June 11 - 12 Antigonish Nova Scotia to Cape Breton

June 11, Very long day of driving, 198 miles. Did a load of laundry at the cg.

When we get ready to leave a campground, we usually line the rigs up and follow each other out. This morning we went into town to a shopping center and picked up groceries and supplies. The wagonmaster allows me to get close to the front of the line since my co-pilot can't tell a round-about from a right turn!



June 12, Arrived at Bras D'Or (pronounced "bra door") on
Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

I fixed taco soup and invited our buddies, Bill and Carol and
Sam and Margaret. They have been so very kind to cart us around on all the side trips.

The drive here, 118 miles, was breathtaking. The rolling hills, the trees, the water, and the little towns were just awesome! We drove along the Bras D'Or Lake which is where Alexander Graham Bell conducted experiments using submarines underwater in the warmer months and boats on top of the water when it was frozen. Not sure what those experiments were - but we are going to the museum one day, so I'll find out more and let you know!

This is the part of Nova Scotia that looks more like Scotland than Scotland. The people who live here don't call themselves Nova Scotians, they are Cape Bretoners. Very proud of their part of the world. Tonight we had a social time with entertainment by The Fiddler's Daughter and Friend. A young lady who took up the fiddle because her father was an accomplished fiddler and he wanted her to follow in his footsteps. She was fantastic, even did some step dancing, while she played. Great entertainment!

June 13, Fortress Louisbourg

Today's side trip was to the largest fort in the New World (1700s). It covered 3 miles and is located on the tip of a peninsula off Cape Breton. The French were at war with Great Britain and this was their attempt at claiming a part of Canada for France. It was built as a fortified French colonial town. The fortress was eventually demolished by the British, but it has been reconstructed as a national historic site.

This was perhaps one of the most fascinating historic reconstructions we've ever seen. It was so well done and the costumed staff were friendly, informative and actually talked as though it were 1744 again and this is exactly the way life was for these French Canadians. Very, very impressive.

We had lunch at one of the period restaurants. Notice the huge bib/napkins Margaret and Sam are sporting.

We could have spent all day there but our feet were giving out. Sam drove us over to see the very first light house ever built in North America. The fog started rolling in so we returned to the campground for hot dogs and french fries. What a perfectly wonderful day it was.