Blue Sea Beach
Up early for the double back road show. Coffee in hand, camera and video equipment packed up and adrenaline pumping. Today my plan was to double back from our base camp in Amherst, Nova Scotia and visit some of the sandy beaches along the Northumberland Shore.
The first beach I stopped at was Rushton Beach near the small village of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. The beach was located off the beaten track at the end of some back country roads. I arrived at around 8 AM in the morning. It was just me and the early morning dog walkers.
At the entrance of the boardwalk trail leading to the beach was a side route connecting to a birding lookout over a wetland pond. Keen as I am I was hoping for some waterfowl karma to fall my way. Luck has it there was a family of ducks… but my approach was less than quiet and they dispersed into the tall grasses avoiding my self imposed paparazzi.
Disappointed… off I went down the boardwalk trail leading to the beach. Prior to the beach was a grassy knoll with picnic shelters. Just pass the field of green were some boardwalk stairs dropping down to the white sandy beach. On the beach were soft rolling waves lapping against the shore. In the far distance I could see some lovers holding hands walking the shore in bare feet, wading in tidal pools. I can see why they were in heaven, the beach was all theirs.
Wallace Bay Wildlife Trail
Next I stopped in at Blue Sea Beach. However I took backdoor entrance to the beach following the coastal roads along a peninsula… but I had to stop for directions as I seemed to have enjoyed my drive a little too much and went way off track… lucky me I say, it was worth it.
Blue Sea Beach was a gem. Horseshoe in shape. The water was shallow and warm. Rocks captivated one end of the beach while white sand dominated the rest. I took some time to reflect as people enjoyed the water and sunshine.
A couple beaches later and I finally arrived at the Wallace Bay Wildlife Trail. Had to stop for directions again as the tourism information was vague or I must of swallows a stupid stick. You see, like most men, I stopped for directions after many attempts to locate the trailhead. It seems the trail was a needle in a haystack and I was not going to find it without some help.
After directions I found the trailhead. Signs greeted me with warnings telling me that the trail was not maintained.. and use at your own risk. Hard to imagine a trail is highlighted in the tourism books and yet it is not maintained.
The trail was overgrown, the grass was long, trees lined both sides. It was a struggle to enjoy wetland views as there was no real developed birding blinds or lookouts. I felt super hero like as I broke through spider web after spider web, leaped over mud puddles, was slapped in the face by branches and swallowed mosquitoes for lunch. Luckily I bathed myself in OFF so I only ate them and was not bitten by them.
I managed to get some good pictures of the wetlands. I collected some welts and scratches clawing through bushes to get them.. but that is what I do. For me… I had a blast, a challenge a great day in the sun… but for many I could see that they would not be impressed.
I left the trail shaking my head as the wetland was beautiful… but what a lost opportunity to develop a large trail system with beautiful views and plenty of wildlife. It would only attract more people to the area… is that not what they want?