Thursday 7/07/2022 - Day 26 of 31 on our 2022 Canadian Maritime #2 Caravan with Yankee RV Tour

Yes I walked this morning ... my hashtag is "Starting Over 4 The Last Time" and the only way I can do that is continue with my new healthy choices in my life! I am learning to live the life I love! The sky was a unique and ominous looking during my walk!

The dawn patrol went out first and then the rest of us caravanned from Halifax West KOA to Scotia Pines Campground. It was a short caravan. The most interesting thing we saw along the route was this unique manikin holding the mailbox. He was decked out in true Canadian colors!

Scotia Pines is just an overnight stop, just so we have a great place to see the tidal bore!

  

We had time for lunch and some work time on our signs for the bridge crossing! Then we rallied for our car caravan to Wide Open Wilderness Campground, no it has a new name now ... Eagle Ridge RV Park. We can't stay there, because they are 99 44/100% seasonal. We car caravan there to view the tidal bore. 

As we passed over the Schubenacadie Canal, there were shouts of joy from the wagonmasters and tailenders vehicles … because the tide was still out! We made it! There are several observation points along the river that provide panoramic views. But Yankee has been going to this campground for years and it is much more private than the public viewing areas.

We knew we were going to be early, but it's not an event you want to be late for. It ruins the whole experience, if you come halfway through!

What is the Tidal Bore? With the world’s highest recorded tides, the Bay of Fundy is witness to one of Nature’s unique shows found on the Shubenacadie River. The bore of “first tidal wave” will gather height and strength as it nears the head of the bay and enters the river. There’s nothing quite like the moment when immense force of the incoming tide will reverse the outgoing river and send it backwards, it makes your heart skip a beat. The Shubenacadie River is the longest in Nova Scotia at almost 45 miles from Grand Lake to Maitland.

The campground offers us use of their Tidal Bore Lookout. The mighty tidal bore occurs twice daily, as the tide comes in. 

The park's lookout provides the perfect vantage point to watch as the wall of incoming tidal waters creates whitewater of up to 12 feet!

The park's lookout area is peaceful and quiet and offers the perfect for viewing Bald eagles that nest along the river. 

I was able to use my Canon SX740HS on continuous shot to capture some great pics of the eagles! 

  

You may not be able to see it, but this Eagle snagged a fish in it's talons. That is why the Eagles are flying during the tidal bore, because it is easy fishing for them!

I really can’t describe it … but we watched the almost dry river bed change from a place people could stand to four feet of water, with rapids, in 22 minutes.

More water 

and more water

and yet even more water.

A few rapids have started.

The Adventure company brings people out into the river, before the tidal bore starts and they can walk around on the river bed.

As the tidal bore comes in, the rafts race up and down the river!

Rapids big enough to raft on!

The tides come in so fast that is leaves the river bed rippled!

We enjoyed HUGE scoops of ice cream at the campground, where they let us watch the tidal bore. Can you believe I did not get any pictures? It was delicious and thanks to Yankee for purchasing it for us!

We headed back to the campground for a social hour or two.

Wednesday 7/06/2022 - Day 25 of 31 on our 2022 Canadian Maritime #2 Caravan with Yankee RV Tour

My mornings still begin with a walk. The roads in the Halifax West KOA are great for walking, because once around is just under a mile. It's usually quiet that time of day and the scenery is spectacular!

Today, we took a bus to Halifax and go to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and enjoy lunch at McKelvies Restaurant. Just before downtown Halifax, we passed a schooner in a cove. Too bad the sails were not flying yet!

The Sailor’s Monument at Sacksville Landing. The monument is a tribute to all those valiant men and women who served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II.

When you first enter the museum, there is Merlin, their Rainbow Macaw. He joined the Maritime Museum crew during the Pets at Sea, March Break event in 2006 and has never left! Merlin is particularly fond of green grapes, peanuts, carrots, walnuts and yes, even crackers! Merlin has two meals each day. Rainbows macaws are a hybrid, caused by cross-breeding the Scarlet and Golden Blue macaw. He talks some, but when he is tired of talking, he closes his eyes and ignores you … kind of sounds like our husbands!

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, is part of the Nova Scotia Museum, represents the marine history of Nova Scotia and those regions or subjects that are considered significant or of interest to the people of Nova Scotia. The collection belongs to the people of Nova Scotia and is largely developed through the generosity of many individuals. The Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian merchant marine, Nova Scotia small craft and shipwrecks are subjects well represented in the collection, much of which dates from 1850 to the present.

The collection includes over 24,000 artifacts, most of which are on display. They can be found in gallery exhibits and in several specialized display areas. The Museum's collection of 20,000 photographs, its vessel plans and nautical charts are housed in, and accessible through, the Museum's library. The Museum has the largest collection of ship portraits in Canada with over 300 ship portraits of ships such as the Barque John A. Harvie. Other notable artifacts in the Museum collection include the First Order Lens from Sambro Island Lighthouse and Shoes of the Titanic Unknown Child.

The first exhibit we saw was Ta'n me'j Tel-keknuo'ltiek: How Unique We Still Are. It reflects how Mi’kmaw people remain connected to the lands and waters of Mi’kma’ki. This exhibit offers a platform for Mi’kmaw people to express their continued experiences with an understanding of the lands and the waters of Mi’kma’ki. Mi’kmaw single-word concepts are represented through personal testimony and histories of individual Mi’kmaw people, featured objects, artifacts, images and symbolic artwork. These experiences and understandings are rooted in cultural expressions that connect past, present and future in this place.

The next exhibit was “Collision in the Narrows” The Halifax Explosion. The year was 1917 and Halifax, like the rest of the world, was fully embroiled in the First World War. Serving as the assembly and departure point for transatlantic convoys carrying supplies and soldiers to the war effort overseas, the small city was quickly evolving into a world class port and major base of naval operations. Halifax was a hub of activity. Troops bound for battle swept in and out of the city, laborers flowed to and from work as the war created a significant industrial and residential boom, and children of all ages wandered to their schools for lessons. In a time of war and devastation, Halifax was thriving.

That all changed the morning of December 6, 1917. Approximately six minutes after 9:00 am, a dreadful miscommunication between two ships in the harbor resulted in an Explosion of cataclysmic proportions. 2,000 people were killed and 9,000 more were injured. The city was reduced to ruins and debris. Considered Halifax's darkest day, the sheer magnitude of the traumatic event left a lasting impression on the city and its residents. The tragedy bred countless stories of courage and hope that in many ways, shaped what Halifax has become.

This exhibit takes you through the time line of the event, establishing what life in the city was like and breaking down the unfortunate circumstances that caused the tragedy. Featuring personal effects and stories of those who both perished and survived, the exhibit explores the Explosion from an anecdotal perspective, giving you a sense of the devastation that occurred, but more importantly, a sense of the city’s bravery in the face of adversity.

Another must see is the permanent exhibit telling the story of Titanic’s creation and demise, drawing out the key role Halifax played in the disaster. While Titanic’s survivors went to New York, all who perished came to Halifax. The cable ship crews braved awful conditions to recover bodies and invented a unique system to solve the mystery of many unidentified victims. Many kept pieces of Titanic wreckage in their family for generations, preserving wonderfully carved pieces of woodwork found as flotsam after the ships’ sinking on April 15, 1912. The exhibit contains glimpses of personal stories and those of the victims who are buried in Halifax.

Read about life aboard the Titanic, from the crew stoking the boilers to the immigrants in third class to the passengers travelling in first-class style. These menus show the class divisions aboard this luxury liner! In addition to a Titanic deck chair, there are over 50 objects including artifacts, collected as flotsam at the time of the great ship’s sinking, and historic photographs. One of the most poignant objects that evoke the solemn and the personal devastation of the sinking are the shoes of Titanic's Unknown Child and a mortuary bag which was used to identify and safeguard the personal effects of Titanic victims.

The pair of leather children's shoes is believed to be from Body No. 4, the "Unknown Child". This very young boy, recovered by the crew of Mackay-Bennett, was buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax.  In 2007, as a result of extensive DNA testing, the child's shoes were identified as those of 19 month old Sidney Leslie Goodwin from England. The research was reviewed and confirmed in April 2011. Mr. Goodwin was on his way to Niagara Falls for a job offer, the entire family, including Sidney were lost.

The personal effects of Titanic victims were cataloged and bagged.  These bags were central to the system for Titanic body recovery and identification. They were hand stitched from sail canvas by Mackay-Bennett sailors as the bodies were found and proved very effective in keeping personal effects together on the ship and in the morgue. When the Halifax Explosion took place four years later in 1917, the coroner followed the Titanic example and made identical bags to handle the personal effects of Explosion victims. 

 

We walked across the street in the rain to enjoy lunch at McKelvies Restaurant. I don't think any of us were interested in the outdoor seating!

Sheryl arranged this meal, so we could order off the menu! It was a very nice change, not having to select ahead of time. This way we could get what we were in the mood for at the time. 

Naturally, Charlie had a burger and fries. I had the Salmon Salad. A few got desserts, this is a picture of Char & Dennis' Mint Chip pie!

At our evening at the campground, was quiet, because the rain lingered on!

It was another great day on our 2022 Yankee RV Tours Canadian Maritimes #2 caravan!

Tuesday 7/05/2022 - Day 24 of 31 on our 2022 Canadian Maritime #2 Caravan with Yankee RV Tour

Today, we took carpooled drive to tour Grand Pre’ a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Grand Pré, means great meadow. Grand Pre’ became a UNESCO site in 2012. But, before we did, some of us enjoyed a breakfast at the Pancake House at the campground. Can you guess what we had? We even enjoyed some of the maple syrup Gary got from Jack & Ann Sapp's friend in Pennsylvania!

From the view on Old Post Road, you can gaze over the 1,300-hectares of farm-fields, marshes and dykelands that comprises the Landscape of Grand-Pré. There is a deep human story within this land. Our exploration began in the hull of a Deportation ship, for a state-of-the-art cinematic introduction that gave life to the efforts of industrious Acadians, who, in the 1680s, overcame geographic challenges and the world’s highest tides to foster thriving settlements.

Their ingenious system of dykes remained a technological pinnacle for hundreds of years. They were expanded and maintained by English, Scottish and Dutch settlers until the mid-20th century. These dyke systems combined with a tumultuous regional history, led to the area’s designation as Canada’s 16th UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Also rich in Mi’kmaw tradition, dramatic Cape Blomidon—which frames the dykelands—is said to harbor the spirit of the mythical watchman Kluscap, another facet of this culturally and naturally diverse landscape.

Grand-Pré is a powerful monument that unites the Acadian people. Visitors to the site will hear the story of Le Grand Dérangement. A tragic event in Acadian history that has shaped the vibrant culture of modern-day Acadians across the globe through its quiet but powerful renaissance. This site commemorates the Grand Pré area as a center of Acadian settlement from 1682 to 1755 and the Deportation of the Acadians, which began in 1755 and continued until 1762. For many Acadians throughout the world, the site remains the heart of their ancestral homeland and the symbol of the ties that unite them to this day.

We were lucky enough to have a decedent of Acadian ancestors as our private tour guide. She helped guide us through the history and significance of this national historic site. There are serene ponds bordered by majestic weeping willows, the legendary statue of Evangeline (heroine of the Longfellow poem) and the Memorial Church.

The Church is a memorial to the men and boys who were read the Deportation Order on September 5th, 1775 and held prisoner for one month until the ships that would deport and scatter these families arrived. British Governor Charles Lawrence ordered the deportation of all Acadians from Nova Scotia who refused to take an oath of allegiance to Britain. Over the following 13 years, approximately 7,000 Acadians were sent to numerous points along the Atlantic coast of North America, some to France and others to the Caribbean. Thousands died in transit, succumbing to illness in the filthy conditions of the ships. Those that did make it to their destinations were refugees, and often unwelcome, forced to wander in search of a home (some settled in Louisiana, helping to form the Cajun culture).

John Frederic Herbin was a poet, historian, jeweler and son of an Acadian woman who purchased this land in 1907 as it was thought that a church once stood here and so he had the Herbin Cross built. The Herbin Cross sits in a location that marks the church cemetery and stories have been told that each stone used in the building of the cross was taken from the homes belonging to Acadians. The cross marks the site of the Acadian cemetary of the Grand Pre parish St Charles-des-Mines.

In 2021, Parks Canada installed eight oTENTik in the fields south of the Visitor Information Centre at Grand-Pré National Historic Site. Parks Canada’s oTENTik is described as a cross between a tent and a rustic cabin. The oTENTik has a wooden frame with canvas covering and a wood floor. It is ideal for campers who want the comforts of home while experiencing the great outdoors. I think I will stick to my RV!

Some of the cars ventured out to lunch before returning to the campground. Our car went to Luckett’s Winery. Their tag line is “wine worth phoning home about.” With a traditional red British phone booth set in the middle of the vineyard and a prime position overlooking the lush Gaspereau Valley, Luckett Vineyards is one winery worth phoning home about. Actually, the phone booth works and you can place a free call to anywhere in North America. The 2010 Phone Box Red won a Canadian Wine Awards medal and the vineyard has also placed at the All Canadian Wine Championships.

The crisp maritime breezes, legendary ocean tides and brilliant sunshine meet to create an outstanding setting on a hillside overlooking the magnificent Gaspereau Valley. We stopped in for a delicious lunch at Crash Pad bistro. No wine tasting, as we are working, but I did enjoy an non-alcoholic beer.

I had an exquisite vegan charcuterie board with some of my favorite local and imported ingredients. What got my attention was the beet hummus, it was delicious! It included roasted and pickled vegetables, apple crisps, homemade pickles and fresh sourdough bread!

Did I mention that Dona Brown got dessert and Charlie did not want her to eat alone ... so, he got one too! It was some kind of decadent chocolate thing! I did enjoy a few bites!

Everyone knows the secret to great wine lies in the soil, but few recognize the Annapolis Valley with its fertile soil and moderate Bay of Fundy climate as producing some of Canada’s finest wines. There are about a dozen wineries operating in the valley, and it’s worth sipping your way through a few.

After we returned to camp, Sheryl & I headed to Sobeys to grab our Yankee dinner of chicken strips and sides! We found this guy in the car next to us at a light.

After dinner, we enjoyed the Long Long Train movie with Lucille Ball on the outdoor TV of George & Chelle. Chelle even made popcorn for everyone! We followed the movie with another great campfire.