Now I’m not the most spontaneous person, so a last minute decision to go for a hike last week was refreshing. Having Ashlyn home for a couple of days was a treat, and she’s always up for adventure.
We packed leftover chicken bowls, and a few energy snacks into the backpack. Filled the water bottles, and hustled Charlie into the car (not hard to do….he’s always up for a ride in the car)!
After reading a blog on ghost towns in Nova Scotia, I had this desire to visit some of these sites. Eatonville is one of the closest, and apparently accessible from the Eatonville Day Use area in Cape Chignecto Provincial Park.
The drive through River Hebert and Joggins is rough with lots of twists and turns, and mostly wooded. When the Bay of Fundy came into view, we had to stop for a photo.
Shulie River
There is new signage to the park in the last year, which is helpful. Last summer when Ashlyn and her Dad went on a three day hike in the Park, they had missed the turn off to Eatonville.
When we discovered the road to Eatonville was washed out I was disappointed. I guess I will have to make another trip to see this ghost town! The road is very low, so it’s no surprise that the powerful tides washed out the road over the winter.
View from Apple River Road
Plan B came into effect, a hike from the main park entrance. Although the park is not yet open, we parked and made our way up the trail. A short walk in you come to Red Rocks Beach. Seeing the driftwood, my creative mind gets firing……..would anyone notice if I took a small stick?
Red Rocks Beach
Continuing up the Christy View Point Trail, it’s grassy and open. This trail leads to Mill Brook Canyon Trail. The downed trees and branches from the harsh winter are still present, but it’s easy to walk around. A few wet sections at the top have walking planks.
It’s not long when we see the tree cover baring for the view of the Bay, specifically Advocate Harbour.
After our hike, we have our lunch on a picnic table and chat with a couple of bikers who have also stopped. Then it’s homeward bound with a tired puppy. Instead of back tracking, we continue through Advocate towards Parsborro. We are too early in the season for Wild Caraway……..this restaurant should be visited if you have time. I will make the trip at least once this summer or fall……possibly when I finally get to visit abandoned Eatonville!
Nesting Nut 