First Week in Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Me and my new hair doo! A nearby pasture.

Well, this will be my first full week in Wolfville and so far things are going well. I met my supervisor, John Colton, today for the first time and he took me for a drive around the area to show me some of the sights. He took me several places including 'Mosquito Point', the 'Ridge', and the 'North Mountain' just east of Wolfville. He also showed me a series of fresh water lakes and dams where I can kayak or swim on nicer days.

We also talked about school and some of the work opportunities available to me this summer if I should be so inclined. (I am.) We spoke briefly about my interests in regard to research projects and I shared that my preference is in the area of Sustainable/Aboriginal Tourism and/or Sustainable Ecotourism. My impression so far is that I will be quite busy this coming September, but it will fun to find a thesis/project that I can get started with. John has some ideas that we can discuss and we'll see what happens.

I have a lot of questions still but felt that our first meeting went very well. Oh, he also set up a time where I'll be able to meet several other faculty members at a coffee meet-n-greet tomorrow morning which will be nice. Another fun thing is that I was invited for 'wine and dessert' at another of the faculty's homes - Susan and John, and was treated to a wonderful glass of wine and fresh, still warm from the oven, blueberry cobbler. Ok, I will repeat that ----- fresh, still warm from the oven blueberry cobbler. As a Yukon girl this was a rare treat - one I'd never actually had before and better yet there was ice cream on top. I should have taken pictures lol. Wow! Seriously they can adopt me. My apologies for not having a picture but it disappeared so quickly I didn't have the time to get the camera. :)

Oh, and one other good bit - I have an interview with an elderly lady in town tomorrow who is looking for a roomy. Her name is Doreen and she would like some company and someone to take meals with two or three times a week. I'm hoping this works out well and we hit it off as that will solve my 'relocation' problems just like that!

Note: I was informed by Sandra from LaCrosse, Wisconsin that my 'Eagle' featured in the blog dated June 21/22nd was in fact a 'Turkey Vulture'. This of course highlights my lack of knowledge of our winged friends but thanks for Sandra and Sonny for letting me know. I still think it was a great picture!

Note: I have yet to figure out who has won the 'framed picture' but I will get on that tomorrow. Once I figure out who that lucky person is I will let everyone know to make sure there are no 'naysayers' about the distance and the winner can pick the photo of their choice from those on the blog site to have framed and sent to them. I'll keep you posted.

This will be a great week here in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Kelly Date July 5, 2009

I had such a great day today.  I'm actually feeling more rested and starting to get a few things done.  I spent most of the morning working on photos and then took Mr. Finnigan for a walk down the road to three of the closest fruit stands.  I would have to admit I've never lived quite so close to a fruit stand before and I'm like'n it lol. 

I picked up some strawberries of course and had myself a little Strawberry Festival all of my own along with some fresh snap peas.  I took the picture of the fruit of someone else's labour ha.  I also included a picture of one of the u-picks just across from the farmer's market.  Mr. Finnigan and I sat down on the edge of the roadway to take the pictures.  It was so nice outside we kinda just wandered around taking in the sights. 

     

After that we drove out to Kentville which is a wonderful town just south of here.  

It is especially pretty with timeless homes, meandering streets with massive lawns, and a river that runs through the middle of town.  I also stopped at local Vineyard 'Muir Murray' and took the following picture of the Blomidon Peninsula.  This the view from the vineyard. 

The rest of the night Mr. Finnigan and I spent hanging out watching "The Lord of the Rings" and doing the blog.  Well that's what I did anyway; apparently Mr. Finningan had a long nap on his mind lol.  

Tomorrow is Monday and I'm hoping to touch base with John Colton so I can get a better idea of what is ahead for me.  I'm also hoping a few people will be contacting me about a place to stay.  I have other things to do as well, but they are rather boring so I will spare you the details. 

Here's hoping you have a great day!

Exploring Wolfville

Old School Gas Pump

My second day in Wolfville was much more laid back and relaxed which I enjoyed immensely.  I still feel a bit like I've been on some big race and haven't quite gotten on the track.  I spent the morning catching up on some paperwork and the afternoon handing out 'situation wanted' type ads so I can hopefully find a place to stay this September.  I'll have to wait and see what happens.

Statue in Garden

Mr. Finnigan and I wandered around downtown being quite lazy and got some ice cream at a local stand - $3.00 for a large double scoop.  I don't know where you're from but to me that's a screamin deal.

It was very hot out as well so we hightailed it back to the apartment to watch tv.  Yes, I know I should be doing something more like hiking, exploring, and climbing mountains but 'I'm just not that in to it' lol.

Local Pub Singer

I have a feeling it will take a couple more down days to get sufficiently bored to get up and outta here to do these things.  I guess my focus right now is to just lay low and get myself sorted around and everything out of my car.  I do have rather a lot of stuff in the car and so far I've managed to withdraw only minimal deposits lol.  Oh well, its all fun and I am doing well.  Mr. Finnigan as well is having fun and sleeping a lot.  

I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring but I'm up for any eventuality....well maybe not any.  Should be fun!

Kelly Date July 3, 2009

Well, my first day in Wolfville went very well all things considered.  I was still quite tired but did manage to get out and pick up a few groceries and items for my new digs.  I even managed to get my hair done.  Would you believe I received a cut and color for the mere sum of $65.00.  I'm still in shock lol.  Some things are definitely a little less expensive.  Karen took me for a drive to New Minas which is just down the road and the place where most of the major services are available such as CanTire, Sobeys, Walmart etc.  There are at least five fruit stands within a mile of here and I can't wait to stop by - there are two within easy walking distance and I'll be up for that tomorrow.  

    

I ended up going for a walk later that evening and spent some time getting a few pictures which I've included for you.  I found a lovely garden near here and asked permission to take some photos. The gentleman who answered the door was very nice and made a few suggestions but did point out a few sections of the garden I might be interested in.  I also ended up in a small outdoor restaurant listening to live music and enjoying the evening air.  All in all it was a great day and I managed to get a number of things accomplished.  Well not much really but I am feeling a bit more relaxed.  Tomorrow is another day....

Kelly Date July 2, 2009

I made it! I made it! I made it!  Gawd what a long drive.  I'm finding it rather surreal actually and I'm sure it will take me a bit of time to get sorted around and my bearings.  I started at 5:30a.m. and drove from just west of Fredericton to Wolfville which isn't too far really, but of course I had to detour twice to do the scenic route and take some photos.  The first was to Shediac on the coast of New Brunswick to dip my feet in the water of the Atlantic Ocean.  Well, it was actually the Northumberland Strait but close enough for me.  See picture to the right as it was my first view of the east coast and made me smile profusely lol. 

The second detour was to do the 'Sunshine Trail' along the border of NB and NS and follows the coastline all the way down and around to Wolfville.  These areas are very picturesque - it seems everyone had a Canadian flag out and the lawns were all cut which I find not at all rural BC'ish. I found the drive to be quite beautiful and the coastline is spectacular - my first view of the Bay of Fundy was amazing - the tide was obviously 'out' and the earth was a wonderful ochre color of red.  The roads are cool as well and they are named such things as the 'Old Mill Rd.' and 'Green Lane' and there is even a 'Kelly Road'.  So I will have to go there and see that ha.  I stopped at a small place to eat along the way and ordered the seafood chowder.  All I can say is 'Wow' - it was very good.

 

My first impression of Wolfville is that it is a very quaint, lovely little town.  The main street/highway runs right through the middle and it is lined with little shops, restaurants, pubs, and various establishments in amongst some of the most interesting and beautiful old school homes I've ever seen.  I will be out in force tomorrow to get some pictures. I have since met Karen, my new roommate, had the grand tour of the area, and eaten at one of the local pubs.  

Would have to say it is good to be here, but I'm am very much missing my 'space' in BC.  Leaving there was so hard and it will take a bit of time to sort myself around.  To all my family and friends and special people in my life I send my love, hugs, and kisses. 

I have decided to continue to blog my adventures and next up it seems would be to get myself established here in Wolfville and begin the process of obtaining my masters.  It should be fun so stay tuned for more of "From Here to Acadia".  

Driving Driving Driving Driving Driving

Well, Canada Day was spent driving, and driving, and driving, and driving lol.  I left Arnold and Ann Marie's around 10:30 (yes, a bit late ha) but once on the road I actually managed to get out of Montreal with relatively little stress thanks to Arnold's most excellent direction giving.  (Thanks again to both of them for making my short stay in Montreal so memorable!) However, I did miss one turn when on the mainland and ended up in a little community called Richellou (sp?).  What a great place and very picturesque and slow of pace.  I stopped only once to get some freshly picked strawberries at a roadside u-pick.  A total of $6.00's provided me with good eats all day long lol.  Wow, they taste so much better than store bought.  Amazing.  

The rest of the day was rather uneventful but I would have to note that the area of Quebec just before you get to New Brunswick is really quite beautiful.  Around the area of Rue de Loop (sp?).  There are rolling hills and farms and picturesque towns in valley's etc etc etc.  I didn't get any pictures as it was raining and I wanted to keep pushing to make Edmonston at the very least.  I did that and better and ended up staying at Bath, NB last night - about 40 miles north/west of Fredericton.

I'm feeling rather excited that tomorrow should be my last day on the road en-route to Wolfville, but also somewhat hesitant at all the new challenges that lay before me.  I have a long list of things to do once there such as a place to stay, school, work, people, places and I'm sure a hundred other things I've not thought of.  Oh well, I plan to plant my toes in the Atlantic Ocean today for the first time ever.  Never thought I'd do that in my lifetime so there's the thing lol.  Another first for Ms. Kelly.  Mr. Finnigan is well, but looking rather tired of the car and his co-pilot location beside me.  

Overall we had a great day.  Sorry there are no pics, but will have some up tomorrow.

Next Stop:  Wolfville, Nova Scotia (Oh yea!)

Daily Distance: 782 kilometers.

Montreal w/ Arnold and Ann Marie / June 30, 2009

Montreal is amazing!  Arnold, Ann Marie and myself spent the day exploring and enjoying the sights.  We started out at the harbor where the Cirque de Soleil shows regularly, had lunch in the Old City, and toured around various parts of the city by car.  Wherever we went we were greeted by beautiful buildings, busy crowds, quaint old homes, old churches, and smiles.  My favorites are the doors of the old buildings as they are so colorful and each has a uniqueness to it that makes them standout.

One of the nicest places was St. Joseph's Oratory. The three of us were wandering around and an elderly gentleman came up to speak with us as I had smiled and said hello.  Turns out he is an artist who recently painted some murals in the church and he kindly advised us where we could take some nice pictures and suggested we visit the small chapel down the hill from where we were standing.  He also said that his murals were in the main entrance to the museum and we could tell which were his by the 'wings of the angels as they were yellow'.  We ended up taking his advice and took some great photos.  

I ended up taking one photo of the artist in the chapel that I thought was particularly nice.  If I'm not mistaken his name is 'Bergeron' and our thanks to him for helping us out. 

We had a great day and returned back to Beaconsfield quite tired out.  The rest of the evening was spent watching tv and chatting.  Such a nice day!  Tomorrow I'm off again to Nova Scotia.  It will take about 14 hours to do the last leg but should work out fine.  Might have to do it in two days depending on how far I get the 1st day.  

Next Stop:  Edmonston, New Brunswick

Daily Distance:  Zero