Fast Facts about Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is one of the founding provinces of Canada. Almost totally surrounded by water, Nova Scotia is made up of a mainland peninsula and Cape Breton Island, which is across the Canso Strait. It is one of only three Canadian maritime provinces located on the North Atlantic Coast of North America.

The province of Nova Scotia is famous for its high tides, lobster, fish, blueberries, and apples. It is also known for an unusually high rate of shipwrecks on Sable Island. The name Nova Scotia originates from Latin, meaning "New Scotland."

Geographical Location

The province is bordered by the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait on the north, and the Atlantic Ocean on the south and east. Nova Scotia is connected to the province of New Brunswick on the west by the Chignecto Isthmus. And it's the second-smallest of Canada's 10 provinces, larger only than Prince Edward Island.

During World War II, Halifax was a major North American port for trans-Atlantic convoys carrying munitions and supplies to Western Europe.

Population

Although it is one of the more densely populated of Canada's provinces, Nova Scotia's total area is only 20,400 square miles. Its population hovers just below 1 million people, and it's capital city is Halifax.

Most of Nova Scotia is English-speaking, with about 4 percent of its population speaking French. The French speakers are typically concentrated in the cities of Halifax, Digby, and Yarmouth.

Economy

Coal mining has long been a significant part of life in Nova Scotia. The industry declined after the 1950s but began a comeback in the 1990s. Agriculture, particularly poultry and dairy farms, is another big part of the area's economy.

Given its proximity to the ocean, it also makes sense that fishing is a major industry in Nova Scotia. It is one of the most productive fisheries along the Atlantic coastline, providing haddock, cod, scallops, and lobsters among its catches. Forestry and energy also play big roles in Nova Scotia's economy.

Acadia National Park

Opened in 1916, Acadia National Park is the first eastern national park and the first national park whose land was donated entirely by private citizens.  More than 3.5 million people visit the park every year.

 Schoodic Head Overlook

Although the Fall colors are traditionally expected to peak in the next week or so, my first drive into the park saw very little color.  I was surprised because I have been seeing lots of Fall foliage from my drive down from Nova Scotia and throughout New Brunswick.

Even without the color, this is a beautiful park.  The water is spectacular.  I can't believe all the people here, but it is one of the most popular parks, and it is definitely worth the trip.

 
My first "day" in the park I was glad I wasn't staying, as it was cold and rainy, much colder with the wind than I had anticipated and I was actually freezing.  Time for a coat and scarf.  I even put the flannel sheets on the bed tonight!

View from the campground

Most visitors consider Cadillac Mountain the high point - both literally and figuratively - of their trip to Acadia.  Not only is Cadillac the park's highest peak, but it is also the tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast north of Brazil.

Views from Cadillac Summit Mountain (44 degrees)

View on the way to Bar Harbor, ME

Acadia boasts varied and dramatic scenery, including a coastline of chiseled granite, the ocean dotted with islands, 26 mountain peaks, close to a dozen glacial lakes and ponds, and Somes Sound, the only fiard (a smaller version of a fjord, a glacially carved u-shaped valley bordered by steep cliffs) in the contiguous 48 states.

In shape, Mount Desert Island resembles a lobster claw (pretty ironic, huh?).  A note - it is actually pronounced "dessert" not desert.

Views from the 27-mile Park Loop Road

Schoodic Peninsula, located an hour away from Bar Harbor, is a 2366-acre peninsula and Acadia's only wedge of the mainland.  The scenic highway was a lovely drive on a sunny day, with lots of beautiful colors!


Along several miles through Franklin, there were these American flags on every utility pole.  It was a lovely sight and very heartwarming.

A question:  There were no street lights so it would be pitch here after dark.  How do they "get around" the law that light has to shine on the flag after dark?

Regardless, I loved seeing them.





All in all, it was a lovely stay and I truly wished I could have extended it.  Unfortunately, the white stuff is coming and I have a long way to go to be clear before I'm buried in it, so tomorrow I hit the road again.

It's actually only 1,500 miles to Orlando, but, and you know me well, I can at least triple that mileage before I get there.  My plan is to zig-zag my way from coast to mountains the entire way down!  More fun to come ....

Back in Maine

Saint Croix Island National Historic Site is actually located on both Canadian and US soil.  The visitor center is on the US side.

Saint Croix (so named because the original Frenchman who discovered the island thought it looked like a cross and God was telling him "this was the place")

The winter of 1604-1605 on Saint Croix Island was a cruel one for Pierre Dugua's French expedition. Iced in by freezing temperatures and cut off from freshwater and game, 35 of 79 men died.

Roosevelt Cottage

Campobello is another "shared" site ... while on Canadian soil, it is all about our US history and President Roosevelt. The historical site is funded equally by both countries.

Some "cottage"

I was lucky enough to take two tours and have lunch in their restaurant.  I would have had "Tea with Eleanor" but I had to go back to St. Croix and get the coach and drive to Bar Harbor before dark.

The megaphone in the picture was a gift from one of the sons and Eleanor used it to call everyone to supper.

Mulholland Point Light

Seeing lots of pretty fall color

I had a moment ... I'm driving down a grade and a Jeep exactly like mine passed me.  There was a moment before I looked in the rear camera to confirm mine was still attached behind me .... 😏

I had my first lobster roll and a bowl of some awesome clam chowder here.

Nova Scotia

Unfortunately, I missed my week camping near Halifax (I spent it crossing Maine from Quebec).  In hindsight, I should have canceled my week in Annapolis and rebooked Halifax, if possible.  There is a lot to see in the Halifax area and it was just too far to drive more than once or twice.  Also, you end up driving by Halifax to get to the rest of the island, so it would have been a good central point.  Lesson learned.  And, since my visit was cut short to just one week, there are a couple of areas I didn't get to see and really would have liked to ...  So .... another visit in my future?  Maybe.  I still need to get into Newfoundland, so maybe then.

As I was driving around the island, I headed for Mahone Bay.  When I arrived I got a surprise and the best fish tacos I have ever had - wonderful.

Mahone Bay was just opening its 23rd annual Scarecrow Festival.  Each year the town comes to life with over 250 hand-made, life-size scarecrows. The festival draws thousands of visitors each year. Highlights include special children’s activities, local craft market, book sales, BBQs, yard sales, quilt sales, music events and of course the largest antique show in the Maritimes.

It was fun to drive/walk around and look at all the scarecrows.  I'm glad I happened upon it. 

Canada's most photographed lighthouse

Peggy's Cove was definitely worth the stop.  Beautiful views, a lighthouse, and great fish chowder. What more could you want?

And I love these houses ... all Victorian and painted pretty colors.

 

The Citadel National Historic Site and the Old Town Clock.  I was lucky enough to be there during the firing of the Noon Gun (very loud), a tradition since 1857.  I also have lots of pictures of machine guns through the various wars, etc. but decided not to post.

The clock was a gift in 1803 from Edward, the British duke of Kent and then the military commander, who had a passion for punctuality. He designed the clock with four faces so that both soldiers and citizens would arrive on time.

The Citadel, erected between 1826 and 1856 on Halifax's highest hill, is Canada's most-visited National Historic Site. 

Fort Point Lighthouse in Liverpool is one of Canada's oldest surviving lighthouses

A drive through Kejimbujik National Park, both a National Park and a National Historic Site, "Keji" combines natural splendor with a rich Aboriginal heritage.



And lastly, a visit to Fort Anne National Historic Site ... the most attacked spot in Canadian history.

Heritage Tapestry- Four meticulously detailed panels depict four centuries of local history and as many local cultures.

 

Those knolls are actually nearly 400-year-old earthwork ramparts built up, in part, with rubble and blood.

I know I post pictures now and then of the red chairs. I have found quite a few of them.  Its fun to see them and most people take a selfie.  I don't do selfies, but I take a picture of the chairs when I see them.

Did I share with you the significance of them?

To celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial anniversary, Parks Canada added a little red accent to their land.  102 red Muskoka or Adirondack chairs can be found around Canada in select National Parks and Historic Sites.  They represent either a great view or a place to rest, depending on your source.

On the road again .... finally.

Well, do you believe it?  The Jeep is finally ready (still haven't heard from the insurance company!) and I'm hooked up and ready to head into Maine.  Three years ago when I was touring the Atlantic Provinces, I drove south from Nova Scotia through Maine but didn't stop until I got to New Jersey, so this is my time to explore the state.

Unfortunately for me, my "Maine" time was spent in Quebec waiting on my Jeep, so although I did most of the things I had planned, I didn't get to spend more than the day at each.  Some is better than none, so ....

My first stop was in Jackman for my mail.  My intent was to drive Maine Hwy 15 around Moosehead Lake.  I understand it is very pretty, but the postal clerk advised against my taking the RV on that road and I didn't have time to make a separate trip in the Jeep, so I missed the experience. I took the "safe" highway around and through Bangor to Baxter State Park.

Some beautiful color along the way

I still wished I had tried, but I realized when I started out from Quebec that I was a little "gun shy."  For the first time ever, including my first trip out, I was nervous/anxious.  It took a while before I convinced myself that, regardless of the challenges I've had lately, this was my chance to have these experiences and see these sights and I was cheating myself, so next time I will take that drive!  Yeah for me 👍😀

 So, my next stop was to photograph Paul Bunyan in Bangor and then on to Baxter State Park.

Mt. Katahdin (5,267 ft) Maine's highest peak

So, a little sideline about this picture of the mountain.  A local said this vantage point was the best place to take a picture of the mountain.  Of course, it involved 20 miles of dirt/gravel road, but that's the norm for me now, so no big deal.  When I got back in the Jeep after taking the picture, the car wouldn't start.  Dead.  I waited and tried; waited and tried and it finally started just before I was ready to hoof it to goodness knows where for help  ....

When I hooked up to the coach and got back onto the highway I realized there was a scenic turnoff to view the mountain not too far down the road.  Here is that picture.  Which is a better view?

When I got back into the coach after taking the picture, the coach wouldn't start.  Dead.  DejaVu???

It finally started, but that was to happen to me a couple more times, one of which I called roadside service to come.  I still have no idea what the cause is, and I hold my breath each time I start the coach.  After having to get a jump a few times, I had to replace the Jeep battery, so that part of the problem is solved, I hope.

Part of Baxter State Park has been set aside as a new National Park.  I drove around for maybe 80 miles trying to find the entrance to the National Park park but didn't find it.  They don't have a visitor center yet, so to get my stamp I needed to go to an information center in town, which was, of course, closed.

So.  The first week I'm back on the road, both my vehicles won't start, I can't find the National Park and get my stamp, I'm feeling nervous/anxious, I'm dealing with lawyers and escrow people with my  dad's trust .... not going well at all. At this point, I am seriously looking at how to just drive "home" to California and deal with everything another year.

Nope.  Not going to happen.  Everything from now on will just be another funny experience!  Right?

Maine Hwy 11 north to Fort Kent was a nice, colorful drive.





I had the privilege to be at the Milemarker "0" for Highway 1.  I do have a picture of the other end of the highway from my infamous first trip to the Keys some years ago (which involved a ticket, an almost daughter-in-law's former police brother, good-natured ribbing at the rehearsal dinner and a lot of money).  I'll take an updated one in February when I'm there again, driving much slower.

My drive from Maine to Nova Scotia across New Brunswick was a long day.  I had to get up at 0-dark-thirty and drive 9 hours in fog and wind, with a time change not to my advantage, but all was well and I arrived at the campground in Annapolis on the Bay of Fundy.

Now to enjoy Nova Scotia .....

The Fjords of Quebec

Quebec

Rather than driving around, my GPS had me taking a ferry across the river.  It is always a fun experience sitting in the coach on a "boat" with the rocking and all.  I was reminded of the last time I took a ferry, last summer in the Yukon where that RV got stuck exiting the ferry and they had to dig it out.  No mishaps this time.  The ferry ride was $25/Canadian, but I didn't have that much so it cost more for me using American.

Getting around Quebec City is always a challenge, but with construction and detours, they outdid themselves!



 I have been to Quebec City before, so one of the things I wanted to do this stop was the Parc De La Chute-Montmorency Historic Site.  Chute Montmorency (or Montmorency Falls in English) was named by Samuel de Champlain, the founder of Quebec City, in honor of Duc de Montmorency, the viceroy of New France.  It is 83 meters (273 feet) high, 30 meters taller than Niagara Falls.

There is a suspension bridge that crosses over the falls; you'll feel the roaring under your feet. The water flows at a rate of 9,346 gallons per second.  There are two ways to get there.  You can pay $14 to ride to the top and then walk about 1/2 mile to the bridge, or you can take the panoramic staircase, 487 steps.

 After having a sleepless night, I was really tired traveling north yesterday, never a good idea.  When I arrived in Saguenay (I'm here to see the Fjords) I decided to change the place where I'm staying so I drove to St. Ambroise to a campground.  My GPS was playing tricks again and I ended up in a dead end-unhook, turnaround, hook up- and then when I got to the office I missed a step up to the door and took a flying header making a great entrance and providing amusement to the French Canadians.  After I finally get into my site and all set up, the camp host comes over and tells me I have to move about 2 feet closer to the power pole.  I have no idea why other than it was a "test" of my patience .... so I'm unhooking my power and water and bringing in the slides, etc. and they come back and yell at me for not moving.  It's not like it took hours to do this ... but there is only me.  Oh well ...

I made the mistake of taking a nap, but then I was up until 4am watching movies.  And today I have rain again, so the Fjords are waiting.

A drive around the Fjords and St. Jean lake and I'll be heading to Maine.  I decided rather than cross New Brunswick again, I'm dropping down into Maine and seeing the top section on my way to Nova Scotia.  That will help my timing a little as Maine "closes" the first of October.

I've had temps in the 50s this week, a nice change from the hot summer I experienced, but the humidity is still pretty high.