Trail Stop Country Market
Living memories of your 2011 wedding or special event. Order tree seedlings, plantable gift tags and more from the Trail Stop
A “Living Memories” Forest Project
The Trail Stop Take Out is not yet open for the 2011 season. Check the yellow highway sign for updates…
Antiques and curios! Stop by for ice Cream (Big Dip Cones), Fish & Chips (the best!), Real French Canadian Poutine with Home Cut Fries – and maybe we’ll be ready with some other good stuff too! Full menu to follow. In the meantime, enjoy our slide show of yummy delights!
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Trail Stop Fall Hours
Fall Hours at the Trail Stop
Wednesday ’til Sunday 11 am to 7 pm
Closed Monday & Tuesday
Homemade Bread at the Trail Stop
Spring Yard Sales
Spring is busting out early this year, so we’ll be holding yard sales at the Trail Stop every Sunny Sunday from 8:00 a.m. ’til 3:00 – weather permitting.
“If it’s rain or snow, we won’t go”!” For table information, please call 347-2602
Baby N.S.Trees Shipped Across Canada
Here’s where to order trees, pick up a price list or a free planting guide!
The Trail Stop Country Market sold over 3000 tree seedlings in 2009 for weddings, volunteer and customer appreciation and reforestation. We shipped these little trees right across Canada but Nova Scotians are our best customers!
Planting trees is one way to be kind to the Earth and the people who inhabit it, not to mention the economic plus of ‘buying local’. A % of tree sales is donated to the Bay of Islands Sustainable Living Center in Moser River, N.S.
Here are the two beautiful little seedling species we recommended for green weddings, Earth Day & volunteer appreciation events in 2009:
Red Spruce on the Left, Red Pine on the Right!
>Nature’s Medicine Chest
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Natural MedicineWildcrafting in Nova Scotia
Goldthread
How to Identify
The ‘golden thread’ refers to the root, so identification of the plant itself is important.
Goldthread is found on the forest floor and is easily spotted in Spring when small white, 5-7 petalled flowers appear – with 5 yellow stamens and sprays of tiny, white, “stamenettes”. Blooms in Nova Scotia from mid-May through to July.
At other times of year, leaves are waxy green in three sections or leaflets, similar to a strawberry, but smaller and hugging the ground more tightly.
According to Blupete, Goldthread, or “Canker Root” (Coptis trifolia, groenlandica)is of the Buttercup family. The Goldthread is a small plant which lies upon the forest floor. It has a solitary white flower; it has evergreen basal leaves rising from a thread-like, yellow underground stem. The flowers are like small and white with fussy centers. 
And while there is only one flower per plant, the plants patch together, so, likely, one will find quite a number of them together, 
usually in an area where the Clintonia and wild lily-of-the-valley gather. The leaves are divided into three leaflets with scalloped, toothed margins.”
How to Harvest
When you spot Goldthread, gently lift the moss and debris from the forest floor to find the “goldthread” roots and collect as many as you need to replenish your store. In most homesteads, this would mean 6 months to a year. The ‘goldthreads’ are harvested, dried naturally and stored until needed in air tight jars.
How to Use
Use topically as a wash on wounds, scratches, bites, sores and burns. It seems to be an astringent. Use internally as a tea for mouth sores, stomach problems.
My father gathered Goldthread and chewed the roots directly for cankers, toothache, digestive problems. Oldtimers here would take several strands of Goldthread and position them directly into open wounds before bandaging.
Others report the leaves and stems can be gathered and used as well, however, the roots were used historically for their storage capabilities and were usually part of the medicine chest on long sea journeys. The dried roots were often ground into a powder.
Francis Harnish of Sheet Harbour Passage, recently told me two stories. One was taken from the book, “MicMac Medicine” by Laurey Lacey, South Shore. As Laurey tells it, a man was sent home from the hospital to die, after being diagnosed with “incurable” and terminal stomach cancer.
He was told by [a Medicine Woman] to take a 1 foot strand of Goldthread in a cup of tea several times each day. (Checking source for quantity but more won’t hurt you). Goldthread tea is reportedly a little bitter to taste, but not unpleasant.
After a period of time, the man returned to the doctor who had treated him and was told he was cured. No more stomach cancer.
Shortly thereafter, Francis found a series of pre-cancerous boils (source medical term) on the back of his neck. They were treated by a medical doctor removal and cauterization. One lesion grew back and again was removed, only to grow back again, a raw open sore.
This time, discovering that the doctor was on a 3 week vacation, Francis boiled Golden Thread in water for 15 minutes and let it steep for several hours. Then he applied it to the boil “5 or 6 times a day” until it was healed. By the time the doctor returned, all that was left was a lump where the lesion had been.
The doctor said, “I don’t know what you’re doing, but keep doing it”. Soon thereafter, even the lump disappeared.
Traditional Use: Medicinally it was used by the Indians and the early colonists to treat mouth sores, natures dental floss. Boiled goldthread root was used as a tonic. Checking use by Mi’kmaq for cankers; assume a tea, gargle or rinse. In current practice, the Mi’kmaq elders make a salve for topical application.
The elongated yellow roots of the goldthread, from which use it takes its name, had a use for the aboriginals as a thread for bead work.
Another species of Goldthread (Coptis chinensis) has been used in traditional Eastern medicine for thousands of years and is recommended by naturopaths for testicular cancer, stomach cancer, emaciation, etc.
Herbal-Drug Interactions / Pharmacology – Goldthread contains two active alkaloids, berberine and coptine which are responsible for its traditional use in anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antipyretic, antimicrobial treatments. Current interest revolves around results showing Goldthread to be the most potent of 15 natural medicines found in Canada with respect to cytotoxicity in five hepatoma human cell lines, including Hepatitis B (HB) virus genome. Thus, its reported success in inhibiting cancerous cell growth. Caution should be taken when using cancer drugs and natural remedies.
Further References
“Goldthread (Coptis trifolia); also known as Alaska Goldthread, Canker Root, Common Goldthread, Trifoliate Goldthread, Vegetable Gold; perennial evergreen herb with creeping rootstalk.
Family: Buttercup (Ranunculaceae)
Flower: White, star-shaped, 5-7 petals; usually solitary at tip of leafless stalks; May-July.
Leaves: Basal leaves on long slender stalks, triangular shape, 2-5 cm wide, compound with 3 leaflets, upper surface is shiny dark green, margins with rounded teeth.
Height: 7-15 cm.
Habitat: Cool, moist habitats in coniferous forests, swamps, bogs, road banks, thickets, mossy places, cedar swamps, and in damp woods. Prefers low light, cool, moist conditions on relatively infertile soils, which are acidic. Goldthread does not tolerate disturbance and disappears after logging. Requires some shade, possibly because of its preference for moist sites.
Interest: The Goldthread rootstalk is bright yellow or gold in colour and looks like a bit of golden wire. It is reported that Native Americans chewed roots to treat mouth sores and made tea from the roots to treat mouth sores. The name Coptis means “cut”, referring to the divided leaves.
Thanks and Photo Credits to Blupete (Nova Scotia) and Andy (Northern Ontario) Book References: MicMac Medicine, Laury Lacey
6:00 AM at the Trail Stop – A Hint of Autumn
It’s almost August on the Eastern Shore and the nights are getting cooler. This morning is misty and warm, still too early for blackflies. I finish my coffee and take the camera to explore the newly mowed ‘sunken garden’ in front of the Trail Stop.
The small oval basin that divides Highway 7 and Parkers Loop Road isn’t really a garden, except in my imagination when I read gardening catalogues in February. In fact, it’s not ours at all. It belongs to the Department of Highways.
I expect beautifying this loop road meridian is low on the work schedule for the highway crews, so we try to keep it groomed. This year, we agreed not to mow it until the daisies were gone.
like was given free rein to grow without check
Around the Trail Stop, just east of Moser River Bridge, we have post-poned mowing until the daisies
Here and there, maple leaves are turning red, hinting of Autumn.
Fall advertising fills our mailboxes. “Don’t run out of pellets this winter. Buy now!” “Fall Renovation Sale” and “Back to School Blowout”.
Yet, it’s still mid-summer and the wild flowers, mostly whites, yellows and shades of purple replace the fading daisies that grew so profusely this year. Pink and white primroses ramble along the shoulders of Highway 7, outlasting the magnificent show of wild lupins beloved by tourists.
Purple Vetch and Scotch thistle has sprung to life near the Trail Stop on one side of the ‘sunken garden’.
On its eastern edge at the middle entrance to Parker’s Loop Road and the Trail Stop, Arthur Turner’s “Moser River Salmon” still guards the entrance, a remnant of the Stone Soup Festival’s chainsaw carving contests.
Like most projects here, the sunken sculpture garden project waits. A few more dollars, a few less other urgent tasks and a whole lot more free time could make it happen.
Wild Strawberries, U-Picks & Strawberry Crepes!!
Wild Strawberries are everywhere on the Eastern Shore!
Wild Strawberries are ripe in Nova Scotia! Find a field or roadside and pick to your heart’s content! Put them on your cereal, make jam, add cream and sugar in a bowl, or just pop ‘em in your mouth! Small but delicious!
Cultivated strawberries are ripe too & we’ll be kicking off on Canada Day with fresh Strawberry Crepes and Sundaes at the Trail Stop! Yum!
U-Pick Strawberries
Here’s where to pick along Highway 7, Eastern Shore.
Glenhill Farm Ltd.
Hwy #7, North Lochaber, NS. Phone: 902-783-2787. Email: staylor@stfx.ca. Directions: 12 miles south of Antigonish on Highway #7 in North Lochaber, pre-picked fruit sales, roadside stand, fresh fruit desserts, homemade jams. Contact: Sid,
Haveracres Farm- strawberries
318 St. Joseph’s Road, St. Joseph’s, NS. Phone: 902-863-5763. Directions: Turn right off highway #7 at Gaspereaux Lake. Follow signs to St. Joseph’s, turn right at stop sign, farm is 1/2 m beyond. Maple syrup for sale.
Taylor Farms
Number 7 Highway, Lochaber, Antigonish, NS B2G 2L3. Phone: 902-783-2530. Directions: 13 miles out Number 7 highway from Antigonish. Second strawberry farm on the left as you come into Lochaber. Our hours are: Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm
Top 10 Things to Do on a Rainy Day (for Adults)
Ecum Secum in the Fog
Simply put, I love rainy days on the Eastern Shore (especially rainy Sundays)! My top reason for enjoying rainy days here is NO BLACKFLIES! Here’s my top 10 things to do on rainy day:
1. Go for a walk outside in the rain. Breathe the nice damp air, and notice how different everything smells. Fresh, clean and green! Walk along the beach. Listen to the rhythmic sound of falling rain.. it’s so relaxing.
2. Afterwards, go home and put on some dry clothes and fix a cup of hot tea, chocolate, coffee or soup. If you have a working fireplace, light a fire.
3. Go back out later and enjoy the warm, summer rain again. This time, let your hair get wet. It’s a great conditioner! Take off your shoes and splash in the puddles, just like you did when you were a wee tyke! Relive the moment!
4. It’s a great time to garden when the soil is moist — put on some rubber boots, a raincoat or just regular clothes! That’s what your washer and dryer (or a clothesline if you’re into appropriate technology) are for!
5. Go fishing! Every fisherman (and woman) knows that that’s when they’re biting! Did I mention NO blackflies?
6. Okay, the inside story. Curl up somewhere you can hear the raindrops and read a good book — you know, the one you’ve been wanting to read for ages.
7. Housecleaning – I know, it’s work, but how about organizing that closet, finally! Same goes for workshop stuff. Find your tools in the mess on your bench and put them away! You’ll feel better, I promise!
8. It IS a good time to ‘not procrastinate’. Take one piece of paper, virtual or not, answer an email you’ve been putting off, pay your bills online, catch up on your tax information or filing. Yep, you’ll feel better for this one too.
9. Reward yourself with fish & chips or a healthy wrap at the Trail Stop ( in Moser River). You can eat inside on “The Back Porch” and listen to the rainfall on the roof. Oh, and did I mention no blackflies?
10. Okay, I promised this was for adults, so put on some soft music, draw the blinds, light a candle, and go for it! 
Trail Stop Take-Out Open 7 Days a Week
Starting July 1st- Mon-Friday 12-8 pm and Sat. & Sun. 10-8 pm Open for Wknd. Brunch!
Full Menu
Great Food!
- Fish & Chips
- Deep Fried Clams
- Mussels w/garlic
- Burgers*Dogs*Wraps
- Ice Cream Cones Sundaes*Banana Splits* Milkshakes, Sodas
- Coffee, Tea, Cold Pop, Home Baked Goodies and lots more.
Daniel & Robert from Germany enjoy their first hamburger! (Um, isn't Hamburg in Germany?)
Market Garden: Hanging Baskets, Bedding plants, herbs, rhubarb, lilies, perennials, free range eggs. art, collectibles, whatever, tables available
