Nova Scotia

Aug 5-8, 2003

The rain, fog, and drizzle continued to dominate our vacation throughout our tour of Nova Scotia. Although our exploration continued undaunted, being cramped in a damp trailer with five other brutally honest family members is a severe test of one's character!

Aug 5 5:38pm
We finally cross the Nova Scotian border and travel across the heart of the province towards Halifax.

Aug 5 9:15 pm
It's pitch dark by the time we arrive at our destination, about an hour west of Halifax. Frayed nerves and hunger pangs compliment the long drive.

Aug 6 9:15 am
We awoke to a foggy, gray world. We suspected that after breakfast, we'd be spending the day playing Monopoly inside.

Aug 6 12:06 pm
Instead, we decided to take a chance and drive west along the coast, enjoying the scenic fishing villages along the way.

Aug 6 2:00 pm
After a mere 45 minute drive, we arrived in the town of Lunenburg, a World Heritage site, and were surprised by a welcome change in the weather as the sun finally broke through the fog.

Aug 6 2:23 pm
There we visited the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. The Museum was a fascinating place to learn about life in fishing communities throughout the years.

Aug 6 3:02 pm
It took some time to extract ourselves from this little predicament.

Aug 6 3:02 pm
Captain Josiah sets a steady course for the nearest harbour.

Aug 6 6:11 pm
The museum includes hands-on tours of several fishing vessels. Lunenburg is also the birthplace of the famous Bluenose fishing schooner, the Nova Scotian racing yacht that is depicted on the back of our dime.

Aug 6 6:13 pm
Life on the water is filled with hard work, adventure and risk. A monument on the shore commemorates the ships and loved ones that were lost at sea.

Aug 6 6:47 pm
After the tour, we crossed the street for supper at the Big Rock restaurant. Although we had dinner in jail, we were able to pay the bill and they let us leave on parole.

Aug 7 11:10 am
The next day we backtracked to Halifax to visit Pier 21.

Aug 7 11:35 am
In this very location, over 50 years ago, our parents first set foot in Canada.

Aug 7 11:36 am
Now their grandchildren re-enacted the experience by going through customs and getting their passports stamped.

Aug 7 3:45 pm
Through listening to immigrant stories and viewing the detailed information, we were able to catch a glimpse of the emotions and adventure felt by those who left family and home for a new life.

Aug 8 9:10 am
Our experience of sunshine was brief, and the next day we are forced to take down camp in the rain, and head off on the next leg of our journey.