Trail Tales

Chances are if you've never visited Hemlock Ravine Park, or been there once years ago, you are in the majority of HRM residents.  Everyone knows and loves Point Pleasant Park, and the Public Gardens, but Hemlock Ravine is their unassuming, lesser-known cousin.  Most people (like myself) know very little about the park. Some likely don't know of its existence, others may know it exists but are un-sure exactly where it is.  My knowledge stopped at the heart-shaped pond, and the old white round building off of the Bedford Highway. The round house has always had a mystique to me since I was a youngster, perhaps because it is in such an odd spot, or perhaps because the only history I knew of it was that a man once went insane in there because he could not find a corner to pee in (my mother's idea of a history lesson).   I don't think I'm alone in my lack of knowledge about Hemlock Ravine Park, and only recently have I become well acquainted with what is one of the most naturally beautiful parts of the city.  Allow me to (re)introduce you to Hemlock Ravine Park:

Part 1: History: what is that little round white house on the Bedford highway, and who built the heart-shaped pond?

In 1780, Nova Scotia's Lieutenant Governor, John Wentworth resided on the grounds.  Wentworth happens to be the same man who built the current Goverment House on Barrington Street. In 1794, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent arrived in Halifax to command the garrison.  Wentworth then lent the estate to him, where he and his French mistress, Julie St. Laurent lived.  Edward turned the grounds into heavily landscaped pleasure gardens, built ornamental temples, waterfalls, a grotto and a pond (originally larger than the current one, and oval shaped).   The retreat was the social center of the colony for the local elite, and activities included garden parties, picnics, concerts, and winter skating parties on the pond after sleigh rides from Halifax. In 1800, Edward and St. Laurent left Halifax, and the grounds were turned over to Governor Wentworth, who moved out shortly, and the grounds fell into disrepair but remained popular with locals for its natural beauty and ideal setting for a country picnic.  When Prince Arthur (Prince Edward's Grandson) arrived in Halifax in 1869, he re-shaped the pond into its current heart shape, in dedication to the 27 years that Prince Edward and Julie St. Laurent spent together.   By the 1950s, all that remained of the original estate was the muddy pond, and one decorative temple; the round music rotunda.

Part 2: What is so good about it now?

After learning the history, you may think that there is no reason to go there now, as it may have been spectacularly beautiful when it was built, but all that is left is a couple of small reminders.  However, if you want to witness some spectacular gardens all you have to do is visit Halifax's amazing Public Gardens.  If you want to witness some beautiful old, untouched nature, there are very few places in the entire province that you can do this, let alone in the city.  The reason Hemlock ravine is so beautiful now isn't because of anything that The Duke of Kent did, it's what he and the early settlers of Halifax didn't do that make the park the gem it is today.  Since the grounds were protected from the early settlement of Halifax, the trees were not cut down to supply the garrison, unlike the rest of the city (excluding Point Pleasant Park).  While virtually every wooded area in the province has been cut down and re-grown generation after generation, Hemlock Ravine is one of a handful of places where this hasn't happened.  As a result, 300 year old, 80ft Hemlocks can be seen in the park, as well as numerous other flora and fauna that you are unlikely to see elsewhere around the city.  Halifax is known as the city of trees, but to see genuine old growth forest is a rarity throughout the province.. You can visit Hemlock Ravine, quickly forget you are in the city, and be re-acquainted with nature all within a 20 minute drive of most of the HRM. 

The city of Halifax has owned the 200 acre grounds since 1977.  The treasures contained in the park include 300 year old Hemlock trees which grow along the banks of the Ravine.  The Eastern Hemlock tree can live up to 450 years, and can be identified by their droopy, feathery, dark green, flat needle foliage in flat sprays of branches and their unusually small cones.  It was once dominant throughout Nova Scotia, but extensive logging greatly reduced their numbers and all but eliminated old stands. Fortunately, when given the chance, they do re-generate easily.  Hemlocks are considered a soft wood, but are actually incredibly hard.  Natives made a poultice (a medicinal, warm compress) from the inner bark, and early settlers made hemlock tea to induce sweating (not to be confused with the poison that Socrates drank, which is from an un-related herb.)

The undergrowth of the park is not typical of an old-growth forest, there are however small pockets of climax conifer forest of the quartzite barrens.  Look for painted trillium (endangered, do not pick)  in the mossy carpet of the spruce trees in June. Hobblebush grows here, as well as elderberry in the fall. In the northern part of the park, which has been hit by numerous fires in the past, there is a growth of red maple trees. Recommended reading: "Trees And Shrubs Of The Maritimes" 

Animals include red squirrels and white tailed deer. flying squirrels, raccoons, red foxes and owls have also been sited.

Part 4: Go there, explore, enjoy, relax, appreciate, contemplate and be sure to look upward.

Hemlock Ravine Links:  Photos , Videos, Park Info

It has been a while since I had last visited Cape Breton, and as the summer wound down, I decided I needed to do a few "summerly" things before the great weather passed without anything significant to remember it by.  My friend's family has a cottage in East Bay, on the Bras D'ors lake, and it had been a couple of years since both he and I visited.

The drive to Cape Breton is always enjoyable in the summer, as the scenery gets progressively better the further you go.  Entering Antigonish County, "the highland heart of Nova Scotia" you begin to get a feel for the highland landscape, and begin to see the Celtic heritage that Nova Scotia is rooted in. Past this point, anywhere you go at any given time, you are likely to hear bagpipes, fiddles and people indulging in a few spirited drinks at a local ceilidh or festival.  

In the words of local Cape Bretoners; the day the Canso Causeway was constructed, was the day that Canada joined Cape Breton.  That statement gives you a perfect insight into the sense of humour and pride present within them all.  To this day, the causeway provides a landmark which crosses into beautiful scenery, great people,  proud culture and storied history. 

The arrival at my friends cottage is met with extreme relaxation and summertime good feelings, and an urge to do absolutely nothing.  Upon arrival in Cape Breton, it is customary to first visit the liquor store, and stock up on Gaelic celebration fuel (beer, whisky and wine).  Once set up at the cottage, all that was left to do was unpack, put beer in the fridge, locate the most comfortable deck chair, and take some deep breaths of the warm salty air.  The Bras D'ors lakes are not what we are used to when we think of lakes.  They are salt water, and the largest of their kind in the world ( According to myself? ).  Boating and swimming in the lake was fantastic, warm like most lakes in August, salty like the ocean, and endlessly large. Since the lake is salt water, many salt water fish live here.  Jigging for cod is something you can't do in any other lake, and something I am equally unsuccessful at regardless of location. 

Our days were spent on and around the lake, exploring islands, swimming, fishing and boating.  The water was as warm as a heated pool, the rugged hills were a deep green, the sky a light blue, and the calm dark waters of the lake reflected a couple of eagles who were cruising with the clouds above.  There was no choice but to be 100% relaxed.  Even the cottage is a thing a beauty. It was built over 200 years ago, by a couple of brothers from New England who ran a farm here in the summers, and returned to new England as ship builders in the winters.  The cottage is constructed just as you would imagine 19th century expert ship builders and master craftsmen would.  The ceilings look like the deck of an old sailing ship, banisters and stairs are made of thick dark wood, each piece of wood hand milled, carved and joints made without glue or nails.  It's not hard to imagine being under sail on the Atlantic, with the smell of the salt water and the look of finely crafted woodwork. 

The evenings were spent in true Cape Breton fashion, enjoying many fine beverages and having nothing but good times.  You don't have to travel far, or travel at all to find a celebration.  If you're lucky you will stumble on a good old fashion Ceilidh, complete with fiddler, bagpipes and a culture of people who have been partying this way since their Gaelic ancestors settled here in the 1700s.   

Waking up after an evening of heavy drinking, to a level which is unacceptable in most social settings, is both expected and embraced in Cape Breton.  In our case we had a miracle, all-natural remedy for hangovers.  A large cool, fresh, waterfall 5 minutes down the road provided an instant cure, and with a bar of soap, I was ready to take on another day.

No trip to Cape Breton is complete without exploring the Cabot Trail and the surrounding Highlands National Park.  The Cabot Trail is a world renowned route, first used by European explorer John Cabot, and now a mecca for people looking for a world-class scenic drive.  You can quickly see how huge the tourism industry is here, but you also quickly see how it is hugely different.  It's easy to see tourist traps and people looking to make a quick buck at any popular destination around the world.  The places are usually run by "friendly" people who are more than happy to take your money.  Cape Breton has no shortage of tourist friendly spots, but these spots are different, and it's the people that make them different.  You begin to realize that the friendliness of the people you encounter is not because they want your money, or because they know you're a tourist and want you to have a good impression.  They'd just as soon have a good conversation or share a joke, and treat you the same way they'd treat locals.  Being genuine is part of the culture here. 

The drive itself is absolutely spectacular, and no videos , photos or descriptions can do it justice.  The large rolling green hills, and the blue ocean, provide some spectacular views.  There is no shortage of fantastic places to eat, shop, golf, hike, and stay along the way, as well as many small towns and communities steeped in Gaelic, Native and Acadian history.  The town of Cheticamp is a great example of the combination of natural beauty, culture, and history boasted throughout Cape Breton. The town itself is surrounded by green mountains, and borders the ocean.  The people are french speaking Acadians, and have managed to hold onto and celebrate their language and culture amid an English speaking province.  (I highly recommend the seafood chowder, while seated on a patio).

Cape Breton once again left me re-aligned.  You really can't go wrong with a spring/summer or fall visit to Cape Breton.  Whether you're looking to hike, camp, drive, bike, kayak, fish, golf, dine, drink, or just explore, this is where you need to go.  Cape Breton is a lot of things to a lot of people, but one thing it is to everyone is beautiful. Cape Breton is equal parts natural and cultural beauty and deserves its designation by National Geographic as one of the top two places in the world for sustainable tourism.

Links: My Photos  Newest Video  Older Video