Here's the Irish Rover's singing Farewell to Nova Scotia!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3MAaQLSSI
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Songs We Enjoyed!
The Following videos and songs were some that we listened to as we drove over 4000km! I highly recommend Michael Mitchell's Canada is...Volumes 1 and 2.
Here's the Irish Rover's singing Farewell to Nova Scotia!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3MAaQLSSI
Here's the Irish Rover's singing Farewell to Nova Scotia!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3MAaQLSSI
DuBois, Pennsylvania
For the past week we have stayed in Dubois in North Central PA. It's been a very relaxing week of hanging out at the beach, swimming, building sandcastles, fishing, shopping at Grove City for back to school fashions, visiting the county fair, and counting deer, (126). It's been a fabulous time to catch our breath and enjoy the nice weather. We're on our way home now....it won't be long .....
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Digby Ferry, July 31, 2009
This morning we woke early for a 7:30 ferry ride from Digby, Nova Scotia to Saint John, New Brunswick on the Princess Acadia, which took 3 hours.
It was a great ride with an excellent interpretive guide who told us of the history of Fundy Bay, taught us all about whales and the Fundy tides. It was both interesting and fun! We all enjoyed the presentations. It was very foggy and cool, but we stayed on deck and looked closely for whale sightings, but alas, the fog was too thick and we did not see any of the beautiful creatures. But the kids were not too disappointed, as there was a children’s area where the kids did all kinds of crafts and activities. Mary had fun playing some slot machines and was happy to win some more shopping $$!!
Oliver was even able to take his business calls….the cell reception was better on the boat than on the mainland.
We have now completed our Canadian adventure and are now presently driving towards DuBois, Pennsylvania for a week of rest and relaxation.
It was a great ride with an excellent interpretive guide who told us of the history of Fundy Bay, taught us all about whales and the Fundy tides. It was both interesting and fun! We all enjoyed the presentations. It was very foggy and cool, but we stayed on deck and looked closely for whale sightings, but alas, the fog was too thick and we did not see any of the beautiful creatures. But the kids were not too disappointed, as there was a children’s area where the kids did all kinds of crafts and activities. Mary had fun playing some slot machines and was happy to win some more shopping $$!!
Oliver was even able to take his business calls….the cell reception was better on the boat than on the mainland.
We have now completed our Canadian adventure and are now presently driving towards DuBois, Pennsylvania for a week of rest and relaxation.
South Shore, Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Today we are exploring the Southern Coast of the province. Our first stop was Peggy’s Cove. We all enjoyed the local story of how it got its name…supposedly a girl named Margaret was on a ship headed to see her fiancé when the ship crashed into the rocks. She was rescued and fell in love with one of her rescuers and never left the cove again.
The girls loved the great views of the ocean as they climbed the rocks and pretended to be mountain goats.We all had goose bumps as we approached the lighthouse…there was a bagpiper playing Amazing Grace and Farewell to Nova Scotia. It was just one of those magical moments that one just experiences.
We also met some local fishermen who were out repairing their nets. We briefly chatted and learned they were going out to fish for mackerel.
Today we are exploring the Southern Coast of the province. Our first stop was Peggy’s Cove. We all enjoyed the local story of how it got its name…supposedly a girl named Margaret was on a ship headed to see her fiancé when the ship crashed into the rocks. She was rescued and fell in love with one of her rescuers and never left the cove again.
The girls loved the great views of the ocean as they climbed the rocks and pretended to be mountain goats.We all had goose bumps as we approached the lighthouse…there was a bagpiper playing Amazing Grace and Farewell to Nova Scotia. It was just one of those magical moments that one just experiences.
We also met some local fishermen who were out repairing their nets. We briefly chatted and learned they were going out to fish for mackerel.
Our next stop was Mahone Bay which was a picturesque town with colourful pastel homes. One of their local trades is making pewter, (Amos Pewter). It was neat to see them make pewter in this small house that is sold throughout the province. We also visited a cute little bakery to
experience a local treat of oatcakes. Every time we opened the door, a bag of carrots would go up and when closed, the bag would drop down. You can imagine how many times the door was opened and closed while we were there!
Lunenberg was our final stop along the South shore, we started our visit at the Fisheries Museum. We had a guided tour that taught us about the different methods of fishing for cod, lobsters, halibut, and many others.
One of the highlights of course was seeing the tribute to the Bluenose which was docked in the harbour.
Our guide told us of the stories as to why it was called the Bluenose by the Americans…. we’re not sure which is the right one….
1) The Maritimes is so cold that we all have Blue Noses;2) The local Fishermen would wear blue mitts and with the wet and cold, when they wiped their noses, the blue would come off and they would have blue noses;
3) The local area grew blue hued potatoes in the shape of noses which were sent to the States.
The locals think #3 is the most acceptable story
Lunenberg was our final stop along the South shore, we started our visit at the Fisheries Museum. We had a guided tour that taught us about the different methods of fishing for cod, lobsters, halibut, and many others.
One of the highlights of course was seeing the tribute to the Bluenose which was docked in the harbour.
Our guide told us of the stories as to why it was called the Bluenose by the Americans…. we’re not sure which is the right one….
1) The Maritimes is so cold that we all have Blue Noses;2) The local Fishermen would wear blue mitts and with the wet and cold, when they wiped their noses, the blue would come off and they would have blue noses;
3) The local area grew blue hued potatoes in the shape of noses which were sent to the States.
The locals think #3 is the most acceptable story
There was another huge interactive tank where we all investigated starfish, hermit crabs, scallops etc…
We then drove straight across the province to Digby – so we could catch the early morning ferry to New Brunswick.
Some thoughts from the group:
Oliver – My favourite was the Maritime Museum – I really liked the Halifax explosion exhibit – as it was all new info for me. The Hippo tour was fun too– it was a “scratch and sniff” tour of the city.
Mary – My favourite part of Nova Scotia was the big rocks of Peggy’s Cove – It was amazing to see the size of them! I also liked the tall ships and all of the history. The whole Pier was very pretty. The Hippo tour was really neat, I’ve never done that before!
Mikhaila
In Halifax, I really liked the park on the pier…it had a huge boat with tunnels underneath. In Lunenberg, the Fisheries Museum was cool! There were huge fish tanks – and I really liked the Atlantic Wolfish. At the touch tank I held the hermit crab that was like a spider.
At Peggy’s Cove, I liked climbing the rocks and the view of the lighthouse. It was very beautiful and I could pretend to be a mountain goat!
Zoe
My favourite part of Halifax was swimming at night. I also really liked both museums – it was my first time listening to information with headphones and the telephone. I also liked Pier 21 when we went on the train and pretended to travel to new cities across Canada.
Some thoughts from the group:
Oliver – My favourite was the Maritime Museum – I really liked the Halifax explosion exhibit – as it was all new info for me. The Hippo tour was fun too– it was a “scratch and sniff” tour of the city.
Mary – My favourite part of Nova Scotia was the big rocks of Peggy’s Cove – It was amazing to see the size of them! I also liked the tall ships and all of the history. The whole Pier was very pretty. The Hippo tour was really neat, I’ve never done that before!
Mikhaila
In Halifax, I really liked the park on the pier…it had a huge boat with tunnels underneath. In Lunenberg, the Fisheries Museum was cool! There were huge fish tanks – and I really liked the Atlantic Wolfish. At the touch tank I held the hermit crab that was like a spider.
At Peggy’s Cove, I liked climbing the rocks and the view of the lighthouse. It was very beautiful and I could pretend to be a mountain goat!
Zoe
My favourite part of Halifax was swimming at night. I also really liked both museums – it was my first time listening to information with headphones and the telephone. I also liked Pier 21 when we went on the train and pretended to travel to new cities across Canada.
Halifax, Wednesday, July 29, 2009
It was so hot today in Halifax! It was over 30 degrees down by the water. We decided as a family that we wanted to see the city, but also do things that were cooler, so we started the day with a Hopper Harbour tour which was an amphibious vehicle. We first toured the downtown and then drove into the water to explore the famous Halifax harbour.
We heard a lot of neat stories about the Halifax explosion….especially the local tales about what lead up to the disaster. After the tour we spent most of the afternoon in the Atlantic Maritime Museum which highlighted information on the Titanic, and other shipwrecks throughout Nova Scotia.
One of the most interesting sights we saw was watching glass blowing that was blown into beautiful crystal. There are no Canadians who are able to do this specialized trade, so the artisans are all from Ireland.
Of course the Citadel was awesome– it’s the highest point in the city and you’re able to see everything – except if it’s foggy!
In the late afternoon, we went to visit Pier 21. The museum was beautiful display of the immigrant experience – very moving…we could have spent all day there. We even had a chance to meet with some researchers who helped to track our families’ voyages to Canada.
Halifax was a beautiful city and we know a second trip is in order to spend more time exploring the local haunts and meeting the people.
We heard a lot of neat stories about the Halifax explosion….especially the local tales about what lead up to the disaster. After the tour we spent most of the afternoon in the Atlantic Maritime Museum which highlighted information on the Titanic, and other shipwrecks throughout Nova Scotia.
One of the most interesting sights we saw was watching glass blowing that was blown into beautiful crystal. There are no Canadians who are able to do this specialized trade, so the artisans are all from Ireland.
Of course the Citadel was awesome– it’s the highest point in the city and you’re able to see everything – except if it’s foggy!
In the late afternoon, we went to visit Pier 21. The museum was beautiful display of the immigrant experience – very moving…we could have spent all day there. We even had a chance to meet with some researchers who helped to track our families’ voyages to Canada.
Halifax was a beautiful city and we know a second trip is in order to spend more time exploring the local haunts and meeting the people.
Random Thoughts on PEI
A musician taught us a song about Lester the lobster from PEI, but he doesn’t want everyone coming to PEI to find Lester and cook him up. So he taught us some code words that we are to use instead. When the teacher asks the girls where they went this summer, they are to say, Pizza, Eggs, Iguana so people won’t know where to find Lester the Lobster!
Also one of the bandmates also brought some fresh oysters from a local beach that we slurped! Yum!
Just a note for those who may travel to PEI – always offer your CAA card wherever you go to get discounts
Some thoughts to bring back to TO - Kitchen parties are huge here and the party doesn’t start until the fiddler arrives. Sometime the fiddler finds a better party, so instead of feeling sad, the crowd taps their own toes and everyone makes the music!
Also one of the bandmates also brought some fresh oysters from a local beach that we slurped! Yum!
Just a note for those who may travel to PEI – always offer your CAA card wherever you go to get discounts
Some thoughts to bring back to TO - Kitchen parties are huge here and the party doesn’t start until the fiddler arrives. Sometime the fiddler finds a better party, so instead of feeling sad, the crowd taps their own toes and everyone makes the music!
Pizza, Eggplant, Iguana
In the morning, we were totally on PEI time…I went for a run as Zoe was waking up…she wrapped her arms around my neck and whimpered, “I don’t want to leave here – Please can we stay!” We all felt the same way…but it was time to move on! We packed up for a last swim and left Kindred Spirits…
Off to Charlottetown where we went to Cows Creamery for a factory tour, and wore neat little Cow hats. It was all very top secret so they wouldn’t let us take photos as we might give away their success! We watched how they made their t-shirts, cheese, and of course, the ice cream. It’s all hand mixed with the freshest fruits and yummiest chocolate and caramel one can find! At the end we had yummy samples!
Off to Charlottetown where we went to Cows Creamery for a factory tour, and wore neat little Cow hats. It was all very top secret so they wouldn’t let us take photos as we might give away their success! We watched how they made their t-shirts, cheese, and of course, the ice cream. It’s all hand mixed with the freshest fruits and yummiest chocolate and caramel one can find! At the end we had yummy samples!
Afterwards, we went to Charlottetown and explored the interactive museum in Founders Hall. It was a great way to learn about Confederation and how Canada’s story has come together.
Then we went on a gentle horse and trolley tour ride and learned a lot about the local history of the city. The homes are very beautiful and the prices are much more reasonable than in Toronto! We had no idea prohibition lasted in PEI until 1945! They only started using plastic bottles in 2008, before that it was all glass!
At the wharf the kids had a chance to put their hands on starfish and Mik was brave enough to pick up a crab!
We then drove onto the ferry boat that took us to Nova Scotia. We waved goodbye to the red sand beaches and lighthouses and we moved onto our fourth Canadian province! We are currently on our way to our hotel in Halifax. We really enjoyed PEI and know we will return another time…..
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