Atlantic Canada 2010 Summary

In the summer of 2010 we went to Atlantic Canada. We spent most of our time (6 weeks) in Newfoundland but also went to the parts of Nova Scotia that we had missed in a previous trip.

Click to go to the first interesting post of the trip

The map below marks the major places we visited. If you click on a marker you will get a link to the first post for that area.

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Favourite Days
While almost everyday of the trip was great and I encourage you to look at them all, these are the ones I consider the most memorable.
If you click on the picture you will be taken the post for the day.

Western Brook Pond	Iceberg	Bay Bulls Whales	Cape St Marys
Ferryland Picnic	Peggy’s Cove

Aug 17-20 – To Home

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An eventful drive. We stayed at the same places in Edmunston and Quebec City. The last night we stayed in a KOA near Gananoque so that we could dump our tanks before we got home.

They had a bouncy pillow that we checked out once there were no kids around.

Aug 15,16 – To Moncton and Hopewell Rocks

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Yesterday we did the long but uneventful drive, mostly on 4 lane highway, back to Moncton to the same campground we stayed at on the way out.

We are revisiting the Hopewell Rocks at low and high tide to explore the cape. The last time we visited in 1998, it was an easy walk along the ocean floor.

At high tide, kayakers appeared and threaded around the flower pots and caves.

This year, the mud is so thick everywhere on the ocean bed, it is unavoidable and every tourist is caked with this chocolate colour goo; some up to the ankles, others up to the waist, depending on your height and if you fall. The park ranger said that due to the calm waters that lets the mud settle, instead of rough waves and stronger winds carrying the residue away, the mud is accumulating. If you plan to walk around the cape at low tide, bring waterproof footwear and not sandals or flip flops. The mud just sucks the shoes off your feet and the stones are sharp on bare feet. They have hoses and scrub brushes to clean the mud off of whatever.

Aug 14 – Annapolis Royal and Port Royal

There is Farmer’s Markets in Digby, Annapolis Royal and other towns. We chose #2, as it was larger and there were other things to see in the area. The market was packed with vendors and buyers browsing and eating. We had a potato pancake ($3.) which was more of a mashed potato cake than the Swiss Rosti version of shredded raw potatoes with flour and egg. We bought some fruit that was more expensive than at home, despite the produce being locally grown. Corn on the cob was $.50 each where as Sobey’s had it on sale (10 for $2.). The organic stuff was even more expensive. Fresh Haddock was selling for $5.99 per pound; same as in TO, except yours is frozen. The bread from the French bakery was $4 a loaf and very delicious.

  After stuffing our faces, we went to visit a Tidal Power Generating Station where the guide explained how the water is captured and converted to electrical power twice a day and the research being done to supplement, like windmills and smaller turbines on the river bed are being tested for their impact on the environment, i.e. affect on the sea creatures and the movement of silt and other debris.

We also visited the historical settlement of Fort Royal, tried on a few hats, walked through the buildings to sample what the life of a settler was like. The whole structure is marvellously intact and well kept, as it was only used for 8 years before being abandoned.

Aug 13 – Annapolis Royal

We went to Annapolis Royal and first visited the Historical Gardens. The flowers and bushes were stunning.

Fair warning. LOTS of flower closeups.

   

We strolled around the downtown, nipped into some shops, toured the Fort Anne Garrison and had dinner at the Fort Anne Cafe. It was a lot of walking today and the slow pace is harder on the joins than brisk hike.

Aug 12 – Digby Neck

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Today did not look very promising weather-wise in the morning and rain is predicted for the afternoon but we head out to Digby Neck, the long peninsula on the south side of the Bay of Fundy. We had to take two ferries ($2 each return trip), to get to the very tip to Westport Lighthouse.

 

Jennie did her usual bit of beachcombing.

We passed this farm on the way.

We then moved on to Balancing Rock (1.6 kms) which was spectacular the way the rocks are loosely perched upon one another. It looks like it is ready to fall but hasn’t for over 200 years.

Aug 11 – To Digby

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We drove around the tip of Nova Scotia through Yarmouth around to Digby. We would have stayed at Yarmouth for a bit but we are running out of time since Jennie wants to be back for the family picnic.

We arrived at the campground around noon, setup and then walked around downtown Digby.