Yarmouth and Shelburne, Nova Scotia

July 15 - 16, 2024

Stopped in Yarmouth and walked around. 

Loved the old buildings

And this triptych featuring the residents

This business was for sale - tempted…

Clever way to accommodate patio diners and pedestrians

Drove out to Cape Forchu

Cape Frochu “Apple” Lighthousse

Seriously?

Just one of so many stories we’ve read of loss along these coasts

Until this trip I never thought about children being raised in the lighthouses

Part of the path of the Leif Ericson Trail - it’s possible he landed here. This is reminiscent of Iceland

Made from lobster traps

Rockweed, harvested for everything from fertilizer to food

Fin whale skeleton

Continued down the coast to Shelburne, which was settled by Loyalists, those who favored British rule and fled the colonies after the American Revolution

I was fascinated by this siding

About 8 foot tall sculpture

Spent the night on the wharf, where we met a charming van traveling older couple, originally from Belgium but now living in Quebec.

                            

Kejimkujik NP, Digby, and the Acadian Coastal Drive

 July 13 - 14, 2024

Since we still had time to kill we drove inland to Kejimkujik National Park. 

Traditionally made canoe

Replica of native Micmac paddles: l-r New Brunswick circa 1900, Bear River circa 1920, and circa 1650

I saw these a lot when I was a kid, not so much as an adult. We called them Indian pipes, also known as ghost pipe. They were everywhere here.

Canoe made in the traditional Mi’kmaq style by Todd Labrador who learned from his ancestors

Todd’s son-in-law explaining the process - Todd was off collecting birch bark

Adorable, animated 13 y.o. Daughter of Todd Labrador explaining things her dad forgot to mention

Spruce root art and ash ribs for the inside of the canoe

For more info about traditional canoe making here - https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ns/kejimkujik/culture/autochtone-indigenous/canot-canoe

Dinner of famous Digby scallops at Antonios for me, fish and chips for Matthew

Spent the night in the Digby Walmart and met up with Naomi Cappucino, a fellow alum from the class of ‘78 at Bishop Feehan High School, in the morning. Had a lovely time catching up while Matthew roamed the waterfront.

I love hydrangeas and they are such a vivid blue everywhere here

Left Digby and Naomi and headed down the coast, stopping at Gilbert’s Cove Lighthouse

Église Saint Bernard

Église Ste Marie

Stopped at La Cuisine Robicheau at Naomi’s suggestion for their local Acadian specialty, râpure, or rappie pie in English. Unfortunately Sunday’s are râpure days so they were out of the chicken one. Our waitress suggested Matthew haw the soup which, she declared, was the same thing only in soup form. He said it was very good. I had the seafood chowder, which was loaded.

Râpure is made from potatoes whose liquid has been squeezed out of and then thee pulp is reconstituted with broth. Today folks buy the pulp. This bag is smaller than a sheet of paper.

SmugglersCove Provincial Park - know for the small cave that was used for rum running during Prohibition

Ended our day at Tusket Falls Brewery, which we both declared was some of the best beer we’ve had in a long time