A Brief Tour of Halifax - and a Warning...

I was in Halifax yesterday! I love that city. The downtown is so vibrant and the history so tangible. Anyone who knows me, knows my love of old buildings (and, of course, history). But now my legs hurt.

You're thinking - how does that relate to Halifax? Well, I did the walking thing on Thursday, like I said I would. I managed a good hour long 'stroll' along the highway that follows the LaHave River. Naturally, having spent a great deal of time on my butt for the last couple of years I am out of shape. So Friday, yesterday, I woke to sore legs. Not too bad - no limping or excrutiating pain. I decided that while I waited for my friend to get her hair done downtown Halifax I would go for a walk - the last time I had tried that, I ended up shopping!

So, parked the car on one of the upper streets (Tower Road) and headed down to the waterfront. I passed beautiful brick and stone buildings that had been standing in the exact same location for over 100 years (some over 200). I strolled past quirky shops, giving only a quick glance in the window so as not to get sidetracked. Down across the street that runs parallel to the harbour (Lower Water Street) and onto the board walk behind the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. The weather was dull, grey - a little bit of a wind - so I didn't stop to take any pictures. I just walked, loving the smell of the ocean.

All the way down to the casino. Because it was during the lunch hour, I passed many people jogging and walking - if I lived in Halifax, I think the boardwalk would be one of my favorite places to spend the lunch hour. I watched the ferry come in from Dartmouth. Saw a tug boat head out to sea. Stopped for a minute and watched some workmen do something on a barge right beside one of the many docks that line the waterfront. Then I walked back along the road side so I could take in the old buildings and marvel at the new ones built alongside.

All the way down past the Alexander Keith's Brewery. Back down onto the boardwalk. Along the harbour to the back of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. And onto the road that would lead me back up to the car, impressed that I had been walking for about 45 minutes. Another 15 and I would have my hour accomplished. I could feel my legs getting tired, my feet sore (wrong shoes for the event), but figured I had the rest of the day to relax - I'd be fine.

Halifax is built on a hill (a glacial drumlin to be precise)!

I walked down to the waterfront!

I can barely move this morning!

So, People of Blogland, this has been a little tour of Halifax and a warning. If you're going to start an exercise program, take care. And, for heaven's sake, don't go for a walk on the second day where the last 15 minutes is spent walking directly uphill! Have a great Saturday - and if you have some time, check out the links to Halifax. If I ever move back to a city - it will be Halifax. Love it!

Picture is of the Halifax's Citidel - National Historic Site of Canada - located at the peak of The Hill!