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Outdoor Nova Scotia: Features ... an In-depth Look at 'The Great Outdoors' in Nova Scotia!
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"All I
Want for Christmas is..." by Jodi Delong Who among us has not faced the prospect of Christmas shopping with about as much enthusiasm as we generally reserve for filing income tax? We likely all have memories of past holidays when we received such useful items as a musical pickle dish or jewellery made from recycled automotive parts. Most of us can tell horror stories about fighting through crowds of rabid shoppers at 4:50 p.m. Christmas Eve, looking for that perfect gift for our favourite second cousin twice removed. We've put together an interesting collection of gift ideas, both practical and whimsical, which any outdoor enthusiast would love to find under her tree this year. We can't, however, do anything about the vagaries of Nova Scotia weather... Anyone who spends plenty of time enjoying Nova Scotia's outdoors, regardless of the season, appreciates the value of good hiking boots. One of the most versatile and durable boots on the market today are Vasque boots, with a wide range of styles and models. Vasque is an industry leader in high performance working footwear, constructing their boots with functionality in mind. The most popular line is the Clarion hiking boot, which offers support
and comfort without being cumbersome and heavy. The
real test is in the walking: put on a pair of Clarion
GTX boots and go for a walk, a hike, a ramble or an all out
excursion. Along with new hiking boots, a new pack is often a great hit. Parlee Adventure Gear in Milton, Queens County, manufacture outdoor sporting equipment that is built to last. I took the water-repellent Tobeatic Day Pack, (which is a great hit with students as a bookbag) packed lunch and notebook, camera and extra sox, first aid kit and binoculars and headed off to Cape Split for a test run. The padded shoulder straps adjust without a lot of fussing, there's a no-tie drawstring closure and a quick release buckle on the protective flap, and the outer pocket has plenty of room for those binoculars and notebook so dear to outdoor writers and other enthusiasts. Parlee offers a three year guarantee on their materials and workmanship, which again says plenty about their commitment to quality. Socks are a practical gift for Christmas, but any outdoor enthusiast
appreciates the value of a good pair of socks. Pursuits that are Worthwhile...at Earthwhile Pursuits. If you are visiting the lovely town of Wolfville, be sure to drop in to Earthwhile Pursuits, which specializes in maps, binoculars and tools for naturalists. The shop is located on Main Street, phone 902-542-1449. Whether you are looking for a knife, a book on birding, a set of binoculars or just that special little item, Earthwhile Pursuits has it. Some of this years items: Binoculars are popular with hikers, birders, kayakers and canoeists. New materials used to construct binoculars are sturdy and lightweight, so that you can now purchase excellent binoculars for daytime viewing which are much smaller and lighter in weight than the large and cumbersome styles of past years. A good pair made by Pentax that offers excellent viewing will actually fit into a fanny pack, and cost well under $200.00. An unusual item for the marine enthusiast is a tidal clock, hand crafted in Nova Scotia. These battery operated wooden wall-clocks have only one hand, and show you where the tide is in relation to the time. For those of us who live on the Minas Basin or Fundy shore, where tides are dramatic, these clocks can prove very useful. Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together...or an Eagle Watch... ....And what better place to go than Medway Pines Stables near the Medway River, at Mill Village, off Highway #103 between Bridgewater and Liverpool, Nova Scotia. This family run business offers sleigh and wagon rides, trail riding and English or Western riding lessons, year round. You can reach the folks at Medway Pines Stables at 902-677-2390. From late November to about Mid March, Kings County in the Annapolis Valley is home to the largest overwintering population of bald Eagles in eastern North America. An ideal gift to go along with those new binoculars is a gift certificate to Eagle Outfitters, located in Sheffield Mills. Eagle Outfitters offers Eagle Watching Adventures in Eastern Kings County for groups and individuals. A one and a half hour tour is $25. You can contact Eagle Outfitters at RR#5 Canning, Nova Scotia, Canada B0P 1H0 or telephone: 902-582-7686; their e-mail address is: eagles@glinx.com Okay, maybe it's storming "to beat the band" outdoors, or you're tired and want to just enjoy the fire and read for an evening. Nova Scotia is blessed with a number of dedicated book publishers, and a wealth of "Outdoor Nova Scotia" related publications can be found at most good bookstores. Nimbus Publishing in Halifax offers a truly wide range of books on everything from the flora and fauna of Nova Scotia to a variety of outdoor adventure guides. Perhaps the most magnificent book Nimbus has released is the just published Wilderness Nova Scotia, by Irwin R. Barrett. This luxuriously illustrated "coffee table book" is gorgeous, a triumphant and lyrical visual ode to the enticing wilderness areas of this province. Author Barrett, a professional and mostly self-taught landscape photographer, has selected breathtaking shots of some of the province's most beautiful wilderness havens. But far more than just a book of pretty pictures, the accompanying text urges us to a deeper understanding and appreciation of wilderness, so that we might, as stewards of this province, also work to ensure its protection and ultimately survival. Wilderness Nova Scotia will be on the wish-list of many an outdoor enthusiast this season, and for years to come.
With a little imagination and thought, this can be a great Christmas for those on your list, or (with the right hints to the right people) to you as well. Have fun and enjoy the holidays! Jodi DeLong lives in Delhaven, Kings County, Nova Scotia. Jodi is the editor of The Canning Gazette, Organic Times and The Facilitator. She is also a mother and firefighter.
"All I Want for Christmas is...", first published November, 1997. Designed & maintained by Outdoor Nova Scotia, Liverpool, N.S. BOT 1KO. Material protected by copyright. Last revised: June 27, 2004 |
These are boots made to fit comfortably and made to last, and while they are
not cheap, they will outlast several pairs of less expensive boots. Vasque boots can be
found at Valley Stove and Cycle in Wolfville, phone 902-542-7115.
While there are a variety of
sporting/recreational socks available on the market today, using high-tech fibres and high
tech prices, my personal favourite are 100% wool socks from Bainton's in Annapolis Royal.
Bainton's
are famous for their beautiful and well fashioned leather apparel, and they put no less
dedication into their woollen products. Wool is warm, even when wet, strong and
breathable, and these socks fit fine in my hiking boots as well as my firefighting boots
(where warmth is also a necessity!) At $6.99 for a pair of men's woollen socks, they are
one of the best bargains around.
None of these ideas suit your tastes, or the tastes of that hard to buy
for person in your life? All right, what about a build-your-own kayak project? 
Take
me to the 
