Nova Scotia Colors Retreat 8 Sept/Oct 2018

This morning the beautiful forecast outlook spoke to me loud & clear.  It said go early, go country roads, stop to embrace the beauty, but most importantly "remember to breathe"!  

I listened!  I obeyed!  I enjoyed!

I was left breathless!

On the last day of my Nova Scotia Colors Retreat the weather took a turn for the best.  I knew I needed to make the most of this day.  I had been a bit disappointed the last couple of days with the amount of rain that dampened the being "out & about" experience to see the autumn colors.  While the colors were there and gorgeous, I knew I needed some blue sky and sunshine to capture the true vibrancy.  Today I received that gift I wished for!  

I revisited places that I had stopped by on previous days.  What a difference a couple of days makes.  The colors were changing day by day and were approaching their peak.  If this is not peak then peak would knock my socks off.

 The leaves on the ground make this sight a sight to see.

One of the local churches has beautiful grounds surrounding it.  

This time I took a stroll here.  

The country roads are beautiful to drive along but they are not user friendly for pulling off to get out to capture memories. I was determined to find a way to do that today even if it meant having to park safely somewhere then even safely walk a distance on the edge of the winding roads.  It was worth doing that to secure photographs like this.

 When there was no where to pull over, I was ready!

 As my morning progressed so did the splendor. 

Parks with parking lots and places to walk were the best places to be and what I searched for.  I had a list of them written out on a piece of paper sitting on my passenger seat.  The reds were what I wanted to witness the most.

 reds & reflections

I continued on down the country road.  I went in search of the Green Hill Lookout which I could not find.  I remembered that place from many years ago and climbing up the lookout stairs to get an overall view.  Maybe it no longer exists.  So I returned back to the country road.  The views close by and down the road were amazing.

I had Salt Springs Provincial Park on my list.  I followed the directions but could not find that place either.  I drove a stretch back and forth but saw no major park sign to point me in the right direction.  So, I carried on down the country road.  I stopped where I could to admire the views.

The kilometers passed while I passed by beautiful road side scenery.  

It was time to work my way away from the country roads back out to the highway.  I was thankful for what I saw today.  The colors were as I remembered them growing up here.  What I now have to ponder is which Nova Scotia season do I want to experience next?  This beautiful little province has so much beauty to offer.  Not only is there beauty in the scenery but also in the hearts of its people!  

Nova Scotia Colours Retreat 7 Sept/Oct 2018

I received a keepsake booklet  from my friend that included wonderful photos and sayings.  As I turned the pages the first saying that captured my attention was "No two waves are alike."  I pondered those words!

My friend and I create our own waves.  In numerous ways we are so different yet in many other ways we are so alike.  We have visited with each other for very short periods of time the past two years and this get-together marked the third.  The minute we see each other, we carry on effortlessly from where we left off a year ago.

A two minute walk awaits us.  It brings us to where we feel carefree, leaving all stresses behind and to where we feel the sea air fill our souls.  The name of that little booklet she gave me is "Sea & Soul".

We enjoyed the sights and sounds that come with strolling along on a beach.  We were surprised and excited to see the Pearl Mist come so close to us as it aimed for the Pictou dock just a hop skip and a jump down the shoreline.

Another saying from my keepsake booklet that grabbed my attention is "I forget my age when I'm at the beach."  I do!  I really do!  I didn't realize that before but now I know I do!  I really do!  Do you?

We walked the beach at sunset time hoping for a sunset but we were denied that.  I collect beach glass and the beaches that I had access to from my home away from home and that I called mine were splattered with pieces of it.  This heart shaped piece was a treasure to find!

One of the reasons I came to Nova Scotia in October was to be witness to the colourful autumn shades.  I planned to invest a huge amount of time chasing those colours.  My friend was keen to join in the chase.  She was our driver and we covered country road after country road after country road. The weather was not user friendly but we both know how to save a day. 

                                   

                                 

I'm happy we got to share some precious time.  In numerous ways we are so different yet in many other ways we are so alike.  You look right at home and like you belong.  That's how I felt when I sat in that chair with either my morning coffee or my evening wine.  

              Hold tight right there and we will carry on next year!

Nova Scotia Colours Retreat 6 Sept/Oct 2018

Just go, with a direction in mind but not a specific place.  Just go to see, with colours in mind but not specific shades.  Just go, with a time frame in mind but no specific deadline.  Just go!  I went to Prince Edward Island.  I saw autumn foilage hues, I saw shades of summer flowers, I saw the blues of the ocean.  I far exceeded my time frame but that happens when you just go!

Sunrise this morning was short yet very sweet.  That gave me more time to focus on getting ready and out the door early.  The weather forecast prediction was cloud and sun and sprinkles, I predicted pretty and colourful and enjoyment.

I remembered from a prior visit to Tatamagouche an area where there could be potential for bright and pretty colours.  When I arrived it was cloudy, I was a tad disappointed about that.  I chatted with a fellow who I saw walking down a street a few minutes earlier dragging his kayak behind him.  He went straight to the water and paddled away.  I was envious.

                                  

                                     

A short distance down the road is Pugwash.  What a funny name!  It's a cute, pretty, small town on the water and this place is loaded with character.  Pugwash is the home of Seagull Pewter and the Thinkers Lodge.

               

                       

     

I remembered in my google earth and google maps googling there was a beach along the way that would be deserving of investing some time, so invest I did.

There were so many spots along the way that enticing me stop and admire.  The water vistas were amazing and I was feeling that feel I feel when I am on the edge of it.  I wanted more!

I crossed the border into New Brunswick and followed the #1 TransCanada Highway.  There were options to veer off but I went for it.  I passed the last chance to back off then after that I was committed to going to Prince Edward Island.  I was on the Confederation Bridge and I could see PEI approaching. What an experience!  I wonder what it would.d like to drive this bridge in the winter.  

It looked and felt like summer here.  I did not venture far inland.  I visited for an hour checking out scenery and souvenir stores.  It was past lunch time so devoured my lunch.  

                                    

It was time to head back to the mainland, my home land, Nova Scotia. The blue sky was ahead of me and I enjoyed that for much of the return trip.  A few stops were in order to capture more beauty, then it was onward homeward. 

A day like today is what happens when you just go!  I felt fulfilled and pleasantly depleted by the time I sat on my sofa with a glass of Two Oceans in my hand.  The sun had set, and I set my eyes on yet another "just go" day ahead.