On the Go with Momma Jo & Steve

Living life, one mile at a time!

Month: August 2019

Taco Gringo!

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On 30th August 2019

In Places We've Been

Well, today we decided to explore Tatamagouche on the bikes.  The Great Canadian Trail aka “The Great Trail” has a section that runs through Tatamagouche.

We picked up the trail besides the farmers market. Of course, only after shopping at the market which is located in the Creamery Square area. We also checked out the shops in the grain elevator village. Interesting part of the geography, a grain elevator here in Nova Scotia. When I think of a silhouette of a grain elevator, I think of the vastness of the open Saskatchewan landscape. I have always wanted to see the inside of a grain elevator, so to go shopping in it was so much fun. Good to see the community has found a great use for it.

The trail has many great views of the bay, as we stopped along the way at the Patterson’s wharf area to enjoy the view.  Our goal today was to checkout the Taco Gringo Food Truck. The place was packed! We stood in line for a while, and luckily for us, they stopped serving just after us. (Whew!) They had ran out of food so took a break to stock up. 

We enjoyed the fish tacos and the beef taco and they were actually more like a burrito; the most important thing was that they were simply amazing. We also enjoyed the ambiance of the colorful patio area and would actually love to come back, but unfortunately it was our first and last experience with Taco Gringo as they were closing up shop and selling the business. Not all good things last for ever.

Speaking of good things, our day would not be complete with out a local beer at the brewery. Already our favorite watering hole (and not because it is the only one).

Hennigar’s Farm Market

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On 25th August 2019

In Places We've Been

When the kids were growing up, I used to say they were growing like sunflowers.

When everyone else would comment on how fast the kids were growing up, that they were growing like weeds, I would always say no, they are growing like sunflowers. They grow just as fast but grow stronger and taller, and make people smile when they look at them. Can you tell I like sunflowers? 

Today’s travels has us back down in Wolfville checking in on Rebekah before we head back to Ottawa. (Winnie has another RV appointment in Niagara.) Our stay tonight had us at a Harvest Host stop at the Hennigar’s Farm Market. Now this place is amazing. We were up in the apple orchard, with views over the bay. Beside the orchards there was a huge acre of sunflowers, which were in full bloom. Well I was in heaven and I think I took over 50 pictures.

Before the sun set, we decided to jump on our bikes and find the Harvest Moon Trail and biked into Grand Pré National Historic Site.  After a little of exploring around the park we decided to ride the dykes. The Grand Pré Dyke – 3013 acres below Sea Level, behind 28455 feet of dyke. This is such a cool phenomenon. As we grabbed a picture of the sun starting to come down over the high tide filled basin, we headed back to Hennigar’s to pick up some fabulous fresh fruit and veggies and a jug of there amazing fresh apple cider. We highly recommend stopping at Hennigar’s if you are ever in Wolfville.

Dark Night Skies

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On 24th August 2019

In Campgrounds

The darkest nights produce the brightest stars

John Green

Blomidon Provincial Park – Found on the shores of the New Minas Basin. The towering high cliffs (600 feet) of Blomidon are home to some of the most spectacular views of the area. The description in the brochures say it is “rising majestically from the shores of the Basin”. After you see it and explore the area you would agree that it does seem to have a majestic feeling to it.

We did a few hikes in the park which showed us some unique plant life. Apparently, the park is home to a lot of wildlife, however we did not see any on our hikes.

The most amazing part of the park which we could not capture on film was the dark night skies. At night the sky was so dark, with no light pollution, all you could see for miles was the light of the stars. The vastness of this sight was mesmerizing and definitely made you believe the universe is massive. Definitely something everyone should experience at least once in their life time.

University Bound!

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On 19th August 2019

In Events

There are two gifts we should give our children one is roots and the other is wings.

anonymous “wise woman”

It’s that time of year again; to take Rebekah back to Acadia – man that four months went by way too quick! So we loaded up the camper, filled the new trailer and headed east.  This is our eight or ninth trip down east this summer but this one was so different. It is sort of sad and exciting all at the same time. For the people who say this empty nest is a breeze, I am not sure if they are taking anything but it is not fun at all. We stopped in Levis, Quebec at the Costco to stock up on a few essentials. Sangria, coolers, beer you know. (it is a lot cheaper in Quebec than in Nova Scotia) That is from the mouth of a true student!  Camped tonight at the municipal campground in Rivière-du-Loup and met up with a few friends for supper. The next day, we had our routine stop at Covered Bridge Chips, where they know me by name!

Next stop, Ikea. It is every student’s best friend (not my pocket book though!) but we loaded up on furniture; a desk, a bed frame, storage options, and lamps. Then off to Wolfville, NS to set up the new apartment. We put together a ton of Ikea furniture and still like each other, if you know what I mean, lol. This is Rebekah’s first apartment and first time being on her own. It’s time to give her some wings to fly. I know she has roots and will always find her way home.  

The Wedding Weekend

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On 10th August 2019

In Events

No matter where I roam, Cape Breton will always be my home.

Frequently stated by Momma Jo’s Dad

Well, we are on the road again and this time we are traveling to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Now the last post had us in Fredericton New Brunswick, which is (1025 kms from Ottawa)  From Fredericton we are adding another 650km, stopping to pick up Jo’s Mom and Dad for the party. It is, after all, Jo’s uncle getting married. Imagine finding true love at 71!

Cape Breton Island has this beauty that captures our hearts, the ocean views, the coves, the culture, the music, the Ceilidh, the hospitality and of course, the world renowned Cabot trail. Both of Jo’s parents were born here in Sydney, (South Bar & Lingan Road) and both love the chance to come back. 

We stopped at the Farmers Daughter Market off the highway 105 in Whycocomagh. (Try saying that 10 times really fast). Ice cream and treats! Tried out the really nice outdoor rocking chars (would love one for my new deck) and the huge Adirondack chair (not for the deck). A great place to wander around and shop or stop and have a bite to eat, and their baked goods look amazing.

Our stop for supper took us to the Bonnie Prince Restaurant – Jo’s mom’s favorite – for really good steak. Did I mention they have Breton Brewing Company Beer for sale? Due to a lack of time we could not make the brewery this trip so we tried a few beers. Which I have to say were served with an ice-cold glasses – How does it get better than this? We tried the Island Time Lager and the Black Angus IPA. Definitely a craft brewery to visit on next years bucket list.   

The wedding was a fairly-tale type day, with fantastic island music and Cape Breton hospitality! It was the largest wedding I have ever been to with over 300 people!! But Oh, what a party!! It was so great to catch up with family!

Before we headed home on Sunday, we checked out Wentworth Park, the flowers were in full bloom, the sun was shining and it was a great day for a walk.  Then we took the NS-4 down the other side of Cape Breton Island. With stops at Irish Cove (beautiful views) and then to St. Peters Canal Historic Site which was celebrating its’ 150th year.  Had to check out the place where apparently when Jo was young and wanted to go fishing, they tied her to the parked car so she wouldn’t fall in the canal!

We then found a light house for a photo op. We had lunch at Jiggs Take-out which a place I don’t have to come back to if you know what I mean.  One last stop at the Causeway to wave good bye to the island, then homeward bound.

Oh, what a party – Cape Breton Style!

Fredericton, New Brunswick

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On 6th August 2019

In Places We've Been

If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.

Anonymous

It’s been a while since we were on the go but it’s time to head back to Nova Scotia and this time in our SUV with a trailer load of household items. Our first stop was in Fredericton, NB.

Well these feet were made for walking! So off we go, there is a paved path that leads from our hotel into the city of Fredericton. It is a multi-use use path, and it runs along the St John River Bank. Along the path there were various touristy thing to stop at and admire. One of them was the water level posts that showed you how high the water flooded in various years. In the picture I am standing between the posts that represents the water heights of 7.5 meters and 8 meters. Imagine that this water which you see behind me rose to a level of 8.9 meters in 1936. That’s a lot of water!!

The chess table park was cool to see, would have been fun to play – maybe next time we will carry an extra set of chess pieces in our back pack.  Checked out city hall, and the light house that was a Mac and Cheese shack. And you all know what comes next, we ended the morning at the craft brewery we found. Greystone Brewing.  We enjoyed a flight of beer and had some amazing food from the food truck Monks & Jonesie that was in their parking lot. Spicy Cauliflower wings and Pulled Duck Poutine!

Yep, you guessed it “How does it get better than this!?”

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