Explore Everywhere Podcast James Donald

On this adventure we finish our paddle to Molly's Rock and explore where the Maliseet Trail crosses land around Benton.  We walk out to Eel River behind the St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church to a site that is expected to be the start of a land crossing on the Maliseet Trail, where there may have been a summer village.  We also hear stories about the hardships of travel in this area from Henry David Thoreau, stories of hardships endured by John Gyles (circa 1689) and hear about the mystery of the lost golden calf of 1877.

For more information on the Molly's Rock paddling route check out the Molly's Rock page on the Paddling NB website.  For more information and a map of the full Maliseet Trail check out Maliseet Trail page on the Hiking NB website.

On this adventure we join Dino Kubik with Canoe Kayak NB on a group paddle to Molly's Rock on the Benton Deadwater.  The Benton Deadwater is a part of Eel River and is part of the Maliseet Trail that joined the St. John River Valley with Bangor Maine.  This was a main travel route for thousands of years when canoes were the main mode of transportation in the area.  Join us as we explore the history and the beauty of the area.

For more information on this paddling route check out Mollys Rock on the Paddling NB website.

In this episode I talk with Emily Taylor Smith about the two books she has written:
Around the Province in 88 Days - One Woman, Two Pairs of Sneakers and 3000 Kilometres of Nova Scotia Coastline.No Thanks, I Want to Walk - Two Months on Foot Around New Brunswick and the GaspéWe talk about her long hikes around Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec.  We discuss the many benefits of walking both short and long distances.  We talk about the many locations that she visited along the way and the locations she has plans to hike in the future.

The following are just some of the places we discussed:
Fundy FootpathKouchibouguac National ParkConfederation TrailThe Island Walk

Welcome to 2021!  On this episode I am interviewed by Jenna Morton and Tosh Taylor for the Jenna and Tosh Podcast (Pickle Planet Podcast), for the Podcast Hub, and for Rogers TV in Moncton.  We discuss hiking trails around Moncton, in Albert County, and throughout the province.  We provide suggestions for family hikes with young kids but also cover trails and tips for a full range of difficulty.

Check out their websites here:
Pickle Planet - Your Guide to Family Life in MonctonThe Podcast HubFor the video from this episode check out Rogers TV in Moncton.

Trails we discuss are: 
Sussex BluffsFundy Park - Laverty FallsFundy Park - Moosehorn TrailFundy Park - Third Vault FallsFundy Park - Kinnie Brook (kid focused)Fundy Park - Dickson Falls (most popular in Fundy Park)Fundy Park - Matthews Head (spectacular ocean views)Fundy Park - Caribou Plain (winter)Fundy Park - Upper Salmon River to Black Hole (not Black Brook)Fundy Trail Parkway - Walton Glen GorgeNepisiguit Mi'gmaq TrailMount Carleton TrailMount Katahdin in MaineDobson TrailMapleton ParkCentennial ParkFundy Footpath

A short episode where I go for a walk at the Big Pokiok Nature Park to get away from all the news about Covid 19.

This episode starts with an interview of Adam Wilkins and Leah Alexander, the driving force behind the Split Rock and Troy's Trail in Lorneville near Saint John.  They take me on a tour of the Musquash Head Lighthouse and we hike Troy's Trail and the Black Beach Trail in the Musquash Estuary Nature Preserve.  They talk about how their group (Explore Lorneville Inc.) is working with the Nature Conservancy of Canada on fundraising campaign to save the Musquash Head Lighthouse, transfer land for conservation/preservation, and maintain & improve the trails in the area.  Please help out and donate today!  
Donate here: www.natureconservancy.ca/splitrocktrail
Stay tuned to the Hiking NB Facebook and Instagram page for an upcoming contest as part of this fundraiser.

Keep updated on the Split Rock and Troy's Trail on their Facebook Group.
Products mentioned
YankyTrail WrapTrails mentioned
Split Rock TrailBlack Beach Trail