This Kid Hiked 11 KM!: Cape Split (Scots Bay, NS)

Cape Split is one of Nova Scotia's very popular hikes. The linear trail is fairly average in terms of what you are going to see along the way (mostly a bunch of Nova Scotian forest along a fairly straight well-maintained path), but the 'peak' of the trail is absolutely stunning! Sea cliffs are a fun feature of Nova Scotian hikes, and the sea cliffs and chasms at this cape are gorgeous. 

I have heard many people comment on how hard of a hike it is, but I would personally rank it moderate. I would say it is an easy hike in terms of how smooth the trail is (there are no technical bits and minimal elevation gain) and because no navigation is required; however it is 12 km so I would call it moderate for length. 

Her new favourite thing is leading the hike!

When we planned our trip to Cape Split, we thought it would be a fun day hike with our 5 year-old. We expected her to make it most of the way in and that we'd have to carry her intermittently on the way out since the trail is 12 km after all. After hiking the first five years of her life though, this kid was ready! She hiked the whole way in without breaking a sweat and hiked most of the way out with some occasional piggybacking during the last 2 km. Her only complaint was that we weren't camping because she wanted to hang her food in the trees away from the bears! Talk about proud mama moment!!

“But I wanted to hang our food in the trees away from the bears!”

Pack a picnic for this hike for sure! The cape is the best part, so you should sit and enjoy the view when you get there. There are hundreds of gulls just past the cape (and potentially chicks depending on when you go!). Bring binoculars for kiddos to check them out. If you are really up for an adventure, you can descend to the beach (depending on tides). I would only do this if you are a more experienced hiker and understand how dramatic the Fundy tides are. We did not descend to the beach with the kiddo.

If you are looking to camp nearby, check out Blomidon Provincial Park. There is also a lovely hike at Blomidon along the Jodrey trail. 

A Cautionary Note 
Sea cliffs are incredibly dangerous! It is not a joke. People who are careless can and do fall off, and some die. Whether you are hiking this trail as an adult or as an adult with child, make sure no one goes too close to the edge! With respect to kiddos, I say parents know their children best. If you have a wandering 2 year-old, save this trail for another time. If you have a strapped on baby or a trail-smart preschooler, go for it but never let that child out of your sight while on the cliff. 


Info for baby-slinging folks

• Keep kids away from the cliff edge! This is not a hike for toddlers (see note above on cliffs). 
• Use a kidcarrier for this one. It is not a stroller-friendly hike. 
• There are outhouses at the beginning and at the midpoint of the trail. This is a long hike for kiddos though so be prepared should nature call before you get to the outhouse! 
• It is usually quite windy on a cape, so try to put hats with chin straps on the wee ones so theirs hats don't blow away. 

Planning Summer Adventures

It is somehow already mid-June. I had the best of intentions to plan out summer trips well in advance this year and guess what? Life.

So take it from a pro (at not booking things in time that is) that you should always book your backcountry campsites well in advance!If you're thinking a national park on Canada Day weekend sounds fun, be sure shooting (but don't shoot in a national park without permit) that a billion other Canadians are thinking the same.

So here we are. The backcountry sites at our nearest and dearest national park, Kejimkujik, is booked up for nearly every weekend this summer.

Sooo, now what? Be sure to know that when one adventure doesn't work out, another is just around the corner!

This summer we're looking at some walk-in camping at Porter's Lake, some backcountry camping at Kenomee Canyon, potentially some island camping in the Halifax harbour (aka McNab's), some epic day trips including Admiral Lake Loop, and a very exciting large trip (more on that to come!).

I rejoice every day that I can make time in my life for the outdoors and have a body that is healthy enough to take me deep into the wilderness!

So, what are your plans for connecting with the wild this summer?

We're now on Facebook!

Dear blogosphere, 

We are now on Facebook! Like us to hear more and share more about outdoor adventuring with wee ones! 

Enjoy the sunshine! 

Maritime Outdoor Mama 
facebook.com/MaritimeOutdoorFamily/

Taking it Slow: Paddling with Kiddos

July has been a busy month for us. I'm not sure how you enjoyed your Canada Day (in case you don't remember, it was that random Wednesday you likely had off in the middle of the week at the beginning of the month), but we decided to use the day to go paddling! 

We rented a canoe from MEC, strapped it to the roof of our old car, and away we went to Long Lake Provincial Park. Were we going to get far? Probably not. Was it going to be epic? No. Was it worth it? Totally. In my opinion, it is making the effort in the early years to show kids the joy of these activities that inspires them to love the outdoors!

While we weren't canoeing to a campsite and we weren't covering a large number of kilometers, here is what we were doing:

• building communication skills  Okay, yes, this did include a bit of "No, no! Paddle on the other side. No, the other way." I think that a day trip is a perfect place to practice the communicating that will be needed on bigger trips. While in the boat, you really need to be a team, and that can be challenging, but is pretty special once achieved!
  
• practicing our strokes  Sticking near the shore in shallower, calmer waters can be pretty great for building kids' confidence in the boat. Parents can get out and hold the boat while kids practice their strokes from inside the boat, kids can stand in the water and practice paddling, and everyone can develop a routine for getting smaller kids in and out of the boat.
  
  
  
  
  
• picnicking  After all, who doesn't love a nice picnic by the water?
  
• swimming  Swim, paddle, paddle, swim. Be confident in the water, and your kids will be too! Throw rocks, splash, swim, have fun!
  
  
      

The Outdoor Enthusiast's Causeway: Salt Marsh Trail (Cole Harbour, NS)

Salt Marsh Trail is a super duper easy trail with a unique atmosphere. It is a 6.5km rail trail (i.e. railway converted into a trail) that runs along a causeway through the salt marshes. Map here. This trail is excellent for hiking/walking, running, and cycling. 

There are beautiful views of the marshes, which make for stunning photographs. Expect to see ducks and other waterfowl. Be cautious of flooding and washed-out sections of the trail. 

There is not actually a whole lot to see for wee kids, which can make the kilometers feel longer. You will see a lot of parents who will run the trail while their kids (ages 6ish to 12ish) ride their bikes alongside. We enjoyed the trail, but our 4-year-old got a bit bored in long sections where there were no side trails down to the water. My recommendation would be to bike or run this trail unless you are just getting into walking. 

Ready Aye Ready Bridge

What to expect:
*Stroller-friendly. Bike trailer friendly. 
*Lots of wind! It is colder the further you go on the trail.
*Note: There is a long gap between the outhouse and the next chance to pee. For small kids, this may be tricky as there is not even the privacy of the trees to pee in the woods. I would recommend ensuring small kids use the washroom beforehand.
*Bring binoculars if walking/hiking. 

A Hike for All Skill Levels: Skyline Trail (Cape Breton Highlands National Park, French Mountain, NS)

The Skyline trail is part of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It is the most popular and famous hike in the whole park. It is 7.5 km return (or 9.2 km return if you do the whole loop) and is wide, crushed gravel paths all the way to the boardwalks at the headland lookoff. 

This hike is for everyone!  There are many families on the paths! They are so wide and level that are excellent for accommodating strollers. Even wheelchair users could probably take advantage of most of the hike (though, I suggest checking with park staff to be sure!). 

We were surprised at how "frontcountry" this hike felt, but once we reached the headland, the views were stunning! There are many other trails in the national park that are backcountry, so it is great that this is one for people of all skill levels and nearly all ability levels to enjoy! 

The trail is so easy that it does not feel like 7.5km/9.2km. And of course, our 3-year-old loved it and was so proud to be as high as the clouds! 

Things to keep in mind:
-You will need a park daily entry pass to access the trail. 
-The roads leading to the trail are very steep and sharp.
-The trail is quiet long for toddlers to walk the entire distance, so I recommend taking a kid carrier or stroller to give little legs breaks periodically. 
-Be weary of very high winds on the headland. 
-Be cautious of wildlife.

A "5-Star" Provincial Park for Family Camping: Blomidon Provincial Park (Canning, NS)

Blomidon Provincial Park is awesome!! Let me tell you why!

1. It is found on a gorgeous cape in the Annapolis valley!

2. It is magnificently clean!

We saw one piece of garbage (part of a pop cap) the entire weekend! As an avid camper who frequents Nova Scotia provincial parks often, I was genuinely amazed! Most sites we visit have cigarette butts, beer caps, twist ties, and bandages caked into the grass so much so that the first thing I always have to do on a relaxing camping weekend is none other than cleaning up garbage! I was so impressed with Blomidon and commended their efforts! 

(They also give out bags upon registration for garbage, compost, and recyclables!) 

I did not get a great picture of the clean site, but I think you can appreciate how spotless it looks.

3. There is so much to do! Whether you are just getting into camping and would like to participate in activities hosted by the park or if you like to get your boots on and get hiking, there is so much to do!

-A 12.5 km system of 5 interconnected trails
-Explore the beach/mud flats of the Minas Basin
-Various park-hosted events (sky tours, hiking, campfires, etc.)

4. Forget fire bans; you can have campfires any time in this park using [non-sparking] Fibre Fuel bricks (sold at the park)!!  

5. Excellent for families looking to transition into more outdoors activities! 
-If you are just starting to camp with your kids for the first time, there are activities to fall back on if things really aren't going so hot (such as film screenings) in a pavillion. Just knowing this is enough to give some parents a little confidence boost to get their kiddos outdoors for the weekend! 
-Not down with being dirty? For a super wilderness-y campground, you will be happy to hear that there are flush toilets and showers!!
-Want to be camping & hiking, but lack the gear and/or experience to hit the backcountry yet? You can camp and then day-hike the cape! 
-Oh, and in case I am not the only crazy mama who thought it: yes, you can take babies/toddlers! No, they will not crawl off the cliff while you're cooking! Most campsites are not even close to the menacing line showing the cliff. (We stayed in 18 and could not even see the cliff.)

"Don't forget your bugspray or bug clothing!" says this little guy.

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Off-Season Hiking in Five Islands Provincial Park: Estuary Trail (Five Islands, NS)

Five Islands Provincial Park (28 minute drive east of Parrsboro) is known for its beautiful views along the sea coast and receives lots of visitors in the summer months. What I want to tell you about though is off-season hiking at Five Islands. In the off-season (October 14 to June 12), the park is very quiet and the trails feel extra remote and peaceful. 

We hiked the Estuary Trail (below in yellow) with our three-year-old in April. It is a well-marked 4km hike. 

The Estuary Trail is seen here in yellow. This is the map at the beginning of the trail next to the parking lot. Please note that the "You Are Here" is misplaced on this map! You are on Estuary not Economy Mountain Trail.

Trail markers on the Estuary Trail, Five Islands Provincial Park.

Because our spring is so late this year, we still encountered some snow and ice on the trail in late April despite the sunny and mild weather, so I would recommend having traction devices with you for this trail during the shoulder seasons. 

The trail is about moderate difficulty, though great for beginners. It is not stroller-friendly and babies should be worn in a kid carrier or allowed to toddle if appropriate. One thing I should note is that because of the very windy winter we had in NS, there were a number of trees down along the trail. Some were easier to cross than others, and the trail became slightly unclear at one point where several trees had fallen within a short distance. 

The fallen trees really added to the experience for us, and our 3-year-old loved climbing over...

...and under them!

This day hike was splendidly quiet and a nice balance between well-marked while still giving you the sense of adventure! I would highly recommend it to families with wee ones! The bridges, planks, and log crossings were all great for enabling wee ones to feel like confident hikers! 

A toddler's favourite stopping place to throw rocks in the water!

Exploring with papa!

Come on, who doesn't love a good log crossing?

In the summer months, be sure to check out the more scenic trails in the park! We chose Estuary because it is most easily accessible in the off-season when the park is closed. It has fewer opportunities to view the sea coast but is a lovely walk in the woods! We even had a bald eagle fly a few meters above our heads! Here is to another fine walk in the woods! 

A Perfect Start to Family Cycling: Rails to Trails

Want to start cycling with your kids? Rails to Trails is the perfect place to begin! Let me share with you a bit about why they are a great place for family cycling:

1. No traffic! The Rails to Trails run long stretches without ever seeing cars. This is an immediate relief to most parents new to cycling with their babies/toddlers because it is so much safer and less stressful. You can tow your wee one in a trailer without the risks of exhaust fumes or rear crashes; you can ride with your wee one in a bike carrier seat without worrying about losing your balance and falling into traffic! The trails will occasionally cross roads, but one could even plan their first route to avoid these crossings if desired. 

Besides, kids think it's pretty cool to drive under the traffic on the road!

2. EASY PEASY RIDE! The trails are old railway lines! There is essentially no incline! It makes it very easy, especially when towing 30+ pounds of baby and trailer behind you! I can't promise the lemon squeezy at the end of the ride, but trust me, it is easy! 

3. Awesome trails! Okay, so yes, like I said, the Rails to Trails are awesome--wide, smooth, flat. But I mean that these trails connect to more awesome trails! Want to try a first day trip? Head to the BLT Rails to Trails and  enjoy a stop by the lake on Cranberry Run. Or park your bike and hit the trail at Bluff Wilderness Trail. And when everyone feels comfortable with day trips, why not step it up to an overnight trip? (Though you may need to hit up MEC for some panniers for this one!)

Stopping for a snack by Black Point Lake on Cranberry Run

Happy Earth Day!!!

A photo to share with you all on this wonderful Earth Day!

Hello readers (if you are still out there!),

I wanted to wish you all a happy Earth Day! I hope you were all able to enjoy some outdoor time and to think of ways to use less energy and produce less waste today! I had a great bike ride to and from work and stopped to see all the spring flowers with my wee one on the walk home! 

Now that the long winter is finally over, I will do my best to post more regularly (minimum of every 1-2 weeks) on our exciting family adventures over the spring, summer, and fall! I hope you will come along for the ride, but most of all, I hope you will get outdoors yourself and enjoy the beauty of places uninhabited by cars, buildings, and noise. 

Welcome back spring! And Happy Earth Day!