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Dale Wilson Parks Canada
Paddle into the sunset on some of the gentlest waterways in the region. Parks Canada/Dale Wilson
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Photos courtesy Parks Canada
Eel Weir or Sky Circle. Keji's beauty is breathtaking. At night, it shines even brighter. Parks Canada/Chris Green
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Dale Wilson Parks Canada
An image is worth a thousand words - let Keji's interpreters tell the story behind these intriguing stone carvings. Parks Canada/Dale Wilson
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Chris Reardon Photo: Chris Reardon
The Order of Good Cheer was Samuel de Champlain's way to keep morale up. Parks Canada/Chris Reardon
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Christopher M Green
Eel Weir or Sky Circle. Caption: Keji's beauty is breathtaking. At night, it shines even brighter. Parks Canada/Chris Green
By Lyndin Kane
A Night with the Stars: Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site
You know that old saying about going where the locals go when you travel? Well, in Nova Scotia, Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site is a local darling, so much so that generations of families faithfully go to “Keji” year-after-year. So, when you’re driving down the highway, head toward southwestern Nova Scotia and check out Keji, just like a local.
Kejimkujik is the only designated national park and national historic site in Canada and is known for its abundance of lakes, ponds and streams that protect a variety of habitats and wildlife. This beauty is steeped in 4,000 years of Mi’kmaw history and was designated a national historic site in 1995 as it features prominently throughout the park. Petroglyphs (carvings in stone) found along lakeshores provide insight into Mi’kmaw history and culture; with over 500 petroglyphs, this is one of the largest collections in eastern North America.
And if Keji didn’t already sound amazing enough, it’s home to the only Dark Sky Preserve (DSP) in Nova Scotia. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) designated the preserve in 2010, which safeguards the area from artificial light and helps to protect wildlife from light pollution. The preserve provides a welcome escape from glaring city lights and enables visitors to take a moment and enjoy the celestial landscape.
Parks Canada offers many educational and experiential opportunities to help visitors explore the DSP, including programming hosted every Saturday night (July-September, weather permitting) lead by Parks Canada interpreters in the Sky Circle for 1.5 hours. These Saturday sessions allow visitors to learn about stars, the moon and constellations. Visitors have the opportunity to test out binoculars and a telescope to see what the sky has on offer. Weekly nighttime hikes also touch on dark sky themes and offer a unique hiking experience that can only be found under the cloak of darkness.
In addition to the regularly-scheduled dark sky programming, Keji hosts an annual Dark Sky Weekend, which is a huge event that brings in partners from RASC’s local chapter. This year’s event will take place between August 7-9, 2015. Past activities have included the use of telescopes and StarFinders and weave in Mi’kmaw lore, Celtic tales, modern discoveries – and yes – even some science!
After a fabulous night spent with the stars, walk back to your RV site in Jeremy’s Bay Campground, a short distance from the magical Sky Circle, steps away from Kejimkujik Lake and amidst the lush Acadian forest.
Spend your days hiking Keji’s over 100 km of trails or exploring the lakes via canoe or kayak. If you’re looking for an entirely different, yet still Keji, experience, take a short day trip to Kejimkujik Seaside to explore a turquoise oceanside playground. At Keji Seaside you’ll find 12 km of trail that feature coastal forest, white sandy beaches and harbour seals sunning themselves along the rocky coastline. And for the bird enthusiasts, Keji Seaside is also home to the endangered piping plover, which features prominently in Parks Canada’s local species at risk program.
For those looking to daytrip close by, southwestern Nova Scotia is known for its seaside fishing communities and beautiful beaches. This region also plays host to thousands of years of Mi’kmaw history and saw the establishment of Port-Royal by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons and the founding of the Order of Good Cheer by Samuel de Champlain. Both the Fort Anne National Historic Site and the Port-Royal National Historic Site are just under an hour’s drive from Keji. Both sites offer stunning views of the Annapolis Basin and Fort Anne is located in the heart of Annapolis Royal.
Originally designed as a military fort, visitors to Fort Anne can explore buildings that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, including a gunpowder magazine and officers’ quarters. At the Officers’ Quarters Museum visitors are encouraged to try on Acadian period costumes as well as French and British military uniforms. A visit to Fort Anne would not be complete without taking in the Fort Anne Heritage Tapestry. Crafted by over 100 volunteers and totalling over three million stitches, this stunning tapestry chronicles 400 years of the area’s history.
If you really want to get a feel for what life would have been like in the early 17th century when Port-Royal was first established, look no further than the Port-Royal National Historic Site. Home to the Order of Good Cheer, the Port-Royal Habitation was fully reconstructed by the Canadian government in 1939-40 and present-day interpreters provide an interactive experience as you explore centuries-old construction techniques, learn about the healing properties of plants in the Mi’kmaw tradition and don some wooden sabots (wooden shoes) to really get into character.
After a day breathing in that soothing salt air and Canadian history, make your way back to your home-away-from-home and take in the sights only the sky has to offer… just like a local!
Planning Your Trip
How do I plan my trip?
Check out our website for details about trip planning, activities, special events and more. www.parkscanada.gc.ca/keji http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ns/kejimkujik/index.aspx
Are there any special events planned at Keji this summer?
In addition to the Dark Sky Weekend, a variety of events have been planned for the summer season, including the launch of Keji’s red chair program. Visitors are encouraged to #sharethechair as they take #timetoconnect and discover some of our favourite sites throughout the park. Notable special events are as follows:
- July: Canada Day celebrations
- August: Canoe Fest from August 22-23
- September: International Observe the Moon Night on September 19
- October: Thanksgiving weekend is the most popular weekend at the park
For a comprehensive list, see our website for details: www.parkscanada.gc.ca/ns http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ns/kejimkujik/activ/activ13.aspx
Should I book ahead?
Yes! This park is well-loved and well-used, for this reason, visitors should plan ahead and book prior to arrival to secure a spot. Visitors can book a spot in Jeremy’s Bay Campground in the following ways:
Telephone: 1-877-RESERVE from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Online: www.reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca
What about Fort Anne and Port-Royal, how do I find information about these two sites?
Please check our websites for details about your trip to Fort Anne and Port-Royal: