A little piece of peace and tranquility
Jake and I take in one of the stunning views from Fitzpatrick Mountain.
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I’ve been grappling for more than a week now with what to write here about our stay at Stonehame and I’m still not entirely sure what to say. I am, however, entirely certain that I won’t do it justice no matter how hard I try.
For the second half of our extra long Canada Day weekend, Steve, Jake and I stayed at Stonehame, which Steve somehow stumbled across while scouring the internet for places to visit. It’s in Scotsburn, just a short distance from Pictou.
Stonehame is a resort of sorts, but that name somehow implies an atmosphere that really isn’t accurate. Perhaps it would be better described as a retreat.
It is perched on top of Fitzpatrick Mountain on land that has been in the same family for generations. Maybe it’s the mountain or maybe it’s that historical family connection, I have no idea, but one almost instantly realizes on arrival that Stonehame is a special place. That feeling just continues to grow and blossom as you spend more time there.
There are 10 log chalets at the very top of the mountain and 15 lodge rooms slightly further down the hill. The retreat has a lovely swimming pool and a hot tub. It also has a pond and barn and a pasture where two huge work horses and a llama graze peacefully. The horses, Thunder and King, take sleigh rides in the winter. I have absolutely no explanation for the llama, other than that it provides amusement for guests. Both Jake and I were fascinated by the creature and spent lots of time watching it from the balcony of our room.
The fascinating llama watched from our balcony.
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Stonehame is pristine, it’s beautiful, the views are stunning, but it’s something about the birds singing and the breezes blowing through the trees that somehow makes it peaceful in an almost magical sort of way. It’s a place to just breathe and be. I don’t know how else to describe it. Even our RoadDog seemed perfectly prepared to relax there, lying on the balcony or strolling about the grounds, never in a rush, just content to enjoy his time there.
It’s a place where you could sit quietly for hours and read a book. Or you could amble about listening to the birds and get your thoughts in order. Or you could just sit and not think and, as I said earlier, just breathe.
That’s not to imply there’s not lots to do. There are movies to borrow and barbecues for guests to use. There are lots of fire pits and, although we were alone, we could easily envision wonderful evenings spent around a fire with friends, strumming on guitars and toasting marshmallows. The pool was lovely and warm. There’s a children’s play area, a sandbox, basketball and volleyball nets. It could be lively and, at times, it was with other guests enjoying all those amenities.
But I’m pretty sure the real treasure of Stonehame is the tranquility. It’s a little piece of peace.
That's the view from our parking lot at Stonehame.
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