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?

Maritime Outdoor Family Heads to Maine: Preparing to Take a Preschooler on a 9 Day Road Trip

Acadia National Park. Photo credit.

We're preparing to take our 4-year-old on a 9 day camping road trip through New Brunswick and Maine with Baxter State Park, Acadia National Park, and Herring Cove Provincial Park among our destinations. 

We have done a lot of camping road trips with our wee one before, such as last year's trip to the Cape Breton Highlands and our trip to Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park in 2012, but this one will definitely be our longest yet. We will drive over 1,700 kms. We will camp 5 nights, spend 2 nights with friends, and stay 1 night in a rustic cottage. 

The trip!

So, you might be asking, how do we plan on keeping our busy babe occupied? I am employing some tricks learned on previous trips as well as some new ones from this handy Kids Activities Blog list. Here is a peak at what I am planning:

Basically, we have:

• ways to draw without making a mess (NO MELTING CRAYONS IN MY CAR!)
  Tip: You can find magnetic drawing boards and Etch-A-Sketch screens at secondhand stores.
• a few new toys for the excitement of having something new
  Tip: Pick items that will hold attention. I went with a bead kit, a kaleidoscope, and a bendable wooden snake. 
• books on CD
• a tablet as the ultimate last resort
  Tip: Buy a new game/app for your kiddo's device before heading on a long trip.

Ultimately, I think no toy or gadget will beat a good trip plan. We have made sure to keep long driving days separated by hiking days with minimal driving, we have found interesting stops to make along the way for heavy driving days, and we have set a maximum number of driving hours per day based on our comfort level. And speaking of trip planning, it is time for me to get back to it! 

One preschooler's clothes packed for 9 days! 

The Trip That Marries Provincial and National Parks: Kejimkujik Seaside & Thomas Raddall (Port Joli, NS)

On June 5th, we finally kicked off our camping season! First on our list this year was Thomas Raddall Provincial Park and Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct.

Thomas Raddall is a beautiful, clean park located in Port Joli on the south shore of Nova Scotia. It is big but has excellent wilderness and privacy! Some of its walk-in sites mirror the backcountry while still having the convenience of car camping. 

First campfire of the camping season! Oh yeah!

Thomas Raddall is known as a "nature lovers' haven". After being there, I would agree. Even the walk to the comfort station for flushing toilets was an opportunity to take in the wilderness of the meadowy area while walking down a boardwalk. We even saw two bunnies grazing and hanging out in the campsite beside ours, which was a huge hit for our 4-year-old. 

From playing "Sleeping Bunnies" to actually photographing the bunnies!

I would love to tell you more about the trails and show you more of the sights, but we happened to visit during 24 hours of absolute pouring rain! On Sunday morning, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast and dried our gear before hitting the road for Keji Seaside! 

NOTE: Ticks are very prevalent in this area. Be sure to check your whole body twice daily. Tuck your pants into your socks if possible. Know how to properly remove a tick. 

Keji Seaside, also located in Port Joli, is an adjunct to one of NS's three national parks: Kejimkujik. Its trails lead you to Saint Catherine's River Beach, a gorgeous white sand beach on the ocean. Its view has been seen by many Nova Scotians who don't even know it as this picturesque seaside is the face of the NS health card. 

The park has two trails: Harbour Rocks trail and Port Joli Head trail. We hiked the Harbour Rocks trail along the beach. The hike is very easy, though once you are down on the beach, strollers would not work, so babywearing is a must for wee wee ones. Toddlers can certainly toddle on this trail, though be cautious of helping kiddos with their footing on the big beachrock. There is lots of wildlife, so bring binoculars! If you are a birder, you will be thrilled (or at least the birder with us expressed as much!). We saw seals, a porcupine, toads, and many shorebirds. 

After about 2 km on the wide gravel path, the trail zigs and zags from this to beach.

In case you forget your binoculars, they've got you covered. 

The view is gorgeous and the hiking is stellar, but don't take my word, get out there and see if for yourself! 

"A is for Adventure": A Nova Scotian Kids' Adventure Book!

Hey folks, 

There is a great book in the works by Jan LaPierre and Chris Surette (from Canso, NS) called "A is for Adventure". I can't wait to get a copy myself to read to my wee one. (A review is sure to follow!)

These folks are looking for support for their initiative. Please check out their Kickstarter campaign to learn more about the book, to get a copy, and to support their efforts!


Support local! Teach your kiddos to be brave! And enjoy this beautiful day!