Solid month since last post! Janie and I have school well underway… first day / week / month jitters put to rest. It was a strategically more laid back September, with several commitments put aside (especially StFX) that have opened up a place and space. It afforded time to get the regular school year settled and chores at home/camp tackled. In short… less has been scheduled!
The weather in September, beyond our yearly Tropical Storm visit (Lee), was worth noting. Lee’s impact in Eastern NS was, thankfully, minimal. The majority of forecasts were of sun filled days with cool evenings, feeling like summer arrived about a month late. Regardless, at work or play, this month held some of the best weather of the 2023.
Speaking of play… lots of great paddle time at the camp. Several treks with both boats saw lots of fun! With only the lapping of water against the hull, we managed some great exploring, scenery and exercise this month with excursions from the camp. It was good to get back in that groove, after the upheaval of several major trips during the height of summer in August.
This month also saw the passing of a family matriarch, as my Godmother/Aunt Sheila made her peace this September. Her celebration of life, though sad, was the time for remembering, sharing stories, seeing family and friends that’s so important to this process. As one of my close friends noted, “She cast a big net”. A powerful teacher, sister, mother, grandparent and friend!
Making the best of summer break this year!!! August has been a busy month of travel, with the completion of a X-country return run from Antigonish to Vancouver… some 13,000 road kms! (See Trans Canada ’23). Further, we welcome you to follow along for an “addendum”, a last but not least excursion to the time zone we missed, Newfoundland (See Newfoundland ’23). This one is part business, part pleasure… with a dual focus on both the St John’s area and the many hiking trails this rugged landscape has to offer! Ready, set… GO!!!
July was full on! Included some much needed camp time, a long overdue weekend MtA gathering, as well as the Folk Festival (which swallowed up three weeks 😳). Thought I might article a little on each… maybe as a way to sort through how July disappeared 😂.
I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen the camp in better shape… all systems working well from solar (AC Power/DC Fridge), water pump & shower, outboard / generator / chainsaw / trimmer, wood supply, technology and boats/canoe. A pleasure to visit, and always tasks I can putter at. I feel the tension leave the body as I sail down the lake! Hoping to have another great summer of visits.
The MtA gathering (after a week of Stanfest setup) was a welcome break. So good to see these folks… it’s so comfortable as we all seem to simply start where we left off. This year (after a 3 year Covid break) we convened in St Andrew’s NB at the Taylor household. A much needed weekend of camaraderie, some leisurely touring about the town, as well as evening meals and chats around the fire pit. Not like the old days when we could manage into the wee hours, but all in an absolutely perfect visit! Hail MtA!!!
After festival I was tired, sore and grumpy! I was afforded the opportunity to play in Singing Stan again this year (thanks Troy) which is always a thrill. Great to be involved, but, all in, the weather piece created a ton of extra work and, thus, very little family / fun time.
After righting the ship (or more so canoe 😂) with several days at Camp Lumsden with Janie, we decided to skedaddle. We departed late July due west… destination unknown! In the back of my mind I’ve always felt that a Trans-Canada trek should be a right of passage. We’d done it south of the border… could we make it happen in a couple of weeks at home? Follow along via the link below as we make our way across the country!
Whoa… June brought to NS warmer days, summer solstice and, most importantly, some much needed rain! No travel to speak of, beyond a solid 10 nights at camp watching the Smelt Lake ecosystem spring to life. Maybe a post (one that doesn’t talk about June in schools) that celebrates some of the pics we took in and around the camp is appropriate. Some flora and fauna perhaps 🤔!
Known as the “Lady Slipper”, Cypripedioideae acaule is a wild orchid that have proven an annual event in several locations surrounding @camplumsden. We’ve found these unusually shaped plants in white, pink, and deeper purplish hues in bog-like landscapes. They bloom for longer periods, and can last weeks. Growing conditions are very difficult to replicate, so no one commercially propagates pink lady slipper orchids… they are a rarity and should not be picked or moved as they will most likely not survive.
Through the spring I’ve kept the Trail Cam in operation, changing locations and moving out further from camp while visiting. However, the back yard has proven lucrative getting lots of bird, squirrel and rabbit hits. This prickly little fella, Erethizon dorsatum or common porcupine, was picked up strolling through the yard in mid-June. These solitary rodents, most at home in coniferous and mixed forests, are herbivores and notoriously tough on plants and trees (not to mention canines). Second in size to the beaver, porcupines are unlike any other North American rodent due to the sharp quills that cover their neck, sides, back and tail. Buyer beware…
I think there are also “bellwether” species that speak to the overall health of the local habitat. I’ve encountered, on trail and lakeside, a variety of reptile and amphibian that seem to be thriving in this environment. Although maligned by many, Thamnophis sirtalis or the Common Garter Snake is widespread across Nova Scotia in a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, shorelines, fields and rocky areas, farmlands, and some larger coastal islands. Found this little fella mid-road on a nearby ATV trail, where he was living dangerously catching some sun! Looks aside, garters can be beneficial in controlling insects we consider pests, as well as prey for birds and other wildlife. These are protected in NS!
Red-belted Bracket fungi, Fomitopsispinicola
I should note that this sort of rummaging around to stop and learn about the plants and animals is novel for me. Always been the type to be up and about early and spending time outdoors, but really stopping to examine and learn is a new thing. Perhaps age has shown me that we are only visitors here, and the realization that it is incumbent upon us to preserve and protect the life with which we share space. The adage / principle that every action has an equal and opposite reaction works… their health is indeed our health!
There have been issues surrounding our lakes of late. In short, what I would assume are “anglers” have taken it upon themselves to introduce Smallmouth Bass (an “invasive species”) to the nearby Cole Harbour system of lakes and runs (see Article). Signage placed at the parking area, a hopeful deterrent that notes the criminality of this, prompted me to get in the boat and test the waters of Smelt Lake for potential introduced fish.
Smoked Trout
In my vigilance, I actually landed a series of nice trout (beautiful fish in our lake) and nothing but native species. It prompted a “what might I do with the accompanying catch”? After a brief search, a solution presented itself in the flavour of “Applewood Smoked Trout in a Maple/Balsamic Glaze”. Great recipe to hone… and a wonderful new “meal” to add to the camp menu!
Unique 6 Solar Fridge
The next fishy thing was the total non-compliance of the propane fridge. It had served us well for several years, but becoming ever more unpredictable, temperamental, unreliable… not sure if I’ve personified my relationship with this appliance enough or not, but we were definitely headed for a break up 😂. In May we decided to bite the bullet, and invested in a Solar Fridge to try and remedy the conundrum. This included expansion of the existing building array of panels and battery complement. By late May, installation at camp was complete and testing well underway. So far, all systems are a go and fingers crossed that we will maintain constant refrigeration for the summer months 👍.
NS Woods Closed to Travel
To extend the “something fishy” idea, what’s up with Mother Nature? May ended in a flash! That being the uncharacteristic spark of spring wildfires 🔥 in several NS counties and the early closure / ban of activity in woodlands across the province. In fact, on one of our weekday visits, we unceremoniously departed after arrival and catching news of the closure. Water levels, fire index, and weather conditions are daily concerns and becoming a regular part of camp life. I’ve learned over the years to treat each with the utmost of respect and have only been lucky to have not had incidents in the past.
Yepper… Camp loomed large this April! Early weekends were shouldered by family birthdays and the Easter Holidays (PEI), but all in we really got back into the cottage life groove. April brings many outdoor opportunities, with increased daylight and snow free travel, cool working conditions and “bug-free” time in the yard at home and in Upper Whitehead. A mid-month rain saw grass greening and jump starting life in eastern Nova Scotia.
Technology continues to play a role in ongoing camp life. While there we have broadened our use of the trail cams to improve our knowledge in regard to those critters that frequent the neighborhood! April saw us make a fine hit (see video above) capturing a crystal clear glimpse of “Mr Coyote” waltzing through in broad daylight. Second solid video in that area (intersection of two paths). Hunter I am not… but I do love the ability to see these beautiful animals on the move!
To extend that idea… we bought a drone! Very cool tool, as we used it to explore the area surrounding our camp from above. Janie and I got it airborne, after completing the necessary downloads and charging, for its inaugural flight mid-month. We had a super trip! It was absolutely amazing for me to change the perspective on a space I’d been visiting for almost 50 years. Will definitely be doing more practice, experimenting with the camera and flying as the weather improves. Cleared for take-off!
To end the month, I hosted a “ditty” of sorts. Low key, but great to have some of the guys in for a much needed weekend of fun and games. Highlights were great weather, hearty homemade grub, guitars & music… but most of all some time to catch up on how everyone is doing! We dabbled in some chores, couple of hikes, and of course just sitting and enjoying stories and updates in our lakeside vista. Good weekend for the “soul”.
The bulk of this month’s post is hinged on March Break ‘23 plans that saw us venturing to Central Europe for what was an exciting week of travel. Languages & currency, food & drink, attractions & distractions, rivers & bridges, accommodation & transportation, and, of course, the people… everything turned upside down from the serenity of our fortunate, Antigonish existence. We welcome you to follow along, whether reading, pictures or dropping a note are your preference. Just chase this link… Central Europe ‘23. We updated daily in the AM while North America slept 😴. Please feel free to follow our trip, if you are so inclined, and comment. We’ll be sure to get back to you!
Winter finally kicked into high gear in this shortest of months with a collection of school cancellations for snow days, arctic blasts, spring like afternoons and all conditions in between that Mother Nature could throw at us! There were ongoing home renovations, splashes of trip planning, the tumbles of teaching and, of course, camp time. Here’s the highlight reel!
Let’s start with Feb 3-4, when the thermometer plummeted and Eastern Canada put up some of the coldest temps seen since 2015. So what do you do when it’s -25°C (feels like -40°C) outside? That’s right… you go to the camp 😉… A little man against nature. It was a solo camp trip including a roughly 10km return hike, a couple of healthy meals, lots of time tending the fire (Temps @ ceiling 30°C 🥵 and floor 0°C 🥶), and constant cracks, snaps and booms of the cold penetrating the building and lake ice. Wonderfully, the camp systems persevered (wood stove, solar set-up, power pack, outhouse 🫣) and I learned much about handling extreme weather @Smeltlake!
In February our star border, Monica, put some of her summer work training to good use as she tackled the refurb of Pete’s room upstairs. Ms Lumsden, lead designer, was hard at work prepping a myriad of options on her phone app and keeping organization on schedule and moving forward! Transformation, from “teen grunge” to “guest suite”, began in earnest with the sorting of an array of paraphernalia (the area had become quite a storage depot), emptying and removal of entire space, and dismantling (bunk beds – Thnx Pete 👍). Monica tackled patch/painting duties with several fresh coats of the white stuff from ceiling to baseboard. Dad supported multiple sojourns to Value Village, a huge IKEA run, and the Allen Key assembly.
StFX Education
I also slapped down some fairly serious coursework time for my StFX class this semester… big class of 30 students this time around. February saw deep dives in topics/tools such as GAFE (Google Apps for Education), PowerTeacher, and Assistive Technology. There are moments when I consider “why”, but all in there is an energy I take from the interaction with these future colleagues that keeps me sharp and on that continuous learning track! Goal is to have a pretty bow on this before March Break!
Honest Guide Prague
Speaking of break, the February “Heritage Day” holiday saw some full-on trip planning to tie up the dangling ends of our upcoming adventure in Central Europe. I was starting to feel the “tingles” three weeks out! I think, in the end, we have a solid but relaxed itinerary, with fixed travel / attraction / accommodation items sorted, but lots of space for “nothing” and room for changes on the fly. Of note, I’ve utilized more than ever YouTube to research our destinations and source “best practice” knowledge on food, attraction, currency, safety… great resource!
So, in my estimation, a lot going on for what is a fairly quick month. And yes, indeed, February seems to have been “good to us”!
As far as I can tell… we did little but manage to ride out the start of 2023. Environment Canada kept us busy, not with the normal sub-zero temps and snow days of our first month but heavy rains, high winds and dark commutes to and from school. At work, a colleague put it like this… “Welcome to the 97th day of January”! I think students struggled too! No ice for retreat to the camp, no snow days for trip planning or winter pursuits, and lots of hunkering down in warm sweater and rubber boot weather. Seeing the back side of this one isn’t exactly upsetting me!
That said… onward and upward in the quest to make lemonade! New semester and a new set of pre-service teachers at StFX. Perhaps taking on two courses an academic year alongside my public teaching is pushing it, but it surely keeps the mind busier through the heart of winter. We have designs on tackling another room upstairs and planning has begun with that. We also managed one beautiful Saturday at camp, detailed with a great hike, some hands-on chores and purposeful outdoor time that did much to invigorate!
Trip planning for March Break has happened in spurts and, as yet, we’re not quite feeling a lot of urgency to “nail it down”! I think we’re both less worried about voids in planning for this one, and just want to get on the ground. I sense that we’ll be more than content just being in our cities of choice, picking an attraction or so each day and “shouldering” with the sights, sounds, tastes and feel of our destinations. I’d suggest, in no small way, that an evening walk in cobbled historic Budapest Old Town, street side coffee/sweets in a Vienna cafe or a foamy Pilsner in a warm pub in Praha may be all we really want! New spaces and places that we know will be a feast for the senses.
December usually sees below zero nights, snow and blizzards, winter coats, ice… but little of that this year! Wonder what Mi’kmaq elders are saying about this winter? Uncharacteristically warm, the last month of 2022 was mostly spring-like, allowing clear walks around the StFX track, open sailing to the camp on winter solstice, and minimal adjustment of the thermostat at home. School wove through December, as it always does, ramping into a fervor over the last few days of classes. However, I was happy to use several weekends to replenish wood supplies at the camp, further some trip planning and enjoy some vacation with Janie and the kiddos!
Camp update… 2023 saw a total of 89 stays!!! Although down in numbers from the previous two COVID aided years, I’m feeling that is a very good kick at the can. No major projects were undertaken this year, but I enter 2023 with camp systems in good repair, the wood and energy stores well taken care of, and the physical structure sound. A “fun” goal for 2023 will be to make full use of the new canoe… including overnight camping visits to the many lakes, rivers and shorelines in this scenic end of Guysborough County. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do… and I think we finally have the appropriate gear and knowledge to do it safely. My camp “work” goal is to install/connect new wiring service. Fingers crossed I’m successful with both!!!
March Break planning is also taking shape… At present, a travel route that puts us on the ground in Budapest, Vienna and Prague is framed up with all travel and accommodation portions booked and purchased. I’m the first to recognize the fact that a short trip such as 9 days is not making the best use of airfare dollars… but I’d also suggest that I’ve never regretted a second of our edu-vacation time abroad. We pack our days, whether it be attraction, sightseeing, foodie stops or people watching that is in front of us. Janie and I make a great team on the road… each bringing different strengths and adding energy when one of us (mostly myself) hit the wall. Looking forward to nailing the itinerary over the next few snow days (😂) and getting on the ground in Hungary/Austria/Prague! I’ll be blogging the good, bad and ugly while in Europe and will provide links to follow.
Christmas saw everyone at home and included several days of decorating, great food, “Five Crowns”, and movie time. The kids and their partners all visited during vacation and the house hummed to that “business”. We also got in trips to Hlfx and Canso, seeing family and friends. The gathering over New Years, and music session at Union House, was a real treat!!! And, of course, no holiday seems complete without the ups and downs of the IIHF World Junior Championships (held in Halifax this year)! Thanks so much to Eileen for the use of her living room (and all the treats) as we watched Canada squeak out another Gold Medal! Great reprieve… arriving back at school rested and ready to lead the charge toward March Break.
