How do we get there?

We are about half way in between Yarmouth and Halifax. Some people fly into Halifax, rent a car, and drive from there. If you are coming from the U.S., there is a car ferry from both Portsmouth and Bar Harbor Maine. Click here for the ferry website. Driving is easy along the main highway, Rt 103. From Yarmouth, take exit 20. From Halifax, take exit 20a, both will get you onto Rt 3.

What is the weather like?

The weather tends to be a little cooler than Maine in the summer. Normally, the summer temperatures run between the high 60's and the mid to upper 70's. Bring sweat shirts for the occassional chilly night.

What is there to do for a whole week?

A week will barely make a dent in the number of things there are to do in just the local area. Here is one possible week's itinerary:

Day one: Visit the spectacular Carter's Beach in nearby Port Mouton. On the way home, check to see if there are seals on the beach nearby. Eat dinner at the Seascape restaurant, perfect for a casual, but delicious seafood dinner. When home, have a drink on the deck and watch the sunset.

Day two: Get up early for a bike ride or run along the rails to trails, whose entry is just behind the house. Drive east to LaHave, alongside the western edge of the LaHave river. Eat lunch at the delicious LaHave Bakery. Afterwards, take the car ferry for $5 across the LaHave river. It is right next to the bakery and runs every 30 minutes. At the other end, drive along the river's edge to the "Ovens" sea caves. Pay a small entry fee and hike the spectacular sea caves, named the Ovens for the sound the water makes when they rush into the long, stone caves. When you are done, visit the ice cream stand at the HodgePodge Lodge. Back at the house, barbecue fresh fish you've purchased at one of many fresh fish markets along the way home.

Day 3: Pay the small day-use fee at Whitepoint Resort. Take a surfing lesson, play tennis, volleyball. Swim in the indoor or outdoor pool. Warm up in the jacuzzi. Play golf at their ocean-side 9 hole course. Play ping-pong or pool. Eat lunch at their outdoor patio. If you stay long enough, have dinner inside in their beautiful dining room.

Day 4: Pack a lunch and drive to nearby Port Joli. Rent a kayak at the Rossignal Surf Shop and kayak through the bird sanctuary. Pull the kayaks up on a white sand beach and eat lunch. Swim in the very warm waters of the protected cove. After kayaking, drive to the end of the road and enter the Kejimkujik Adjunct. Walk the beautiful trail to the water's edge. Here you will see harbor seals playing and fishing on nearby rocks. At night, take in a play or live show at the Astor Theatre in Liverpool.

Day 5: Drive to Peggy's Cove to visit the famous lighthouse in this scenic town. Be sure to drop in on the many galleries and craft stores along the way. Then, drive to Lunenburg for lunch. Visit the Fisheries of the Atlantic museum and tour the many old-time seafaring ships. Also in Lunenburg is the famous Bluenose, which you can take a sail on.

Day 6: Take a walk in the morning around Hunt's Point Harbor and see the fishing boats docked at the harbor. Behind the harbor walk along the rocks or just watch the spray as the waves hit the rocks. Then, walk or drive to Summerville Beach. Eat lunch at Quarterdeck Restaurant, located right off the beach. Return home early today and just relax on the deck or play a game of ball on the large lawn.

Not enough? Visit the Port Medway lighthouse, go on a whale watch, take surfing lessons, visit a blacksmith's shop, go on a lobsterman's boat for a day, go on a Zodiak or sailboat tour, take a ferry to one of many smaller islands, visit the main Kejimkujik National Park in the interior, go into Halifax for a day-trip, visit a boat building shop, take a pottery class, go wild blueberry picking or many, many more ideas. Be sure to visit www.destinations-ns.com for even more great places to see while you are here.

What do we do if it rains or in the off-season?

Whitepoint has many great indoor activities such as indoor pools, jacuzzi and game room. Another great idea on a rainy day is visiting the galleries and craft shops which dot the area. Pottery, stone and wood sculptures, sea paintings and other crafts are well-known here. Visit the many museums in nearby Liverpool. There is a country music museum, a photography museum and a cultural museum, as well as the Astor Theatre. In winter, there is cross-country skiing and believe it or not, surfing in wetsuits is popular here year-round.

Where can we bike or run?

You can run or bike right on Route 3. For more of an off-road experience, try the rails-to-trails bike trail which runs from Summerville Centre to Liverpool. You can access it easily by taking Beech Lane, going up about 1/4 of a mile. You will see the well-maintained crushed stone path on either side of the road. This path will take you over small rivers, through dense forest growth and under full tree canopies.

Where do we shop for food?

You can find full-size supermarkets close by in Liverpool center. If you just need some milk, eggs, or charcoal, the Hyway Market is only a few doors down from the house. Be aware that on Sundays, the larger supermarkets are usually closed, but the small convenience stores will still be open.

How cold is the water? Can you swim here in summer?

It depends on the time of year but in summertime, it is definitely swimable. At Summerville beach, the water feels chilly, but you can swim. For warmer water, try going to the beach off St. Catherine's River Road in Port Joli or in Thomas Raddall Park off of East Port L'Hebert Road. The water here is protected by Port Joli Bay and is significantly warmer than any other water in the area.