Spring is on the way! The ice is here - but the sun will win!
We are eagerly awaiting the departure of the ice. The winter has been cold - the ice is thick. The woods still have ice, and the colours are beautiful. WE are getting ready for the launcing of Tillicum. Lots of plans and exciting new options. Here are some of the photos from our long winter!
Australia and Tasmania were the trip of a lifetime!
We spent February in the warmth and breezes of Australia with Nikki and Diego. They wined, dined, and toured us to places we had no idea even existed. We visited sailing friends, went out for Wednesday night races, and made new friends. What a glorious time we had soaking up sun, hiking, walking, swimming, and exploring the cafe and food culture of the main cities of Australia. Tasmania was a delight with visits to Cradle Mountain, Hobart, and our friends Margie and Chris. Travel is nothing short of invigorating and mind changing! Enjoy the pics!
Passing the time dreaming of boats.
Russ loves to work on models - here he puts together some of the many details of the Bluenose II model.
Merry Christmas One and All!
Bells Ringing, Carols Singing, and Warm memories from the long summer days and nights. Thank you to each and every guest who stayed with us - Tillicum and Captain's Quarters! We had a summer full of exciting memories and warm friendships.
Tillicum Wins Edward Murphy Memorial Cup
the first week of August is always the NSSA Race Week. This week in Chester, NS. Capt. Russ took a crew of salty sailors and even young ones. They captured the coveted Cup in a fantastic and fun race. After 3 years, and several 1st place finishes, this one finally counts! Congrats to the stalwart Crew!
Summer is a comin' to an end...
There is nothing finer than the light of a fall sunrise. Just one more week and Tillicum will work her way up the River to Bridgewater for the winter. Ready to try one last sail? Give us a call - fall colours, photography, painting, and picnicking can all be enjoyed!
Perfect Night for Pirate Pizza
Arrgh - t'was a mighty fine night for the jackos and hearties and mini crew members. Sword brandishing, plank walking, and tug o' war all brought cheers and mighty roars to the pirates on hand. It was topped off with a hot and hearty pirate pizza building by all!
The Best of Summer is here!
Finally Summer has arrived - with fury and force. But we can't complain too much - even though it feels just like the tropics! So we cook outside, play outside, and enjoy our time on the water! Come and spend some time with us!
Leanin' Into Summer!
Cruising down the river........
Thanks to a stalwart brew of Mike and Capt. Russ and a hearty gathering of guests, Tillicum once again graced the flowing waters of the LaHave! Arrrgh and Ho-ho-ho!
Pirate Pizza Perfection with a Wood Fired Pizza Oven!
Here's to backyard living with a Pirate Pizza!
Tillicum sails smoothly to a first place crossing in the NSSA Canada Race
Lots of fun and crew-worthy handling of the sails to catch the most wind we could! Three cheers to a great group of sailors! Innes Malcolm, Shaun Dauphinee and Mike Thornborrow - you guys are awesome!
Summer Has Begun!
We are up and running again! Our first guests, our shakedown sail, and a night of warmth and days of sun! Hooray! Tillicum has freshly varnished masts, newly varnished decks, and scrubbed inside and out!
www.facebook.com/tillicumadventuretours/posts/823945821088515 |
"Where Friendship, History, and Adventure come together on the LaHave" 
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Home again, home again Jiggity Jig!
Tillicum has returned to grace Burns Cove - and she was welcomed by a rainbow! What a Lucky Lady she is!
A New addition to the fleet! Welcome to pedal power!
A Brief History of the last few months where snow, cold, and ice were slumbering our sailing spirits! But life has sprung once again!
New Video announces Splash Date!
It's Time To Splash!
Mark your calendars - Saturday, May 27, 2017 will be the official splashing date for Tillicum! She returns to the water all repainted, re-varnished, and spruced up ready to go! It has been a long winter, and she is really eager to take to the seas! We welcome aboard any and all - what a great way to see the river, relax, and spend some time navigating the curves and corners of the LaHave! Want to go farther out into sea - we can do that too! It's fun and exciting - a great team building activity! Come one - come all!
New and exciting changes coming this summer!
It's Official! The summer of 2017 is ready to take on some exciting new adventures! We are adding to our fleet with pedal boats! These are buoyant, fun, and safe. You can choose from electric or leg powered. They include a cooler, a canopy, and a place to relax. Take them out with friends for a great tour around the river, have a picnic, see the sunset, and enjoy the coolness of being on the water without the noise of a loud motor.
You can get right up to wildlife, climb out onto land, or just laze around and watch the clouds drift by.
We are also adding an opportunity to enjoy wood-fired pizza and a swim in an above ground pool. Relax around a campfire, cool off in a worry-free pool, and enjoy the comfort of summer on the water! Nothing could be finer! Bookings available for birthdays, anniversaries, get-away times with friends, or just a fun afternoon! Add a fun pleasure ride on Tillicum or book overnight - your imagination can dream! See you soon!
You can get right up to wildlife, climb out onto land, or just laze around and watch the clouds drift by.
We are also adding an opportunity to enjoy wood-fired pizza and a swim in an above ground pool. Relax around a campfire, cool off in a worry-free pool, and enjoy the comfort of summer on the water! Nothing could be finer! Bookings available for birthdays, anniversaries, get-away times with friends, or just a fun afternoon! Add a fun pleasure ride on Tillicum or book overnight - your imagination can dream! See you soon!
Tillicum Takes on Schooners in Lunenburg Heritage Cup Race
It was a bit of a blustery, blowy day with rain and becalmed conditions thrown into the mix, but Tillicum and her crew of hearty, salty sailors took to the race course. They faired very well - perhaps even a first place finish, but due to our yet to be completed racing rating, she did not receive a medal. However - all crew and captain shouted to the winds, blew heartily into the sails, and returned home salty and savvy with stories galore! Tillicum had a fine weekend all in all!
Captain Russ with his salty crew and a musket or two!
Hello to Air BnB! Tillicum has a new Adventure!
Our first Happy Guests
Tillicum has taken a new step in the world of entrepreneurship! She is now accepting guests overnight to enjoy the wonders of the sunsets and breezes in Burns Cove. Through Air BnB Canada, you can search the Upper LaHave Area and find out listing with all the details and instant booking options. If you are interested in a 4-5 sail with a stop at the LaHave Bakery and Westcote Bell pottery, then a small additional fee is collected. This seems to be working really well and guests have had a good time. The weather has been pretty cooperative, too, with just a few sprinkles, nothing too major. The mosquitoes are a bit pesky, but mostly around sunset, and then they disperse.
Here is a link to our listing:
www.airbnb.ca/rooms/13900365?checkin=05-08-2016&checkout=07-08-2016&guests=1&s=rnx_i_sD
Here is a link to our listing:
www.airbnb.ca/rooms/13900365?checkin=05-08-2016&checkout=07-08-2016&guests=1&s=rnx_i_sD
Successful first sail - Heeling and Strong Winds
Our first sail with guests was down to the LaHave Bakery and into the LaHave Mouth. We were almost directly into the wind, which made for some fancy tacking and great heeling. Our guests were a bit on the newbie side, but they showed no signs of sea sickness nor fear! They were fantastic! We tacked through the buoys and around Spectacle Island, and decided it was too windy to anchor, so we headed back through the buoys and into Riverport, where we anchored and enjoyed a delicious spread - complete with strawberries, brownies, and selected cheeses. A good day by all all and all had a schooner-ific time!
We have hit the waves running!
So - we are back on the water! And Tillicum is as happy as a dolphin surfing the waves! Last Wednesday we went down to the LaHave Islands to scope things out and have an overnight aboard to make sure all systems were go. When we left our cove, the light winds were from the North and gently filling our sails as wel glided with the current to the mouth of the river. After a few miles, the wonds switched to be from the SW - which means the colder ocean air was blwoing against us. The clouds took over the sky, too. We anchored eventually off the smaller Spectacle Island and planned to take the dinghy ashore to investigate. Well we anchored, but then out plans changed - the winds began to gust, the rain came, and it grew really cold. So we hunkered down in the cabin, drank some warm tea, and rested until it was time for supper. After that the sky cleared, the winds abated, and Russ went out to the island with the dinghy. He hiked a bit, was warmed by the sun. and was inspected by 3 very large and scruffy sheep. No one was on the island except these 3 sheep. The sunset was lovely, the temps dropped, and we got out our down covers to cozy up in. During the night a large Lobster boat went trolling by! That was a bit of a fright! By morning the winds were still strong, bu the sky was much nicer. We pulled up anchor headed back up the river - to warmth and calmer conditions. Such was our first shake down sail.
She's Back! Tillicum returns to her home in the cove!
On Saturday, June 4th, Tillicum returned to her home in the sea - just like a Mermaid who missed her long, lost home. The day was long, but she weathered to lifting like a graceful sea creature. Her bilge didn't fill with water, her decks were pretty fair, and her trusty night lantern glowed with promise and dignity. Although Sunday morning dawned with fog, she rode on her chains gracefully. Welcome home, trusty schooner!
A Mermaid returns to the sea...
Today Tillicum returned to the sea. Just like a Mermaid, she is happy to be in her most favoured environment. The loving mates made sure she was nestled in the sling and placed gently in the inviting water. All hands are very happy the painting and the hard work were rewarded. There is nothing like returning home! Thanks to our friend and neighbour Innes Malcolm for the photos and help.
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Springtime on the LaHave in Burns Cove
Yes - it is nearly June. The days are long, the grass is green, and the leaves are full. The best thing are the flowers everywhere and the boats appearing like water bugs on the river. Everyday there is more sign of a return to life as we all wish for! We haven't had a chance to catch any sunsets or sunrises (they come at 5:30am now), but I have a few pics of the flowering crab apple and some other spring blooms. Enjoy! And remember - we are opening up for vacation stay guests in our house and celebrations for birthdays and anniversaries! Start dreaming and planning! We are!
June 4th is coming - Tillicum Returns to the Water!
Launch date - June 4th! Tillicum will be back in the water after being on dry land for the past 7 months. Never has she been dry for long. A good chance to really prepare the anti-fouling and get the zincs in order. Today we ran the engine with a hose providing the cooling water for 3 minutes. Last weekend we spent it washing and putting the interior back together. Life on the river and out to the ocean will begin again! Looking forward to it!
The Beaches and Ocean are Beckoning!
It's been a long winter for us and for Tillicum! The water is warming, the beaches are beckoning, and Tillicum is looking forward to getting a spa treatment - paint, preparation for launching, and some other niceties! She is especially relishing meeting new friends! We were out the other day inspecting the beaches. They are Calling! And by the way - we are eager for your calls too! We'll be ready with new activities and adventures come June!
The LaHave In January has us enjoying beauty and dreaming of Spring!
It has been a while since posting to our site. The months have marched along, and we have been attending to many issues that have taken a back seat. But always on our minds is returning to the water and Tillicum with friends and future adventurers! This time of year has a special beauty and enjoyment - and here are a few photos to bring you closer to the beauty of the LaHave river!
The Super Moon and Eclipse was a Super success!
Sunday night was just right - no clouds, dry air, a bit of a breeze, and no bugs! We bundled up, brought food and warm drinks, and headed down the LaHave to view one of Mother Nature's most exciting shows. And what a show we saw! The moon gradually moved into the Earth's shadow and become red - very fitting for this time of year. The whole event lasted several hours, and we managed to see most of it! Jerry Deveau was onboard with binoculars, tripod, star charts, and abundant knowledge! A great time was experienced by all!
A Fantastic September Sail with go anywhere winds!
It was a breezy cool Monday when the sky was bright blue! We headed out for a late sail and had the best winds of the summer! We whizzed down the LaHave averaging 6knots and fly back after anchoring in Riverport for a bit. These are the days we keep in our hearts and pull us back to the water! Thanks to friends Innes, Brenda, Dana, George and Christine! As Capt'n Russ says: Vitamins for the Soul!
Super Moon Lunar Eclipse coming up this September 27th!
Ahoy Everyone! It's time to get excited about the fall night sky. The constellations have rotated, the sky is brilliant, and the weather is getting crisper. What better way to see the autumnal sky than to gaze toward the heavens, unobstructed, from the deck of a wooden schooner? Time to sign up and get on board. We have lessons, food, and refreshments while out on the beautiful LaHave viewing the Milky Way and the moon turning red!
Take time to enjoy September!
Entering into the 2nd weekend of September! The heat is on and so are a few showers. But it is still a great opportunity to take in the action on the LaHave River or the Islands! Give us a shout and we can organize a trip for you and family and friends. Stopping at the LaHave Bakery, hanging out in the Islands for a picnic, going for a sunset cruise, or even doing some photography and sketching are all possible! Tillicum is ready and waiting to take you away to a day's delight!
A sweet September Sail to West Ironbound Island
What a grand day we had with the Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy folks. We headed out to West Ironbound Island to help them enjoy a work day and see the sights form the water. The winds were just right, the sun was warming, and the temps were dry and cool. We couldn't have asked for anything better. We even schemed of ways to stay - anchor overnight, sketch a scene, and go hunting for sheep for a few of the activities we might have lingered a bit longer to do. Thanks to the KCC folks for all their faith and help!
It's Labour Day Weekend Fun Time!
Get out the bathing suits! Don't forget the sun screen! Pack up some goodies, and get ready for an afternoon of fun!
Ready for a picnic on Labour Day Weekend? Join us on an afternoon cruise on the LaHave. Choose to go up and down the river or stop in the islands and anchor for a swim or head to land for a hike. We are setup to do anything you would like! Cruising aboard an ocean going wooden schooner. We offer afternoon cruises and sunset sails. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, family celebrations and making memories.
Ready for a picnic on Labour Day Weekend? Join us on an afternoon cruise on the LaHave. Choose to go up and down the river or stop in the islands and anchor for a swim or head to land for a hike. We are setup to do anything you would like! Cruising aboard an ocean going wooden schooner. We offer afternoon cruises and sunset sails. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, family celebrations and making memories.
Celebrate the Last Summer Weekend!
Wow - Can you believe it? The last weekend of summer is here? Do you have it all planned - or have you been waiting to find out what the weather will be? Well - the weather is on our side - it will be great! Why not spend some time with family or friends and have your own wooden schooner for an afternoon or evening? WE offer afternoon cruises on the LaHave River or evening sunset cruises - complete with food and refreshments. What could be better than hanging out with friends enjoying the wildlife and sights of the LaHave? We can stop at the Bakery or the Fort Point Museum - or even anchor out in the islands and swim! Your choice! Call us today or contact by email!
902-541-0778
tillicum1@gmail.com
902-541-0778
tillicum1@gmail.com
Weekend fun at the Growing Green Festival and Farmer's Market
It's that time of year when summer is starting to wind down but we just can't let go! So - we are putting up a booth at the Farmers' Market during the Growing Green Festival in Bridgewater on Saturday. King Street will be turned into a pedestrian area with music, food, and other activities. Cap'n Russ and I will be there, too with photos of Tillicum and her Travels and info about our tours on the LaHave. Stop by and say hello. We promise to give you a grand Ahoy and take time to talk!
http://lunenburgregion.ca/index.php/entries/festival/growing-green-sustainability-festival/
Getting set for a Sunset Sail
It's that perfect time of year with long dusks, golden edged clouds, bucolic blues deepening into rich indigos. The days have been warm and nights refreshing. The river is calling to folks to end the days with a recharge of the setting sun and stars beginning to twinkle. So - why not hop aboard Tillicum for a lovely sail into the sunset with friends and nature? We can see wildlife, beauty, and of course the ever-changing patterns of dusk. We'll be getting aboard on Friday night and Saturday night (weather permitting). Call us with questions or to book! See you on the water! Sail starts at 6:30 with refreshments and appies to boot!
902-541-0778
902-541-0778
A Sunny Summer Sail - August 16th
It was a great day to be out on the LaHave. We had a wonderful time hoisting, hauling, tacking, tillering, eating, and enjoying the summer sun.
August 15th - First Cruise!
This is it! We are getting ready for a our lift-off! This Saturday we'll be using the new dock and taking our first adventurers out on the Inaugural Sail of Tillicum 1 with Cap'n Russ on the LaHave River. Prepare for fun, history, songs, refreshments, and beautiful scenery! We'll be leaving the dock around 2pm and sailing until 5pm. The day is going to be grand - so come on out to 15 Rudolf Road in Upper LaHave, NS. Check out our pages for maps and a calendar. Give us a call if you intend to come on out! 902-541-0778
check out this link
Arrgh, Mateys!
Are you ready for the adventure? Welcome aboard and get ready to heave and haul. Strike the bell, and haul up the anchor. Time to heave away-ho for the bright, blue ocean. It's hoist up the main and haul in the jib. Look smart on the foredeck for whatever comes at us. All hands on deck and ready a delightful day. Pay attention to the First Mate and don't cross the Captain. Sure, there are Buckos on board, but don't let them bully you around. No time for dawdling and ready on the sheets, for the wind's a-comin' and we have to make way. Look lively, now, and ready to jibe, for we're about to race down the river with the wind fillin' our sails and a song spillin' forth from our hearts!
Or - perhaps you are ready for something calm and serene - something that will allow you to drift away to that Happy Place and enjoy a few hours of contentment. This is where you can soak up the sun, revel in the fresh air, dangle your toes in the water, or just sleep and regain energy. We have opportunities for kayaking, berry picking, cycling, celebrating, and vacation rentals, too. Please check out our other page for a more comprehensive listing.
And so - are you ready to create some lasting memories? Would you like an evening cruise watching the sunset and listening to the sounds of the river? Perhaps you'd like to relive the past days aboard a schooner and pretend to be part of a new life seeking distant shores with excitement, adventure, and challenges. Are you ready for some action and some liveliness? You'll hear of the past, have a chance to be a Limey onboard a schooner and skylark in the rigging, speak the jargon, and learn about real sailing while going on down the LaHave River towards the bright blue Atlantic Ocean!
With Tillicum Adventure Tours we offer a chance to relive a life from the past, re-connect with the adventurer inside, and sail into the future with new confidence, memories, and energy! Or how about a recharge of your internal batteries? Sun, deep sleeps, and water all help to soothe the soul and put you back on an even keel. A bit of sea air, action on a boat, and the open feeling of charging forward under wind power is never to be forgotten! Welcome one and all - we'll make you into Salty Dogs!
With Tillicum Adventure Tours we offer a chance to relive a life from the past, re-connect with the adventurer inside, and sail into the future with new confidence, memories, and energy! Or how about a recharge of your internal batteries? Sun, deep sleeps, and water all help to soothe the soul and put you back on an even keel. A bit of sea air, action on a boat, and the open feeling of charging forward under wind power is never to be forgotten! Welcome one and all - we'll make you into Salty Dogs!
For more Nova Scotia offerings, please click below.
