Icicles at Point Prim

The wind off the water was cold, freezing cold, so freezing cold that the water froze at it dripped off the basalt rock.   Swifter water, running to shore from every little stream and creek, didn’t freeze and there was a lot of water from all the recent rain.  Dripping, trickling water sounds combined with the sound of waves on shore, one or the other catching our attendion depending on where we stood, where we faced.

The water sounds were wonderful but all that water made the walking treacherous.  We picked our way over dry, grey basalt patches avoiding the slippery green algae under the fresh water and the little green seaweed lower in the tidal zone. And about a third of the way on this hopscotch walk we came across a verticle rock face where the water ran and dripped; only the drips were starting to freeze creating tiny little icicles.  These little icicles  perfectly expressed the cold.

Point Prim in December is a rugged place.   A summer visit is on my to do list now.  These folks did visit in June and they took some great photos.  We checked out the light house and then walked down to the shore and spent about an hour exploring.   This is one of the most uneven basalt shores we have explored.  I would recommend good solid walking shoes or hiking boots.  Finding Point Prim is not difficult, check out the map.

Black Rock Beach

Shoreline walks can be easy or challenging.  Over a month ago we tried to take a walk along the shore of the Bay of Fundy.  The walk begins behind the community centre in Black Rock and loops around to the shore.  But … oops… a little planning would have helped.  We arrived at the beach ready for our shoreline adventure and oh no! The tide was coming in and too far advanced for us to begin a shoreline walk below cliffs.  So we hiked back through the woods.  I am happy to report that several weeks later we made a second attemp with much more careful planning; having consulted the tide tables.

This walk was well worth the extra effort.  The walk in the woods was a combination of old trails that led through a variety of habitats, including a woodland stream.  The arrival at the beach revealed–low tide! Then we walked to the shore following the stream bed and began our walk to the wharf at Black Rock.  This stretch of the walk takes you over stoney beaches, composed mostly of the basalt found in the North Mountain of the Annapolis Valley.  Water to one side and cliffs to the other.  The cliffs were impressive seen up close like that and gave me a new perspective for the cliffs we often see in photos from the Bay of Fundy shore.

The footing here is not difficult, but you do need good footwear and the ability to climb up and down.  This walk takes about three hours including short stops. Check the map for location and the link to Trails Nova Scotia for directions.

On the way to the shore

checking out the scene

For more photos check out flickr for more photos of this hike.

Birthday Walk

Hampton is the perfect place for a walk on the shore.  It has it all, picturesque wharf, cobbles (small), cottages (but not too many), streams to ford (at low tide), and easy access.  Yesterday was a grey day, but oh so warm: imagine 18˚C in November!  It is a popular spot and even late in the season you may meet others. We met two couples, but few people venture far down the shore.  And for solitude, explore east of the wharves, along the grey basalt of the Bay of Fundy shore. [more on basalt in a future post]

Hampton is located on the Bay of Fundy, between the valley towns of Annapolis Royal and Bridgetown. Check the maps.

Hampton, NS, just before the tide change.

Driftwood and small cobbles