Day 22 – Sunday Sept. 22, 2013 – Lunenburg & Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

The sights here in Nova Scotia are spectacular! 

They call this province Canada’s Ocean Playground and I can see why! 

Even Spiderman came to see this place!

There is so much coastline, so many Bays and Inlets, so much to see it is impossible to cover it all!

Beautiful Views, Horse & Carriage, Wharfs & History!

Today we started off over in Lunenburg which has a ton of history from the early Settlers coming over from Europe all through into the 1900’s. Many don’t know this but a ship from Lunenburg was sunk by a German U Boat during the Second World War and that happened not far from here. North America was under a huge threat and people don’t really realize how close they actually got!

We learned today that the Acadian people were the French that had settled here from France. The English eventually rounded them all up. If they weren’t married to an English Settler they were shipped down to the south in the USA and the slang word Cajun actually comes from the word Acadian. 

When one travels the area Acadian flags are seen all over the place. They are red, white and blue with a gold star off in one corner.

Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Not only is it a site to see but also very well preserved with many buildings dating back into the late 1700’s. some of the homes are still lived in today and the others have been transformed into small businesses and quaint little restaurants or Inns.

A typical street in Lunenburg.

The famous fishing and racing ship “The Blue Nose” is from Lunenburg where she was built to beat the Americans, which she did several times. She was also a mighty fishing machine. 

One can see her on the back of Canadian dimes and postage stamps. They refer to this area and the people here as Blue Nosers.

We toured the town for a few hours on foot and had lunch at the Savvy Sailor, which was recommended by one of the locals. Beautiful scenery and a nice warm wind blowing in off of the Atlantic. The weather today was perfect!

Some homes have become small businesses others are still homes.

Privateers, Rum Runners, Atlantic Fishing Fleets and German U Boats have all been here!

I can go on and on about this area and the history here but will suggest that if it interests you that you Google it for more information. If you ever come to Nova Scotia this is a must see area!

I think they painted the homes in different bright colours so that when
the Sailors came home in the fog they could find their way.

Preservation and historical significance.
 

After Lunenburg we headed over to Mahone Bay. 

A beautiful little area nearby which too is scenic and full of history with ship building and more.

The Settlers came to this area expecting to farm. What food they didn't consume was to go to Halifax where the capital was. As it turned out this area is terrible for farming so they soon learned to fish. Starting with shore fishing they soon mastered deep sea fishing even heading out to far places such as the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.

When's the last time you saw a closer like this?
We had one on the home I grew up in and haven't seen one since!

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

Once we were done with the sights on this blue-skied day we headed to the other side of Halifax, over a bridge (and Toll Booth) at the Halifax harbour, through Dartmouth and to Lake Eagle to where old friends of ours have retired. I worked with Terry in the force for many years having first met way back in 1985.

We were so happy to have caught up with them. This is where they originally came from and have since retired to a beautiful home on a very scenic lake. When I looked out into their back yard all I could think of was the old movie “On Golden Pond.”

They have their little boat and another Pontoon Boat out back at their dock. The area is so quiet with only 6 other neighbors to share the lake with. I fully understand why they retired and bought a home here, simply beautiful and so peaceful too!

We spent the evening with Heather & Terry and had lots of laughs along with an awesome dinner they prepared for us. Re-living great memories and sharing stories on retirement is so much fun especially with great friends. 

Finally it was pushing midnight and we had to say our goodbyes. Travelling back home to our campground was close to a 1.5 hour drive in the rain and fog. Many times it reminded me of Vancouver Island and when we lived in Vancouver. 

The motor home had a nice bath as it rained cats, dogs and maybe a few salmon as we went on to bed. Man, do I ever sleep well in the rain and with the fresh ocean air. We are camped here right on the shores of the Atlantic in Hubbard's Bay.