Off Trail for Nature Presentation : Halifax to Wolfville
Today we stepped off the Great Trail once again, this time to visit the Annapolis Valley region of Nova Scotia.
As we left Dartmouth from the Woodside Ferry Terminal, we had the good fortune to run into Holly again. She had helped organize our talk in Cole Harbour, and it was wonderful to chat again and have another chance to say thank you.
It was a calm clear morning as the little foot passenger ferry, which was mostly empty, crossed the Halifax harbour. When it deposited us on the far shore we walked down the waterfront to the Via Rail station, where we would catch the MaritmeBus to Wolfville. We paused to watch the artists at work in the glass blowing studio near the ferry terminal, before making our way past the Rum Runners and other shops to the Garrison Brewery and Pier 21. The waterfront walk in Halifax is very beautiful, featuring lots of interesting art, sculpture, and historical interpretive plaques.
As we sat on the bus and watched the landscape speed by with seemingly improbable speed it began to rain. It seemed almost luxurious to be inside a warm, dry bus, sheltered from the onslaught.
When we reached the beautiful university town of Wolfville we had a few hours to explore and get ready for our talk at Acadia University for the Blomidon Naturalist Society. We thoroughly enjoyed walking the main street with its many shops, pubs, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and tasteful planter boxes. It was the first day of university, and there was a certain bustle, joy, and energy from the students.
By 7:30 PM there was a group of about 30 people assembled in the lecture hall to hear our talk, including about half a dozen students. Many of them were knowledgeable birders and active naturalists, already familiar with bird identification, Citizen Science, Important Birds Areas, and the necessity of protecting Canada's bird nursery. The discussion turned more towards how to encourage the next generation to step up and get involved in naturalist clubs, trail associations, and other volunteer groups. This is a challenge with no simple solution, but many there are may great ideas and initiatives out there. One example is places like Flying Squirrel Adventures, which take kids and adults outdoors and guide them through fun activities that help them connect to nature.
After the talk we were hosted by Soren and his wife Pia. We were delighted to find a wonderful and absolutely delicious smelling fruit cobbler waiting for us, along with tea and a homemade loaf. It was a wonderful evening of good company, interesting conversation, great food, and the warm of a home that was complete with lots of animals to befriend.
As we left Dartmouth from the Woodside Ferry Terminal, we had the good fortune to run into Holly again. She had helped organize our talk in Cole Harbour, and it was wonderful to chat again and have another chance to say thank you.
It was a calm clear morning as the little foot passenger ferry, which was mostly empty, crossed the Halifax harbour. When it deposited us on the far shore we walked down the waterfront to the Via Rail station, where we would catch the MaritmeBus to Wolfville. We paused to watch the artists at work in the glass blowing studio near the ferry terminal, before making our way past the Rum Runners and other shops to the Garrison Brewery and Pier 21. The waterfront walk in Halifax is very beautiful, featuring lots of interesting art, sculpture, and historical interpretive plaques.
As we sat on the bus and watched the landscape speed by with seemingly improbable speed it began to rain. It seemed almost luxurious to be inside a warm, dry bus, sheltered from the onslaught.
When we reached the beautiful university town of Wolfville we had a few hours to explore and get ready for our talk at Acadia University for the Blomidon Naturalist Society. We thoroughly enjoyed walking the main street with its many shops, pubs, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and tasteful planter boxes. It was the first day of university, and there was a certain bustle, joy, and energy from the students.
By 7:30 PM there was a group of about 30 people assembled in the lecture hall to hear our talk, including about half a dozen students. Many of them were knowledgeable birders and active naturalists, already familiar with bird identification, Citizen Science, Important Birds Areas, and the necessity of protecting Canada's bird nursery. The discussion turned more towards how to encourage the next generation to step up and get involved in naturalist clubs, trail associations, and other volunteer groups. This is a challenge with no simple solution, but many there are may great ideas and initiatives out there. One example is places like Flying Squirrel Adventures, which take kids and adults outdoors and guide them through fun activities that help them connect to nature.
After the talk we were hosted by Soren and his wife Pia. We were delighted to find a wonderful and absolutely delicious smelling fruit cobbler waiting for us, along with tea and a homemade loaf. It was a wonderful evening of good company, interesting conversation, great food, and the warm of a home that was complete with lots of animals to befriend.
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