Newfoundland: The Tablelands

Gros Morne National Park

Woody Point, NL

June 16, 2013

I'm in a Gros Morne state of mind these days so here's another shot from this summer's trip to the rock. I'm surprised I've not posted more shots from The Tablelands, this is only the start.

This boardwalk is one of the 'official' walks into the tablelands, though you can ramble anywhere you want to if you so desire.  I hear that this bowl is a magnet for backcountry snow lovers, packing boards and skis for a rip down the slopes.

Nothing says ultramafic rock like the peridotite found in the tablelands.  One must experience this place first hand to truly get a sense of how other worldy this landscape looks and feels.  

Discover Thomas Raddall Provincial Park

Thomas Raddall Provincial Park

East Port L'Hebert, NS

Camper's Beach

Sept. 1, 2013

If you haven't discovered Thomas Raddall Provincial Park, you are missing out.  The staffer at the front gate summed it up well, "pretty much every trail leads to a beach".  She was not kidding!

A short stroll from the walk-in tent sites leads you to this pristine piece of paradise.  Looks like some windsurfers have figured it out!

The day use beach is gorgeous as well, we spotted piping plovers the last time we visited.

The park closes for the season October 14th, don't delay.  It's worth the drive to East Port L'Hebert!

Newfoundland: Stunning Green Gardens

Green Gardens

Gros Morne National Park, NL

June 18, 2013

Spoiler alert, this is one of the many rewards you will receive when hiking the excellent Green Gardens trail in Gros Morne National Park.

This shot marked the point where we turned around and headed back up the several hundred stairs that stood between us and our car.  I would love to attempt the complete loop of this trail, but maybe when I'm up to fording Wallace brook....in June.

Newfoundland: Green Gardens

Green Gardens Trail

Gros Morne National Park

June 18, 2013

Green Gardens: yet another stunning trail to hike while in Gros Morne.  

This one involves many, MANY stairs to traverse.  You head down the stairs towards the coast.  Unfortunately, what goes down...must go up.  Pacing yourself on the reverse/uphill trek is recommended.

The portion of the trail that winds along the coast is the pay off.  There are several backcountry camping spots along the coast which I'd love to check out on another visit.

Sheep can be seen grazing along this trail on the many meadows/fields.  The landscape almost reminded me of the Scottish Highlands in parts.  A highlight of our visit, for sure.

Newfoundland: Green Point Landscape

Green Point, NL

June 21, 2013

I'm slowly realizing it's hard to take a bad shot at Gros Morne National Park...or maybe I got lucky?  Green Gardens can be seen in the distance.....

Campfire Glow

Thomas Raddal Provincial Park

Walk in site group fire pit

East Port L'Hebert, NS

June 1, 2013

I love the blue glow in the sky at dusk, contrasted with the warm orange glow of the campfire.

Thomas Raddal - Walk in Sites: Group Campfire Pit

Thomas Raddal Provincial Park

East Port L'Hebert, NS

June 1, 2013

I am smitten with the walk in tent sites at this park.  Especially because they have a group campfire pit surrounded by benches!  

Here's a shot I snapped from my campsite, looking back at the warm glow from the fire...

Occupy Keji: Those Crazy Canucks

Kejimkujik National Park

Jan. 19, 2013

Does it get more Canadian than this?

Classic Gilles Vigneault Mon Pays quote? Check.

Rosy cheeks? Check.

Support for national parks? Check!

These hardy folks were having a grand old time during last month's Occupy Keji/Winter activities. They were nice enough to pose for me after I took a group shot for them.

This picture sums up the atmosphere of that day perfectly. A shared love of our 4th season and for our national parks.

If you haven't signed up already, please take a moment to sign this petition to restore winter services to all national parks. Thanks!

Occupy Keji: Skijor, For Sure.

Kejimkujik National Park

Jan. 19, 2013

While I was skiing my way back from Big Dam Lake I ran across this guy skijoring with his dog.  

Do you have a dog that likes to pull (i.e. Husky)?  Can you ski?  Find a dog harness and let your pooch help pull you up those hills!  Or heck, on the flats too.

I haven't tried it myself but it looks like a lot of fun, check out this guy skijoring with 12 dogs!

Occupy Keji!

Kejimkujik National Park

Jan. 19, 2013

Here's a shot of a band of skiers at Keji out for a tour during the Occupy Winter/Keji event on January 19th. I tagged along with them until we reached the turn off to Big Dam Lake. If you squint, you can see two additional skiers in the background.

The 'event' was part of a national campaign to have people participating in winter events at national parks across Canada. These parks are all affected by the Conservative cuts to the department, cuts which have closed all but 3 national parks for the winter season.

These park closures are extremely disappointing to those who enjoy using the parks throughout the year, including our 4th season.

Turnout was excellent, organizers tallied ~120 visitors on Saturday and ~100 on Sunday, despite the warm and rainy conditions.

Participants came from all over the Western end of the province, including Halifax, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne and various communities through the Annapolis Valley and South Shore.

Ski conditions on Saturday were near perfect, with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark and fresh snow falling for most of the morning and early afternoon.

The atmosphere in the Mill Falls picnic shelter was jovial as skiers and snowshoe'rs stomped inside to dry off and warm up. Rick Swain entertained with tall tales and a local painter read poetry to the attentive crowd.

It was heartening to see Eric LeBel, park superintendent, in attendance. He was chatting up the visitors and also helped supply the firewood for the wood stoves in the shelter. Park staff helped make the event possible by plowing the road to the shelter as well as unlocking it so the participants had a place to gather and stay warm.

More pics to follow from a great day of enjoying winter and showing support for our national parks system.

Snow Day! (Wish I were skiing)

Kejimkujik National Park

Maitland Bridge (?), NS

Jan. 19, 2013

This is what the park looked like on the weekend.  Deserted, snow covered roads and lots of cross country ski tracks!

More shots to follow from the weekend's Occupy Winter/Keji activities!  

In the meantime, please read and sign this petition, calling for winter services to be restored to all national parks!

Full of Fall Foliage

Site D

Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia

October 8, 2012

Last weekend was a gorgeous last gasp of mild weather.  Camping at Site D was a lovely way to spend Thanksgiving with friends.

I am greatly saddened and frustrated by the Federal Conservative Party's gutting of the National Park system.  Not only does it impact me and my friends who regularly frequent the park between Oct. 9th and May 24, but also my friends who are employed at the park.  

Anecdotal accounts suggest that the science research program at Keji has been gutted.  I hope that is not the case.  Park staff used to visit local schools to educate children about wilderness appreciation, forest biology, etc..  Apparently Environment Canada funding for that program (controlled by ex-Global news anchor Peter Kent) has also been cut.

Please consider helping non-profit group efforts such as the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.  We are witnessing the dismantling of our shared parks heritage.  Their 2012 parks report is particularly disturbing. 

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but them's the facts.

Valleyview lookoff

The view from the lookoff at Valleyview provincial park (just north of Bridgetown).
Shot July 3rd, what a weekend!!!

The straighest path between two points...

...isn't nearly as pretty as a curve-y one.

Shot last weekend at Keji, on the Hemlocks and Hardwoods trail.