Guest Post: The Sunrise Trail

Jost Vineyards

Editor’s note: I’m often compared to my father, but clearly I got my interests in writing and exploring from my mother.  @GillianWesleyNS and I were very pleasantly surprised when my mother sent us this post.  Thanks Mum, looking forward to more guest posts from you! @DrewMooreNS
It’s a beautiful Friday morning, the sun is shining and the birds are singing.  Best of all I am off work for a three day weekend.  A good day to enjoy some of our beautiful countryside.  Called my Mum and she was game to go.  The male half of the Local Traveler’s grandmother is 86 and always a good traveler herself as he can attest to, having traveled with her to France a number of years ago.  Maybe that is another story to be told. Our destination is Tatamagouche.  A nice little trip up the Sunrise Trail in northeastern Nova Scotia along Highway 6.   I packed my little “aim and shoot” thinking I would be the FIRST  guest blogger – thanks Mike Finley, I should have written my blog earlier in the week but you had a great post.

My Mum came to Canada as a war bride in 1944 and she was happy to reminisce as we traveled along.  Whether it was about a family who lived in  “that farm house”, a dance she and my Dad went to at “that legion or community hall” or a funeral they attended for a veteran who was buried in “that cemetery”.  It was great to have her as my traveling companion and share her amazement at the changes to the farmlands.  We both agreed that the roads in this area are some of the best secondary roads in Pictou County and the views well worth the trip.

As we traveled through Caribou and Toney River (good places to stop on another day) we arrived in Seafoam.  Seafoam Lavender Farm just opened for the season and is coming into bloom.  They open June & Sept. for Fri. Sat. & Sun. and July 1st to Labour Day 7 days a week.  There are picnic tables if you want to stop for lunch, breathe the fresh salt air and enjoy the scenic beauty of the North Shore.  You must stop into their shop for a wide selection of organically grown products made by them at the farm.  Lavender creams, deodorant, jellies, soaps and many other products that make excellent gifts.  Mum purchased Lavender honey and ginger chews (not lavender but both my Mum and I love anything ginger and they were great treats throughout the day).  Sorry, due to Health Department regulations, dogs are not permitted to visit the farm.  A good place for a short stop to stretch your legs.

Continuing our journey along the Northumberland Strait with the ocean to our right we passed through Toney River, a cute little village with many fishing boats, and Denmark.  Denmark is home of Forbes Bros. Furniture, which is well known throughout Nova Scotia and beyond, and also The Pork Shop, which has opened its second location on Westville Road in New Glasgow. We arrive in Tatamagouche just before noon.  Home of the famous Oktoberfest and Tim Horton’s Children’s Camp.  Tatamagouche has a great Farmers Market on Saturday mornings 8am to noon at 39 Creamery Rd. and well worth the drive.  Now where to have lunch?  You can eat in a train.  I have tried The Train Station Inn (@trainstationinn) on another trip and would  recommend.  here’s also The Dino Wagon on Main Street if you want something more casual to take away or eat at their picnic tables.
Today we decide to visit The Chowder House.  Both of us go with the chowder but they have an extensive menu with something to please everyone’s taste buds.  The chowder is made with real cream and has lots of haddock and clams with a small amount of shrimp and scallops, very tasty for $9.95 for a bowl or $6.95 for a cup served with homemade bread.  The lobster chowder is $14.95 and very tempting.  It is almost a full house for our noon meal.  Check out tatamagouchetoday.com/businesses.htm for more places to visit while traveling to this great treasure of a village.
We continue along the road heading to Wallace, unfortunately we will have to visit there on another trip as we detour to Malagash, the home of Jost Vineyards (@jostvineyards).  The idea of a wine tasting on this sunny afternoon is just too tempting.  Being the driver I’m restricted to just a sip or two before choosing a few bottles to take home.  They have a great selection of wines and a nice gift shop, as well.  The staff are very friendly and helpful.  The vineyards look to be in beautiful condition and well tended.

As we start for home we admire the beauty of the landscape with the rolls of new hay in the fields and the farmers at work.  But our day would not be complete without stopping at The Country Bread Basket & Coffee Shop at 629 Brule Point Rd.  It is owned by the Mennonite community and, with a line up of people waiting to be served, we’re sold on making a few purchases.   The multigrain bread is excellent and some of the best I have bought at $4.25, cookies are $3.25 for a half dozen but not very tasty.  Pies are $8.50 but would have to wait for my next visit.  Prices are a bit pricey but I would purchase the bread any day. Arriving home by late afternoon we both conclude it was a most enjoyable day and how fortunate we are to be living along the beautiful Sunrise Trail.  Come visit!

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The Local Traveler

Two travellers' tales of finding adventure on the East Coast. This blog is dedicated to the best parts of travel, and to discovering, celebrating and promoting things to do in our corner of the world, and sometimes beyond. We especially love craft beer, day trips, romantic escapes, local food & hidden gems. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and share tips and photos of your favourite East Coast adventures.

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