Nova Scotia. Ocean breezes laden with salt. Roses and rhododendren bushes everywhere. The down-home feeling. Tides and beaches. Gentle waterways. Unique and colourful homes. Fish and chips. Let's go!
We arrived with little incident, um, er, that is, well yes, there was a miscalculation regarding timing of fuel fill-up. You see, John usually got fuel just past Riviere du Loup when he delivered RV's, but we didn't take into account that the trailer was loaded this time, and that we were travelling through heavy rainstorms. However, it became an opportunity to veer off the beaten path for a bit and we enjoyed a meal in a nice restaurant. (Check Katrina's blog)
We arrived in Dartmouth just before supper on Saturday, the 10th, and we set up camp at Shubie Park. The original plan was for John and I to use the camper as our bedroom in Martin's and Emily's driveway, but somehow that got changed to Shubie Park. Threw me for a loop, because I wasn't prepared at all for camping! Oh well.
Shubie Park is a municipal campground in the city, along a portion of the Shubenacadie Canal. It's a nice place with a nice beach and nice trails, but it cost .50 for a 3.5 minute shower! During the first week, we were also able to enjoy viewing many antique cars - part of an antique car tour across Canada.
Below is a picture I took from a bridge on one of the trails just outside the campground.
The trails are wide and covered with a fine gravel - making it easy to push strollers and walk with childrenI really like this picture of our cute little Nicole!!
What's a visit to Nova Scotia without checking out Peggy's Cove. Yes, the village gets overrun with people, but away from the lighthouse, it's a spashing-good experience!
On one side of the cove is a peaceful village with homes dotting the treeless hills. The cove is lined with fishing boats and lobster traps.
I asked the girls to look at me across the water, but we still got an interesting shot!
On the ocean side, it's a very different scene: huge rocks which are great for climbing and clambering around on (with better footwear than sandals!); and huge waves spashing on the rocks as the tide comes in.
Maria enjoys the splashing waves. It's as if God puts on a special show just for her - she clapped and cheered for every big SPLASH.
On one of the rainy days, we took the bus across to Halifax to enjoy the Science Discovery Centre. The girls enjoyed playing and experimenting with blocks and sand and the turning chair and lego and bubbles and balls and .....
We took in a Farmers Market in Wolfville where we bought our bread and cheese for our lunch at Blomidon Park. We also enjoyed a short visit that day to the Grand Pre Winery. Naomi asked to have a picture of her with these beautiful flowers, and this is the result. Nice picture of you, Naomi!
We celebrated three birthdays, too! Katrina's wish was for a ferry ride across the harbour so we could have filled beavertails for lunch. Of course, we added fruit and yogurt to help make our meal healthy!
Petra's birthday was the day we went to Blomidon Provincial Park. We had our lunch after we made the trek out to the water. Below you see Opa and Petra watching something in the water as the tide rises.
Rachel's first birthday was spent on the beach at Rainbow Haven Provincial Park on the ocean side of the province. We had great fun jumping over the waves and digging in the mud. Blueberry pancakes and icecream were on the birthday dinner menu back at Shubie.
A special thing happened during birthday week: Rachel discovered that her two feet take her places!
Other things we enjoyed were the Maritime Museum, a walk along the Halifax harbour Boardwalk (where we got the rum cake David and Stephanie ordered from the Rum Runners Store), campfires, ants on the campsite, reading and crafts, the Dartmouth library, and seeing Martin's and Emily's new home on Moira Street. They're making a gradual move this month to this larger home, but Russell Street will be missed. Lynn, their backyard neighbour, especially, is disappointed that they're moving, but as Emily pointed out, Moira Street is only a couple of blocks away!
The time eventually came for us to leave, and so around noon on Friday we headed down the highway again. In the vicinity of the airport, John and I heard a fluttering under the hood, but didn't stop to look because the noise went away without further incident. Not. Turned out the fluttering was a strip of the fan-belt which let go - and - gashed a hole in the upper rad hose - which we didn't notice until navigating the 6-10% grades to Fundy National Park. On a Friday evening, we felt stranded with a vehicle not going anywhere! John and Stevin found the parts needed to repair in Moncton, tested the truck and its thermometer, and we were declared fit to leave first thing in the morning. We celebrated with another hike out into the Bay of Fundy.
After dinner however, truck stalled on the way back to our campsite - this time the security system didn't like the key in the ignition. Too late to do anything that night anymore, but Sunday morning, we were despairing! It was suggested by a mechanic friend of ours back in Ontario (via phone) that the truck would have to be towed to a dealer - an hour away - to be reprogrammed! Eventually, wiring was checked and voila! it started!! Hurray!
The remainder of the trip was almost anticlimactic - well, we did have a lunch at St. Hubert's in St Hyancinthe, QC. And of course, cleaning up and getting back to normal routines is a natural conclusion to all trips!
We were all quite ready to arrive home, but the time that we had together will always be a special memory that I, for one, hope we can do again!
I think, though, that one of my/our next trips out east, we should take in some more touring. Falling in love with Nova Scotia means we need to discover more about her!
It isn't often anymore that this mom gets to bake a cake for one of her children, but today was such a day! Michael's been home since Tuesday morning, and is planning to return Sunday evening. And today was his birthday! Another reason for pancakes for breakfast, and cake for supper's dessert! 
