Port Medway To Berlin, and Beyond
Most of the hidden gems along the South Shore of Nova Scotia can be found off the usual trails, and the short ride along the Medway River to the ocean, and then to Liverpool, NS is no exception. I suggest you start by getting off the 103 highway at Charleston (VERY small village) and head toward Mill Village (just a slightly larger small village). They may be small but Mill Village, especially, is picturesque along the Mersey River, especially when all the Maple and Oak trees are in full leaf.
If, upon coming to a fork (notice you never come to a spoon) in the road, guiding you either to Mill Village to the left or Greenfield to the right, and you decide to travel to Greenfield, you will pass by what is left of the old Earth satellite station that was built in the early 1960's to keep in contact with satellittes, and orbiting American space craft at the time when earth to space technology was in its infantcy and all signals were weak and limited. It closed due to technology by-passing this need and the 150 foot satelitte dish was replaced by pizza sized dishes on the side of buildings. Makes for an interesting side to the early space race.
As you go through Mill Village, you will return to an intersection of the 103 (there is no over-pass here, so be careful as you cross the busy highway to get to the other side, something many a porcupine and skunk have failed to do! (Note: there are only 3 over-pass intersections between Bridgewater and Yarmouth, resulting in too many accidents and deaths. Just a rant!!!)
You are now heading toward Port Medway along the Medway River, and for a portion of the short journey, just out of site of the river. The road has been recently paved (for most of the ride), making the curves more pleasent. As yoou enter Port Medway, you are greeted by a sign that says "Home of Carroll Baker", a village proud of one of the Queens of Country music in Canada (you can check her out at carrollbakersinger.ca), even though she was born in Bridgewater, NS. Just when you think you can't go any farther past on the road, do so and you will come to the Port Medway wharf , lighthouse, and picnic area. The view is fantastic. See picture below.
Be sure to get off the bike and spend some time getting pictures, just like the five other bikers that were there when this picture was taken.
If, upon coming to a fork (notice you never come to a spoon) in the road, guiding you either to Mill Village to the left or Greenfield to the right, and you decide to travel to Greenfield, you will pass by what is left of the old Earth satellite station that was built in the early 1960's to keep in contact with satellittes, and orbiting American space craft at the time when earth to space technology was in its infantcy and all signals were weak and limited. It closed due to technology by-passing this need and the 150 foot satelitte dish was replaced by pizza sized dishes on the side of buildings. Makes for an interesting side to the early space race.
As you go through Mill Village, you will return to an intersection of the 103 (there is no over-pass here, so be careful as you cross the busy highway to get to the other side, something many a porcupine and skunk have failed to do! (Note: there are only 3 over-pass intersections between Bridgewater and Yarmouth, resulting in too many accidents and deaths. Just a rant!!!)
You are now heading toward Port Medway along the Medway River, and for a portion of the short journey, just out of site of the river. The road has been recently paved (for most of the ride), making the curves more pleasent. As yoou enter Port Medway, you are greeted by a sign that says "Home of Carroll Baker", a village proud of one of the Queens of Country music in Canada (you can check her out at carrollbakersinger.ca), even though she was born in Bridgewater, NS. Just when you think you can't go any farther past on the road, do so and you will come to the Port Medway wharf , lighthouse, and picnic area. The view is fantastic. See picture below.
Be sure to get off the bike and spend some time getting pictures, just like the five other bikers that were there when this picture was taken.
After you have spend some considerable time in Port Medway, head back in the direction you came, to the first fork (there it is again!) in the road, and turn to the left, toward the Berlins (no, you are not in Germany but they remind us of the Cold War of the late 1940's to approximately 1993). One thing you will notice as you go through West Berlin on the way to East Berlin (and Beach Meadows) is how much cooler the air can be, even in the middle of July. It is great for those hot, humid days of summer but require a bit of extra layers in the spring or fall, or after the sun falls in the summer. At least there are only a few mosquitoes. You should now have come to a stop at the intersection (see 2nd picture below). If you turn to the left, you will enter East Berlin, which is a dead end road, but I suggest you do it anyway, then backtrack) or turn to the right and head toward Beach Meadows, and a gorgeous Provincial Park and Beach (a MUST stop), and then to Brooklyn and Liverpool.
If you have arrived at Brooklyn in approximately 1 hour after you started, you have been traveling much to fast, and not stopping to smell the roses. Brooklyn overlooks Liverpool Harbour and especially the moth balled Bowater Mersey Paper Mill that was the mainstay economic engine for this once booming area. But like almost all towns and communities that rely on ancient technology, hard times have befallen them. Even so, the harbour front is impressive, and shows the resilience of the local people.
Finally, you will arrive at Liverpool, the "Home of the Privateers", and prepare yourself for a return to Bridgewater, head toward Shelburne - Yarmouth, head up to Kedji Park and Digby - Annapolis, or better yet, make a stay out of it, and smell the roses.