Dingle Park & Melville Island Halifax Canada

 

#DingleParkMelvilleIsland_NSCanada

On our way to Dingle Park (old British slang for a small wooded valley) that contains treed plus open areas, saltwater frontage with a freshwater pond, many walking paths plus some small beaches
 The area (95 acres) was given to Halifax in 1908 by Sir Sandford Fleming

KeyTip;
When heading to Dingle Park

Look for Anchor Drive plus this Monument
 This piece of iron flew 5kms (2.5miles) in the air and landed here hence the name of the street

  It is a 540 kilograms (1200lbs) of the anchor shaft from the ship Mont Blanc that blew up in Halifax Harbor, which then created the largest man-made explosion up to the atomic age

KeyTip
After leaving the Halifax Explosion Monument
Next look across the water to see Melville Island British Military Prison which held inmates from the French Revolutionary, Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812

Today
 It is a Clubhouse for the Armdale Yacht Club

Deadmans Island
It was a small peninsula near Melville Prison which served as a burial ground from those
who were inmates there
The prisoners endured harsh living conditions, and by doing hard labor like breaking granite or carrying heavy cannonballs, many did not last 

Today
Finally the park was created in 2005 to protect the area from development, plus also to allow a final resting place for those lost souls
 Some were also remembered in May of that year as the American Government erected a memorial which included men from the USS Chesapeake 

 

Sir Sanford Fleming
He moved from Scotland to Canada in 1845.
 He was educated at Columbia University, Toronto and Queen Universities.

His Bio
 He eventually moved up to Engineer in Chief for the Canadian Pacific Railway which led him to Halifax with the task of a Intercolonial railway to Quebec.
 It was then he came up with the concept of Universal Standard Time (1884) for scheduling purposes.

Was also the Chancellor of Queens University, a Director at the Hudson Bay Company, a member of the Halifax Club and what the heck; also designed the first postage stamp in Canada 😀
  

Sir Sandford Fleming Park
It was donated to the people of Halifax for the 150th anniversary of a government which was deemed responsible and representing the citizens since 1758,
 when the City was established 

Memorial Tower
It was built in 1912 with the City of Halifax 
and the local Canadian Club receiving many donations from within the British Empire

Tributes
Those gifts are commemorated on the inside walls with either Plaques or Stones from
 the respective countries

Engineering
The architectural design of the Dingle Tower is divided into three sections

The base is ironstone from a nearby quarry, with a granite midsection and a copper roof with a pronounced overhang.
The entrance has two large bronze lions that were donated by The Royal Colonial Institute
of London in 1913

 London Connection
  British sculptor Albert Brucejoy got his influence for his statuette in Halifax from the monumental lions at Trafalgar Square 

Views
After climbing ten flights of stairs and now looking out
 (early on known as Sandwich River)

Its an 3.5km (2 mi) inlet that extends from the Halifax Harbor
( so yes the Atlantic Ocean and its saltwater)

The Northwest Arm is Sheltered
 So an ideal place for marinas, sailing, kayaking plus of course to enjoy Dingle Park from one of the great Canadians and Haligonians
Thank You Sir Sandford Fleming

Peggys Cove, Nova Scotia Canada

#PeggysCoveNSCanada

Formed thousands of years ago by the glaciers and then smoothed over by raw nature,
 the natural beauty here is amazing but you need to respect the
 mighty Atlantic Ocean.
 Its dangerous to venture onto the dark/black part of the rocks, as a wave can sweep you out to the sea where you cannot be saved 

Very Small Town
With only 30 permanent residents Peggys Cove still operates as a village with its own schoolhouse, church, general store and as you can see a lobster industry

 

Craftsperson
The area is a vibrant community of local artisans that showcases their work through either a collaborative co-op, independent studios or curated galleries

My Picks
A) Hags on the Hill; an on the job neat encounter, as you get to meet the makers of the handcrafted leather goods, jewelry, pottery and its woodwork all at this location
B) Holy Mackerel Store; has a great collection of what i would consider non-tacky regional
 gifts and souvenirs 
C) Amos Pewter; you can have an interactive hands on experience in making your own pewter sand dollars, or watch the molten white metal cast into molds for something else you can buy
D) Neil Depew Gallery; features original watercolor and acrylic landscapes painted by the aforementioned artist and his mother
E) William deGarthe Art Gallery; this is my favorite as it honors the legacy of this sculptor
and marine painter who lived seasonally here in the village
He was born in Finland but immigrated to Canada in 1926, studied art in Europe, also the Montreal Museum and finally at Mount Allison University in nearby Sackville NB
Then he starting teaching at the Nova Scotia College of Art, which after during the summer school break would spend his time at Peggys Cove
In 1977 after his passing, the family formally gifted a collection of his paintings to the Province as an appreciation of what the area meant to him as an artist 

We Claimed It
Originally called the Adirondack Chair (from the same name of the mountains) of New York, we in Canada have adopted it and call it a Muskoka Chair
So a perfect fit for our lifestyle in this eastern part of my country

Reverence
Located in the village and started by artist William E deGarthe at age 70
It is a 30 meter (100 feet) wall of granite that he finished 80%, before he passed in 1983
 It took him six years to sculpt these 32 figures to pay homage to the fishermen who lost their lives at sea and to the families who also suffered their own anguish 

Memorial
The last 20% was not completed, a fitting honor to the man for his commitment
 on this project

The History
So why the name Peggy you ask.

Well the Hollywood version 😅 is she was the only survivor of a shipwreck who married a local
But sorry, history says that Samuel de Champlain (Father of New France) was expanding the land holdings for his country and named the area after his mother
Marguerite (Margret; nickname is Peggy) Le Roy 

Iconic Picture
The famous and most photographed lighthouse in North America (no kidding, look it up)

The first was constructed in 1868 as a wooden house with a light beacon on top,
 the next version was built in 1914 and even was used as the local Post Office until it was closed for safety reasons in 2009
Finally it was protected by the Heritage Lighthouse Act 

The Old Sea Dog
In paying respect to all those experienced and hardened people who made their
living on / from the ocean

Lobster
The season in this area runs from late November to end of May, it is dangerous work but very lucrative if you so happen to have one of those prized licenses
Crustaceans have come a long way onto menus world-wide,
as i remember by late grandfather would mention they would grind them up for fertilizer to be used on his farm in Prince Edward Island

Also in his time if you went to school with a lobster sandwich, you were deemed poor 
Well priced at $25.99 per kilo now (one pound) you will become broke
buying too many lobster rolls 😅

 Colors of the Industry
Great for photos yes but it serves a purpose, as each fish harvester uses a unique pattern of stripes or solid hues to easily spot and claim their own equipment
You will also see on the buoys painted license numbers, initials or tags so the authorities
 knows who owns the gear

Be Cautious & Vigilant
Walking the rocks outside the village and watching each step i make
 on this very uneven surface

Incredible
The awesomeness of Peggys Cove and all of its granite

KeyTip:
 Some of your best photographic opportunities is to park past Peggys Cove and walk back to it.
 Look close, you can see the lighthouse on the top right corner

Monster Surf
The sea was quite today but always showing her the respect it deserves
As when major storm systems move up our way from the Gulf of Mexico during the hurricane season  (Dorian, Lee & Erin) the local authorities will close the access roads to Peggys Cove
 during these dangerous times

Faded Washed-Out Look
Showing the effects of the weather from the
 Atlantic Ocean

Artwork
My versions from my time @ Peggys Cove

Acadian Maple
On the return drive look for this shop, the Sea Fever Coffee Maple Rum
is unique plus popular 

Florida Everglades by Airboat

#FloridaEvergladesAirboat

KeyTip
Lesson to myself; next time make an effort to read up on the local airboat companies and do not assume everything is copacetic, why you ask

Issues
 To my amazement (as i was able to read the room quickly) on how disorganized this particular operator was with his only cash policy, no headsets for the noise, trying to overcrowd the swamp boat etc,

 Then i complained to all the various safety concerns in which we got things straightened out for myself and (at first) strangers but WE ALL ARE adventure travelers, so friends at the end of the tour

Past Incidents 
 So after i did a little research and found out between 2007 to 2017 there were 55 airboat accidents which unfortunately resulted in 2 fatalities plus 130 injured passengers or the drivers
 During the investigation it was found the causes were mostly due to excessive speed plus inattention to fixed objects (mangrove islands, tree branches, stumps/roots or other airboats) 

Today & Improvements
 So after the State of Florida implemented a new set of rules and regulations (2019) to this growing industry to take it from its cowboy days to present times 

  What came out was the Drivers of Airboats, the Course Testing Providers, the Instructors plus its Qualifications now all have to follow these strict guidelines.
But after all this the State of Florida still does not require airboats or their captains to carry insurance

 So with all that above information read the reviews and only use the most qualified companies so you can enjoy your Everglades experience without worry
 

 

The Florida Everglades
It is a subtropical wetland ecosystem spanning over two million acres covering across central and southern Florida
At one time the ecosystem of this area was connected by both wetlands plus bodies of water, but since the 1800s that has changed
 As always, it was mankind sculpting the landscape through development with water diversions plus flood control structures
 The end result, the size of the National Park has been decreased  

Uneducated
Even after viewing the Alligator Farm and seeing these creatures up close, you REALLY still
need to post this sign 

 No Swimming
Some Humans Are So Stupid 😂

 Airboat Interesting Facts
 A) The preferred choice is to use an automotive engine over aircraft because of the cost of the fuel which is much cheaper

 B) The hulls are all made from either aluminum or fiberglass

C) There are no brakes or reverse on these Fanboats plus they have no operating parts
 below the waterline

 D) The first Swamp Boats started in Florida in the 1930s and moving forward are now used for ecotourism, hunting, fishing plus rescues

E) Airboats were used to save thousands during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans

F) U.S. Special Forces and the Coast Guard  use this
versatile craft

The Vegetation
There is much diversity of plants in the Everglades; with Sawgrass, Cacti, Lichens, Wildflowers, Algae, Bromeliads plus Orchids which actually are found up in the trees and get their nutrients
through the aerial roots 

The Trees
 Many different types of Cypress with the most being the Bald and Pond species
Water Tupelo, Florida Royal Palm, Red, White / Black Mangroves, plus other hardwoods that are found on areas they call Hardwood Hammocks (islands) 

Nature Preserve
The Everglades has extraordinary wildlife with more than 360 Bird Species, Bottlenose Dolphins, West Indian Manatees, Florida Panthers (less than 100😢)
 Alligators (that are colored black with U-Shaped snout) Crocodiles (color of a lighter grayish brown with V-Shaped front) and many different types of snakes

KeyTip;
 The best time to see all the wildlife is either dawn or dusk, so try to book your tour then 

Nova Scotia Connection
I could not post this blog without mentioning my local connection with Alexander Graham Bell (yes the phone inventor) as he had his Summer Home built in my area of Baddeck, Cape Breton
 
Testing Grounds
It was here he was always experimenting with many forms of transportation, like the first flight in Canada, the Silver Dart Plane for example
  From this "lab" it produced one of the pioneers of hydrofoil experimental prototypes

Ugly Duckling
 The first was built in 1905 and in 1919 one of his Fanboats traveled over 115kms per hour (70 mph)
a record that withstood for almost a decade 

Full Circle
So with that history connection, i had to do a ride on a Swamp Boat in Florida even though it is 3200 kms (2000 miles) away from my home of Halifax

Camel Trekking the Sahara Desert

#CamelTrekkingSahara

The Sahara Desert is that large it covers 10 different countries of Africa (Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan plus Tunisia) 
It has dry valleys, mountains, salt flats, barren rocky plateaus and sand dunes

On this adventure i will just touch just a small piece of it, but will still get a feel what its like to trek one of the worlds great natural spans 

 

Fun Facts;
A) Only the deserts of Antarctica and the Northern Arctic (both considered dry regions) have larger masses, so that makes the Sahara the largest HOT desert in the World ( 9,200,000 sq kms / 3,600,000 sq miles.....as big as Continental USA)

 B) The Bedouins (meaning desert dwellers) live in the Sahara plus survive by moving around by making tent camps near natural resources depending on the season

 C) The record high temperature recorded was 58C (136F) but depending on the time of the year its comfortable for us adventure travelers, for example when i was there 27C (80F) so normal for me

 D) Archeologists have found many wonders in the desert from Saharan Rock Paintings, Stone Circles and Dinosaur Fossils

E) The Sahara is 70% rock with only the other 30% being of sand 

F) The highest point in the desert is the Emi Koussi Volcano at 3400 meters (11,150 feet) which also has some hot springs if your in the area 

G) You think of the desert you think dry, not here 
 There are over 20 saltwater lakes with one exception Lake Chad (freshwater) plus over 90 oases
 (shade & rest areas)
But remember, it is spread over 4.8 million kms (3 million miles) so do not try to find these fertile
spots on your own 😅

 H) The area in the Tunisian Sahara was used for the movie set of Star Wars many times

 KeyTip
 Now the fictional birth village of Luke Skywalker has some remnants left behind for all the
 film buffs to visit

Communicating
As we head out from Marrakesh with my group, i find out they are all from France (which at one time ruled Morocco 1912-1955) so French has been kept within the culture and still being one of the languages spoken here

 Canadian French
 So i knew mine would be a little off (different grammar, vowels, vocabulary plus pronunciations) as it is not like that of the Parisian, but we managed 

Reputable Companies
My biggest concern was if i was hurting the camel as being a lover of all animals that would go against my principles
To ease my fears i was told these Ships of the Desert can carry 600kg (1300 lbs), travel 40kms (25 miles) plus go 10 days without water
Plus i also noticed the handlers were very good to their caravans, as well as they should be as this is how they made their living off us tourists


  Some Ethical Guidelines to Follow
 A) Go with tour operators that have animal welfare policies such as World Expeditions
or Intrepid Travel

 B) Ask the operators how their camels are trained and treated

C) Only book camels in the environments they have evolved to survive in,
like the desert
For example if you see rides offered in tropical, humid or non-desert landscapes
 this is a red flag

D) Visual check on your part; the camels should look settled plus calm, eyes should be clear, skin in good condition and no wear spots under the harnesses, saddles or halters

 E) Only one person per camel as the shady tour operators will double up to
 maximize profit

 F) Finally the multi-day safaris at a slow pace is much better than the quick turnarounds
 on the camels

 Berber Hosts
 I was told by our guides that some continue their nomadic desert lifestyle and others the tradition of farming with a culture that dates back for more than 4000 years

We are then served a Berber Tea (Atay) which is a mixture of green tea leaves, fresh mint leaves plus lots of sugar, then slices of bread with olive oil, jam and honey

Camel Age
As we take a break i noticed most of our transportation were of the one hump dromedaries and my handler tells me that is how they are born
 The calves have no hump until they start to eat solid food, which eventually will grow into 80 lbs of fat and not water as what most people would of have assumed 

Riding a Bicycle
Yes i have ridden horses many times and a camel is a different experience, but not a difficult skill to learn quickly as to use the comparison of the bike, riding any animal is basically the same

Few Laughs
The only awkward moments for most novice riders i could see was the getting
 on/off part of the ride

KeyTip;
So it should not be filmed by your friends 😅

My New Friend
I was told Camels are sensitive creatures who will tell you when they are not comfortable with their passenger, but my Buddie liked the idea of me getting some extra grass and leaves

Smart Animals
Also my guide told me Camels recognize poisonous plants growing in any area,
so will not eat them 
Its called Intelligence Growth, through social learning by watching what others in the
flock have done

Tell Signs
I was told the men cover their faces to show respect and modesty, as the mouth is considered to be one of the most revealing parts of the males body
But as you read below, it is also for protection from blowing sand, sun plus insects

Quick Thinking
On the way back after my two day trek the hotel driver kept pointing at my face (he knew no English) So i put up my fingers to feel and to my surprise had a stinger, then i pulled it out so within minutes i could feel it swelling up

Action Hero
What to do in Northwest Africa in this situation i asked myself
Well i remembered the old Indiana Jones movies 😂 so went to the local bar, asked for two whiskeys  (which got a stare from the bartender) and downed one, the other i pored on the wound

Next Morning
 I was feeling a little off, not sure if it was the alcohol (as i do not drink hard liquor) or if it was the poison from whatever bit me
 But nonetheless was on the mend enough to do a hike of the nearby Atlas Mountains

Charcoal Drawing
  To the great country of Morocco, did this drawing to you as a thank you for
 this latest adventure

Hiking the Dolomites in Northern Italy

#HikingDolomitesItaly

The Dolomites are one of the most accessible international destinations (fly into Venice or Milan) for these outdoor hiking adventures that fits all fitness and skill levels
 Once landed then travel north by bus or vehicle rental to the towns with the most tourist infrastructure to base yourself; for example that would be Bolzano, Trento or Merano

Choices
From your base you can do daytrips or multiple nights staying at rifugios (mountain huts) with most of the trails that are well developed, to some that needs a little experience and up to what i am doing known as Via Ferrata Lipella which needs expertise

The Season
Finally your best months to mountain walk here are from June to September with the longer days plus warmer weather as the hiking season is short due to the long winters

 

The Journey Starts
Making my way along the Austrian Border (300 km /185 miles drive) to first visit my friends in Alta Badia in Northern Italy before heading to my next adventure taking on the Lipella Ferrata

This climb will take me through some historical landmarks, steep/difficult terrain, altitude up to 3200 meters (10,500 feet) and around 13 kms (8 miles)
I am excited 😀  

Paying Homage
A reminder (as i drive past) of the World War which Italy suffered a great loss of life and damages
It started in 1915 when Italy declared war on Austria plus Hungary which it soon became a stalemate struggle for all the countries involved 

 It was basically a trench warfare as troops from both sides had to deal with freezing temperatures, high altitudes and the instability of the mountains itself

The History of Via Ferrata
 It means iron treks; protected paths with iron cables, steps or ladders
It began during the first World War and today there are around 600 trails within the Dolomites

Various Degrees of Fitness
All these routes have different grades plus lengths (Google; Dolomites Via Ferrata to choose what is best for your comfort and skill level so you have the most enjoyable experience)

Italian Alpine Club
 Also they are constantly maintained by this organization for safety, so we all can enjoy them

History
Originally these routes (that were made of iron) were created for the soldiers who carried heavy supplies during all times of the year.
After the war, some of the steel and wooden equipment was replaced with safer modern versions

Important to Know
That being said you need to be confident in your footing, be adventurous, have stamina and do
 not suffer from vertigo
This is for the more challenging routes which is what i chose because
 of my experience

Rifugios
With over 1000 Mountain Huts in the Dolomites you need to do some research, but lucky for you i have taken some of those questions out of the equation

Useful Information
A) They do not open until late June  because of all the snow (during the winter season) as they are at 2500 meters (8000 feet) so the danger of avalanches is a serious risk

B) Reservations are done by email only during the off season, once open you will need to call directly to reach anyone but be patient
 Please remember where these huts are located so cell coverage can be spotty

 C) A deposit of around 20 Euros will be subtracted once you arrive, also you will be sending that payment via E-Transfer so MAKE SURE you include your name and booking dates so you indeed get the credit plus reservation when you arrive

D) The cost per night is depending on your preference, so for example private huts are 70-80 Euros,
 just a bunkbed (4 to 10 people per room) would be 30 Euros PP which most times includes breakfast

 E) Bring your own sleeping bag liner plus pillow cover as linens are not washed daily

 F) Bringing your own food is frowned upon as these huts make their positive income from the meal service, but if you insist you will have to bring your own cooking equipment, utensils and eat away from the hut as your taking away a table space from other restaurant paying customers

G) Water is a precious resource as its collected in huge storage tanks from melting snow or rainwater, so please do not waste water with running the taps, flushing the toilets too many times and because of such, a five minute shower will cost you around 5 Euros 

Always Safety First
 A)  Always wear a climbing helmet as your not the only one scaling here as the group above you could dislodge some loose rocks onto you

B) A new climbing harness and not secondhand, as the expire date with regular use is around 36 months so there is really no way to check that, if buying used

 C) Lanyard with four main components; strong loop to attach to your harness, energy absorption system plus two carabiners

D) Climbing Gloves as your in constant contact with steel cable with that wear plus it could have some loose wire sticking out for a nasty gash

 E) Stay Hydrated as you climb higher you exhale and sweat twice as much

F) Cell Coverage is good, if you have an emergency call 112 which is the Pan-European Emergency Number where the operator will redirect your call to the proper authorities or call 118 which is the direct number for Medical Emergency and Ambulance in Italy

The Lagazuoi Tunnel
It was built during World War One by the Italians with the idea of blowing up the Falzarego Pass 
 Why you ask; during those times it was an important passage way for supplies of the Allied Troops
of Austria and Hungary

Today
 It is now one of most extensive in the Dolomites (thanks to the European Union grant) plus is the most well preserved plus safest to hike (1km/ 0.6 miles)
Added Bonus; it is also where you can see the trenches, machine gun posts, barracks etc  from the past and its setup like an open air museum

What to Wear
 A) I would recommend covering up your legs with hiking pants to prevent nicks and cuts
 from the rocks

B) Wind / Rainproof Jacket plus maybe a down vest (in your backpack) for the
higher altitudes

 C) UV Sunglasses plus lotion on any exposed body parts 

D) Hiking Boots that has a good grip and most importantly
 are comfortable

 Dolomites Fun Facts
 A) The nickname is the Pale Mountains due to its composition of
dolomitic limestone

 B) It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site  because of its natural beauty

C) Home to the Ladin people since 5 BC (during Roman occupation of this area) the locals adopted the rough Latin language spoken by the soldiers and magistrates into their own plus
  other traditions that have been kept alive through the educational system, culture plus cuisine
 
 D) Evidence proves that the Dolomites were once underwater with the discovery of fossils, corals and through the various formations

 E) Powdered dolomite from the mountains (when grounded up) has be proven to be an effective medicine to deliver both calcium / magnesium to help strengthen human bones