Perhaps the only month that rivals June as far as “being busy” in our lives is September. Coming out of August, it seems as though one is tossed in the spin cycle… school full-on with set up, schedules and new faces, classes resume for the “moonlighting” at StFX, and of course less daylight, as its dark to work and the evenings get shorter! Almost as though someone flips a switch and all the routines, expectations, roles & responsibilities meet you head on! My idea, right or wrong, is to try and change the pace and put on a “different hat” for weekends.
We definitely did that in September, using the month to our full advantage for canoe time. We got several great trips in, including an all day paddle from Cooeycoff Lake through Cole Harbour (Guysborough County) and back. Really an awesome adventure, as Janie and I paddled, portaged & picnicked the 16 km return trip. With the bugs having “done” their thing, favourable temperatures and the Old Town 169 Discovery stationed in Cooeycoff and there for the taking, it proved healthy outdoor recreation for mind and body of the first order. We got two solid paddling days in during September… finally, in many ways, putting the canoe through some meaningful paces! This has to happen again next year!
Mid-month saw the return of Stanfest for fans of the event! Troy had scheduled a community style concert (all Covid protocols in place) in Canso for Sept 25th… the likes of Gunning, Guthro, Dunn, MacLellan and our very own Steve Antle no less. It was fun to roll up the sleeves and help out, actually see people, fly pipe & drape, build a stage, and take an active roll. I’d taken a back seat during the summer to some hybrid in-person/ online concerts that occurred in Pictou… but very much wanted to chuck some heart at the event held at home. The whole family was on deck to volun-told 😁. Even got the chance to pitch in on stage…
Grabbed a favorite video (below) from the Cole Harbour Run canoe trip that I thought I’d include! It’s of the falls that connect the Cooeycoff Lake with Sand Lake. It’s a substantial flow of water and drop in elevation. On the portage one can carefully hop out on the rock face and get in the midst of the torrent, being totally surrounded by the rush of moving water and crush of sound that roars in the gorge. It’s been a highlight since I was a kid fishing with my grandfather… always a good spot to drop a line or get wet (either on purpose or by mistake)! 😉