Parrsboro, Nova Scotia

Map points of interest

Part 5

My expectations are low after the thrill of Joggins fossil cliffs- UNESCO WHS,  followed up by the Cape d’Or Lighthouse hike, and Partridge Island: Rock-hounding, hiking.  Spencer’s Island, Nova Scotia How could Parrsboro measure up?

I roll into town and stop for gas. The lady behind the counter greets me like I am an old friend. “Hello, is it just the gas for you today?”

“Actually, no,” I reply. “I am just here for a short visit, but if you have any ideas what a visitor might want to see, I would appreciate your advice.”

She rings up the fuel sale and says, “Well the geologic museum is popular, and our beach is famous for dinosaur bones.”

“Really?” I respond. “What else can you tell me?” “I…. I … let me get …Jean,” I think she said.

Another lady comes to the front and says, “What can I help you with?”

“I am a travel blogger, I am just looking around the area, any favourite places you can recommend?”

She rhymes off a list (a kindred spirit in my books).  “Make sure to see the museum, the beach, light house, the Glooscap statue, the painted house and the old armory building.  Go to Gilbert Road past the golf course for a good view of the islands and if you are brave… Economy Falls.” She stops for a moment then says “It is a long way into the falls on a narrow dirt road, I haven’t been there in years.”  She takes a breath and thinks a moment then says. “I love to go for a hike along the shore of Thomas Cove. I hope this is helpful?”

“Oh a fantastic list, thank you,” I say.

We chit chat a bit more about the hiking in the area. She likes to walk her dog on the trails. A person comes into the store and lines up at the cash register. She smiles and I get the point she has to take care of customers. I thank her for her time and head out to find the geological museum.

It is Sunday, the last week of April, and very few tourist locations are open for business. The Fundy Geological Museum, is open, but not on Sunday. I wouldn’t let that little obstacle stop me from going by and walking the grounds.

The museum is just off Two Piers Road. I love the bike racks and hitching post to tie up horses. A touch of old school charm, mixed with modern green conservation.

I walk to the river’s edge. A sign designates it as an environmentally sensitive area, so I don’t intrude.

A rock garden is filled with various samples gathered from the area: some are sparkly, some are dull, others shimmer with multiple colours. I look them over but feel I have missed a key piece of the exhibit, a geologist to explain the rock formation would have added value. I am left with a statue of a dinosaur to stand beside for a picture, and he isn’t saying much.

I leave the museum and head down Two Piers Road, to the Glooscap campground. It is closed but the beach is still open for public access.  A short hike has me at the seaside path. The tide is out so I can stroll on the sea floor but I have to snug my zipper up tight to my neck to ward off the chill from the onshore winds. A flock of sea gulls congregates on the mud flat, feasting on the exposed smorgasbord. A lone gull sits on a rock and plays king of the hill.

I walk for a long time searching the ocean floor. My imagination conjures up dinosaur bones, but nothing I pick up pans out to be more than seaweed fibers and clam shell shards.

I keep going down the road to Gilbert Road look off.   My GPS map displays this point of land as the quintessential spot to view the Fundy Bay Five Islands. It is a private road and I fear it will be a dead end.  A man is out raking his lawn at the end of his property and I stop to ask him,

“Excuse me, I was hoping there was a view out to the Five Islands at the end of this road, am I correct?”

“Yes you can see a view to the islands, keep to the end of this road then turn left onto Gilbert Road, crest the hill, and look backwards.” I thank him and carry on.

I loiter in some person’s driveway for a few minutes and soak up their view, then follow Two Rivers Road back to Main Street and get a photo of the Glooscap  statue. One more pass back to the corner of Two Rivers and Spring Road to see the historic armoury building.

 

 

 

Then across the street is a colourful mural that is suppose to reveal what each individual person wants to see.  A shoreline with foamy waves is revealed to me.  It is the painted house of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia.

Please join me on my continued journey around Cape Chignecto, Nova Scotia.

Cheers and happy travels from Maritime Mac

If you missed any of my trip here are the links:

Joggins fossil cliffs- UNESCO WHS

Cape d’Or Lighthouse hike

Partridge Island: Rock-hounding, hiking

Spencer’s Island, Nova Scotia