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.