East Coast 2026 - Annapolis Valley

We spent the next three days exploring the Annapolis Valley, literally from top to bottom from our Sunken Lake base camp. We ventured into beautiful Kentville for coffee and the most delicious date square I've ever had at The Wheelhouse, along with some shopping.

Up to road a tad in Wolfville, we saw some tidal action before a nice lunch at the Kings Arms Commons pub, including a great seafood chowder. After touring some of the many local wineries (Luckett then Benjamin Bridge and Planter's Ridge), we found ourselves needing to go to Church.....Brewing Co. for dinner and beer. 

Luckett was a fun experience with one of the staff telling us tales of the winery's history, including the deal they made with Bell to allow people to make phone calls anywhere in North America from the iconic British phone box they planted in the middle of the vineyard.....so Jane called her dad!

We drove out to Scot's Bay and to one of my favourite maritime villages, Hall's Harbour. Along the way, we also discovered the quaint village of Canning, where we enjoyed another coffee and more shopping.

We made the run to Burntcoat Head for the incredible experience of walking the ocean floor at low amid stunning red rocks, pausing along the way to enjoy a nice lunch at Snappers in Kennetcook for yet another great seafood chowder. Burntcoat is also the site of the world's highest recorded tides.

Further down the Valley, we visited Annapolis Royal and historic Fort Anne, strategic site of the earliest permanent European settlement north of Florida. We also explored the quaint and artsy tidal village of Bear River for some shopping and lunch.

Each night, we would retreat to Sunken Lake and enjoy the sunsets and solitude.

Sunken Escapes Unit 5

Our morning visitor

Sunsets over Sunken Lake

Exploring quaint Wolfville

A religious experience at Church Brewing Co.

Luckett Vineyards

The phone still works!

Another wine tasting, at Planter's Ridge

Scenic Blomidon Lookoff

Scots Bay at Cape Split

Hall's Harbour at low tide

The tide starting to rise and work it's way back into Hall's Harbour

Exploring the ocean floor at Burntcoat Head

Temporary footsteps...

Tidal Magic

Fort Anne at Annapolis Royal

Bear River

 

East Coast 2026 - Road Trip!

Being overdue for a good and proper road trip, we planned an epic East Coast adventure with friends, who had never been east of Quebec. It would also be the first "test" trip for Bucky, and I was looking forward to a road trip with a bigger gas tank, more space and more tech.

After working Friday and dropping Vincent at Noah's Ark, we set out as far as Barrie that evening, to meet up with the Harrows and pack the car for an early morning departure. 

We set out early and after a small delay at the local MacDonald's, we sped across central Ontario and quickly found ourselves at the Quebec border, with a stop to refuel the car and our bodies. Quebec flew past equally quickly as we took the 30 toll bypass around Montreal and continued north along the eastern bank of the St. Lawrence River.  

Turning east at Riviere du Loup, we ended a long day by losing an hour to Atlantic Time just inside the New Brunswick border. We picked up St. Hubert's chicken to go and settled into the Morel Executive Suites for the night overlooking the river in Edmundston.

The next morning, we grabbed gas and coffee and were off again into the interior of the province. A little ways up the road, we opted for the short detour off the TCH to visit Grand Falls and witness it's power. Further up the road, we detoured again to visit Hartland and the iconic covered bridge.

After a lunch stop in Oromocto, we deviated from the TCH and diagonaled southeast to Saint John, killing time with a stop at the NB Liquor and then a visit to the Reversing Falls. We then surprised our friends with a bonus ferry experience, crossing the Bay of Fundy to Digby, Nova Scotia, aboard the MV Fundy Rose.

Once in Nova Scotia, we turned north and followed the Annapolis Valley northward to our accommodations for the next three nights, glamping at Sunken Lake just outside of Kentville. We were more than happy with our choice of lodgings in a yurt overlooking a serene lake, as we hauled our belongings in by cart and settled in to begin our Nova Scotia adventure....

First true road trip for Bucky!

Entering Quebec around noon

Welcome to New Brunswick and Atlantic Time

Picturesque Edmundston

Morel Executive Suites

Worth the detour to Grand Falls!

Hartland Covered Bridge

Quite the span!

Reversing Falls in Saint John, NB

Boarding the MV Fundy Rose

Crossing the Bay of Fundy on a dull and windy day

Back ashore in Digby, Nova Scotia

Sunken Lake for a three night Escape!

Farewell to Uncle Kevin

Uncle Kevin passed away late last year, but as per his wishes he was cremated. Given the timing, it made more sense to hold a service in early spring - on what would have been his 69th birthday.

We had a special urn custom made, with accents from black cherry wood frames he had made for us years ago - wood both from the family farm, and wood which he himself had cut and crafted.

After picking him up at the funeral home, we took him for one last jaunt across the Glenora ferry and scenic drive through The County and to visit the old farm. It was cool and often overcast, but the rain held off as we gathered around the other Coles in Cherry Valley.

A lot of the remaining family and a lot of longtime loyal friends came out to see him off. We held a simple service, with a few words spoken and some good stories told....including his crazy stunt dive from the dock onto the departing ferry which I witnessed in my younger days. 

Afterwards, the majority of us gathered at the Picton Legion to share some more memories of this rather memorable man.

Farewell Uncle Kevin. Gone too soon but you will certainly not be forgotten.

One last ride through The County

To rest with his parents and older sister

Scenic drive along the Bay of Quinte towards Picton

A motley crew of Coles

One last ride across the Glenora ferry