized vehicles allowed. I don't think enough people appreciate the quiet those two things bring.

Stoddard House, Barrington Street

2012-12-04T02:00:00-04:00

[Photo]

This is the north exterior wall of Stoddard House, located at 1359 Barrington Street on the corner of Bishop Street. It was built in 1828 and is a registered historical property in Halifax. The plaque on the side calls it Old Presbyterian Manse, but since it's listed in the registry as Stoddard House, that's what I'm going to call it. It's now the home of the Nova Scotia Association of Architects.