National Geographic launches Guide to National Parks of Canada

   It was rather fitting for Gilbert M.
Grosvener, Chairman of National
Geographic Society Board of Trustees
and Education Foundation, who calls
Baddeck his favorite place,  to launch
this new book at Alexander Graham
Bell National Historic Site. The new
book of course is National Geographic
Guide to the National Parks of Canada.
It was pointed out by both Mr.
Grosvener and Ms. Bridgette English,
Project Manager of this book, that all
photos taken , and text written were
done by Canadians.

Mr. Grosvener is the great grandson of Alexander Graham Bell.  Also attending the book launching ceremonies were the Honourable Senator Micheal L. MacDonald, and Parks Canada Eastern Canada Director General, Ms. Carol Sheedy. A packed audience attended the book launch and many purchased the book and had Gibert Grosvener & Senator Michael L MacDonald signed their books. The book retails for $27.00 plus tax and is great planning tool and companion when you are visiting the National Parks in Canada.

Bridgette English, Gilbert Grosvener, Sen. Michael MacDonald and Carol Sheedy

Read Full Post »

Thank-you Hikers – 5th Annual Hike the Highlands Festival

Wow… what an incredible 10 days of hiking. Great weather, an amazing camaradie & friendship among the hikers, interesting & challenging trails, and informative evening activities made the 5th Annual Hike the Highlands festival memorable. Thanks to you, our festival matched last year’s numbers in registration in a tough year but also increase by over 200 people, hiking more trails and staying longer.  You have given us the confidence to continue to be better and excel in next year’s festival.  Our team has enjoyed meeting all of you and developing lasting friendships.

I would also like like to thank our team – our organizing committee, the registration volunteers, guides & sweeps, evening presentors,  partners, sponsors and our friend Wally Hayes, NS Tourism great photographer, for your important contributions in making the 5th Annual Hike the Highlands festival successful.  An amazing team that can be very proud of its work.

Hikers in this year festival came from six provinces – Newfoundland & Labrador,  PEI,  New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario,  US ( Two states), and Scotland. A great bunch of people that I along with fellow hikers enjoyed meeting and sharing stories and experiences with during the ten days of the festival. Our veteran guide, Lisa Dixon said in today’s hike, I never have meet a hiker I didn’t like. 

Thanks again to all of you for making the 5th Annual Hike the Highlands Festival special.  Here are just a few of my favorite pictures pics to remember the 2008 Hike the Highlands Festival.

Read Full Post »

Broad Cove Mountain

Recently, I had the opportunity to hike Broad Cove Mountain, one of the hikes featured in this year’s Hike the Highlands Festival. I managed to get a picture of a Lady Slipper (see above) on my way up the mountain. Broad Cove mountain is a hiking trail located in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park along the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia.

I also took a short video with my camera at the top of the mountain. You will see North Bay and Ingonish Island starting then Middle Head, Cape Smokey and Warren Lake. It is a short video 34 seconds but gives you a good idea of the great view from the top of the mountain. The trail is 3.2 kms return.

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

Red Island Hike by Snowshoe

Despite being winter in the Highlands,  you can still enjoy hiking by snowshoe. My wife and I enjoyed a great hike the other day on the Red Island Trail . This trail  was part othe Hike the Highlands Festival last year. You certainly get a different perspective of the trail in the winter.  Lots of interesting tracks on the snow – moose, coyote, rabbits etc and of course great scenery. MacDonald’s Pond was frozen over so we managed to snowshoe across and take in more scenery.  We had our snacks on the beach at Red Island. Both of us managed to get lots of pictures on our hike and get some great exercise. Below are some of the pictures we took on the hike. Enjoy.

Read Full Post »

Came Upon Ruffed Grouse – also known as Partridge

Recently, my wife and I came across a couple of Ruffed Grouse while hiking in the woods on the crust. Ruffed Grouse are commonly known as partridge here. The above ruffed grouse could hear me coming and flew onto a tree, fluffed out to warn the other one of danger.

Some interesting tidbits, the ruffed grouse can  :  1) hover and make complete turns in the air when flying through thick bush 2) spread their toes whike walking on snow. 3) drum, the males do this during mating season to attract females and keep males away. Drumming is caused when the male bird cups his wings and rapidly beats them against the air.

Read Full Post »