Disappointing Trek to Boulder Island

I went for a walk on Clam Harbour Beach today.  I got excited when I saw how low the tide was and went farther than I meant to: I started walking at about quarter after twelve, decided to turn around at one, turned around at one thirty.  Oops.  But I turned the GPS app on my phone on for the return trip (since I forgot to do it when I headed out) and recorded my route.  Not that it needs to be recorded, it's just following the coast (except for a secret shortcut or two.)

The app says it's 3.3 km.  It took forty-five minutes to return and an hour ten to get there, so I went six and a half kilometres in almost two hours.  If the whole thing had been beach, I'd be worried.  But only a third of it was sandy.  I took pictures, just most of them turned out to be pointless since they don't really show you anything.

 This, I believe, was taken from the end of Slide Rock, the first big point.  You can see the building on the hill there, with the (chopped off) lifeguard tower below it.

 I didn't let this cliff stop me.  I went around.  But the first time I did this hike, I didn't know there was a path around, so I climbed up the rocks, with a walking stick in one hand.

This is the view from where the path comes out on top.  You can see a point that's almost an island, there.  If you look at the map, that's just to the east of the southern tip.


 And here's the destination:  Boulder Island.























If you walk just a couple more meters, you can see my grandmother's house!

And why do I call this a disappointing trek?  Usually when the tide is so low you can walk across to the island without getting your feet wet.  Clearly that wasn't happening today.

Walking the Dog

I just got back from walking the dog.  Nowhere special, just down the road and back.  Roughly 6.5 km, according to the GPS app I have on my phone.

But just after I turned around, the bushes exploded about five feet in front of the dog.  I automatically grab the leash with my free hand and start a hard reverse, but pause before I'd gone more than one step.  My brain just recognized the sound I was hearing: a pheasant flying away.  I hadn't been able to see what happened because I was virtually blinded by the sun peeking through the clouds, so before letting the leash go slack, I turned towards the sound.  Not one but two birds were flying away.  It was hard to tell with the glare, but I think they may have actually been Ruffed Grouse, not Ring-Necked Pheasants.

I started walking again and then the dog stops to crap.  I look down at him and say "scared the shit of you, did they?"

35th Annual Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle & Sculpture Competition

It's Thursday night and I'm only now writing this post -- I've been busy and away from the internet all week!

I grew up going to this event almost every year, I love it.  It isn't as good as it was when I was little.  But it's bigger and more organized.  Sure I miss it being mostly locals and I miss the canteen being open ... but it's nice seeing so many tourists visiting the beach.  At least they don't search every vehicle for alcohol anymore.

It was a little sad how few entries there were this year.  There may have been more than in the last few years, but it still doesn't compare with the numbers I remember from growing up.  At least this year I figured out what several of the sculptures were without reading a note or sign or listening to an explanation.  There was an amazing one of the minions from Despicable Me -- but they didn't win, I hear.


I also enjoyed the giant octopus sculpture.  The sheer size is impressive enough, the detail is amazing.  I hope nobody is offended by my picture -- I took it before they were finished, and several of them are attractive girls who decided to wear bikinis since they were at the beach.  Seems perfectly normal to me, but in the past I have come across some odd people who wouldn't agree.

The other sculpture that deserves mention even though I almost missed it is ... well, I can't remember what its name is.  I recognized it though, almost instantly.  The giant mouth from the new Percy Jackson movie.

Martinique Beach on August 8th

My girlfriend and I went for a walk on Martinique Beach around noon on our way to lunch with my family.  I hadn't been there in years, and while it has it's own beauty, I still don't like it much.  It's out of the way, doesn't have much parking, and I always find it cold.  But it's a really long beach.  We walked over a kilometre and were only about halfway!  I took six pictures from where we turned around and last night I finally got around to taking them into Photoshop.  It's not the best job of turning them into a panoramic, but it's still pretty good.

Kayaks on Lake Charlotte

My parents have a cabin on Lake Charlotte, and I was up there this weekend helping to install a propane fridge.  We had the kitchen rearranged and put back together by supper yesterday.  This morning when I got up for breakfast, the lake was really calm.  But as I ate, sections of it turned to ripples.  The dog woke mom up even though I already let him out and made sure there was food and water down, and she agreed we should take advantage of the calm lake.  She got herself a coffee and I put the kayaks down on the beach.

By the time we got in the kayaks, there were waves on the lake.

Usually when I go out in the kayak, I go up the lake to Hog Island Cove where there is a stream emptying into a small sheltered cove too rocky to be accessed by most boats.  But we had heard someone down the lake a ways was selling their cabin (and land) so we went to take a look.  Even though that meant leaving with the wind instead of against it.

The cabin is a nice little cabin on a bit over an acre, they're selling a boat and motor with it, and there is an ATV trail so it can be accessed in the winter.  They want something like $125 000 for it though, even though it's only assessed at $15 000 and similar properties with more land only go for $40 000.  But they'll probably get it eventually, if word spreads.

We continued along exploring all the little coves, it was quiet and peaceful.  Besides the sound of the paddle in the water, I really only heard the water hitting the shore.  In one cove there was a lot of grass in the water, that made a neat slithering sound against the bottom of the kayak.

After about half an hour we were in Northwest Cove and turned around to fight the rising wind.  I'd never been out on the lake when it was that windy, at least not going against the wind.  The water was starting to get rough, and I decided to go further from shore than usual.  Usually I have an annoying problem where when I gain speed, I start to spin.  That wasn't happening.  But if I slowed down, I stopped moving forward, and if I stopped I went backwards.  So I kept going.

It was about a six kilometre trip in the end, the farthest I've ever gone.  I was never a fan of kayaks, but I don't know why.  I love getting out in one on Lake Charlotte.  I think I need a longer one for me, though: I don't think the ones my parents have are even ten feet long.  They're great for in the rockier areas though.

I wish I had a camera I was comfortable taking out in the kayak, then I could have pictures.  Maybe I'll find the money for a waterproof one, or even a GoPro.  I've been wanting one of those for a month now.

Mud Hero!

Back on July 6th, I participated in Mud Hero.

Okay, it's been more than two weeks ago now.  But I only started this blog this afternoon!

I signed up for it because it was for charity, and it looked fun.  I even raised $100 for cancer research instead of only paying the $55 to register.  I know it wasn't much, but I've never been much of a fund-raiser.  But I opted to raise more money for two reasons: I had nothing better to do, and I lost both grandfathers to cancer within the last couple years.  I also have known several people with various types of cancer; I'm even related to several of them.  It seems like every month or two someone else I know gets diagnosed with some form of cancer.  I want to help increase their chances, even if it's only with a tiny contribution.

Anyways ... I signed up thinking "some people walk it in an an hour and a half, some people run it in half an hour minutes.  I can walk six kilometres in forty-five minutes!"  Well, turns out I walk 6Km in just under an hour and when I try to run for part of it, I knock it down to fifty minutes.  That's on a nice country road.  Hills, but nothing crazy.  There was no mud, no obstacles, and no ski hill.

So maybe I should have trained for it.  I tried to walk six kilometres a day for a few weeks, but that's about it.  In the end, it didn't matter.  I came in at 4321 of about six thousand over all.  I walked most of it but ran some to get past slow moving groups.  It was about thirty degrees Celsius before humidity, and I don't function well above twenty-two.  I managed it in eighty minutes and seventeen seconds according to the chip tied on my shoe.

Most of the obstacles wouldn't have slowed me at all, but I had to wait for others to get out of my way.  Except for "light at the end of the tunnel".  I had trouble with that one.  Basically, it's a culvert without the ridges.  Inclined, while you're coated in wet mud.  Once I was inside I couldn't move my legs, so I had to sort of wiggle and hope I was really moving up.  But once my fingertips got to that top end, I pulled myself out.

It was incredibly fun and I can't believe I couldn't convince anyone to come with me.  Well, I did, but one wound up in the hospital with heat stroke the night before and there were communication issues resulting in me not meeting up with the others.  So I showed up alone and 'ran' it alone.

And next year I'd like to do it again.

But I'll train for that.  I want to be able to run it.

Clam Harbour Beach: July 20th, 2013

When I got home from tidal bore rafting (previous post) we went over to Clam Harbour Beach Provincial Park.  I grew up only fifteen minutes away and even worked there for three summers.  It was my first job.  So maybe I'm slightly biased, but I still think it's the most beautiful place I've ever been.  Definitely the most beautiful beach.  This summer I aim to visit as many Nova Scotia beaches as I can so I can, but I doubt it will change my opinion.

Anyway ... usually I prefer to just walk up and down the beach, maybe do a bit of hiking around Burnt Point.  But yesterday, I wanted to go swimming.  When I stuck my feet in, it felt awful cold.  But I'm from here, I expected that.  You just have to wade in to at least your knees and wait a minute or two to decide whether or not it's too cold to go all the way in.

It wasn't.

It was a little chilly, but it was swimable.  The tide was well on it's way in, and the surf was high.  Within a few minutes the undertow had pulled me about a hundred feet down the beach, so I warned my sister's boyfriend (who was also out in the water) about the current so he knew to keep an eye on his kids.  We weren't swimming between the flags.  I know we should ... but like I said, I grew up there.  Besides, I'm not used to being there on a day when there are actually lifeguards!

The waves were huge, the water wasn't too cold, and there weren't many jellyfish.  I was in for a long time.  It was great; I usually only get in once a year now that I'm an adult.  I should really change that.  But the water is nicer at my parents' cabin on Lake Charlotte....

Tidal Bore Rafting

Yesterday morning it was up at 6 a.m. to drive to Tidal Bore Rafting Park & Cottages in Shubenacadie.  I had heard of tidal bore rafting, know several people have gone, but had yet to go myself.  My mother wanted to go, and Dad's brother was down with his wife and daughter, so it was decided we would all go on an adventure.

There were actually thirteen of us going; my mother's brother was also visiting, my sister decided she wanted to go and brought her boyfriend and his two kids, and last but not least, of course, my girlfriend.  The boats only hold eight, though, so we were actually separated for most of the time on the river.

I don't really know what I was expecting, but it wasn't quite what I encountered.  We arrived in three SUV's (and waited for my girlfriend to show up in her four cylinder hatchback) and stood around for a bit since we managed to be slightly early.  Then there were waivers to sign (of course!) after which we wandered over to where the sign said to wait.

First it was eliminating anything we didn't want to get wet or lose (wallets, cell phones, jewellery, sunglasses, etc.) and tying glasses onto the heads of those who couldn't manage without.  Next it was life jackets, or PFDs.  The one I was wearing seemed somewhere between the two; I had never encountered one quite like it.  No helmets.  I don't know why I was expecting helmets, but I was.  Not that I was complaining.  As it was a beautiful day, we didn't bother with rain gear.

It was a bit of a walk down the hill to the dock, and we walked past the little cottages that are available to rent.  I didn't look into how much they cost, just assumed they were too expensive to justify when we live less than an hour and a half drive away.  But we could have stayed there the night before and just rolled out of bed around 7:30 a.m., dressed and ate something before heading up at the recommended 7:45a.m. meeting.  The departure time was 8:30a.m.

The boats weren't what I was expecting even after seeing pictures on their website.  It was just a 14' (maybe 16') RIB with a 40 hp motor on it.  I didn't realize how many people were going at the same time as us; I didn't count but guessed at a dozen boats.  I don't know why I expected them to be bigger, but I did.  As it was low tide, we had to walk from the dock (uneven, since it was a floating dock sitting on the bottom of the river) down a gentle slope of slick mud to step into the river before climbing into our boat.  The process involved a lot of back and forth as the drivers tried to work out how to keep all the groups together (except ours, of course.)

My girlfriend and I got in a boat with my parents and uncle while the other eight filled a boat.  Also in our boat were two girls roughly twenty years old and their mother.  Our pilot (driver, captain, operator, guide, whatever) was a third year engineering student from DAL who didn't want the summer to end.

Our pilot didn't exactly make a graceful boarding after pushing us out, but like I said, slick mud.

The first leg of the trip was pretty much what I was expecting.  We followed the channel that was deep enough down river.  Our pilot (Kaylee, I think, might have been Haley) told us some stories about the area, facts about the river and tides.  Then we beached on a sand bar and got out to wait for the tidal bore.

We wandered around for a bit, chatted, even waded out into the water.  At waist deep, the current was pretty strong.  Then I looked up and saw two things at once: a white line approaching the sandbar and people getting back into the boats.  So we hurried back and got into our boat.  A few minutes later, the entire sandbar (a couple acres) was covered in several inches of water.

Where the incoming tidal bore meets the sandbar, huge swells form.  We spent about an hour going down river, turning and coming up river to ride the waves, and turn to go back down.  We got soaked and knocked around a bit, and had to rearrange the seating a few times.  I was expecting what would have been rather boring -- just following the tidal bore up river where the waves wouldn't be as big.

The first wave took me by surprise, knocked me right off the side of the boat.  By that I mean I ended up on the floor with my legs tangled up, still hanging on to the rope.  Up until then I had only needed one hand to hold on.  There aren't seats in these boats, you just balance on the inflated sides and hang on to the rope.  I had a mouthful of salty water and sand, which I had to spit out, and then had to wipe my eyes.  I got used to it and gave up and held onto the rope with both hands eventually.

At one point I saw one of the other boats sitting there empty, all its passengers bobbing in the water.  I don't know what happened.  I don't even know if they were a group with the same company (there are at least two other companies and the only difference you can see in the boats is the name printed on one side) but everyone looked fine.

The waves died down and our guide asked if anyone wanted to go swimming.  The two other girls got in after some debating, and as they were being hauled in my girlfriend decided she wanted to go in.  So we did.  It wasn't really swimming.  You can't swim with one of those life jackets on.

After we got back in, it was up to mud sliding.  Basically, this involves pulling up to the bank, climbing up the mud, and sliding down into the water.  We were warned not to put our feet down and dig them in, because that has been known to result in sprains and broken limbs.

This actually may have been the most fun part of the trip.  I can't explain how fun it was.  It was like a cross between sledding and a water-slide, but it was like playing in the mud when you're a kid at the same time.  It was great.

After that it was just heading back up the river to rinse off and change.  I'd love to do it again, but it's a bit expensive.  Next summer, though, I'm doing the four hour run.  Anyone want to join me?