BS-Nova Scotia trip

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 07:58 PM

A thread, Ed. I remember most the "dark days". We worked on airport construction. When the weather was bad (dark) we would hit the liqour store for dark rum and get great grub and just settle back and enjoy stories, lies and music. Had a great time all over Atlantic Canada. Sigh....

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: kendall
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 08:05 PM

I met Wilf when I was 16. He let me play his New Martin guitar. A real gentleman he was.

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: Beer
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 08:35 PM

That is a memory certainly to hold.
ad.

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: Ed T
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 10:10 PM

If you try a You tube search for Hiking trails Nova Scotia, there is a good selection of videos. I picked a few below.
(BTW, a bit of trivia, The Ovens park is co owned/operated by Harry Chapin's brother, Stephen).


Mabou
Kejimkujik National Park: Mill Falls
Cape Split

Ovens

Blue rocks


Pomquet

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 11:36 PM

I heard and met WC in Bashaw, Alberta, back about 20 years. The old boy couldn't play worth shit and his voice was gone. We loved him.

That's part of Canada and being Canadian. We never turn our backs on our history OR our icons, and we'll face ya down for even thinking we would.

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: gnu
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 05:08 PM

How endearing.

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: kendall
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 09:21 AM

He was over 90 when he died.

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: gnu
Date: 06 Mar 12 - 01:56 PM

Kendall... regular gas (10% ethanol) here is $5.07 per USgal today. $Cdn is slightly higher than $US. Now, that is in Moncton, with a refinery 90 miles away. I assume prices will rise and then fall toward summer and I expect the $US will strengthen but, overall, I don't expect much change. And, if Iran blows up, you'll have to visit Cape Breton via Google Earth fer sure.

Ya know... that's another research tool for deciding where one wants to spend one's time.

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: GUEST,LynnT
Date: 09 Jul 12 - 11:08 AM

OK, events at work cut this trip from 15 days to one week. So we bit the bullet and sprang for the Halifax flight. We have our tickets for August 4-11 -- on Saturdays Air Canada runs one direct flight a day each way between DC and Halifax, gets into H around 2:00, leaves around 2. We'll rent a car there (that's not nailed down yet, nor is the exact itinerary.)

Richard wants to camp at least some of the time, so we'll bring a mini-tent. His sole goal is Louisbourg (he wants to camp as close as possible at least one night and see the place by dawn light); I want to see the countryside, hear some good music, eat some good local cooking, get a sense for the history and culture of the province.

Sandy, thanks for the Cape Breton Choices link -- we're looking that over. Got anything new to add?

Since we're coming from Halifax vice Bangor and have half the original timespan for the trip, I doubt we'll get to St Andrews or anyplace that far west.

Other ideas we're looking at:
- Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival 9-12 August (thanks, Teribus)
- possibly Hopewell Rocks or a tidal bore boat ride near Truro; would have to be the first part of the trip since peak run is 2-7 Aug
- singing at the Red Shoe -- if they do it Saturday night, we could catch that our first day. We'll be sure to check out the "Ceilidh trail" for other possibilities (thanks, Desert Dancer)
- Cape Breton park, of course, and some of the hiking y'all pointed out

Anything in particular to fit in, now that the dates are nailed down? Thank you all for your advice!

Lynn

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: number 6
Date: 09 Jul 12 - 11:35 AM

I have to say the tidal bore at Truro is somewhat boring ... not worth the stopover or going out of you way to see.

Those other ideas are worth it.

enjoy the trip !


biLL

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: gnu
Date: 09 Jul 12 - 03:44 PM

Hopewell Rocks? They are on the other side of the Bay of Fundy. New Brunswick. That's a relatively LONG way west. And you won't see much "real" scenery along the highways.

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: robomatic
Date: 09 Jul 12 - 08:23 PM

Made the trip from Boston to Nova Scotia in the earliest 80:

Stopped off at the 'original' LL Bean which was unique and arcane and cheap and open 24 hours a day.

Took a swim in Fundy Bay on the way up to Nova Scotia. Not so wonderful except to've done it.

Paddled around Kejimkujik Park and camped. Wonderful.

Saw the sights in Halifax, toured the Fort. Wonderful.

Bought a raw pike (the fish) from the roadside, roasted it in foil somewhere in a park in Cape Breton. Best fillet o' fish ever I ate.

I was accompanied and in love. Who remembers the weather?

Did not return to Boston for some time
- - - - - - - - - -

Later made the trip again from Boston to Halifax, this time going back to Boston. 800 miles each way. Did not stop at Bay of Funday but visited a much newer L L Beans which while extremely nice was not that different from the much newer R E Is. Toured the stone fort again. People watched. Lovely museum close to the waterfront. Bought every Stan Rogers album available I didn't yet own, now on CDs. Drank with Canadians and listened to a live rendition of Barrett's Privateers which we all noted was being sung "ON A HALIFAX PIER".

Another great songster of the period and place: Gordon Bok.

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: ollaimh
Date: 09 Jul 12 - 09:38 PM

the saint john to digby ferry does have the virtue that you would get to go to the "habitation" a recreation of the first permanent setlement in nova scotia and north of the spainish settlements. it was started in 1605. a great precursor for louisbourg(and it's louisbourg not lewisberg--with a silent s)

then drive up the lovely anapolis valley to halifax then on the way to cape breton you could stop at sherebroke in guysborough country which also has an historical recreation site by parks canada.

louisbourg is fabulous. it does attrack a lot of people in the summer so bookinga room in advance might be a good idea but you could get one in sydney a drive out there--it's a half hour drive.

going through new brunswick could get youto fete acadien with good timing --also nice, and if you had the time to drive up to the acadien pennisula there is a great summer baroque festival at lameque and miscou islands which has great beaches and good music.

i would highly recomend the habitation in old port royal. and look for local church suppers--some are advertised on line. many communities have summer church suppers of lobster salmon or strawberry short cake etc. they do advertize and try to get the tourists. they are great local fare and you help fix the church.

good luck

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: GUEST,LynnT
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 08:05 PM

We leave for Halifax next Saturday!

Richard has booked us a four-hour (!!) rafting trip Sunday afternoon, so we're looking for something to do/someplace to stay Saturday night. Most of the music venues around Truro seem to be dark that night, because there's a festival in New Glasgow and another daytime music event in another town, but we wouldn't get there til at least 5 so that's no good. Any ideas within about an hour's drive of Shubenacadie?

He did decide that camping isn't really feasible if we're flying in and getting charged $25 per bag plus more if they're overweight. so cheap hotels R us. We'll spend two nights in Sydney (or closer to Louisbourg if we can) and then we have a choice I'd love your input on.

People have been telling us how lovely Cape Breton is. We could take a day or so and drive around that park, and then boot it back to Halifax on 104 for one or two nights before we fly home -- or we were considering skipping the park and driving back to Halifax via a series of small roads right along the Southern coast, too small to even have numbers: Pennington Coast Road, Oceanview Rd, Fourchu Rd, etc -- this would add several hours to the driving time, and it looks like we'd have to bring our lunch (unless there's local stuff to eat in towns like Framboise or L'Ardoise) but is it a pretty area? Would that drive be worth doing?

Thanks again!

Lynn

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: meself
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 09:05 PM

Everywhere on Cape Breton is pretty - but if it's a choice between that drive and the Cabot Trail - which I gather you're talking about - then take the Cabot Trail - which is spectacular.

(Not much to eat in "towns" - villages, actually - like Framboise or L'Ardoise.)

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: Bettynh
Date: 31 Jul 12 - 04:16 PM

From what I've seen, everywhere in Nova Scotia is lovely. ;-) Do remember, though that it's the west coast that's on the Bay of Fundy, with those impossible tides. As for Saturday night, there's a list of local events here.

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: Beer
Date: 31 Jul 12 - 09:55 PM

What ever you end up doing, you will have a great time.
Adrien

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: Mooh
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 10:09 AM

We've been going to Greenfield (near Bridgewater) for 5 years to help with the Greenfield Music Boot Camp, a one week kids camp. It's a lovely area with lakes, rivers, and forests, moose, deer, and very friendly locals. Along the way there and back we see some sights and have enjoyed Annapolis (Fort Anne), Halifax (citadel), Peggy's Cove, Louisbourg, etc. We've been east 2 other times but now that we have good friends there, we keep returning for more.

There are lots of stunning vistas along the Trans Canada Highway, coasts, and byways, sometimes with little lookout/picnic areas. The ferry ride across the Bay Of Fundy is nice on a clear day, but the drive around the Bay may show you more.

We rarely plan the trip now, just take it as it comes.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: Elmore
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 11:30 AM

Beware of cheap hotels/motels.

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 12:17 PM

Glace Bay, with the mining museum, was a memorable stop for me (some 20-odd years back)

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Aug 12 - 12:31 PM

Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival?

I wouldn't miss it if I were you. And one can camp on Blockhouse Hill if there are tenting sites still available.

It's a lovely harbor town and the Festival is very well done, with at least four stages going simultaneously during the day and a big evening concert on Block House Hill.

And the dining options are also great.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: GUEST,LynnT
Date: 17 Aug 12 - 04:39 PM

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!

Thanks again!
Lynn

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: gnu
Date: 18 Aug 12 - 08:19 AM

Glad to hear it was a good time!

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 18 Aug 12 - 10:29 AM

Glad That you had a good trip Lynn! Sorry that I didn't pick up on this renewed thread bufore you arrived, but you seem to have made out ok. Come back again sometime!

Subject: RE: BS-Nova Scotia trip
From: Elmore
Date: 18 Aug 12 - 11:33 AM

Glad you had fun. I wish Icould get back there again , but that's not likely.