Letters from New Scotland

wedgeport nova scotia dock

Upon landing in Nova Scotia, my first thought was that it looked, and felt, like home.

The province is reminiscent of the place I grew up, with its rolling hills, evergreens, and quaint coastal towns, but that’s not the whole story.

Nova Scotia is a place that makes a person want to stay.

wedgeport nova scotia dock

We were on our way to an adventure of unknown proportions, fishing 20 miles off the coast of Wedgeport for bluefin the size of bears.  I was ready for the challenge… but let’s be real, I knew absolutely nothing.

Once I was introduced to the chair, the thick twine, the reels as big as my head, well… it was a little scary.  My stomach started to churn, and it wasn’t long before I started to hope for a slow day… just to save me from the embarrassment of the desperate, soul-sucking failure I knew I was about to endure.

But all of that fear was gone as soon as I felt the exhilaration and accomplishment of reeling in an animal so huge.  Mark still can’t stop laughing at the grin I couldn’t wipe from my face.

The stuff is crazy fun.

on the boatnova scotia fishing

… and the fun didn’t stop with a little fishing.  Over two days on the water we saw so many whales, seals, and sharks it almost felt commonplace.

I couldn’t help but wonder what my mom would have thought, who used to squeal with glee at the sight of one whale miles and miles offshore, nothing more than a speck.  These guys were practically jumping on the boat.

reeling it inwhale

On our last day in Wedgeport, we hopped back in the boat for a visit to the Tusket Islands, full of brightly colored lobster pots and weathered fishing cabins that serve as the perfect picnic spot in the summer, and transform into a bustling village full of fishermen (and women) as soon as lobster season descends.

nova scotia islandslobster potsseaweeddocks and lobster pots

Of course, in season or no, lobster is practically ground beef in Wedgeport, where the softer-shelled pinchers who might not ship so well can be set aside to feed a family for months (or maybe hungry visitors who jump for joy at the delicious-ness of such fresh seafood).

lobsterfishing in ns

Wedgeport felt like home, and its people made us feel like family.

There’s nothing like a place that picks you up and forces you to relax, learn something new, and accomplish something great…

It was tough to leave, but I know we’ll be back.  It will be hard to stay away.

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