I am starting this blog with our visit to Peggy's Cove. We had arrived from PEI at the Sleigh's residence in Hammonds Plain, (which is about 30 minutes out of Halifax) on September15th. Due to the ferry schedule to and from Newfoundland, we had to leave the next day but have now returned for a couple of days to tour around the area.
Peggy's Cove is absolutely beautiful! We were only at the Cove for about two hours, so you can see in these photos how quickly the weather changes from a beautiful sky to a stormy sky.
The above is Pam and I standing on the rocks that have been smoothed by millions of years of the waves pounding on them.
Ray took this shot of Tim who was seeing how the lighthouse measures up. And this shot below, which Tim took, was taken about an hour after we arrived. We took many pictures and these are just a few.
After we had dinner at the little restaurant/gift shop we left Peggy's Cove and drove into Halifax to see the the "Dingle Tower" which is in Sir Sanford Flemming Park. The park is 95 acres large and the tower can be seen for miles. The tower (which was completed in 1912) is a memorial representing the Canadian Nationality and representation to the British Empire. Tim and Ray climbed the tower while Pam and I wandered the grounds below. I really had no desire to climb up some musty smelling tower with a winding staircase to look out over the city. The view ,,,,I missed out on. But worse things have happened I am sure of that! Tim sent us this funny photo of Ray sitting astride a statue of a lion,,,,Ray looks like he is riding it like he might ride his Harley!
When we disembarked the 15& 1/2 hour (arg!!!) ferry ride from Newfoundland, it was dreary with rain and fog. But as North Sydney is in Cape Breton and almost at the entrance to the beautiful Cabot Trail and we did not have time to do the 5 hour drive back to come again on a better day, we made the decision to drive the Trail. Even in the breaks of the fog and rain we could see that it was an amazing drive! One minute you are having tiny peeks of the Atlantic and then next you are driving through valleys of sugar maples. Within the Cabot Trail is the Lone Sheiling Trail. This is acres and valleys of 350 year old sugar maple trees! There is also a replica of a Scottish cofters hut. Ray asked me as we whizzed past,,,,, Do you want to take a picture of the hut? We stopped at all of the look outs to view the beautiful ancient trees, and one can only begin to imagine what those deciduous trees would look like in about three weeks when they are in full Fall colours!
On the Cabot Trail is a "skywalk" trail that takes you about 5 kms on a boardwalk out to the edge of the cliff side (I said the EDGE of the cliff side) overlooking the Atlantic and the highway. It is a breathtaking view, I am told. We did not walk it due to my lousy lungs. Here Ray is looking towards the "skywalk" trail where he did see two brave people way up on the top looking down at him!
From where Ray is standing, the below photo is looking down towards the highway we are about to travel on. Imagine seeing this from the platform at the top of the skywalk!
We continued driving down the west side of Cape Breton through the small Celtic communities, most of which were closed up as it was Sunday.
Looking back towards the Cabot Trail.
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While we went to Newfoundland we had left our 5th wheel parked at Tim and Pam's house (thank you so much for that!). So when we came back to Nova Scotia, we stayed "camped" in their yard. We would meet at night to discuss our day over a cup of Sleepytime Tea, and to plan out our next day. With Tim and Pam's suggestions we went to visit the Halifax harbour and to the Citidel.
First we went to the harbour and walked the boardwalk. We went into gift shops and the Maritime Museum where we learned more about the devastating Halifax explosion which occurred on December 6th 1917. A French cargo ship, SS Mont-Blanc, which was loaded with explosives collided with the Norwegian SS causing a huge explosion. As a result of this explosion buildings collapsed and caught on fire. Approximately 2000 people where killed and 9000 were severely injured. The city was devastated! The museum has an excellent display complete with video re-enactments to give you a feeling of what this city went through in 1917. The city has rebuilt itself and has a combination of old buildings amongst the new buildings. Today it is truly a beautiful city.
After a lunch at the Alexander Keiths Brewery which is now owned by Labatt's, we headed off to the Halifax Citidel which is a National Historic Park of Canada. When driving past the Citidel, you would think you are driving past a grassy hill. that is exactly what it looks like. A grassy hill. A park in the center of downtown Halifax. When driving up the winding road (we didn't walk it as my lungs were having a "bad day"), you get a glimpse of the top which looked like "tufts" of grass. Then you drive down into the parking area and see the huge very old stone walls. We parked and walked into the doorway that says "entrance".
Walking up some stone stairs to the doorway that is lit by the sunshine beyond, it is a very odd feeling. A feeling of "quiet" like nothing I have ever felt before. I stopped part way up the stairs, to just "listen" to the nothingness. Okay, well I did hear Ray breathing and walking in front of me. Kind of broke the mood for me. So I trudged upwards and came out into an amazing courtyard. Well not a courtyard with green grass of anything as beautiful,,, but nonetheless,,,, a courtyard. Very barren and totally surrounded by ancient blocks of stone. It is an odd feeling to be standing in the middle of something with so much "history". The only time I have had that feeling before was in Havana Cuba,,, standing in Cathedral Square, which at that time was 301 years old. Amazing! So much history has passed before my feet have stood on this piece of earth. Amazing! These are some shots around the "fort"
A young "soldier" providing us with the history of the Citidel.
This one is my attempt at creativity,,,, Looking through one of the "battery's" at the city.
Inside the Fort again. Look at the stone work!
We took a horse and carriage ride around this beautiful little town. In 1995 Lunenberg was designated a United Nations Educational Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site which ensures the unique architecture of the town. You will not find any vinyl siding in this town! The houses were built anywhere from the late 1700's to the early 1900's. There is one house in particular that is huge and painted a pale pink, with its turrets it looks quite scary! Stephen King apparently filmed one of his movies in the house.
Driving from Halifax to Lunenberg, you pass through a beautiful little town, which happens to be my personal favourtie place in Nova Scotia. It is called Mahone Bay. This tiny little town has four quaint little churches nestled along the shore line. The bay had a scattering of sail boats and some pleasure boats. The town follows the shore line and has beautiful little shops(a great shoe store!) and even more beautiful tree lined streets with the nicest homes. Everything was pin neat.
We sadly left Mahone Bay and went back to Tim and Pam's to pack up the trailer to leave in the morning. We had an excellent time in Nova Scotia and I would suggest if you travel here, you need a couple of weeks (not days) to spend here. The Province is much larger than I thought. Thank you Tim and Pam for everything!
We left Nova Scotia on September 26th. By the time we got into New Brunswick the rains had started and rained until we parked for the night in Houlton Maine. The leaves are turning in New Brunswick and are beautiful shades of gold and red.
Stay tuned for more adventures,,,,
Lori and Ray
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