Alexander Graham Bell

Packed up and left Truro to drive to Baddeck on Cape Breton. We are en-route to the Newfoundland ferry crossing tomorrow.

Visited the Alexander Graham Bell Museum in Baddeck. He lived much of his life here and built a lovely mansion still owned by his family. The family has donated many artifacts to the museum and it was very interesting learning much more about his life.

Fish farming in the Bras d'Or

Replica built and flown for the commemoration of 100 years of flight in Canada.

Bell was part of an association that were the first to fly a plane in Canada in 1909

Named the "Silver Dart"

Replica of HD-4 Hydrofoil built by Bell and associates

1 engine of hydrofoil

Rear wings of hydrofoil

Bass River, 5 Islands, Parrsboro, Cape d'Or (North side Minas Basin)

Great ride today all the way out to Cape d'Or (Cape of Gold).  Then up to Amherst and back home. Beautiful coast with a different look than the south coast of Fundy.  Had lunch right down in the old lighthouse keeper's building. Excellent seafood chowder... The walk down and back was worth every step!

Bass River, beach

Five Islands lighthouse built in 1913

The arch fell last October

Community and view

Parrsboro dock

Notice Parrsboro Lighthouse?

Cape d'Or

Cape d'Or

Cape d'Or cliff to east

Cape d'Or cliffs to west

Cape d'Or tip

Fish cakes! at the Lighthouse Keeper's Kitchen

Fish cakes and Chowder

Wine tasting and Harbourville

Rode back down to the Annapolis Valley. checked out 2 more wineries. On our way, saw a Tidal Bore coming up a tributary. Very little water coming down the river, but the Bore did show it's face. Cool.

Little wave pushing water upstream is a Tidal Bore

Which ones do I pick?

Annapolis Valley and Bay of Fundy

Magic Wine Bus takes people to numerous wineries

Then rode to Split Cape where there is a spit of land that separates the Minas Basin of the Bay of Fundy with the large part of the Bay of Fundy.

Minas Basin from the Annapolis Escarpment

Annapolis Valley

Derelict peer on the Bay of Fundy

A private pirate's cove

Scot's beach on the large end of the Bay of Fundy

Rode down the south to Harbourville. Cute little harbour. The pics say it all...

Tidal Bore

Basically, took a day off sight seeing. Laundry and drank a few beer in the shade.

After dinner, ventured to South Maitland Tidal View area and waited for the Tidal Bore to arrive. Talked to many other people doing the same thing. Due to the low river flows at this time of year, the Tidal Bore was anti-climactic.

Shubenacadie River at low tide

Old railroad pilings that are worn from the sand erosion

Another worn piling

Wolfville, top of Annapolis Valley

Ventured past Windsor into the Annapolis Valley staying off the main highway.  Quickly we came upon winery signage and had already decided to check out this wine region. Boy, were we surprised with the wine. Both wineries the we attended had excellent wines. Was suggested to go into Wolfville as a cider company had set up shop. Excellent cider also. Between the bottles of wine and cider, our emptied box was full again. While tasting cider, clouds were starting to let of of their load...

Can't float this boat!

Minas Basin, water going down..

Organic winery with exquisite bubbly!

Winery with a view

Nice presentation, great wine!

Decided to head back to camp with the clouds threatening. They didn't threaten for long! Within 10 minutes, a wall of water was in front of us and we had nowhere for shelter. People were pulling to the side of the road. We carried on at 60 kph with flashers going until an overpass, which we stopped under. Suited up and by this time the rain was backing off. Totally soaked, continued on with the rain gear holding in the moisture of our wet clothing. Soon enough the pavement was dry again, as we went through the storm cell So we unsuited on the side of the road and carried on. A half hour down the road, our clothing had been blown dry. By camp, rain was a distant memory. Can't wait to head further into the Annapolis Valley.

Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy has a very shallow end called the Minas Basin. Obviously twice a day the tides move in and out. The amount of water that flows in and out is more than the amount of water that flows into the oceans from all the rivers of the world in the same amount of time. The Minas Basin being shallow sees huge water flow which moves huge amounts of silt and debris, therefore the water is rich red with all of the red clay that makes up the area. With the largest tides in the world, The Bay of Fundy is truly amazing and its going to take some time to explore it more completely.

Note the calving of the bank

on the right, this island was part of the mainland until 1913 

The land bridge has been washed away since 1913

Tide is almost out

another tributary at near low tide

Had dinner and visit with Peter and Clara, who we met in Drumheller near the beginning of our trip. They are from Comox.  They made us a tasty scallop dinner acquired from Digby. Thank you! This will be our last passing on this trip.  See you on the other side...