Amherst, Nova Scotia

We have enjoyed our stay in Amherst, Nova Scotia. The town has much history as an early railroad town, the Amherst piano factory was located here, sandstone architecture of public buildings, Victorian mansions, the Amherst boot and shoe company and a baggage company that eventually made caskets that were used for those lost in the Titanic. The centre of the city has sculptures carved out of trees in the park. The city currently has many murals painted on buildings. These show the history of the area and the activities that have taken place over the years. Our stay gave us a wonderful view of the lake as the trees began to turn color.

Springhill, Nova Scotia in the Fall

The sun was bright, the air cool, and the fall colors were spectacular. The trees in Nova Scotia were showing their colorful foliage. We took a drive to Springhill, home of Anne Murray, as this is also an area that has many maple trees. It was a beautiful drive and an enjoyable afternoon.

Lighthouse Route - Nova Scotia

We traveled along the south shore of Nova Scotia and enjoyed the scenery along St. Margaret's Bay and Mahone Bay. The fall colors are making their appearance at bay's edge. We were intrigued by the white sand beaches in this area. The harbours have their own colorful expressions of the rich nautical heritage of the communities. Fall is definitely in the air as the trees are beginning to turn and the apples are ripe for picking on the trees in the orchards.

Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

One of the most photographed locations in Nova Scotia is Peggy's Cove located south of Halifax along the shore of St. Margaret's Bay. This small coastal community of 50 residents is built on a solid base of granite rock making the Eco system vulnerable and living challenging. The wave-washed boulders were deposited by the retreating glaciers 10,000 years ago and are estimated to be 415 million years old. The lighthouse is the most photographed lighthouse in North America. In summer, it houses the only fully operational Canadian Post Office in a lighthouse. The rock formations are stunning and the area attracts visitors from around the world.

Prince Edward Island - Day Three

Our second Bed & Breakfast shared many interesting experiences with the fishing industry as the husband was in the business for most of his life. We enjoyed listening to the fishing tales he shared with us. We found a beach at a Provincial Park to search for agates on the east coast. The Piping Plover, a sparrow-sized shorebird, is on the endangered species list. The Quebec fleet of tuna boats were being readied as the PEI boats were out this day and the Quebec fleet would go out the next day. This fisherman had all the gear prepared for a day of tuna fishing off the north coast. The potato harvest continues and the crop is yielding very well. PEI is Canada's leading potato province, responsible for almost one-third of Canadian production. The price is the main concern for the farmers and we saw many areas where the farmers are selling land for development to continue the farming life. The trees are beginning to show their fall colors and the temperature is cooling down. The bees are being collected and the hives harvested of their honey. Our stay on the island was most interesting and we returned to the Confederate Bridge to cross to New Brunswick. The evening ended with a colorful sunset and the lights of the bridge reflecting off the water of the Northumberland Strait.

Prince Edward Island - Day Two

Our stay in the Tignish Heritage Inn was delightful. The Inn was previously a convent and the sisters would tend to the many beautiful gardens on the grounds. Our day began at Northport Harbour with a catch of rock crab coming in ready to go to market. Blue Fin Tuna season is beginning and has a quota for the season of 147 tonnes. On our day one there were 22 tuna caught on the north coast of PEI. On our day two there were 55 tuna caught and we were able to watch the preparation of a blue fin tuna for auction. This tuna had a long weight of 1,016 lbs, measured 10 feet 2 inches in length and had a round weight (dressed weight) of 843 lbs. The auction is conducted at the fishery and most likely these tuna will be purchased by Japan and served as sushi. In a few areas the potato harvest is beginning. The spuds are bringing about 4 cents per pound to the farmer this year. Other harvesting being conducted is for oysters and mussels. The mussels are grown in farms in the bays with buoys set in place attached to the nets they grow on. The red cliffs lead to the easterly point of PEI and again a wind turbine farm is located there for power generation.