Old Haunts in Nova Scotia - 2024 Ep 9

You can’t go home. You can’t go home. Not even tapping your ruby red riding boots together will take you home. You can search for memories though. After a couple for days in Halifax, getting a little rest, laundry done, Thanksgiving dinner with one of my sisters and her family and after getting a good visit with an old friend, I head down the highway to my old hometown of Liverpool, Nova Scotia. It’s a ride I promised myself early in the summer that I would do and if you have been following along, especially when I was going down the Mississippi, you will understand part of my motivation. Lots of memories and feelings to deal with.
The following music was used for this media project:
Bright And Happy Day by MusicLFiles
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• The Canadian Guys - De...
"Breakdown" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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Music: Sunny Blues Shuffle [Full version] by MusicLFiles
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Licensed under CC BY 4.0: filmmusic.io/standard-license
"Fife and Drum" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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Music: Jokull - Piano Version by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: Walking On Sunshine by MusicLFiles
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[@viracocha03]

Moved to NS just outside of Halifax from Ontario almost 2 years ago and I could not be happier. This is such a beautiful place to live.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I loved growing up in NS and appreciate it more the older I get. Always good to go back and visit. I don't do theat often enough.

[@XboxOriginal1321]

​@@OldGuyonaBikeI feel like I recognize this place

[@davidcook7345]

Nothing like the bittersweet memories of youth to put a smile on your face .

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I smiled while there and I smiled while editing.

[@cliff6946]

Brings back fond memories of my times and trips to Nova Scotia. Well done!!👍♥

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Thanks. I always like my rides in Nova Scotia and especially when I get a chance to hit myy old haunts.

[@lufunodreadierambuda5800]

Keep up Old Guy on the bike. Victor from South Africa.❤

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Hey Victor... I will keep plugging away.

[@richardmourdock2719]

Jim, I've watched hundreds of your videos over the last four or five years. This one, is by far the best!! Best in videography and the best in overall content. I suspect, one must be in his eighth decade to fully appreciate the theme of visiting places that were once active and festive and alive with excitement and loved ones to now view them through the long lens of a life's experience. To remember those who can be presented only in black and white, but to know the one telling the story is hearing their voices in perfect clarity in his memory's ear. I've lived in southern Indiana since 1979 but to me, home is still northwestern Ohio. And nearly all who made it home are gone now, but they still live in my memory. I understand this video perfectly. Very well done, Sir!

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Thank you very much Richard. This one took a lot longer to edit than most. I was busy soaking in the past.

[@lindagallery1]

WOW, Jim! I wept my way through it. The videos of our childhood on Carter's Beach were so moving. You certainly have inherited your father's many talents. I told Heather seeing it on the big screen is the way to view it!

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I will try to send you a few video clipsof the beach and birthday parties.@@lindagallery1

[@roadtripper5553]

C ool video Jim

[@user-bf2vj3uw1k]

Jim, that was a truly special video. I could tell that this visit to your old haunts & catch up with friends was good for the soul. Your addition of vintage family footage was a great. As Spring approaches, I know that you are anxious to get back on 2 new wheels & start 'Wingin' it'. Keep it between the ditches this season.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

That day was good for the soul and the hours working on this video also were. Getting geared up to hit the road early July for 3+ months and planning on staying out of the ditches this time!

[@dalebrander9361]

Beautiful video, it’s always nice to take a walk down memory lane 😊

[@tomfillmore9710]

That was a very nice video Jim really enjoyed watching hope you have been well . biking season is getting closer I bet you are getting excited about putting the gold wing on the road . awesome pictures of your family at the beach great memories thanks for sharing take care buddy

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Thanks Tom... weather is just starting to cooperate re picking up the Wing. Can hardly wait to get a few thousand kilometres on it.

[@PinksAdventures]

A lot of emotion in this one!...very well done!...thanks for sharing and taking us along!...stay safe out there!!😎👍🤙👍🤙🇨🇦

[@OldGuyonaBike]

It was a special day... and special editing it.

[@mathewhephill8686]

Thank you. Great job

[@just.my.2cents]

WOW.. what a great voyage in time. Same habit/reflex as I when visiting my hometown. Video transitions from the past, drone shots and narrative...much work in this production make for a great experience! Thank you Sir!

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Thank you. I wasn't sure how well this would resonate with most viewers but it was a video I very much need to make.

[@jordanbaker6019]

Jim, thanks for sharing your 8mm memorabilia. Great motovlog.

These are great videos you've done Thanks for sharing.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Thanks for coming along for my journey.

[@hrmacdonald4471]

Thanks for the tour of your old town. and your memories...very enjoyable video.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Glad you enjoyed it. I really liked editing this one. Got to relive the day all over again.

[@carlwills7841]

Love it Jim. Especially the old movie reel superimposed on the video you captured. I'm guessing this is Carter's Beach since it has recently been designated a provincial park. I'm glad you got a chance to put the drone up. I get this same feeling when I go to where my mom grew up in Saulnierville. There's a beach across the road behind what used to be my uncle's house. We'd go there all the time when we were kids and I brought my kids there when they were young. They are now bringing their kids there. A lot of memories. I miss the older generation and the old family visits. Thanks for sharing Jim

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Yes, that's Carter's Beach. It was a lovely day with only a small handful of people on the beach. Those were special days... and I think we had more family time even a couple of decades ago.

[@alainmichaud6747]

Fantastic memories and great videography , thank you for sharing your past memories , within the moto vlog .... memories are something that should be preserved and putting past vignette in this was great ....thank you for sharing Alain & Yellow ( my Ryker)

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Thank hyou very mjuch for coming along... it was a bittersweet day and so was the editing.

[@SNOWBIRDBIKER]

Great video Jim. One of your best!! A lot of work went into editing this, and it really paid off. Thanks for sharing.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Thanks Cal. It certainly took me a little longer than usual to edit this one. So much I wanted to keep in.

[@dylancag977]

Beautifully composed Jim. I used to love watching travel adventure 'reality shows' when I was a child, long before that term became hot. They inpsired me to go on my many adventures. Thier living examples of exploring the world and each other helped instill curiosity instead of fear. This video of yours all be it a much more...calm kind of adventure, was just as enthralling. In that spending a day with an old friend is not about staying in one place. We travel through time together, explore ideas, poke at people, stick our fingers in the muck, maybe throw a few mud pies at each other and then bath in the sea of possibilities. Always a pleasure to spend time in your company. And that translates well to this medium you are honing. I am delighted to see you crafting your story telling in this way. You are such a gift to the world. Thanks for sharing the journey. Bless you.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Thank you very much for that, Dylan. I think the more I journey and record it... share it, the more personal I am becoming and the more I enjoy people coming along. We'll have a few adventures yet... the right project will be happening.

[@jeanpierrebrelivet6143]

merci pour cette belle video pleine de nostalgie et de tendresse

[@OldGuyonaBike]

La modification de la vidéo a ramené la journée très vivement. Cela m'a rendu à la fois triste et sourire.

[@MotoGiant]

really loved the drone shots mixed in with home movies - nice touch!

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I come to my vlogging naturally. I've got a few years of old 8 mm silent film in the digital bank and I think we might see more old school camping in the future. It was a great place to get the drone up. Especially as one can't anymore.

[@hdm50]

So many memories Jim. Thanks for sharing. We did not connect but my car made a cameo appearance at 12:00.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

lol, that's great Hugh... at least we ran into each other on Summerville Beach this past summer.

[@billyray3761]

Lots of memories. When our parents are gone, we become the old folks.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

We certainly do... can only hope to pass on good memories.

[@user-tw9ez1mf5x]

Wow! As a person around your age seeing you on your home turf as a little boy while standing there as an "old guy on a bike" made me a little emotional looking at this video. Thank you for sharing this with us! Brought back my memories of living in my home town as a little boy in Newfoundland! Thank you! ❤

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I appreciate my father's old home movies much more now than I did when he filmed us. I'm lucky to have them. Thanks for joining me.

[@goldwingmoments]

Well Jim, that was a beautiful and touching video. I was born in 1960 and things have changed so much since that time. Last year I took a trip back home and did many of the same things. Home is always home. Thanks for sharing.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

This video took longer than most to edit... found I was watching every street corner, every curve in the road and having a memory. I had only meant to go down and have a toast to my friend Chris and the day became much more than that.

[@davidcook7345]

About ten years ago I had gone to a local auto parts store. As I came from the back parking lot and rounded the corner to front of store I saw my father reflected in front windows.when I turned to say hello there he wasn’t there. After a second of confusion I realized it was my reflection then I felt foolish, but that’s life . Another great video. Good memories and good whiskey both get better with age

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I agree on the memories and the whiskey. I only touched on someof the memories I had while riding around town... some of which I cannot share as I have to protect the not so innocent.

[@SpyderWayne]

We spend most of our lives looking ahead and dreaming of things to come. But oh, how comforting it can be to take time now and then, to look back, to reminisce, to appreciate where we came from and where we've been. 👏😊👍

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Thanks Wayne. I was lucky to have grown up where I did and be able to look back at that time. We're losing too many who no longer have that luxury.

[@codraven57]

There is always a mix if feelings when you return home.........sad and happy and everything in between. It is always good to reflect on where we came from as we move forward...........very important. Not many would have old video as you do Jim. Quite a treasure you have there for sure. Definately a fantastic beach! Living the dream! Thanks for sharing Jim.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Thanks Bryan/Holly. At a certain point, all we'll have is memories.

[@rodneydrover8392]

Love how you added the old footage. Well done. I always look forward to your videos.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I'm so glad my father filmed us camping and family life when we were kids. Guess I come to my vlogging naturally. Thanks for coming along.

[@SlappyAdventures]

That's really nice.... I'm looking forward to seeing it for myself

[@OldGuyonaBike]

You will enjoy it.

[@charleslabbe4715]

My favorite video of yours to date!

[@OldGuyonaBike]

It got very personal for me as I edited it. I'm glad it resonated with so many people.

[@691053]

Awesome video Jim! I really enjoyed seeing your childhood places and it’s a great idea to share the old videos of yourself and family! Time goes by and I understand your nostalgic feeling. Like you said, you must continue to do what you enjoy the most, this makes you happy and you are blessed for still having a good physical and most importantly, mental health. Day 103 means this story will soon finish so I’m a bit nostalgic too 😢. Keep on going and share your travels 👍

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Almost have this one wrapped up editing-wise... I will miss it but the planning goes on for a long trip this summer/fall. I will keep going as long as I can. Having too good a time.

[@thefoggytrekker]

Just stumbled across this video. Great job, I really enjoy how you present and deliver your content. I am from the South Shore so very familiar with the area, but I am now starting this whole series. Safe riding!

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Will be very glad to have you along for the ride.

[@PaulF-ty7tz]

Very nice Jim. Nova Scotia seems to have lots of say smaller towns with some really old houses and nice big old trees. We dont have a lot of that in NL for reasons im sure you are aware of. Im hoping to do the Trans Labrador highway this coming summer, have you given any thought to doing it sometime? Take care Jim

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I've got this year's route roughly plotted so no Trans-Lab this year but I seriously need to do it and since the ony dirt is now in Quebec there's no reason not to do it. Maybe next year?

[@MotoGiant]

I would like to get back up to Nova Scotia, that really felt like home to me too for some strange reason?

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I should spend more time in Nova Scotia myself... this was a day I really needed.

[@joannemuise3055]

I grew up in Beach Meadows ..I never knew about that cemetery ,enjoyed watching your video.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

There are some very interesting old graves in the Port Medway cemetary. When I was in highschool (late 60s early 70s) there were a number of graves that had fallen into the beach. Rumour had it that someone picked up a skull out there. Don't knw if that was true.

[@joannemuise3055]

@@OldGuyonaBike i will ask my mom about that

[@paulacooper22]

Thanks, I can smell the fish plant. Probably gone but the smell will last forever

[@OldGuyonaBike]

The winds were favourable this ride and they may not have been processing that day or week. The smell imprint on our brain cells may be forever.

[@user-fl1yd8dm8c]

Hi Jim. Came upon this video by chance and am so glad I did. Enjoyed your nostalgia and your stories of Liverpool and the south shore. It brought back lots of memories for me too. Did you know that Nanny Hatt is buried in the same graveyard as your mom and dad? Lots of change but some things stay the same. Safe travels.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Hi Patti, great to hear from you. I didn't know that about Nanny Hatt. Fitting that she is there. I have fleeting memories of her cooking from time to time. Never remember what she is cooking but I know it always was good.

[@patriciawooten3232]

Memories!!!!!

[@OldGuyonaBike]

This day was full of memories...

[@Mme.Swisstella]

Thank goodness the bowater-mersey is closed down.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

The mill employed a lot of people over the years. My fatheer arrived in the mid-50s to work there and I would not have been brought up in the Liverpool area without the mill. I guess all things run their course.

[@UncleWally3]

I’ve comprehensively explored Nova Scotia on a motorcycle; not much tarmac and gravel I haven’t ridden. One place I’d recommend to use as a base is Milford House, about 25 kilometers from Annapolis Royal. It’s a gem with a rich history and a great place for shamrock tour. Also, if you ride something that can go off tarmac, the wilderness roads are stunning.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Been past Milford House quite a few times. Would be a good place to make a base for a few days. I would probably camp at Keji though as I usually don't do hotels/motels/B&Bs. The South Shore I know well. Should spend more time in NS but this year I will be heading for Tofino.

[@UncleWally3]

@@OldGuyonaBike Well, Tofino’s just around the bend! Saw that you made the Deals Gap pilgrimage, did you slip over to Two Wheels in Suches? At 72 with over fifty years of riding, my favorite pilgrimage, which I’ve done a dozen times from my home base in PEI, is to Shenandoha Parkway (Skyline Drive) - Blue Ridge Parkway - Cherohala Skyway to Wolf Pen Gap Road in Suches - in all about 800 kilometers of phenomenal roads. I’m off to West Virginia in a week or so. Safe travels!

[@OldGuyonaBike]

@@UncleWally3 Around Ep 63 last year you can see me leaving Two Wheels after a race weekend at Barber Motosports (and museum). I did the Cherohala, Did the Tail of the Dragon, Foothills Parkway and detoured to Mammoth Cave before doing most of the Blue Ridge, Have some sections to fill in. Have fun in West Virginia.

[@UncleWally3]

@@OldGuyonaBike It ain’t all bad being an old guy!

[@OldGuyonaBike]

@@UncleWally3 no it ain't!

[@user-ih3xt9yh1o]

HI there, I just want to clear my mind with something. I am pretty sure we've met but I'm not sure where. I was thinking Fort McMurray Alberta working on scaffolds or on the road in Nova Scotia or in New Brunswick. I've been ridding motocycles since I was 16, so for 50 years. I like your videos very much by the way.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Thank you for coming along. I'm a theatre technician by trade, spent the last 28 years on Newfoundland's west coast. I was 6 years in Thunder Bay before that. Lived and worked in Fredericton about 15 years and was brought up in Nova Scotia. I spent one drunken weekend in Fort McMurray in the 1980's. Been riding for 52 years. We might have crossed paths.

[@bjarnerasmussen5]

Hello I’ve followed Your tour for some time, I like this video coming back to where You came from, we all Can Connect to these feelings . Gretings from an Old biker in Denmark. 🥸🇩🇰

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I'm glad you have come along for the ride. At a certain age, we do have a tendency to reflect on our past.

[@lindagallery1]

God dag! My dad came to Canada from Norway after the war. Most of our dads worked in the paper mill. One of our fathers was from Holland. My father used to say, after fifty years, Al Mutsaers and I are still the foreigners!

[@jeffwynings3782]

I don't know, my young Friend. Sometimes I think you can go home again. Even just to visit. Ride safe.

[@cliff6946]

Yep, you can always go home. The furniture may not be in the same place, but, you can always go.😊

[@letitrest4662]

Jim, the U.S. has a west coast too.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I know. Been there in 2008. Plan on being on the PCH in September.

[@phillipdaulton9861]

Was your old home town a sardine fishery? I wondered if that plant across from the lighthouse was once a cannery.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

The main employer from 1928-2012 was the papermill across from the lighthouse. There is a fishplant in town and one near the beach I went to. My favourite product from the fishplant in town is Solomon Gundy... with sour cream mmmmmm.

[@lindagallery1]

It was a pulp and paper mill, Bowaters Mersey Paper Company, that made newsprint primarily for the Washington Post and Dallas Times Herald in the later years. Everyone called it Daddy's mill. When I was four, Jim's father took a job there as an engineer. My father was in the Woodlands Dept. It was a magical childhood.

[@user-vv1dq4fo7l]

What is your motorcycle ? Make and model ? Thank you kindly Sir

[@OldGuyonaBike]

It's a 2005 Honda ST1300 with 230,000 km. on it. Unfortunately I wreacked it the year. after this was shot.

[@billdraper911]

When are we going to see the new ride?

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Soon, soon, soon... I hope. It's still in a dry garage on the other side of the island, 8 hour drive each way. The logistics of trailer, truck and available buddy for a two day run combined with weather have not come together. Been snowing the past 2 days again.

[@Old-Biker-Dude]

@@OldGuyonaBike Can't wait to see this come together

[@OldGuyonaBike]

For some reason YT was making it difficult to see your comments. Soing some strange things the past few weeks.

[@hswrailway]

Do you remember Mr. Greene's train's?

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I do. We never stopped but I remember passing the yard. Just past the county offices, the old book binding place...

[@hswrailway]

@@OldGuyonaBike Yes that's where they were. I just thought that you would like to know that his train's are still here in Nova Scotia and are being cared for. I inherited them from the family shortly before the sons passed away. It's my plans to get them on display again.

[@OldGuyonaBike]

@@hswrailway that would be awesome to get them out and running again.

[@garyford1381]

Jim, when are you getting the 1500?

[@OldGuyonaBike]

Weather and logistics have not lined up but if I don't trailer it home in the next 4 weeks I'll be getting bundled up and riding her home.