I recently spent a lovely afternoon at a place called “The Ovens Natural Park”..

I had heard such great comments about this place that when the opportunity arose for a traveling companion and I (and one of the Hobbit’s) to visit- I grabbed it with both hands very firmly. I was not disappointed

QUOTE
“Ovens Natural Park is a privately owned 190 acre pristine reserve of coastal forest, located on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, along the scenic Lighthouse Route. For hundreds of years, people have been drawn to the incredible beauty, diverse geography, spiritual solace, and fascinating history that make The Ovens Natural Park so unique. Every year, thousands of park visitors hike the spectacular trails along the cliffs to view the famous sea caves, or “Ovens” for which the park was named.”
- Angel Chapin

Admission was $8.00 per adult and $4.00 per child. If you take your own drinks and food it is an affordable day out that will give you some great views and memories and some exercise too.

Never rush your day at “The Ovens”- walk slowly, finding time to stop and stare. There are many benches to stop at on your way around. It is nice to take advantage of these and enjoy the beauty of the coastline … already I want to go back again.

Note: on warm days make sure to bring LOTS of drinks and carry a couple of bottles with you as you walk the coastal path.

Click here for directions http://www.ovenspark.com/local_maps.shtml

Sometimes one gets in a rut….things that lead to getting in a rut are time, finances, domestic obligations and just having someone to go places with. Last Saturday, for the first time in a very long time, I put everything else aside and spent the day traveling our beautiful coastline from Chester to Peggy’s Cove with my friend Mike.

I have never, since moving to Nova Scotia in 2004, travelled this route and hadn’t even been to Peggy’s Cove which is a right of passage for anyone who visits Nova Scotia yet alone lives here!

We visited many areas of the coastline on the way to Peggy’s Cove that were simply stunning. As the sun bounced off the sea it sparkled and areas of the sea took on a jade green hue- without the tell tale pine trees one really would have thought it was the Caribbean at times! (and all here on the South Shore!)

Having worked on the content for the ‘Southshorenow’ webpages for the Swissair Flight 111 anniversary it really meant a lot to finally visit both the memorial sites dedicated to the people who had lost their lives and the spirit of the local people who opened their homes and their arms to anyone who needed them.

Perhaps my favourite part of the day was visiting Peggy’s Cove & the Lighthouse- somewhere I had really wanted to visit for many years. The day was very warm and it was delightful to feel the Atlantic Ocean air-conditioning running on full power while standing on the huge rocks and boulders surrounding the Lighthouse. The landscape in this area is quite amazing…

And all that one needed for this pretty perfect day, to lift the spirits and bring a smile to my face was a car, a companion, some sandwiches/drinks and a cool box.

Perfick !