Well, we're back! Lots of driving, but a good vacation, thanks for all your ideas!
The direct flight was a tiny puddle-jumper plane, but with only 30 passengers we got through customs in 20 minutes. Same for the return flight. Well worth it -- though USAIR socked us for an extra $50 each way to check one bag each. I have been spoiled by flying Southwestern and Jet Blue to other destinations.
The Tidal Bore rafting was lots of fun - not so much the bore itself, but the standing waves generated as the rest of the surge of tidewater rolls in over the outbound river flow. Some of them were a good 12 feet from tip to trough, bigger than the Zodiacs! And the mudsliding before the tide came in was a hoot too. A worthwhile one-time experience.
Antigonish was OK, a reasonable stopping-off point on our way East. Louisbourg was the best part for this pair of history buffs. I'll be busy for another year working through the online resources I learned about there. And we swam in the surf at nearby Kennington Cove, where the Brits launched their offensive from.
We went to a local ceilidh in the Bras D'Or town of Baddeck -- excellent fiddle and piano work, and we even got up to try the local form of square dancing. But a second ceilidh in Chetico(?) near Madou (unfortunately the Red Shoe was dark that night) had a good fiddler alternating with an off-key Willie Nelson wannabee. Good oatcakes, though.
We drove around the Cabot Trail loop in one day before heading back to Halifax. Should have spent a week just in that area, camping in several spots and getting a feel for the land. Pretty, though.
In Halifax, we did the Maritime Museum, the Citadel and spent some time at the busker's festival. No time for Lunenburg, unfortunately.
The best part was having zero cell phone access the entire trip, aside from a few times using hotel wireless. I didn't realize how dependent I am on Yelp, online maps, etc on my Iphone. But my bosses couldn't get me either!