This is a story about a glorious part of Nova Scotia that I originally had published in CAA magazine a couple years ago. Since we can’t travel right now, I’m posting some stories of mine from the past in the hopes of providing a bit of inspiration.
The Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia is only a short drive from Halifax, but it’s another world. When I was there a few years ago I didn’t see a chain hotel or a franchise restaurant anywhere. What I did find were beautiful, quiet bays, goofy but inspiring folk art places and a lovely lodge with great kayaking and tons of activities for families.
Surfing at Lawrencetown Beach, Nova Scotia. JIM BYERS PHOTO
The Nova Scotia shoreline around Mahone Bay and Lunenburg is justifiably famous for its craggy bays and lovely inns. But Halifax folks who want to get away from it all know to head the opposite way, up the so-called Eastern Shore.
Only a half-hour from downtown Halifax along Highway 207 you’ll find Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park, a long and wonderful stretch of sand. This is one of the top surfing spots in Canada, and you’ll find several places to rent a board or get a lesson. If that’s a little ambitious, try a canoe or kayak ride in one of the quiet bays behind the beach.
Colpitt’s Folk Art, Nova Scotia. JIM BYERS PHOTO
After a few minutes heading east you’ll want to turn right on Highway 107 to continue your excursion, and then turn right onto Highway 7, the main route along the Eastern Shore.
Highway 7 swings past glorious bays with hardly any cottages or homes to mar your view. It’s mostly just you and the coast and the sparkling water and deep green trees. Towns are of the small to tiny variety, with hardly a chain store or motel in sight.
Roughly a half hour past the town of Chezzetcook, at 15359 Highway 7, you’ll find an utterly delightful and more than a little zany spot called Colpitts Folk Art. Barry Colpitts makes inventive, imaginative folk art of all kinds, including bright blue and green fish, wooden Mounties and brightly coloured birds and cows. When I stopped in last summer there was a small display of four wooden heads in a case that said “Barry’s Head Museum.” It invited guests to rub one of the heads, nicknamed Bob, if they wanted help to quit smoking. Not being a smoker, I can’t say if it works. But this place is special.
Liscombe Lodge, Nova Scotia.
Taylor Head Provincial Park has a lovely beach and rugged hiking trails, while Ecum Secum is a small village with a pretty white church. A few miles further along Highway 7 is Sheet Harbour, one of the larger towns along the road. There’s also a pretty waterfall that’s worth checking out. Besides, how do you not love a town called Ecum Secum?
One of the best places to stay on the Eastern Shore is Liscombe Lodge, about two and-a-half hours from Halifax without stopping. They have a main lodge and cottages spread out over a large, grassy site along a pretty river, where you can use their kayaks or canoes. The food isn’t fancy but it’s good and reasonably priced, and the dining room has wonderful views of the river. It’s an outstanding spot for families.
