FanningSparks – Page 19 – A DIY and lifestyle blog authored by Peg Frizzell.

Best Seat in the Park

“I see them! The red chairs are over here!” was our jubilant cry when we spotted the iconic red Adirondack chairs. Over 200 pairs of the distinctive red chairs have been placed in special spots throughout Canada’s National Parks and National Historic Sites.
Our red chair adventure began when my sister Marian and I stumbled across two red chairs while exploring the Grand Pré National Historic Site in the Annapolis Valley region of Nova Scotia.

Then we spotted a second set of chairs in the UNESCO Landscape of Grand Pré site.

The chairs were perfectly positioned for this gorgeous view of the Grand Pré Memorial Church and the surrounding landscape with Cape Blomidon in the background. See my previous post, The Enduring Tale of Evangeline, to learn more about the significance of Grand Pré.

These discoveries triggered a month-long search across the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. I cajoled several family members to assist in the hunt (Thank you Marian, David, Bert and Steve!). We found 7 pairs of red chairs! And, if it hadn’t been for Hurricane Fiona wreaking havoc on Prince Edward Island’s parks, we would have found even more!
“We Saved You a Seat!” proclaims the Parks Canada webpage before going on to explain the red chairs “offer a place to rest, relax, and reflect on the place you’ve discovered”. The locations of the red chairs are listed with the explanation that, “While some chairs are easy to find, others require more of an adventure.” This was our experience, as well—locating some red chairs was straightforward but others required considerable effort. For instance, one look at the listing for the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site revealed the exact location.

We weren’t disappointed. The red chairs at the Halifax Citadel were conveniently located in front of the main entrance to the fort…

… providing this fabulous view of downtown Halifax, the Old Town Clock and the Halifax Harbour in the distance.

On the other hand, the red chairs in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park were not so easy to find. This cherished national park, which covers nearly 1000 square kilometers (366 sq mi), has nine sets of chairs. They are listed on the website with a general location eg “Cap Rouge exhibit: Overlooking Cabot Trail”. Clicking through on the link provided only this enticing description “Cap Rouge exhibit: Here is a rare opportunity to observe the basic rock types that make up the entire earth’s crust—sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. Spectacular coastal views complement this exhibit.”
My fellow chair hunters and I decided to target the Cap Rouge site regardless of the sketchy directions. We guessed the red chairs might be around the Mkwesaqtuk/ Cap-Rouge campground so we started there. A short walk along the campground trails revealed the below set of red chairs. Spoiler alert: Head towards campsite #15.

The view from this location, showcasing the rocky western coastline of Cape Breton Island, was spectacular.

The Parks Canada red, Adirondack-style chairs are made by C.R. Plastic Products, a Canadian company that specializes in premium outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic. The “vertically integrated company grinds, melts, and extrudes all our lumber in-house.” states their website. If I’m connecting the dots correctly, each one of the Parks Canada red chairs “is made from 6,469 bottle caps.” One has to admire a company that demonstrates such commitment to sustainability.
All of the red chairs are identified by the Parks Canada distinctive beaver logo.

Some of the chairs appear to have been in place for a while. I was surprised to learn the campaign was launched about eight years ago. The idea originated at Gros Morne National Park, in Newfoundland, where team members placed Adirondack chairs in lesser-known locations to entice visitors to discover new places and share them on social media (see #ShareTheChair on Instagram).
As with all change, reactions to the Parks Canada announcement to expand the program nationally were varied. Here’s an excerpt from a 2014 Calgary Herald news article “Parks Canada is placing several bright red, plastic chairs in scenic locations throughout Canada’s national parks, including the flagship Banff, to help draw people to viewpoints and connect with nature. Conservationists say the recycled plastic Adirondack chairs… are an ugly intrusion on the natural landscape that do absolutely nothing to connect people with nature. Parks Canada, on the other hand, says the red chairs … are to draw people to special places … Officials say they will come up with a national campaign for the so-called Red Chair Experience Program in spring to encourage people to seek out as many of the chairs as possible on their visit to the parks.”
Based on my own experience, the red chairs do indeed “encourage people to seek out as many of the chairs as possible”. Our quest to find red chairs was the impetus to stop at several locations we would otherwise have driven past. One of those places was Fort Beauséjour National Historic Site which is located in Aulac, New Brunswick near the Nova Scotia border. It was a delightful surprise. Check out this splendid view!

The visitor reception center was closed for the season but it was still possible to explore the site and the ruins of the star-shaped fort.

Our final destination was Fundy National Park in New Brunswick which promised 12 sets of red chairs—all helpfully listed with their GPS coordinates. Please note, we had to reverse the coordinates to use them on Google Maps. For instance, the Butland Lookout coordinates as listed, 64.962825 45.602242, directed us to the middle of the Indian Ocean! Reversed, as 45°36’08.1″N 64°57’46.2″W, they took us directly to the red chairs at Butland Lookout with this outstanding view.

We also visited the red chairs at the Bennett Lake location in Fundy National Park.

This was our first sighting of kids’ chairs—a nice addition for smaller visitors!

We wrapped up our red chair hunt (or at least this year’s iteration of the hunt) at Point Wolfe where the chairs have this outstanding view of the Point Wolfe river and covered bridge.

The covered bridge was an unexpected bonus!

This is the view from inside the bridge…

… through the small horizontal window opening, visible below, on the side of the bridge.

Fans of covered bridges might also be interested in my previous blog post, A Bridge of Oconee County, about the Elder Mill Covered Bridge in Georgia.
Every red chair we found was a victory and every location we discovered along the way was unique and special! Thank you, Parks Canada for a memorable and engaging experience!

More Info

The iconic Red Chairs are sponsored by Parks Canada, the Canadian government agency which manages the country’s 48 national parks, 172 national historic sites and numerous other nationally significant sites. See Parks Canada website, including the Red Chairs section, for more information. Or check out the #ShareTheChair hashtag on Instagram.
C.R. Plastic Products, makers of the Parks Canada red chairs, is a Canadian company that specializes in premium outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic.
The 2014 Calgary Herald news article mentioned in this post can be found here: Bright Red Chairs Connect Banff Visitors to Nature.
Previous FanningSparks’ blog posts mentioned in this post include:
. The Enduring Tale of Evangeline to learn more about the significance of Grand Pré
. A Bridge of Oconee County about the Elder Mill Covered Bridge in Georgia
Hats off to Marian for calling my attention to the red chairs. And special thanks to my fellow red chair hunters: Marian, David, Bert and Steve!

Today’s Takeaways

1. Seeking out the Parks Canada Red Chairs can be a memorable and engaging experience.
2. Position outdoor seating to maximize a great view or special spot.
3. Well-placed occasional seating can offer a place to rest, relax, and reflect.

Canada Nature Nova Scotia Travel Wildlife

Wild and Free on Sable Island

Chances are that if you’ve heard of Sable Island, you’ve also heard of Sable Island horses. There are about 500 wild and free horses on this remote island off the coast of Nova Scotia. There are many reasons to visit Sable Island, see 6 Fascinating Facts about Sable Island, but the iconic horses are surely the main attraction.

Our first glimpse of Sable Island horses was from the helicopter as we approached.

Generally, Sable Island horses live in small family bands. “Band structure is variable, but most often consists of one dominant stallion, one or more mares and their offspring, and occasionally one or 2 subordinate mature males. Average band size is usually 4-8, though bands of 10 and 12 individuals are not uncommon. Males that are not in family bands form loosely organized “bachelor” groups, or, particularly if they are older, live as solitary stallions.” explains the Canadian Encyclopedia.
This is the same band of horses viewed from the ground. They were unfazed by the landing of the helicopter and the subsequent human activity.

We spent the day hiking around Sable and had several sightings of the beloved horses. Our first destination was the Mummichog Ponds area, a well-used watering area, towards the west end of the island. We were not disappointed—two horses were standing in the shallow pond—their beautiful reddish-brown coats in perfect harmony with the surrounding vegetation.

We were able to approach without alarming the horses. Of course, we stayed at least 20 meters (66 feet or 10 horse-lengths) away from all wildlife on the Island as required by the National Park Reserve.
The Sable Island horses are considered a wild population of a naturalized species—”an animal in its present habitat for more than 50 years”—and are protected by Canada Parks. “The Sable Island horses are protected from hunting, harm, and disturbance, they do not receive veterinary care and people are not allowed to touch, feed or otherwise interact with the horses.” states the Parks Canada website.

Switching to my 100-300 telephoto zoom lens afforded an even closer look.

At first it appeared as if this mare was drinking water but, then it became apparent, she was eating the vegetation in the pond.

For the most part, the Sable Island horses eat beach grass, ie marram grass (Ammophila breviligulata), which covers about one third of the Island. According to Wikipedia, “Older horses often die of starvation after their teeth are worn down by a lifetime of exposure to sand and marram, a tough grass.”
While the mare contentedly ignored us, she did look up to check out a stallion as he approached.

Then she got back to the business of eating while the stallion grazed nearby.

It was easy to see the mare’s rich reddish-brown hair coat from our vantage point. The horses will grow thick coats to protect them through the winter. They shed their winter coats in the early summer around June. “When the Sable horses do begin to shed, the adult males are generally the first to lose the long coat hair, while some of the youngest of the horses can look raggedy and scruffy well into July”, explains Zoe Lucas on the Sable Island Institute StoryMap.

Then we spotted this little charmer! I don’t know how old this foal is but I’d guess it was born this year. Parks Canada says “The number of horse births and deaths varies from year to year, with an average of 76 foals born each year, usually in late spring, and 64 horse deaths per year.”

I could have photographed this subject all day…

…but soon it was time to move on.

Our second hiking destination was an A-Frame structure towards the east end of the island. Much to our surprise, evidence of the 1971 Dalhousie University A-frame research building had pretty much disappeared after Hurricane Fiona.
Speaking of history, there has been much speculation about how the horses came to be on this wild remote island. One popular theory was that they arrived from shipwrecked vessels. But according to a 2014 CBC news article, “The horses on Sable Island today are most likely descendants of animals that were seized by the British from the Acadians during their expulsion from Nova Scotia in the late 1750s and 1760s. Thomas Hancock, a Boston merchant and shipowner, was paid to transport the Acadians to the American colonies. Hancock either bought or helped himself to some of the horses abandoned by the Acadians and is thought to have transported the horses to Sable Island along with cows, sheep, goats and hogs. … They were introduced to the island and the idea was that the horses would take care of themselves, they would reproduce, their numbers would build up and periodically they could be harvested and sold at a profit”.
For more information about the Acadians and their tragic history, check out my previous post The Enduring Tale of Evangeline. As quoted in the blog post, the Acadians were told “your Land & Tennements, Cattle of all Kinds and Livestocks of all Sorts are forfeited to the Crown”. Today’s Sable Island horses may very well have descended from the “livestocks” that were seized.
We may not have found the A-Frame structure but we did spot a second family band of horses during this hike.

It took some effort to reach these horses after we first spotted them. Sable Island may appear to be flat but some of the sand dunes are quite high (about 30 meters/ 98 feet) resulting in a complex maze of sand-covered hills and valleys. The horses use this landscape to their advantage and shelter in the valleys during storms. The effort to reach them was definitely worth it.
This stallion, also shown at the top of this blog post, was contentedly grazing on the crest of a sand dune.

A mare and her foal were grazing nearby.

Obviously, horses are not the only wildlife on Sable Island.
“Grey seals are the most common large animal on the island, with large breeding colonies throughout the island for the pupping season of December and January. Up to 50,000 pups can be born in a given year. During the summer, their numbers are reduced but they are still common. Harbour seals are also year-round residents but are less numerous than Grey seals. They breed in May and June. This population is in decline and it is important to avoid disturbing them, either on vehicles or on foot. Seals can bite! Keep your distance, and avoid getting in their way.” explains Parks Canada
We spotted dozens of Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the waters off Sable. Those close to the shore were as curious about us as we were about them!

Then we spotted two Gray Seals (Halichoerus grypus) on the beach and got a closer look.

At first glance, these seals appeared motionless but careful observation revealed some interesting behaviors. For instance, the seals seemed to be watching us—turning their heads to follow our progress. They seemed especially drawn by bright-colored clothing.

At one point, one of the seals pulled its flippers up into a surprising pose. I’ve since learned from the Sable Island Institute StoryMap that “except for the head and flippers, a seal’s body is well insulated with a thick layer of blubber. In the “banana” posture, commonly seen where seals are on the beach or in the swash zone, a seal keeps its flippers up out of the water… so body heat is conserved.”

We also observed some interesting maneuvers with the its front flippers.

We got one last curious glance as we left the beach.

In addition to the beloved wild horses and abundant seal population, Sable Island hosts more than 350 species of birds. Sixteen of those species breed on Sable. Of particular note is the Ipswich Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis ssp. princeps) which breeds almost exclusively on Sable Island. Sadly, this little sparrow is ranked as a “Critically Imperiled Subspecies” by NatureServe meaning “At high risk of extinction or collapse due to restricted range, few populations or occurrences, steep declines, severe threats, or other factors.”
The Ipswich Sparrow is the subject of an ambitious, multi-year, demography study conducted by a collaborative effort with Parks Canada, Sable Island Institute, Nova Scotian universities and USA organizations. As explained on the Ipswich Sparrow Demography Project’s website, “Thanks to a distinctive race of sparrow with a unique breeding cycle, we can find out when a migratory bird faces its biggest risks, within each year and throughout its lifetime.” This website includes a very cool animation of actual birds migrating north, “From Virginia to Sable (as the sparrow flies)”, based on the “thousands of “pings” at radio towers as radio-tagged birds fly by”.
I was fortunate to capture these two Ipswich Sparrows perched on a dried wildflower head.

This is the second post, of two, about my once-in-a-lifetime experience visiting wild and remote Sable Island. Check out my previous post, 6 Fascinating Facts about Sable Island, for an overview of this remarkable island.

More Info

Sable Island is a small, remote island—approximately 42 km (26 miles) long and 1.3 km (.8 miles) across at its widest point—located 161 km (100 miles) off the shores of Nova Scotia, Canada.
In addition to my previous blog post, 6 Fascinating Facts about Sable Island, check out these resources to learn more about Sable Island:
. Parks Canada manages the Sable Island National Park Reserve. See the Parks Canada Sable Island website.
. The Sable Island Institute, a not-for-profit, multidisciplinary organization that conducts and supports Sable Island programs. See the Sable Island Institute website including their excellent virtual tour Exploring Sable Island, a StoryMap.
For resources focused on Sable Island horses, see:
. Canadian Encyclopedia – Sable Island Horses
. Wikipedia – Sable Island Horse
. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) News articles: Sable Island a Day in the Life of a Horse Researcher and Sable Island the Wild Horses History and Future
See my previous blog post The Enduring Tale of Evangeline to learn more about the Acadians in Nova Scotia as depicted in the epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
The Ipswich Sparrow Demography Project website provides information about this fascinating research study. See the Ipswich Sparrow entry on the NatureServe website for information about its conservation status.
Our trip to Sable Island was organized and hosted by, Kattuk Expeditions, a Parks Canada licensed tour company. Fred and his team did a great job orchestrating our incredible adventure. See the Kattuk Expeditions website for information.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Consider visiting a natural park near you. Learn about the wildlife in the place you plan to visit.
2. Respect wildlife and stay safe by following the rules and regulations regarding wildlife at your destination.
3. Be patient and wait quietly, at a safe distance, to observe/ photograph wildlife.

Canada Nature Nova Scotia Travel

6 Fascinating Facts about Sable Island

Visiting wild and remote Sable Island was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! This small island, located off the coast of Nova Scotia Canada, is simply fascinating. I recently had the rare opportunity to visit Sable Island and would like to share this interesting adventure in a two-part blog post. In today’s post, I’ll set the stage with 6 fascinating facts about Sable Island. Sable’s wildlife, including its beloved wild horses, will be the focus of my next blog post (UPDATE: see Wild and Free on Sable Island).
1. Sable Island is the Smile of the Atlantic Sable Island is a long, thin crescent shape—approximately 42 km (26 miles) long and 1.3 km (.8 miles) across at its widest point. When viewed from above it’s obvious how it earned the nickname The Smile of the Atlantic.

2. Sable Island is Isolated and Remote Sable Island can be found 161 km (100 miles) offshore from Canso, Nova Scotia. It is located to the southeast, near the edge of the Continental Shelf, close to one of the world’s richest fishing grounds. Sable is also near a major shipping route between North America and Europe.

Sable Island is only accessible by air charter or private vessel anchored offshore. Both methods of transportation require ideal conditions to operate. The weather on Sable Island is often less than ideal resulting in frequent delays and cancellations. They’re so common, in fact, that the standard practice is to automatically reserve the day following a scheduled travel date as the alternate date. Our recent trip was a case in point.
We were scheduled to fly to Sable Island on a small, fixed wing aircraft on a Saturday. Sunday was our backup travel day. Due to the impacts of Hurricane Fiona there was some question about a safe runway area for landing on the Island’s beach. Thus, our tour company, Kattuk Expeditions, made backup plans to fly by helicopter. Conditions were assessed on Friday and the decision was made late in the day to travel on Saturday by helicopter. The flight, which took about 1.5 hours, was smooth and easy.

One of the challenges in travelling to Sable Island is dense fog. Sable is surrounded by three major ocean currents including the Gulf Stream, the Labrador Current and the Belle Isle Current. In the summer months the warm air of the Gulf Stream hits the cool air of the Labrador Current resulting in heavy fog. July is the foggiest month with an average of 22 days of fog.
Fog was visible over the lakes as we flew over Nova Scotia but the skies were clear over Sable Island.

We were fortunate to have beautiful weather for our trip—clear skies, lovely sunshine, warm temperature and very little wind. There was a great view of Sable Island as we approached.

We were able to get our first glimpse of Sable’s extensive seal population…

… and its famous wild horses.

3. Access to Sable Island is Carefully Managed The impact of visitors on the Sable Island National Park Reserve is carefully managed by Parks Canada. Visitors are only allowed during 5 months of the year—from the beginning of June to the end of October. All visitors (or their tour company) must submit a Visitor Request Form to Visit Sable Island in advance of their trip. Parks Canada reviews visitor requests and trip dates on a first-come, first-served basis. Only a limited number of visitors are permitted each day. There is a long waitlist of people who wish to travel to Sable Island.
These measures are in place to protect Sable Island’s frail ecology. This was a major concern when Sable Island was first established as a national park reserve in 2013. At the time, according to a 2014 CBC news article, conservationists voiced concerns that “we could love Sable Island to death…[with] too many visitors trampling over the island”.

All visitors to Sable Island participate in an orientation to familiarize them with Sable and to educate them on safe and sustainable practices. Guidance is provided on watching where you step, keeping the wildlife wild and respecting research projects. It’s important, for instance, to stay off the steep dune slopes and not to disturb the vegetation which is holding the dunes together.

Visitors are instructed to “follow existing horse paths as much as possible” or to walk on “the hard-packed sand of the beaches [which] is the easiest and best place to travel.” Shown below are horse footprints and, yes, horse dung in the sand.

Parks Canada has also put biosecurity measures “in place to protect Sable Island and reduce the risk of introduction of any organic material including plants, seeds, soil and diseases.” This means clothing and footwear must be inspected and cleaned of obvious seeds or insects (e.g. burdock, insects, spiders, ticks); all footwear must be disinfected; and equipment or footwear exposed to horses off the Island is not permitted.
4. Sable Island is a Shifting Sandbar The name, Sable Island, comes from the French “île de Sable” which literally means “island of sand”. Sable’s landscape is dominated by shifting sand dunes surrounded by expansive, white sand beaches. This photo was taken along Sable’s North Beach.

The below photo, showing the West Light communication tower in the distance, was taken along Sable’s South Beach.

“Surrounded by the waters of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, the Island is exposed to winds, storms, waves and swell coming from every direction.” reports the Sable Island Institute website. The sands are constantly shifting.

The patterns of windswept sands are surprisingly beautiful.

Storms, such as Hurricane Fiona which recently struck the area with some of the highest winds on record, cause noticeable changes. Jason Surette, Operations Manager at Sable Island National Parks Reserve, shared this update after Fiona, “The Island’s infrastructure has sustained some external damage, like lost siding and some roofing damage. Clean-up and urgent repairs began when it was safe to be outside. The infrastructure did not sustain major damage, but the scale is large.” As the first group to visit Sable Island after Hurricane Fiona, we heard the update from Jason directly and saw evidence of the infrastructure damage.

We also witnessed some unusual impacts on the natural elements of the Island. For instance, hundreds of Atlantic Surf Clams (Spisula solidissima) were thrown onto the beach providing the local gulls with an all-you-can-eat buffet. These clams are amazingly large—reaching up to 20 cm (7.9 in) or more in length. Here’s how the empty shells looked on South Beach.

Sadly, we also saw a dead pilot whale which had washed on shore.

5. Sable Island was The Graveyard of the Atlantic There was a time when a storm as fierce as Hurricane Fiona would have resulted in multiple shipwrecks on Sable Island. I learned about these shipwrecks from an excellent exhibit at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Sable Island is called out as a Shipwreck Hotspot for especially high concentrations of shipwrecks. Between 1583 and 1947, over 350 shipwrecks were reported on Sable Island, earning it the title The Graveyard of the Atlantic. This 1938 map from the Nova Scotia Archives Map Collection shows known wrecks since 1800 (see the More Info section below for a link to the original zoomable image).

The museum’s exhibit goes on to answer the question “Why so Many Wrecks?” explaining that “hundreds of vessels sailed past each year” as they traveled the Transatlantic shipping route or headed to the rich fishing grounds. When these sailing vessels encountered the dense fog, tricky ocean currents and frequent storms that were typical of Sable Island, they often ended up on the sandy shoals that surrounded the island. “Storms were extremely treacherous for sailing ships. Vessels were simply blown onto Sable.”
The wrecks were usually crushed or buried by sand and very little evidence is visible today. We did, however, see the remains of a wooden pole and metal ring which are believed to be from the mast of a wrecked ship.

“Public concern about the fate of shipwreck victims on Sable Island led to the first lifesaving station in 1801. This ‘Humane Establishment’ was active on the island until 1958. Many shipwreck victims owed their lives to the skill and courage of the lifesaving crew. … They were remarkably successful at saving lives.”
Thankfully, “After World War II, radar and other advanced navigational equipment became widely used on commercial vessels. Sable ceased to be a major threat to shipping. … The Humane Establishment ended in 1958, after 11 years without a shipwreck.”
6. Scientific Research is Conducted on Sable Island Ironically, many of the factors that earned Sable Island it’s title as the Graveyard of the Atlantic (i.e. its isolation, unique location and weather/climate challenges) have led to Sable Island’s current role in scientific research. It started with weather research in the 1960s and expanded to a range of ecological and wildlife studies.
As noted on the Sable Island Institute website, “Sable Island [is] a key site for exploring questions of global importance. Here, scientists study weather patterns and currents that spread pollution along the Eastern Seaboard, track migrant birds waylaid by storms, and observe thriving communities of isolated plants and animals.”
Visitors to Sable may see evidence of these research projects. For instance, we saw temporary fences that are part of the Fences in the Sand study. As explained by Parks Canada, “This exclosure study by Parks Canada and the Sable Island Institute will help us better understand the role of horses on the ecosystems of Sable Island National Park Reserve.
Temporary fences will create exclosures to keep horses from walking through or grazing in nine small areas on the island. Scientists will measure and compare a number of key ecological attributes inside the exclosures and outside in control sites (similar areas but without fences). The goal of the study is to understand direct and/or indirect influences of horses on 1. dune processes, 2. ecological integrity of freshwater ponds…, [and] 3. rare species and their habitats.”

There are about 500 wild horses on Sable Island. These beloved animals are one of Sable Island’s main attractions. We saw several of these beautiful creatures during our visit. I’ll share photos of Sable Island’s wildlife in my next post (UPDATE: see Wild and Free on Sable Island). In the meantime, here’s a sneak preview.

More Info

Our trip to Sable Island was organized by, Kattuk Expeditions, a Parks Canada licensed tour company. As stated on their website, “Kattuk Expeditions is a happy group of outdoor professionals who take pride and joy in showing others the best in nature Eastern Canada has to offer.” See the Kattuk Expeditions website or Facebook page for more information. Special thanks to Fred and Devon for an incredible adventure.
The Sable Island National Park Reserve is managed by Parks Canada. See their website for more information.
As noted on their website, “by working in collaboration with respected organizations that share our values, Parks Canada is able to better deliver its promise to Canadians by continuing to be a world leader in the protection and presentation of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage.” The Sable Island Institute is one of these collaborative partners.
“The Sable Island Institute, a registered not-for-profit, is a multidisciplinary organization that will conduct and support Sable Island programs ranging from biodiversity surveys to public outreach initiatives. … The partnership will focus on the development and implementation of a beach monitoring program on Sable Island National Park Reserve, outreach education initiatives on the mainland, and enhanced visitor experience opportunities in the park.” See the Sable Island Institute website for more information.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) News article, Sable Island: An Uncertain Future as a National Park mentioned in this blog post, can be found here.
The 1938 map, Sable Island Graveyard of the Atlantic Known Wrecks since 1800 AD included in this blog post, can be found in the Nova Scotia Archives Map Collection here. Note this image is zoomable for a closer look.
More information about The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic can be found on their website. Information about Sable Island – Shipwrecks and Lifesaving can also be found there.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Sable Island, located off the coast of Nova Scotia Canada, is wild and remote.
2. “Sable Island National Park Reserve is a place to be awed by the power of nature.” Parks Canada
3. Sable Island is “a key site for exploring questions of global importance“. Sable Island Institute

Make Nature Other Media Photos Plants

Painting with Wildflowers

Spending time on the beautiful walking and hiking trails in the Canadian Maritimes has given me lots of time to dream up new creative projects. The profusion of wildflowers along these pathways is a primary source of inspiration. Only days after Hurricane Fiona tore through this region, the sun was shining and the natural world was fresh and alive. Even the delicate-looking wildflowers perked up and continued their autumn show.
Check out the vibrant yellow-orange of this goldenrod.

Here’s a pretty assortment of purple, pink and white wildflowers including a lupine, red clover, knapweed and asters.

Some of the trees and shrubs are starting to show their autumn colors. This one, which I believe is sumac, was particularly striking.

All this color got me wondering: could foraged flowers and leaves be used to “paint” pictures? The answer, it seems, is yes!
Here’s an example with foraged flowers and leaves serving as the paint dollops coming out of paint tubes.

In this next example, the composition depicts a small paint roller applying purple asters and yellow goldenrod onto a white background.

Taking the paint roller idea a little further, I tried a larger, standard-size paint roller. Four different botanical elements—purple asters, yellow goldenrod, orange sumac and green pine needles—are used to represent painted colors. I tried a few different viewpoints to capture the shot.

It’s always fun to add interest to a photo composition with a unique photo prop. This little project provided the perfect excuse to drop into a local vintage and antique shop in search of a few special objects. There were lots of interesting items available.

I spotted the perfect photo prop for this project at the end of my circuit around the shop—this vintage, round, wood-handled wire brush!

Here’s the vintage wire brush with some white aster blooms forming a simple paint stroke.

The composition became more interesting with the addition of some violet and purple lupine petals.

Building out the composition with more flowers and leaves turned the simple paint stroke into a cheerful, rainbow of colors.

Next, I tried a composition simulating a paint brush creating a long, swoop of color. The harmony of these colors and the lines of this swoop are quite pleasing to the eye.

Then, as suggested by my mother-in-law (Thank you for playing along, Bert!), we sprinkled in a few botanical remnants to add interest and drama.

For my final composition, a few botanical bits were mixed together and used to create a spray of pretty colors, textures and shapes!

This will not be my last project painting pictures with foraged flowers and leaves—I’m already dreaming up ideas for the next one!

More Info

Please pin this image to share or save for future reference.

Check out the previous blog post, 79,000 Steps and a Whole Lot of Apple Seeds, for a peek into my experience walking The Island Walk on Prince Edward Island, Canada.
The vintage and antique items in this blog post were photographed at “Myles From Nowhere Antique Shop” in Margaree Forks, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Today’s Takeaways

1. “Always try to push your own creative boundaries so you can experience the growth in your own talent.” renowned Dutch floral designer Pim van den Akker.
2. Quiet time spent in nature can be very inspiring.
3. Consider using foraged flowers and leaves to “paint” pictures.

Canada Nova Scotia Travel

The Enduring Tale of Evangeline

Nova Scotia lays claim to quite a few icons. For instance, there’s the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, the Bluenose schooner and the legendary Evangeline. Evangeline is, in fact, a fictional heroine who seems to have taken on a life of her own.
To refresh my memory on the story of Evangeline, I recently visited Grand Pré in the Annapolis Valley region of Nova Scotia. It’s a beautiful part of the world! A magnificent panorama can be enjoyed from View Park on Old Post Road.

This is also where a UNESCO plaque commemorates the June 2012 designation of “The Landscape of Grand Pré” on the World Heritage List. The plaque states “The cultural landscape of Grand Pré bears exceptional testimony to a traditional farming settlement created in the 17^th century by the Acadians in a coastal zone with tides that are among the highest in the world. The polderisation used traditional techniques of dykes, aboiteaux and a drainage network, as well as a community-based management system still in use today. The resultant rich alluvial soil enabled continuous and sustainable agricultural development.
Grand Pré is the iconic place of remembrance of the Acadian diaspora, dispersed by the Grand Dérangement, in the second half of the 18^th century. Its polder landscape and archaeological remains are testimony to the values of a culture of pioneers able to create their own territory, whilst living in harmony with the native Mi’kmaq people. Its memorial constructions form the center of the symbolic re-appropriation of the land of their origins by the Acadians, in the 20^th century, in a spirit of peace and cultural sharing with the English-speaking community.”
The flags of Canada, Nova Scotia and Acadia fly at View Park.

I remember learning about the expulsion of the Acadians while attending junior high school in Nova Scotia. The Annapolis Heritage Society explains it this way: “As the centre of power in Acadie or Nova Scotia for 150 years, the town [Port Royal/ Annapolis Royal] had been attacked by the English, the French, their proxies in Boston and Quebec, Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and even privateers!”
This map, from the Nova Scotia Archives, shows Acadia as published in 1748-1749—I added the blue arrow to point out Port Royal Annapolis.

“The desire of the generally peaceful Acadians to remain neutral and their unwillingness to sign an unconditional oath of allegiance to the British Crown precipitated their final removal in 1755 … Generally regarded as the darkest moment in Nova Scotian history, the expulsion of the Acadians has been romanticized over the intervening centuries, most notably with Longfellow’s poem Evangeline. The event dramatically altered their identity as a people, and scattered them, destitute, among the Thirteen Colonies, Louisiana and France. Of the estimated 10,000 Acadians in 1755, about eight thousand were deported before the proscription against their presence in the colony was lifted in 1764. Acadian property was confiscated and homes, crops and livestock destroyed. The number who returned in later years were relegated to inferior land at the periphery of settlement, their ancestral lands being occupied by English-speaking settlers.”
Two of the memorial constructions mentioned in the UNESCO description of Grand Pré are the Memorial Church and the Evangeline Statue.

Evangeline is a fictional heroine from the epic poem, Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie, written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1847. Longfellow tells the story of two young people—Evangeline Bellefontaine and Gabriel Lajeunesse—who are torn apart by the Grand Dérangement on their wedding day. The story continues as Evangeline searches the country for Gabriel. With romantic flair, the couple is reunited at Gabriel’s death bed sharing a final kiss as he dies.
The below work, titled Gabriel and Evangeline, is a black and white reproduction of an 1888 lithograph courtesy of the US Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

The Evangeline statue was created by Louis-Philippe and Henri Hébert, father-and-son sculptors of Acadian descent. It was unveiled on July 29, 1920. Shortly afterward in 1922, the Memorial Church was constructed. It was built as an Acadian commemorative monument by the Société Nationale de l’Assomption with the assistance of the Dominion Atlantic Railway. “The Memorial Church symbolizes the spirit of Acadian nationalism and the deep-seated desire to commemorate the tragedy of the Deportation” reports the Parks Canada website.

Longfellow’s poem, Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie, begins by describing the idyllic setting:
“In the Acadian land, on the shores of the Basin of Minas,
Distant, secluded, still, the little village of Grand-Pré
Lay in the fruitful valley.
Vast meadows stretched to the eastward”
Nowadays, a visit to the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens provides a peek into the Acadian land Longfellow describes. This is the view of the Garden’s meadows and dyke land.

“Giving the village its name, and pasture to flocks without number.
Dikes, that the hands of the farmers had raised with labor incessant,
Shut out the turbulent tides; but at stated seasons the flood-gates
Opened, and welcomed the sea to wander at will o’er the meadows.”
Here nearby dykes and marshlands provide a modern-day perspective.

“West and south there were fields of flax, and orchards and cornfields
Spreading afar and unfenced o’er the plain; and away to the northward
Blomidon rose, and the forests old, and aloft on the mountains
Sea-fogs pitched their tents, and mists from the mighty Atlantic
Looked on the happy valley, but ne’er from their station descended.
There, in the midst of its farms, reposed the Acadian village.”
Cape Blomidon, visible in the distance, lies along the southeast shore of the Bay of Fundy. The cape’s red sandstone headland and the nearby fingerlike promontory called Cape Split are beloved by Nova Scotians to this day.

“Strongly built were the houses, with frames of oak and of hemlock,
Such as the peasants of Normandy built in the reign of the Henries.
Thatched were the roofs”
La Maison Acadienne at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens is a replica of a pre-deportation, 1671 time period Acadian dwelling. Interestingly, this replica, originally built in 1981-82, was re-built in 1996 to reflect more recent findings from a Nova Scotia Museum archaeological dig. The dig at a pre-deportation Acadian farm site at Belleisle Marsh found evidence of the house dimensions, clay walls, thatched roof, interior chimney and exterior bake oven.

Having deftly set the stage, Longfellow introduces Evangeline.
“Gentle Evangeline … the pride of the village. …
Fair was she to behold, that maiden of seventeen summers.
Black were her eyes as the berry that grows on the thorn by the wayside,
Black, yet how softly they gleamed beneath the brown shade of her tresses!
Sweet was her breath as the breath of kine that feed in the meadows”
A quick aside, “kine” is Old English for “cows”, meaning Longfellow compared Evangeline’s breath to that of a cow feeding in the meadow! Not exactly a compliment we’d appreciate these days.

Next Longfellow introduces Gabriel.
“But, among all who came, young Gabriel only was welcome;
Gabriel Lajeunesse, the son of Basil the blacksmith, …
He was a valiant youth, and his face, like the face of the morning,
Gladdened the earth with its light, and ripened, thought into action.”
Evangeline and Gabriel’s wedding day arrives and the festivities get underway.
“Gayly the old man sang to the vibrant sound of his fiddle …
And anon with his wooden shoes beat time to the music.”

“Fairest of all the maids was Evangeline, Benedict’s daughter!
Noblest of all the youths was Gabriel, son of the blacksmith!
Then Longfellow interrupts the gaiety.
“So passed the morning away. And lo! with
a summons sonorous
Sounded the bell from its tower…
Thronged erelong was the church with men.”

“Then uprose their commander, and spake from the steps of the altar,
Holding aloft in his hands, with its seals, the royal commission.
“You are convened this day,” he said, “by his Majesty’s orders. …
Namely, that all your lands, and dwellings, and cattle of all kinds
Forfeited be to the crown; and that you yourselves from this province
Be transported to other lands. …
Prisoners now I declare you; for such is his Majesty’s pleasure!”
Sadly, this tragic situation was based on fact. As explained by the Canadian Encyclopedia, “On Friday, September 5, 1755 Colonel John Winslow ordered that all males aged 10 years and up in the area were to gather in the Grand-Pré Church for an important message from His Excellency, Charles Lawrence, the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia. The decree that was read to the assembled and stated in part: “That your Land & Tennements, Cattle of all Kinds and Livestocks of all Sorts are forfeited to the Crown with all other your effects Savings your money and Household Goods, and you yourselves to be removed from this Province.” …
Between 1755 and 1763, approximately 10,000 Acadians were deported. They were shipped to many points around the Atlantic. Large numbers were landed in the English colonies, others in France or the Caribbean. Thousands died of disease or starvation in the squalid conditions on board ship. … Many Acadians were forced, like the legendary Evangeline of Longfellow’s poem, to wander interminably in search of loved ones or a home.”

More Info

To learn more about Evangeline and Gabriel, you can read the entire poem “Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow here on Archive.org.
Grand Pré and the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens are located in Nova Scotia, Canada. Check out the Experience Grand Pré website or the Parks Canada – Grand-Pré National Historic Site web page to learn more about this fantastic historic site. The
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens website provides information about these beautiful gardens and La Maison Acadienne.
References consulted in the writing of this blog post include:
. UNESCO – Landscape of Grand Pré
. The Annapolis Heritage Society – History of Annapolis Royal
. Nova Scotia Archives – Acadian Heartland – Records of Deportation and La Grand Dérangement
. US Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division – “Gabriel and Evangeline”
. Parks Canada – Virtual Exhibit of Grand-Pré Monuments
. Nova Scotia Museum Publications InfoSheets – The Acadians Three – The Home
. Canadian Encyclopedia – Acadian Expulsion (the Great Upheaval).

Today’s Takeaways

1. Consider visiting the UNESCO site of The Landscape of Grand Pré or a UNESCO site near you.
2. Investigate a travel destination’s icons.
3. Weave a fictional character, book or movie into your next travel adventure.

Canada Nature PEI Travel

79,000 Steps and a Whole Lot of Apple Seeds

Fifteen minutes into a 3-day, 63-km long-distance walk, a pungent, overripe, fruity scent brought me to a halt. What was that familiar aroma? A quick visual scan revealed the source—a cluster of wild apple trees, covered in ripe apples, lined the roadside! This abundance of wild apples became a recurring theme on my recent Island Walk.

The Island Walk is a long-distance walk around the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. It builds upon the rail-to-trail infrastructure of the Confederation Trail by stitching together dirt roads, secondary highways and walking trails into a circular route. For instance, this pretty, tree-canopied, red dirt road is part of the Island Walk. It is MacEachern Road near Dunedin.

The Island Walk is 700 kilometers (435 miles) long enabling walkers and cyclists to circumnavigate the Island. Signposts mark the way either via the purple-coded signs of the Confederation Trail or the Island Walk’s distinctive, colorful signage.

The Island Walk is conveniently mapped into 32 sections. Each of the sections is designed for a day’s walk from a designated starting point, typically over 20-25 kilometers of trail, to a designated end point. These “waypoints” are numbered and identified with Island Walk signs. The sections and waypoints are defined for the convenience of walkers—trail users can, of course, walk or cycle the trail in any way they wish. Here an Island Walk sign directs the way near the New Argyle Road.

My sister and I recently walked three of the Island Walk’s sections—I walked and she biked. I’m married to a native Islander so I’m familiar enough with the Island to have cherry-picked our route! With our personal vehicle and a family home at our disposal we had the ultimate flexibility. We chose three sections for their coastal views, wooded paths, country farms and seaside towns:
1. Dunedin (waypoint 1) to Victoria (waypoint 2) – 24 km (15 miles) / 5 hrs
2. Mt Stewart (waypoint 19) to St Peters (waypoint 20) – 27 km (17 miles) / 6.5 hrs
3. Cardigan (waypoint 26) to Montague (waypoint 27) – 12 km (7 miles) / 2.5 hrs
The Island Walk did not disappoint. We saw beautiful coastal views—like these on the approach to Victoria…

… and these at St Peters.

We saw miles and miles of wooded paths, mostly groomed rail-to-trail sections like this path near Montague ….

… but also some quiet, red dirt roads like this lovely birch-lined section of Ferguson Road (near Victoria).

Speaking of birch trees, the bench pictured below was one of my favorite spots. It’s located on the Confederation Trail between Mt Stewart and Morell and perfectly situated in a magical grove of birches.

We saw the country farms we’d hoped to see. There were weathered barns…

… splendid horses…

… fields of hay bales…

… stunning rolling hills…

… and cows!

We saw several charming seaside towns including Victoria, St Peters, Cardigan and Montague (pictured below).

Thankfully, we had perfect weather for our three days on the Island Walk. The temperature was ideal and the skies were blue. At one point, these amazingly beautiful clouds rolled in and threatened rain but the fine weather prevailed.

Travelling on foot provided plenty of opportunity to examine the local flora and consider the signs of the season including, you guessed it, more wild apples!

Autumn bloomers, like these purple and white asters, were also in beautiful abundance.

We spotted a few colored leaves such as these yellow fern fronds and red maple leaves.

On the final day, the mystery of why there were so many wild apples was finally solved. “At one time every farm had an orchard or at least a couple of trees of different varieties. By the mid-1800s, apples were a part of the rural culture. They were stored for the winter in cold rooms, or dried or preserved like valuables. They were not only good for you but were also tasty … Being home-grown, they were inexpensive and thus appeared daily in lunch bags taken to school and work. They were an obvious choice also for lunch baskets taken on the reliable but sometimes slow trips by train. Cores went out the window. It would seem that both rail workers and passengers are the most likely culprits responsible for the proliferation of apple” trees along the trail, reports a Confederation Trail interpretive panel near Cardigan.
Smells are known to have an exceptional ability to trigger memories. I wonder if in the future the smell of ripe apples will automatically bring to mind my experience on the Island Walk. I rather hope it does!

More Info

The Island Walk was not my first long distance walking experience. Regular readers may recall I had the opportunity to experience a Camino de Santiago pilgrimage/walk a few years ago. I started in Porto Portugal and walked solo on the Camino Portuguese Coastal Route for a 110+ km journey to Camposancos Spain. You can read about that amazing experience in my blog post Following the Yellow Arrows.
The Island Walk is located in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Check out The Island Walk website for more information. “Island Trails has developed a new 700km walking trail called the Island Walk which loops around the perimeter of Prince Edward Island. The Island Walk is modelled after the famous long-distance walking trail, the Camino de Santiago in Spain.” announced a July 2020 press release.
The Camino de Santiago, which dates back to the 9^th century, is a network of pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. The Camino has developed an extensive support structure for its pilgrims over the years including walking routes, overnight accommodations, cafes, restaurants, water fountains and resting places. Nowadays, people walk the Camino de Santiago for a variety of reasons such as religious pilgrimage, spiritual retreat, physical fitness challenge or long-distance walking vacation.
Understandably, the Island Walk doesn’t yet have the extensive infrastructure nor the rich heritage of the Camino de Santiago, but it does have beautiful countryside, excellent trails and a determination to make it happen. Bryson Guptill, the driving force behind The Island Walk, puts it this way: “PEI has stunning ocean vistas and quiet country roads that have a beauty that’s comparable to anything we have seen in France, Spain and elsewhere. This new walking route will give Islanders and visitors the opportunity to experience our Island in a way that’s really up close and personal.” Many thanks and sincere wishes for ongoing success to Bryson Guptill and the other members of Island Trails!
As mentioned in this blog post, The Island Walk leverages sections of Prince Edward Island’s Confederation Trail. “The Confederation Trail runs tip-to-tip across Prince Edward Island and is best explored on foot or bicycle. Built on the decommissioned railway line, the main trail is 273 kilometres from west to east – Tignish to Elmira.” See the Confederation Trail section of the Prince Edward Island Tourism website for more information.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Consider taking an extended walk on the Island Walk or an outdoor trail near you.
2. Walking allows you to experience your surroundings up close and personal.
3. Long-distance walking may just be the ultimate experience-based, locally-sustainable, slow travel adventure.

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