Uisge Ban Falls Bridge Out

The bridge crossing the river just below Uisge Ban Falls in the provincial park is closed until further notice. I am uncertain whether it has been destroyed or just judged unsafe, but its closure prevents access to the base of the waterfall.

Repair work is planned, but the expected date when the work will be completed is not until the end of September 2012.

Information Morning Interview: Sydney

Hiking Trails of Cape Breton launched in Coxheath near Sydney on the evening of July 18. That morning, I was interviewed by CBC Sydney and its host, outdoor enthusiast Steve Sutherland: Information Morning Interview

It looks as if my publisher has designed a cover for the next edition of Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia. This book, which is scheduled for an October 2012 release, will be the largest yet published, including 60 route listing, 45 sidebar notes, and 30 hiking tips. It iwll even have dozens of pages of colour pictures, all taken when I hiked the trails in 2011. With introduction, preface, acknwledgements, and all the supporting material, Hiking Trails of Mainland Nova Scotia will be more than 75,000 words long.

The 9th edition will be the first time that every picture used will be one of my own photos. While hiking for this and Hiking Trails of Cape Breton last year, I snapped more than 11,000 images. Maybe I should not be surprised if they were able to find 100-200 that are actually half decent.

Hiking Trails of Mainland Nova Scotia is available for order from Indigo and Amazon if you do not want to wait and get a copy in the store. Sorry that it will be a little late for hiking this year, but it will make a great Christmas present for the hiker in your household.

Why is walking in the woods so good for you?

Scientists have advanced a wide range of theories about the specific physical and mental benefits nature can provide, ranging from clean air and lack of noise pollution to the apparent immune-boosting effects of a fine mist of “wood essential oils.” But the most powerful benefits, a new study suggests, may result from the way trees and birds and sunsets gently tug – but never grab – at our attention. Read more: Article in Globe and Mail, May 28, 2012

First Manuscript Written

Writing is a slow process - at least for me. Nevertheless, I have just completed the first draft of the Hiking Trails of Cape Breton manuscript and it has been submitted to the publisher for editing.

Anyone notice the title change? I intended to position the two books as Volume 1 and 2 of a Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia set. However, the publisher has insisted, based on conversations with Amazon and Mountain Equipment Co-op, that separate titles are preferable.

As a result, this first work to be released with be the 2nd edition of Hiking Trails of Cape Breton, and the other title will be changed to Hiking Trails of Mainland Nova Scotia. Each volume with profile separate regions in the province, as their names suggest, and between them there will be a combined total of 100 walking routes spread throughout the province.

Hiking Trails of Cape Breton is being offered for advance sale already on Amazon.com and Chapters.ca, but publication is not expected before June. The publication date for Hiking Trails of Mainland Nova Scotia depends entirely on how quickly I can write it, but will be no earlier than September 2012.