Nova Scotia and Bay of Fundy

Did you know Anne Murray was from Nova Scotia? A small town called Springhill.

We had been to Nova Scotia briefly 20+ years ago and so decided that we could be selective about when and where to stop.  I read about a beach along the Bay of Fundy where one can search for agates and other gems, and then there was mention of Digby scallops, so off to the Glooscap Trail we headed.

Glooscap is the name of a mythical Mi'kmaq character of enornous size and ability. His name appears quite frequently in reference to the many geological phenomena occurring in this area. At Springhill, we cut across country to Parrsboro and then on to Five Islands. Here we located the Ocean Resort RV Park overlooking the five islands that dot Minas Basin.  Nothing like box seats for one of the world's most awesome shows: the ebb and flow of a Bay of Fundy tide cycle moving 1 billion tons of water every 12.5 hours. According to legend, these five islands were formed when Glooscap flung a handful of mud into Minas Basin.

Along the Glooscap Trail, the effect of this tidal system can best be seen at low tide.  Standing on a cantilevered platform over a river, the former bridge supports are revealed, showing just how those supports were constructed. Boats sitting  in the mud need only wait for the tide to bring in enough water to lift the boats clear of the bottom.

We got lost three times before we finally located Scott's Bay where I just knew I would find precious gems.  Our GPS could not figure out the intersecting country roads, but all was not a waste of time.  We found the charming village of Canning.  Lunch at the Fireside Cafe - homemade sausage and butternut soup - was outstanding.  Our Roadtrek was a little obvious among the many farm trucks parked along the one main street through town.  Just out of town we were treated to this view of the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia's Breadbasket.

Searching a beach for agates, it is helpful to know what you are looking for; I had help.  A couple of other beachcombers pointed out what I was looking for and gave me a tiny piece of amethyst fresh from the water's edge.  If I had enough room in the Roadtrek, I would have filled it with rocks from this beach.  Granite and slate striped with quartz, rolled smooth by the constant flow of water. Did you know there is slate that is red?  More about that later.

Digby is definitely a fisherman's village.  With a robust fishing fleet and one of the few recreational harbors we have seen on this trip, Digby lures its tourists with an amble number of seafood restaurants.  Mike had halibut and I sampled the scallops.

Mike checked the odometer and at this point we had gone 3191.7 miles!  Goodness, we weren't even to Newfoundland yet, but we had been discovering the Maritimes at our own pace and interest.

To be continued...