Garden Greens

(Delayed posting from August 2024)

Here is an example of the growth that happened in our garden. Vegepods rock!

These garlic bulbs grew in flower pots on our back deck.

An interloper.

HAVN in Victoria's Inner Harbour

(Delayed posting. Visited August 2024)

HAVN, has been in Victoria inner harbour since the summer of 2023. It provides various spa experiences like different temperature pools on the roof and saunas. There is also a little meal and drink area where you can enjoy a snack or a lunch. 

My spouse and I decided to treat ourselves one day, for a three hour visit, and it was quite enjoyable. Sometimes it is nice to be pampered and for $89 each, plus our lunch, we left refreshed and satisfied. I am not a spa person at heart but I do like to be comfortable and this propelled me, in a gentle way, to that destination. Recommended for locals and visitors to Victoria. Also recommend you book ahead at least a month.

Maritimes Trip Overview and Flight Home

 (Delayed posting. Visited during summer 2024)

So 44 days total, including travel to and from, were spent in the Maritimes. My spouse joined me for 13 of those days. While I had the rental car it traveled 4646km (3/4 the distance across Canada) and my spouse was with me for ~2k km of that. The Maritimes are surprisingly big with the twists and turns along the roads and highways.

On average I walked 3.96km a day, 3.5km per day before my spouse joined me and 5.04km a day after. An average of 5.47 flights of stairs climbed per day, with 3.9 before and 9.15 after my spouse joined me. Apparently I get more exercise when she is around. 11 places were slept at, six of which were with my spouse. Three places were stayed at twice.

Some of the best places for me were:

-Spending some time with my mom. When I used to come back to the Maritimes we only had so much time to divide between family, friends, and having some away time to rest. Being here for so long meant being at a slower pace.

-Being in Nature. Whether it was the first and second time in Fundy Trail Provincial Park, Mi'kmawey Debert Interactive Trail, or the trails in Highland National Park (one, two, and three) its good to get out into nature and recharge.

-Maritime History. I enjoy history a lot and there was a lot that I didn't know until the last fifteen years. I hope that will change in Maritime schools and I hope that there will be at least one school year where it is taught in Social Studies. My favorite places I went to in order to explore more of this history were: Beausoleil Acadian Settlement, Fort Beauséjour (one two three), Beaubassin Acadian Community, Mi'kmaq Peoples of Millbrook, Grande-Pre (one two area UNESCO), Fort Edward, Citadel Hill (outside inside new museum D-Day), Acadian village of Chezzetcook, Black History in Nova Scotia, Cold War at Deifenbunker, Scottish Settlers of Pictou on the Hector and Highland Village museum.

-The food. As always I am surprised at the great cuisine the Maritimes has to offer when I shouldn't be. Standouts were the Wild Caraway, Garrison House, Le Caveau at Grand-Pre Winery, various places around Halifax including Monasba, Chanterelle, Doryman Pub & Grill, Peace by Chocolate, and Salt Shaker Deli.

-The people. Maritimers are friendly folk, by and large, who are genuinely concerned about you and wish you well. When staying here and traveling around, especially in the out of the way places, you will be in good hands.

Below are pictures of the interesting views on the West side of Canada.

Maritimes Trip Book Haul

(Delayed posting. Visited during summer 2024)

Read eleven books, because on vacation that is one of the things one does and I enjoy reading. I only picked up a few books (~80, bought, given, or free), both on my recommended list and others that looked interesting. With many great bookstores in the Maritimes it is a good break and a good way to get out of the car and stretch the legs.

The pile.

Mi'kmaq history.

Acadian history.

General Maritime history.

Non-Fiction.

Comics and role playing.

Large fiction books.

Small fiction books.

Now to start reading them.

Expanded Visit to the Fundy Trail Provincial Park

(Delayed posting. Visited during summer 2024)

When I was last at the Fundy Trail Provincial Park I was with my mom and her friends. Now that my spouse is here we can explore the park more fully. We walked from Melvin Beach lookout to Fuller Falls and back again.

An excellent walk through nature.

A Second Stay at Blackwood's Bread & Roses Inn

(Delayed posting. Visited during summer 2024)

When we got to Annapolis Royal and the Blackwood's Bread & Roses Inn, which I stayed at earlier this trip, they had upgraded my second stay to the larger room. My spouse was quite happy. The bed was quite high and fun to get in and out of. We stayed here for two nights and revisited some spots that I was at before that would interest her.

Lunenberg, Salt Shaker Deli, and one of the Best Lobster Rolls

(Delayed posting. Visited during summer 2024)

On the way from Upper Tantallon, and Peggy's Cove, we swung by Lunenberg to stretch our legs and have lunch. There are lovely older buildings here.

Even the empty lots are nice here.

Our lunch was at the Salt Shaker Deli (which also has rooms to rent).

This was the place that had the second awesome lobster roll of the trip. It added terragon, just a little mayo, celery, and greens. Side of soup of the day, tomato, and pickles. An awesome example of what a lobster roll should be.

Some more pictures around Lunenberg.

This building was built in 1808 for Sheriff John Henry Kaulbach.

The Altestes House, built in 1760 and currently the oldest house in Lunenberg.

Time to head to Annapolis Royal for the night.