Overnight at Liscombe Lodge & Sherbrooke Village

The drive from Halifax to Liscombe Lodge on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore takes about two and a half hours. We arrived at Liscombe just in time for lunch, our first chance to taste some lobster and we weren't shy.  We ordered seafood chowder and a lobster roll.

Seafood Chowder & Lobster Roll
by Debi Lander

The chowder arrived piping hot; a treat for Florida gals as it was a chilly, rainy day. Every spoonful warmed our bodies and souls. Next came the lobster roll and only one word is needed, "YUM." Lovely, large chunks of the cold-water crustacean with just a light touch of mayo on a home baked bread.

The Liscombe River

After lunch, we checked into our rooms. They sat next door to each other: rustic little cabins, called chalets, with a big bed and a small wood-burning stove in the corner. The cabins, with outdoor verandas, overlooked a rapidly moving river. The swishing sounds would surely lure us to sleep at night.

A warm fireplace in the evening.

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My Chalet near the roaring Liscombe River.

Interior of my bedroom in the chalet. 

Liscombe Lodge offers 30 Riverside Lodge guestrooms, 17 chalets, and five four-bedroom cottages. They are pet-friendly and also have a fitness center and indoor heated pool. Of course, the main building includes a restaurant with big windowed walls that overlook the river. Many bird feeders hang outside the windows, and a bevy of colorful feathered friends come and go. We were thoroughly entertained by the little fellas.

Birds outside the restaurant entertain diners.

However, it was time to join two other travel writers and set off to Sherbrooke Village to experience life as it was along the St. Mary’s River before the 1900s. In the 1860s, timber, tall ships and gold brought prosperity to this area of Nova Scotia. Today 25 original buildings remain where costumed interpreters bring history to life. We watched sparks fly from the blacksmith’s hammer as he created an "s" curved hook. We saw the printer using his press and witnessed the work of a weaver’s nimble hands.

The Blacksmith at Sherbrooke Village.

The Printer

Our tour was far too brief; this is the type of place you need to spend the entire day roaming around. The Tea Room looked inviting, and the menu featured Fisherman's Pie and Old Fashioned Lemon Snow, a lemon pudding with custard sauce.  Something the Good Girls would have surely devoured. 

Sherbrooke Village in Nova Scotia

Blacksmith's Forge

We were impressed with the variety and number of hands-on workshops held there throughout the year: woodworking, forging, a sawmill and goldmine frolic, a songwriters camp, sewing circle, antique car show, a sporting day for traditional driving- as in horse and cart, a time traveler's reunion and harvest weekend.

Sherbrooke Village reminds me of Sturbridge Village in New England, but it's a smaller version and covers a later period.  Anyone touring Nova Scotia should consider stopping. We give it a thumbs up! 

The lovely Sherbrooke Village in Nova Scotia.

We returned to the Lodge for a salmon planking demonstration. The chefs mounted a wild salmon filet on a board, placed it near an open fire, and brushed with maple syrup and butter. The cooks at Liscombe Lodge prepare this house specialty daily. Since we'd missed dinner the night before, we were ever so grateful to taste the Nova Scotia delicacy. Another yum!

Salmon Planking

Brushing the glaze onto the salmon.

Onward for a crafting project! Generally, the Good Girls don't sit around working on crafty projects. We are too busy gallivanting around the world. But, when given the opportunity, we jumped- no, pounded in. We were offered an array of wildflowers and plant leaves and were to create a print by hammering the natural oils through a piece of muslin. Oh yes, wine was included, too.

Judy hammers away.

Our friend Kirsten works on her craft project. 

Judy got fancy with flowers,

and I stuck with a fern, a fiddlehead fern to be exact. This type of printmaking is one heck of a useful craft if you happen to be angry with someone -- just pound out your hostilities. We then ironed the fabric to affix the imprint and placed the design in a frame. Can't say mine is a work of art, but if my grandchild made it, I would have been thrilled. Nice to see the Lodge offering an activity that includes nature and keeps one busy. A perfect rainy day project.

Debi's Leaf Print

Since the misty weather curtailed a morning boat ride, we made up time with an afternoon outing. Liscombe maintains a marina and offers scenic tours on the water.

The Good Girls, Debi Lander and Judy Wells.

Our boat ride included hors d'oeuvres and wine, an event that placed the Good Girls back in their element.

The View from the Marina at Liscombe Lodge
@Debi Lander

We motored across shimmering crystal clear water and through the noticeably clean air. We passed fifty shades of green trees and peaceful vistas. My goodness, the look of Nova Scotia is pleasing to the beholder. We loved the calming views.

Liscombe Lodge from the River

A Rainbow appeared during out boat ride.

However wonderful the boat ride was, a lobster lesson and feast were next on the schedule for dinner.  We didn't have long to wait. 

Our upcoming Lobster Dinner
(Hint: read the next post to learn about cooking and eating lobster.)