Exploring the world starts in your own backyard

“You can take a person out of Nova Scotia, but you cannot take Nova Scotia out of that person.” Can you relate to that saying? I certainly can! Over the years, I have traveled to and through various countries. I also lived in other Maritime Provinces, Alberta, and Ireland and spent almost ten years living just outside of Boston, MA prior to moving back to Nova Scotia about two years ago. Some may read this and be wondering why I came back, others may wonder why I left in the first place but I have a feeling most of you understand what it is like to move away from Nova Scotia and constantly feel the pull to come back. For some, that move is easier than others. Regardless, having vacation time at home in Nova Scotia becomes some of the most cherished moments of the year. Those moments become filled with spending as much time as possible relaxing with family and friends and eating your favorite foods and drinks not readily available where you may be living. Trust me, I understand!

Once I moved away for a while, I began to realize just how much I had taken my hometown and whole province for granted. It just seemed more exciting to say I was traveling to some exotic destination or living anywhere but here. Each year when I came home for vacation, it was reconfirming that this was “home” and I would be back to live here permanently one day. I found myself so excited to talk about Nova Scotia to new people I was meeting, encouraging them to visit and in many cases working directly with them to plan their first-time visits here.

When I had the opportunity to move back just over two years ago, I could not get my bags packed quick enough. Since then, I have made it my goal to make the most of every moment and explore and appreciate every square inch of my big backyard. Prior to last spring, I had never been to even our iconic attractions like Peggys Cove, Lunenburg or our wine country in the Wolfville area. I had never been tidal bore rafting, explored the Fundy Shore, and had spent very little time on the Northumberland Shore. I was most familiar with my hometown of Antigonish, Cape Breton (where I worked for a number of summers many years ago) and Halifax. This is especially shameful given that fact that I have been working in the tourism and hospitality industry for several years. Knowledge of this amazing province is not nearly as powerful as the experience enjoying all we have to offer. I have already started my list of NS destinations and activities for this year and would be thrilled to help you with your “backyard” list too! Over the next few months, in addition to covering a variety of tourism topics, I will be sharing lots of great ideas; tips and content to ensure none of us are taking our backyard for granted anymore!

This is the first in a series of columns that will be appearing in our community newspapers throughout the province. The goal is to create travel and tourism related content that is educational, informative and entertaining. Stephanie MacPherson has an extensive background working in and studying tourism, a field about which she is extremely passionate. She believes that we can use tourism as a vehicle to educate ourselves in a way books cannot, as a means to embrace our own backyard, explore the world, enhance our communities, meet new people and have amazing experiences.