Nova Scotia

Once we returned from Newfoundland, we stayed on Cape Breton Island (Nova Scotia) for several days and went touring on day trips. One of our excursions took us to the Fortress of Louisbourg, which was France’s capital settlement in the colony of Atlantic Canada in 1744. I was surprised to discover that Canada was much more desirable to France as a source for cod than it was for furs. At the fortress, costumed interpreters described life in the colony. I wouldn’t have enjoyed being a soldier, although the firing of the long rifles was interesting for Morgan and Mason. Elise was thrilled with the opportunity to knit a few rounds for one of the interpreters, while the lady explained how to weave a willow basket to Allan and me. We also saw some wonderful examples of historic costumes.

Next we toured around the Cabot Trail, with beautiful ocean scenes from the cliffs of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The boys had fun scaling the rocks on either side of Mary Ann Falls, but probably enjoyed Black Sand Beach the best, where we stopped for a picnic. Farther around the Trail we strolled through the 350-year old hardwood forest at the Lone Shieling (a crofter’s cottage). It truly was a fantastic day.

One of the stops I appreciated the most on Cape Breton was going to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Sure, he was the man who invented the telephone. But did you know that Alexander Graham Bell also invented the hearing aid, desalination systems to help stranded sailors make fresh water from sea-water, a metal detector, new wing designs for the up-and-coming airplanes of the time, and also a high-speed hydrofoil boat? He also worked with Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan. He was an amazing man.

From Cape Breton, we headed to Halifax, where we toured the Citadel of the city. The fortress was truly impenetrable in its day, due in part to its star shape. The soldiers in kilts displayed their marching capabilities for us, and we witnessed the firing of the noon canon, as well as a bagpipe and drum concert. We saw where the dreaded Halifax Explosion took place during World War I, and also saw Theodore Tugboat (from the CBC’s children’s program) plying the waters of the harbor.

We found the scenery of Nova Scotia to be awe-inspiring, and would love to return one day.