Travel

Happy October, everyone!

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It’s finally October. Don’t get me wrong, I sometimes enjoy the hot weather, but truthfully, what’s better than colourful leaves, pumpkins, jackets and crisp air? Well, besides snow and Christmas lights …

I have a list of activities I want to do this year: Ajax’s Pumpkinville (let’s hope it doesn’t rain for a third year in a row), visit a pumpkin patch (to take awesome photos), and watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (best Hallowe’en movie ever!).

Last year, I posted a Fall Bucket list. And I found another fun one courtesy of Sarah Halstead. NOTE: I removed the date so it can be used for any year.

So here’s to 3 more months until Santa!

Fall Bucket List

Fall Fall-2 Fall-6 Fall-7 Fall-8

East Coast Trip: Halifax, Nova Scotia

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I’ve been back from the East Coast for almost two months now. It’s hard to believe how fast time flies! After sharing four posts, Newfoundland and a three-part Prince Edward Island entry, I am moving a bit more west to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I didn’t spend much time in Halifax, Nova Scotia but I can tell you the waterfront is gorgeous. It’s packed with bars, restaurants, high-end clothing stores, and of course … lots of tourists.

Locals tell me, Halifax, Nova Scotia has a large student community. Thousands head east to go to some of our country’s top institutions. My dad got his degree at Dalhousie University – a public research university, with three campuses in Halifax alone. He’s said many times, Nova Scotia is his favourite province, making it a place I just had to check out.

While I was there, I had lunch at Murphys (a boathouse styled restaurant), visited Alexander Keith’s (a NS brewery founded back in the 1800’s), and took a short stroll past the waterfront and down Lower Water Street.

Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax, Nova Scotia Murphys Restaurant Halifax, Nova Scotia Alexander Keiths Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax Halifax, Nova Scotia

East Coast Trip: Prince Edward Island (Pt. 3)

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I still have so many East Coast photos to share! For this week’s Prince Edward Island instalment, I will focus on Skinners Pond (the home of Stompin’ Tom Connors) and just for Stephanie at This Wonderful Life, Anne of Green Gables’ Heritage Place – yes, we went there!

Let me start off with the picturesque setting in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s famous Anne of Green Gables. I initially wasn’t going to share these images because of the overcast weather, but for fans, you’ll see the views were outstanding. Rolling green hills and a quiet, serene stillness fills the property. According to Parks Canada, Green Gables Heritage Place was designated in 2004 and is also the site of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Cavendish Home.

Green Gables Heritage Place Green Gables Heritage Place Green Gables Heritage Place Green Gables Heritage Place

After our stop there, we headed onto Skinners Pond. This is a  place I’ve mentioned previously, following the passing of legendary Canadian singer Stompin’ Tom.

Seeing as family history is engraved at the site of Connors’ childhood home, I needed to see it; see what my mom and her parents saw many years ago.

Skinners Pond Skinners Pond Skinners Pond Skinners Pond

Skinners Pond back in 1973. Below, you will see the old farm house and a photo of Stompin’ Tom with my Grandfather. Read more about it here.

Stompin Tom Skinners Pond Skinner's pond

East Coast Trip: Prince Edward Island (Pt.2)

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As mentioned in my previous post, Prince Edward Island was my favourite spot on the East Coast.

For the past couple of days, I’ve been trying to figure out what exactly made PEI so special. My answer:  its fresh, farm air, colourful fields, calming beaches, and red sand.

Coming from Toronto, I am constantly looking at high-rises, grand buildings, busy, traffic congested streets and a bustling downtown. But sometimes its nice to reflect and reconnect with the world – something I did while enjoying the scenery of Prince Edward Island.

For my second post, I want to focus on my experience in the capital.

During my stay in PEI, I stayed in Charlottetown – the best choice, considering there’s lots to do in the downtown (ie., restaurants, parks and the waterfront), along with a slew of bed and breakfasts and hotels. But what I remember most about this “busy” city is the cuisine. Shying away from seafood for more than a decade, I experienced my first lobster at Lobster on the Wharf (2 Prince St., overlooking the water) and oyster at Sim’s Corner Steakhouse and Oyster Bar (86 Queen St., on the downtown strip).

Sim's Corner Steakhouse and oyster bar Sim's Corner Steakhouse and oyster bar Lobster on the wharf Lobster on the Wharf

We also managed to find time to stop by the Prince Edward Island Brewing Company, watch the sunset at Brighton Beach Range Lighthouse (shining towards the entrance of the Charlottetown harbour) and wander the downtown to capture the city’s nightlife.

PEI Brewing Company PEI Brewing Company
Brighton Beach Range lighthouse Brighton Beach Range lighthouse Charlottetown

East Coast Trip: Prince Edward Island (Pt.1)

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There’s no question about it, Prince Edward Island was my favourite destination on the East Coast.

I stayed in PEI for three days – the longest stop during our travels. We managed to drive the entire island, including North Cape, Green Gables Shore, Points East Coastal and Charlottetown.

My journey there will be divided into a couple of posts. To start, I’d like to share my  experiences at the North Lake Habour and Point Prim Peninsula.

North Lake Harbour is located in Kings County in the eastern portion of Prince Edward Island. We managed to arrive there before lunch, as the fisherman returned with their lobster haul. While on site, we met a couple of friendly workers – including one man originally from the Toronto, On. area – while a few others seemed (understandably) territorial.

North Lake Harbour, Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island Lobster North Lake Harbour, Prince Edward Island

Near the end of the day, we discovered (my now favourite) lighthouse in PEI: Point Prim. According to Tourism PEI, Point Prim was “named after the ship which brought the first Scottish settlers to the Island … Point Prim Lighthouse, perched on the outer-most tip of the peninsula, is not only the Island’s oldest lighthouse but also the only circular brick lighthouse in Canada.”

We loved the area so much, we came back to relax and watch the sunset. But before we left, I watched the sun go down in the purple sky and told myself I’d never forget the beauty of Prince Edward Island.

Point Prim, Prince Edward Island
Point Prim, Prince Edward Island
Point Prim, Prince Edward Island Point Prim, Prince Edward Island Point Prim, Prince Edward Island