Day 150, August 30, 2018, Laundry once again and a ride to Scot’s Cove on the Bay Of Fundy.

The laundry was done at a place in New Minas  just up the road a bit and it was named “Maytag” . Now how they could do that I am not sure. But that was it’s name,. It was right next to “Mazarilli’s Pizza” and its a good thing it was, as we used his Wi Fi while we were waiting.
Sam was the “man” of the hour. The laundromat had no Wi Fi bit did have only change for your dollars. Wash and dry were both the same at $2.00 per load , but the dryer ran for 47 minutes so that was a plus.

New Minas  is an extension of the main street that runs from Grand Pre south through Wolfville,  Kentville and  then  New Midas.  All along there is anything you would need  in the line of work done, or purchases made. Small town atmosphere with all the modern conveniences. That includes two Tim Hortons as well.  The laundromat was included!

The laundry finished and lunch eaten we had more afternoon to head for either the Headlands or “Split Rock” to the most northerly of the land that reaches into the Bay of Fundy from the south. (Does the make sense?).  We chose to go to Split Rock in the time we had to use . This traverses through much less farmland and more forest and open fields. There are fewer homes and certainly homes of more moderate construction. No lumber barons homes here.

I selected this phto as it shows the effect of the tides on the land and how the homes must be built back well away from the hjigh tide mark and any possibility of storms to damage them. This is Scot's Bay. A tidal canal is on the right, where we saw the Great Blue Heron.

The we arrived at Scot’s Bay where there is a small village there by the same name of Scot’sBay. Homes scattered along the curving beach of stones and a few boat launches interspersed in between the homes. One boat launch looked like a god prospect for watching some CORMORANTS and we did go there. It was very steep (22%?) and was on a side hill to boot. We did get down and in turning around I realized that the angle of turn would need more adjusting with the vehicle in order to get out again. After three moves we were lined up to get back up the hill . Gravel in the road demanded low gear and 4 Wheel drive as well.  Even though the road above (paved) could not be seen, I edged it up and over on to the road. A few hundred feet further and we could turn around and return in the direction we came.

This is the boat launch we drove down, and with some difficulty were able to turn around and come back  up the hill. The only way the boaters  can do this is to back all the way down the hill from the main road. The photo was taken from the main road. Note the steep embankment on a slant.

 This was all along a beautiful coast line with the tide now incoming and washing against the rocks the shore.   We did see  both  RINGED BILLED AND HERRING  GULLS. One more stop at the beach to observe a GREAT BLUE HERON in the mud and reeds with the tide coming in. It was quite well hidden and if I had not seen it when it just barely poked a wing above the reeds I would not have looked for it.Stealth at its best.

A warning to be heeded.  The dead tree is 50 yards back.

 We loved the sign by the beach warning people of the dangers of high tides as they will cover the road.

Ice cream was at the “I Scream” shack, on the “Look out” on the way home and that put the frosting on the cake. As it was “end of the year sale”on ice cream we got a full 1/2 pint-up for $2.50. Thanks Amanda!






 

One narrow view from the "Look off" on the way to Cape Blomidon.This would be the north end of Annapolis Valley.

One of the things I have learned on this trip is what is a salt marsh. Here is a great photo of one .As you see the sea water comes in and inundates the grass and in places where there is fresh water returning from the land that makes an ideal place for  millions of creatures to hatch, and continue the life that is teeming there.

 Jim prepared supper tonight and tried a stir fry with fresh scallops that we picked up yesterday at the market. It was a first try with that combination of rice, small squash, carrots, celery, small tomatoes and fresh mushrooms.  It was good, and another time will be even better.

We reviewed some of Ruth’s DVD that are  being prepared, about the 2018 Rose Parade that we will begin to show in 2019. My comments help her to see the DVD through another pair of eyes. (We attended the Rose parade last January)

Tomorrow we head for Digby and the SW corner of Nova Scotia.

Day 149, Wed. August 29, 2018, A return to Grand Pre and driving the dyke road

If one is interested in the culture and history ion the people that first settled this land , then this area and specifically the Grand Pre, is worth the visit.  Knowing that these 3,000 acres were built by the radians in the 1700’s is amazing in itself. That they have lasted until today due to the consistent work by the New Englanders (who replaced the Acadians when they were forced out) and more recently by the Dutch who came here after WW2, and is a testimony to the persistence and survivalist attitude of these people.

We drove the dyke road as it gave us the feelings of being on the land and one with the land, that they lived on for these 300  or more years. The dike is huge and long (28,000 feet)  and even though has been reinforced since the original days, it still is a reminder of what was built by the original peoples. The Acadians also were living in harmony with the Mi’kmac people for all of  those years.

This was the better part of the "two track" along the dyke.  2 miles.

 The drive for us was about 2 miles and a two track road that is “less traveled” for sure.

The dyke from on top. It has been improved since 1700, but is the basic dyke as first installed. 28,000 feet by oxen and shovels.

The NE corner of Grand Pre shows the bird IBA and the edge of the dyke where we drove. Evageline Beach is just to the left of the red area. Our road was the curved line next to the gray area.

At the end of the drive is a lookout that exposes the broad beach and tideland that the birds use on their trip to South  American and again northward… two times a year.  Evangeline Beach is just around the corner and we visited it again today.

Birds at Evangeline Beach were mostly Semi Palmated Sandpipers.

There were  a few thousand birds on the Beach today as the tide was just coming in as we had planned.  We ate lunch there, took photos and enjoyed the flights and feeding  of the the birds. Some were Semi- palmated Plovers.


A  side trip to Mills where we had been told there were Eagles, was true. A lady indicated that the sign that we had seen on the side of the road of an Eagle head was for September, but if we looked over the trees   “There”…we would see an Eagle. There it was soaring above the trees,. We did see 8 Bald Eagles today. 

The Bald Eagle just before we drove the dyke road. We saw 8 that day.

 Many crops are raised here as the soil in the Annapolis Valley is very  good. There were carrot fields, potato fields and many hundreds of acres of onions, just about ready to be harvested. Some had already been “turned” for drying.

Onions were one crop seen many times

Potatoes were seen but not as often.

 It was a good day and ended with trip to “Sobey’s Market” for groceries.  Tomorrow we will get the laundry caught up and hopefully have time for a trip to Cape Blomidon, the home of “Glooscap” who keeps a watchful eye on his people.

Semipalmated Sandpipers in flight

Same birds on the beach. They are gathering/feeding for the big trip to South America.

Day 148, August 28, 2918— Evangeline country- Acadian dykes and lowland.

 We are truly in the land of “Evangeline”, the story of the woman who would not give her self up to the “Bad Guys” and ended up dying in a cave. She is revered to this day. We visited the Beach here in Nova Scotia named after her. It is a beach with a attraction to migrating birds especially the SEMI PALMATED SANDPIPERS, that we saw amoung other birds,  today. As the migration continues both on the spring and fall, there are hundreds of thousands of them here feeding on their way to South America. It is a long haul.  They need to “load up”.  Here are a few of them in action.

Up close you cansee the colorations and sharp lines of color.

Many semi palmated sandpipers at Evangeline Beach today 

We ate lunch there watching  the birds and the people came to walk the beach, sit and watch and just enjoy the incoming tide . It did come in about half way while we were there.

Tide's in!

Tide's going out!

 Our campground manager told us about a quaint cove called Halls Harbor about 20 miles away. It seems that in the early days here a Pirate by the name of William Hall and his band of “merry men”, used this wonderful cove as a residence between there forays out onto the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic. The local people finally had enough and called the militia to come and chase them out. The militia came and not only killed Hall, but chased out his band of men and they never came back. But, the name stuck

Hall's harbor beach. The ladder indicates the effect of the tide.

The boats at High tide. When it is low they reach the ocean floor. (1)

The beach at Hall's Harbour NS

A very small cove that Pirate Hall used to his advantage. (2)

Getting fresh veggies today was no problem as we saw more than a dozen friuit and veggie stands in a one mile radius on the roads. The area is a veritable overflow of crops at this time. There are also many fruit trees and more grapes each year. The influence of the “Acadian” farms  on the peninsula  has infiltrated the economy  very deeply.

This is Evangeline land, The Acadians built the dykes and farmed it , then were expelled by the British. Now it is some of the best land in Canada. 3,013 acres and 28,000 feet of dykes built by hand.

 After buying some corn and tomatoes we ended the travel for the day and headed home. Ruth is still trying to get her meds sent to Canada so that still is in process. Two inspections and email verifications (US and Canada). Never forget your meds when traveling "abroad".

It was a beautiful day with the temps in the campground hitting 88 F while at the Evangeline Beach was a cool 73 degrees.  More of the same tomorrow hopefully.

Day 147 Monday August 27, 2018- Moved to near Wolfville, Central Nova Scotia

Although we came to within 15 miles of Halifax, that was not the object of the “run” today. We actually went from the north shore of Midas Basin to the south shore of it.  In order to get there with the most efficiency, we stayed on the Hwy ,which was  4 lane almost all the way. The last few miles there were some two lane portions. This took us through the central hills of Nova Scotia headed for Halifax (East) and  then turning more westerly  on Hwy 101 toward the Bay of Fundy again. Some of the better birding in Nova scotia is reputedly on Evangeline Beach and near a town named Grand Pre. We shall see

The migration of birds southward has begun in the north for some species. This should enhance the possibility toes some birds moving through. This will be mostly true of shorebirds who will be”loading up”for the long trip to Central and South America.

Todays journey took us only 3 and 1/2 hours as it was 2/3’s of the way a four lane Hwy.
 

Actually three roads, Hwy 2 on the Parrsboro Coast, Hwy 102 through the middle of the Peninsula, and HWY 101 that goes from Halifax to Wolfville (And beyond to Yarmouth.)

 We forfeited lunch until arrived and after setting up under the trees, we ate  a light lunch. I think two muffins at Tim Hortons took the edge off the hunger.  They do have a great bakery. The waitress at this one was named Kayleigh like my granddaughter. As a senior in HS, she was looking forward to going into medical school to be a  physician. Good luck Kayleigh.

Ruth still is working on the Rose Parade video and is almost through the photos and videos pardon. When we get home there will be the voice and music added where necessary.

A short walk in the park and i saw three bird species .BACK CAPPED CHICKADEE, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, AND WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCH.  There are more here s it is a mixed  hardwood and conifers forest. They say the PILEATED  WOODPECKER is a regular visitor.

Our campsite in the woods near the end of the park. Lots of birds as mentioned.

Today is partly sunny with the temps hitting 80 F. a light southern breeze is comfortable.

Day 146, Sunday August 26, 2018 Final day with Joan, attended 2 churches, lunch at Sail Museum

Don't let the 'two churches'  mislead you as we were late for both of them. Up here in coastal Nova Scotia , where it is 25 miles between major towns, the church services are more than likely a two or three charge assignment for the minister. That was the case this weekend as Joan had received the information that we would attend church in Port Greville, but a few days ago that was changed as it was moved to Advocate Harbour (15 miles away) and would be at 10:30.  "No Problem" as that would be plenty of time to get there. We picked Joan up at 9:45 and drove the 15 miles to Advocate Harbour and saw that the folks were coming out of the church and lo and behold the service was at 8:30.  We did meet some of her friends and surveyed the church and facilities . I tried to get a cup of coffee but they had just poured out the last of it when I went downstairs to the dining hall. A small, old church with choir and pulpit in front (at the side) and a raised platform in front. The church shape was rather ecumenical in that it was in a semi round shape. We stayed until all were gone but the keeper of the keys and she locked the door after we left.

The plaque at Advocate Harbour church.

Plan "B". We went back to Port Greville and saw the church "Grace United Church" where she was married, and that her mother attended for many years.  We arrived at about 10:40 and found that there were many cars in front of the church. Hmmm? We moved inside, picked up a bulletin and were in time to join in for the last hymn and blessing. There WAS a service there that started at 10:00 . However, we did get to meet many folks and even though it was less than 50 in the congregation , many were friends of Joan's. She gave us a tour of the church and told many stories about the wedding, the music, the choir and the two old "pump"organs that were in the Sunday school room. They both still worked albeit with some off pitch sounds. All in the building was the same as when she was a young girl.

Grace United Church in Port Greville,NS

Last item of the morning was a tour of the "Sail Museum" and lunch there.  This museum would fool you at once, Small in appearance , but filled with memorabilia of the shipbuilding days that existed here from 1812 until 1927, certainly a testament to longevity in the shipbuilding business.  More ships were produced here than in Halifax during a number of years.There were too many items to mention but from ship models (there had to be a model built first to test the ship's ability to do the job. There were tools of all types including a huge 200 piece, plane collection. Her Dad had the original blacksmith sjhop and forge but tlay intheor yard for many years, when she decided it could be used at the Museum. It held the original forge and blacksmith tools and her grandfather's anvil. It is still there. Also, there were newspaper clippings and posters advertising a "MARRIAGE" in big print, of the ship to the sea. Fortunately many folks were still living when the museum was set up, who worked in the shipbuilding industry, so they could donate or find items that belonged in the Museum. It was  colossal exhibit.

It doesn't look too impressiveputside but nside are three floors of memorabilia and artifc=acts from the 120 year of shipbuilding.

Just the section that has many planes used in the woodworking of the ships.

We ended the time with a light lunch of seafood chowder, and a toasted cheese sandwich for Ruth, at the small diner at the Museum .This was run by Kelsey the cook and gift shop proprietor. The special desserts of chocolate cheesecake, carrot cake, and carmel coconut cake were delicious.

A list of the ships built in Parrsboro area from 1812 until 1947.

A model of each ship is made first according to the specification sof the owner or backer. The model would only be the basic ship. These models have been completed for sale and display. Original ship models are pricy.

 

This is low tide at the launching site for this shipyard

This the launching site at high tide . The men would make a "apron"of  logs and drape it over the rock so the ship would not get damaged.

We said our goodbyes to Joan and were very grateful for her kindnesses and stories that we would never have found on our own. Her living here as a child and then raising her family and returning was an asset to the community and to us this week.

Day 145 Tuesday August 21, 2018, Northumberland north shore Nova Scotia

The number of vistas that one can list and take in are limitless, I am sure, here in Nova Scotia. The trick is to pick out a few that you believe will enlighten, inspire and at least inform you of what this place is about and what has and is happening here, So today we will go back to the beginning and illuminate the past and then  bring events into today.

Driving the winding road  along the Bay of Fundy  and the Minas Basin gives a constant view of the tides in motion. We left at about 10:00 Am so it was just at the turn of the oncoming tide. Just think that each day the tide in many places along these shore rises and falls as much as 55 feet (record ) and averages 30-40 feet each time  there is a high tide.  The figures for billlons of TONS of water I mentioned before but in case you missed it, they estimate some 160 billion tons of water move through on each full tide exchange.

  We did list the reputed highest tides at a place called called “Burntcoat Head”. There is a park there and a lighthouse (replica) as it was built three times . The tides kept making it an island that couldn’t be reached. Hence rebuilding was necessary.  You can see why they didn’t build them very high. Here also was the story of the original land”owners” and how they came to a frightful end. The Acadian story is very sad.

Tide chart at Chektegno National Park

We were on the north shore that week  (Parrsboro)

Daily posting were important to save lives.

We did list the reputed highest tides at a place called called “Burntcoat Head”. There is a park there and a lighthouse (replica) as it was built three times . The tides kept making it an island that couldn’t be reached. Hence rebuilding was necessary.  You can see why they didn’t build them very high. Here also was the story of the original land”owners” and how they came to a frightful end. The Acadian story is very sad.

Noel story.

One of the Flower Pot Islands In the Bay of Fundy

A most unique place.

A second stop at a small park that also was on the Bay was occupied with picnickers and  summer walkers.

The road in St Anthony park. A delightful Park on the Minas basin.

 And finally we heard about the oldest “General Store” in Canada was on that same road, so we stopped there,  expecting old shelves and items for sale as we had found in Pennsylvania. NO… it was merely an old store that they had updated with goods, shelves, an ice cream bar  and a coffee shop that sold light sandwiches. Not much about 150 years of history  except some photos  and high black shoes in a case on the wall.

It was a great day with sun and a few clouds and a gentle easterly breeze. Here the breezes can come from any direction as the Sea surrounds the Peninsula. It does not indicate any special weather because of the wind.

Tomorrow we move to Parrsboro and will meet a friend there to share time with.


The sad story of Noel Dioron and his wife Elizabeth can be found atthis site.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No%C3%ABl_Doiron

The ship is the  “Duke William”

Day 144 , Monday Aug. 20, 2018, “Necessities” Day- Laundry, haircut, groceries

Pretty simple you would think. And it was actually.  The Laundromat is about 200 feet from the trailer and had enough washers that Ruth could use 4 of them and do it all at one time. That is always a challenge when “on the road”. During that time it is time to read book (Ruth uses her i pad) , or some computer work. I did take a few photos and here they are.

Local fund raiser on the laundry bulletin Bd.

The mall between the campsites.

The campground laundry. (5washer  and dryers)

Yes we stopped for root beer a number of times.  There were three in a 1/2mile rsdius in Trurto.

 The trip into the grocery store also included a stop at a RV dealership to see if they had LED bulbs for the trailer as we are gradually shifting to use them in some places. They did not but we toured a few new trailers while here. These days they have more room, are lighter with slick sides (good for washing). I also like the new covers for the propane tanks that allow you to see in without pulling off the entire cover.
Then the haircut just for Jim at “Mike’s barbershop” on Prince street.  Mike was affable and had been at it for 27 years.  There was one chair  and a waiting room outside the entrance (inside the building). During our sharing Mike asked me (as he does all “Yanks”. How do you like your President? Well I gave him a straight answer, that he is a horrible man and hope he doesn’t damage our nation before he is through. Mike answered me by saying that almost all Canadians are of the same mind and are worried that he will upset the world balance in many ways, before he is through as he already has in many places. 


The grocery shopping at “Sobies” went smoothly and it is a very clean and well stocked store. In any new store we visit  as told here before,  it is hard to find what you want  as the layout is always different.
 Locally there is a cement plant that is huge. I thought a brief article or part of it  might explain the value to the local economy. Brookfield is the tiny village about three miles from our campground.
“Cement maker Lafarge Canada wants to strike a deal with Divert NS to use almost half the discarded tires in this province every year to fuel its kiln in Brookfield.
Lafarge Canada is planning to submit its proposal to Divert NS, the non-profit that manages the Nova Scotia Solid Waste-Resources Management Strategy, on Monday. But the company is keeping mum on the financial details of that proposal.
Under the terms of its request for proposals, Divert NS notes on its website it wants to ink deals for the recycling and marketing of the roughly one million used tires handled every year under the Nova Scotia Used Tire Management Program.
The parts of the tire that don’t burn at those temperatures are in the steel belt, and Lafarge plans to use the iron in it as well as the silica in the tire as ingredients in its cement. That product has four main components: calcium, aluminum, iron and silica.
In Brookfield, the cement maker is hoping to use 400,000-450,000 tires annually to cut its carbon dioxide emissions. Lafarge has already cut those emissions by about 10 per cent by burning old asphalt shingles and non-recyclable plastics in its kiln, and reducing its reliance on coal and petroleum coke to stoke the fire, said Cumming. This project  should reduce it’s emissions by another 5 percent.
Quite a project and good use of tires  for the environment as far as i can see.
Tomorrow we will head south to the Tidal Interpretive Center, a Park and a headlands that has special rocks .

Day 143, Sunday August 19, 2018, -Breakfast at ‘Fletcher’s’, Dutchman’s Cheese Farm

First let me wish a Happy Birthday to my second daughter Therese. She stays 30 years behind me in the years “race”. Who’s racing, eh, Therese?

It was a beautiful day here in Nova Scotia with a mild temp at 73F,  a light NE breeze and mostly sunny all day. Can’t beat that. We also visited the Ocean, had clam chowder, and bought homemade Gouda cheese from a ‘Netherlander’.

Quite a day. In between those stops we saw a huge pumpkin patch that was in full bloom, observed wild blueberries being harvested mechanically, and watched a black swan cavorting in the pond at the Dutchman’s farm. There were Helmeted Guinea Fowl on the road going into the farm. Does that count for a wild bird on our list? I think not!

One grower’s  BLUEBERRY story.

“Since 1971 my family has grown wild blueberries in Northern Nova Scotia.  My grandfather lost his sawmill in a fire that year, and rather than risk losing his hardworking crew, he kept them busy by sending them out to clear the fields.
In those days the equipment was basic, and he is family-famous for saying that if the blueberry business didn’t work out, he’d just stow his axe and scythe and find something else to do.
For as many years as I can remember, the month of August has been dedicated to the wild blueberry harvest: to blue teeth and crickets chirping and plastic pop bottles filled with water and frozen overnight.  Sometimes we would be fortunate enough to see a bear in the field, bellying up to the buffet, or a snake sunning itself by the old stone rows running along the perimeter of the fields.
Like many growers, we made the transition from having a crew of rakers combing the berries off the vines to adding machinery to ensure we could get the crop off before the frost that would come with the ‘harvest moon’
Over the past 45 years my father has grown the operation to have more then 200 acres in production, though wild blueberries are picked every second year, so we alternate where we pick, with one year being the ‘town year’ with fields in the communities of Earltown, Corktown and Kemptown while the other is known as the ‘Swallow Road year’ with fields named after their previous owners, like “Alec Bonnyman” or “Waas Betts”.

Pumpkins by the acreage on these roads

A Helmeted Guinea Hen and her brood (there were two)

The Dutchman's Farm layout. It is aNature Park for families

The drive along the Minas Basin (that is an arm of the Bay of Fundy,) can be seen from the many hills surrounding it.  IT was at a “filling” tide this afternoon. These are where many farms are located in Nova Scotia. Some wheat has been harvested, hay is in its second cutting, and very few stock is out in the pasture as many are fed indoors daily from what we could see. We did see sheep, cattle, and pigs indoors. Some  Holstein cows were out in the pasture.

View of the Shubenacadie River as it enters the Basin

Same river at mid tide.

St  James United Church Bass River NS Their site is here for it’s 175 year history
https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=7267

                                           Story of the “DUTCHMAN’S CHEESE FARM”
“Willem is the cheese maker and not just the supervising one either. And no, he does not stem from a long line of cheese makers, neither does Maja. Actually, we stem from a long line of small town people. But as “back to the landers” we thought we could live the “simple good life on the land,” by milking a few cows and making cheese. After all Willem had his Agricultural schooling and Maja had lots of determination. So, we went back to the Netherlands where spinson casino we came from. There we followed cheese-making courses and worked on a farm, with a cheese-making lady who did stem from a long line of cheese makers.
Well, its almost thirty years later now and life on the land definitely is not that simple! But we like what we are doing and make a decent living in a place we like. We ended up selling the cows and started buying milk from a neighbouring farm. Milking is a full-time job and so is the cheese making.  We have been producing our “Farmstead Gouda” since 1980”

Locally in the campground I saw significant two events today . Campgrounds are usually quite “hum drum”. One, was a very sad event as we had heard an ambulance coming down Hwy #2 in the distance, and when it got in front of the Campground it stopped and entered. It drove to a trailer that was behind us in the park , which meant that someone was having a medical issue. It left the campground as I said my usual prayer for active ambulances and the people being treated.

Two, was a group of seasonal campers across the mall from me. They all rushed to one of the trailers  about 2:30 and quickly were on top of it with their equipment. There was problem with what I believe was a heater or hot water system. The one man soon had a cap off and a huge amount of steam (or smoke) went into the air for a few minutes. Later one of them was using a welders torch to repair something up there. But the cooperation in a few minutes was what neighbors should be all about. This seasonal crew does meet almost nightly around a campfire and often shares meals together in their trailers and on their porches. I think they are well prepared to help each other.

 So it was unexciting day. Tomorrow will be a “necessity “day with the usual grocery shopping, haircuts, laundry, and maybe stop at a trailer dealer for some items.