Travelling Lumsdens

Summer and July quickly kicked into high gear with what has become a regular MtA gathering… This year’s manifestation at Kejimkujik National Park in South Western Nova Scotia. This reunion of friends and their families saw us cook, bike, sing, hike, paddle, sketch and photog four days of camping near beautiful Keji Lake. Big welcome to France, our newest participant, who expertly navigated the names and personalities like she had been alongside the whole way! So great to get together and see everyone again.

And, of course, no July is complete without the folk festival, this year being our 23rd edition of Stanfest. Beyond the wealth of music, mammoth volunteer effort and reuniting with friends and colleagues, this year I had the special opportunity to perform on the Main Stage during “Singing Stan”! A real honour and privilege to have been asked and humbling to have been able to sing and play for that perfect audience moment. Something I’ll always remember!

June is absolutely the most difficult month to make a blog entry… And not because there is “nothing” going on! Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, end of school year… And this year Monica’s Graduation. It’s a marathon and a sprint all wrapped in one package. We’re so happy for Monica, as she had a super Grade 12 year and in the fall of 2019 both she and Peter will be enrolled at StFX. That seemed to happen rather quickly 🤔.

I did, however, keep the pedal down in regards to work at the camp. It’s been an exceptional year for getting there, staying there, and tackling some much needed improvements. I did mix in, however, some time on the lake. It’d been a solid 30 years since I’ve really done any amount of fishing other than the NS promotional free angling weekend. This June I spent multiple nights casting, trolling and plain old drifting and managed some very nice trout. In a busy month, I was thankful for the time.

I love May… This spring I listened in on many idle conversations complaining about wet, cold temperatures and yearning for summer heat and days at the beach. That’s all wrong! May is fresh, with bug-less outdoor work, walks on greening paths, naps on cold pillows and wood heat… Snuggled in warm fleece shirts and savouring the last long weekend of the school year. I had an awesome, productive month.

Devotion should be redefined as “making renos happen at the camp”! It’s not easy, as tools, materials, and supplies need to be carefully planned. May saw much work this year. Refurbishing the main floor was huge, accompanied by drabs of carpentry, levelling and the clean smell of a fresh coat of paint. What started as wood stove replacement rippled into two months of weekend work. Even went so far as to plant grass seed and replace the waterline. So happy with the results… And more than ready to enjoy the fruits of our labour!

The first run to Smelt Lake, with path and lake ice free (mostly), was during the initial weekend of April. With the weather still “fresh”, Janie and I did a “lug” of day one supplies to get the space up and moving. We saw wind, snow, rain, stars and sunshine during the 24 hr visit. With the risk of frost still very likely camp systems, such as water, wait until warmer days. Very, very nice to be back!

The camp is undergoing several levels of renovation, so tools and materials are moving back and forth. The renovation of the cupboard to install a “new to me” propane fridge is ongoing, as DC power, outside venting and LPG hook up are being figured out. It has also prompted the necessity to consider the old flooring (bright yellow linoleum pattern 😱). While doing fridge install, we noted painted wood flooring beneath a chip board sub floor. My hope is that the floor is not “glued” and in good shape! Let the demolition (my stronger point in the realm of carpentry) begin.

On a far more somber note, we were saddened by the razing of Notre Dame Cathedral on April 15th, 2019. We had the pleasure of visiting this Paris landmark twice on visits to France. It was heartbreaking to see video of the building engulfed in flames and crowds watching in utter disbelief! Such an icon for French culture, faith and tourism. I gleaned a picture of myself (the more than slightly balding man front & centre) from a past trip. Mrs Lumsden and I, after a long journey across the Atlantic, found warmth and a few seconds of rest during this visit.

So, we’ve been diligently following the blogs, gathering regular inspiration from pictures on Twitter and Instagram feeds, and sorting out details in regards to this March Break’s choice of “sun” destination, Costa Rica. Transportation to and from our accommodations in Jaco (moderately sized seaside town on the Pacific Ocean) has been secured and funds expended. We even took the time to set aside some risk with Hep A Vaccines for this journey. The rest is up to us being on time and some cooperation from St Christopher!

By mid-February a rough itinerary of attractions had been set, but not purchased. I prefer flexibility for this one (unlike transportation and accommodations) as I’ve experienced wanting to change plans for activities after arrival, leaving the option to take in an “unknown” or maybe dodging a predicted “bad weather” day. Should the itinerary prove adequate without change there is still plenty of lead time for purchase.

We’re excited with our choice of destination. It looks as though we’ll have zero problem keeping busy, everything we could ask for seems available and all correspondence with service professionals has been adequately answered and promptly returned (thanks Yocseliny). I guess, in no small way, it feels like our contacts know what they are doing and are ready to make our experience a great one! Travel positive is my motto… it helps in dealing with others when things don’t go exactly as planned on a trip with a lot of moving parts.

Thus, at one week out we’re gathering up items to be properly packed (Click Here – All you need to know about Airport Security), reviewing maps and travel times, feeling the “ouch” of purchasing some US exchange, and yearning to get in the air. As per previous trips, the intent is to blog daily (Costa Rica ’19) for friends and family that want to follow along. Just a little glimpse at travel through our eyes and maybe a tip or two should you chose to make the journey someday! Cheers all…

Quite a month! This winter’s weather has followed a rather formulaic “rinse and repeat” cycle. First the obligatory 10-15 cms of snow, followed by a shiny layer of freezing rain and ice pellets, and finally a thorough washing of rain only to be set like stone by frigid windchill temps. Yet, there were times in February when Guysborough County was almost devoid of any snow on the ground. Real “yo-yo” weather. There have been a couple of storm days as a result of these patterns for sure. Gotta say that dreams of the sunny south are hard to shake!

Thus, we’ve been using the “research time” on the snow days to stay afloat with schoolwork and for planning our Costa Rica trip. I’ll use the March blog entry to article our prep for Costa Rica. February, interestingly enough, turned into a big camp month. What looked like an early spring turned into a wonderful sheet of ice and good travel across Smelt Lake. Let productivity abound!

With the help of my growing collection of NB / Mt A friends, we tackled a winter supply trip. The logistics were tricky, but those NB lads are geared up for snow. Further, I’m not the bravest when it comes to crossing ice. However, with cart, skidoo, sled and a little ingenuity we were able to transport some much needed upgrades from Antigonish to the building itself, including revamped fridge and wood stove. From start to finish the adventure went about as smoothly as we could have hoped. Can’t begin to express how appreciative I was in getting the tasks handled safely and without incident. Cheers guys!

Pura vida! Simply translated, it means “simple life” or “pure life” to native Costa Ricans (Ticos). January dropped us in full planning mode for our March Break visit to this tiny Central American country (slightly smaller in sq km size than our own province of Nova Scotia but 5 times the population – nearly 5 million). As it rolled out, the air travel came pretty easy and we secured Air Canada flights via Moncton and Montreal. The connections were better timed, and more economic, than Stanfield. Also slapped some points down which really made me feel better about cost. We thought it an excellent deal. The destination airport is Juan Santamaria International in San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) which is centrally located. Thus, we began research to narrow our wish list in regards to “places to stay” and “attractions”.

In short order we began to figure out the geography of Costa Rica. It’s very mountainous, jungle covered, and equatorial in climate with distinct rainy and dry seasons. Blogs suggest that “rugged” highways and byways don’t lend to easy travel about the country’s roads, and times between seemingly close destinations are longer than normal. Further, we really weren’t interested in driving ourselves in a strange country during such a concentrated one week time frame. Thus, we sought comfortable beach side accommodations, within a couple of hours of drive via private transfer from San Jose, that were central to the abundant selection of natural attractions CR has to offer. In the end, the more quiet, southern edge of the Jaco Beach area seemed the most reasonable decision. Janie did a hunk of the accommodation research, using Airbnb and VRBO, and chose an excellent living situation that we feel great about. Looking forward to getting on the ground in Central America!

Jaco (pr. Haw-ko) offers, in easy fashion, all the essentials. Included in the area are several well established “Adventure” and “Excursion” companies, grocery & liquor stores, proximity to two National Parks and a broad cross section of restaurant possibilities. Its reputation in reviews varies widely, from pastoral descriptions of ideal sunsets to “spring breakish” surf culture… So it may be an adventure in itself! Being first timers to Costa Rica, and unable to speak the language, we anticipate that a town used to tourists may make for an easier transition to tico time (logic that worked for us in Puerto Morelos, Mexico)! Next step is to iron out attraction options and book a little something for everyone. The many websites that host tips, advice, & recommendations for extracting the most we can from our vacation are yet to be explored. So… lots of prep left on the table, but transport and accommodations secured!

This December was the first in recent memory (since 2012) where we stayed put, and no real travel taking place. Two factors influenced the choice. Firstly, late November and early December saw us investing in some much needed, super efficient, home improvements (including an on demand propane hot water heater, energy saving propane furnace, and replacement of the dishwasher). Lots of coin out the door! Secondly, as a family our schedules were all over the place and there was essentially no real opening for even a modest vacation. Thus, no trip… maybe next Christmas!

We did, however, get into research mode and focused on the selection of a destination for March Break. After a wintry Nov/Dec, we were already looking for somewhere warm. Other “hopes” incorporated the notion we would select a “new to us” destination, one that’s fairly economical, and located in an area of relative safety. Then off to the ‘net to explore blogs, flights, accommodations and attractions. In short order we were dreaming of Costa Rica.

Well known as one of the foremost Eco-tourism destinations in the Americas, Costa Rica offers National Parks, rainforests, coastline, volcanoes and some of the friendliest locals in Central America. It’ll be further south than I’ve ever ventured. Next steps… Purchase flights, nail down accommodations and build an itinerary that combines relaxation with time in the great outdoors! Pick is done, but the works just begun!

I am, admittedly, a sucker for travel narratives that explore the expanse of our ever shrinking world, whether it be geography, cultural features or a particular history. In November I got caught up in a Netflix series called Dark Tourist. I’d never heard the term used before, but upon search found it defined loosely as “tourism involving travel to places historically associated with death and tragedy“. The series of shows takes the concept to its more macabre and ill fated extremes, from the featuring of nuclear wastelands in Japan, to the barrios of Pablo Escobar, forbidden border crossings, taboo museums and the likes of Dahmer and Manson in the US.

Such remoteness of topic and law testing adventure could prove enticing for the curious and make for high impact TV clips. However, it didn’t settle well with me and the notion of casual entertainment at the expense of another’s horror factors largely. It all felt a little “culturally careless”. I’d much preferred Bourdain’s Parts Unknown Series, which strove, from destination to destination, to challenge viewers to honour, respect and celebrate culture and difference. In the end I wrote this off as “time lost” and kicked it to the corner.

However, I began to reflect on the sites the series had visited and compared with some of the spaces I’ve selected as destinations over the years. As a traveller I’ve walked the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg, tread past the iron gates at Dachau, lined up before opening to gain entry to an empty Coliseum, sailed out to tour the cell blocks of Alcatraz, sunk into WWI trenches at Vimy Ridge and listened to Yoeman Warders tell of torture and death in the Tower of London. These are but a few of such experiences, and the hypocrisy felt rampant. Although not visiting active war zones, is this really that much different?  Am I a “Dark Tourist”?

To make peace with myself, I honed in on the concept of “purpose”. I think what I saw in the show whispered (and at times yelled) of exploitation. I guess I’ve always deemed my purpose differently… I’ve travelled for the joy of learning first hand, to share in understanding of other cultures, and make sense of histories both rich and tragic in an effort to know. The intent is not to prove right or wrong, press limits of political extremes or delve to expose the exotic, but to build connections from the past to the present. The difference is vast between travel prompted by morbid fascination and travel embedded in building meaning. The more I experience, the more I’ve grown as a traveller and contributor to my family, community and beyond.

Not too much moving in terms of travel… work is in full swing with assessment and reporting periods coming due! We did, however, have a couple of interesting outings. Of note was the distillery/brewery tour at Steinharts in Arisaig made possible through friend Danielle. Fun evening. Further, we attended an Encounters Canada meeting in Halifax through Janie’s volunteer work. Great company, an excellent meal, and discussions in regards to the program and continued improvements.

With temperatures and daylight slipping, attention at home and cottage turn to matters of preparation for mornings below zero, snowfall and the rugged Atlantic winter months. At home maintenance items include chores such as pulling of garden hoses, furnace filters, servicing of the snowblower and the general “tucking away” of anything that can take flight. At cottage the list is longer, as waterline is removed, perishables trekked out, boats flipped, solar batteries relocated and engines (outboard, generator, and chainsaw) all see end of season service.

It was such a great year for camp visits. Some excellent jobs were tackled, several additional improvements completed and visits with friends and family. With the camp heading for hibernation, our attention has turned to making plans for Christmas break. Where, what, who, etc! Perhaps that’ll get sorted out in November… But this month saw no movement ahead in regards to a potential destination!