Nova Scotia II

Leaving Peggy's Cove we traveled west along the southern coast and spent two nights at Heron's Rest*, a gorgeous cottage on a wooded hillside at the end of a gravel road. When we arrived our hostess showed us around. At the bottom of a slope was a gurgling, completely deserted stretch of Petite Riviere waiting for us to jump in and play, which we did in due course. Good thing, too: Hurricane Arthur complicated outdoor activities the next day so our first dip was also our last, but it was memorable. The cottage was built by a shipwright, we were told. After weathering the hurricane inside with nary a creak nor rattle, we were convinced of its storm-worthiness.  

Petite Riviere

Our trip stuck mostly to the coasts, but we took one leg through the center of the western part of Nova Scotia. In the interior is Kejimkujik National Park (shortened to "Keji" by most). We had only part of a day to spend in that beautiful place. We chose to hike a trail to Peter Point, at the end of which one emerges onto a small sandy beach on a pristine lake. Like many spots we visited, it was deserted. That was one of many "oh, wow" moments.

Beach at Peter Point

View from Peter Point

*Heron's Rest was one of several excellent lodgings Susan booked through Airbnb. We really like this approach. We avoid overpriced hotels. There are scads of choices in location and types of lodging. And we have met many gracious, helpful hosts eager to point us toward the best sights, sounds, and food (in Halifax they even gave us bus tokens...thanks, Tim and Colleen!) If you travel, you should try it.

On the subject of travel tips, here's another: travel with someone who loves to travel, loves to plan travel, and loves you.

Susan, Travel Ace

The details:
(Petite Riviere) Pentax K-5 handheld 1/250 sec. at f/8, ISO 800, 34mm (smc Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM)
(Beach) Pentax K-5 handheld 1/50 sec. at f/9, ISO 200, 16mm (smc Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM)
(View) Pentax K-5 handheld 1/400 sec. at f/9, ISO 400, 28mm (smc Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM)
(Susan) Pentax K-5 handheld 1/2000 sec. at f/8, ISO 400, 28mm (smc Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM)