Three Days On Prince Edward Island

Joe and Ned Visiting Anne's House

On July 31 we were up early because we slept in the car the night before. We found a spot to have breakfast and then went to the Cavendish campground for PEI National Park. We got on the waiting list for a campsite and then went to visit the sites.

The main attraction in Cavnedish is the Green Gables Heritage Site. It is the house that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery's vision of the home where Anne Shirley lives in Anne of Green Gables. Since we were there so early we were the only ones there and we were able to explore the home and grounds without having to jostle or wait our turn. On the site is a trail through the Haunted Woods and Lovers' Lane both from the story.


Anne's Bedroom


Ned Tries Milking


Down Lovers' Lane


The Red Earth of Prince Edward Island

After visiting Green Gables we went down the road and stopped at the Lucy Maud Montgomery homestead site. The building is gone and only the cellar remains of the home in which she was raised by her grandparents. There are paths that lead from there to the cemetary where she is buried.

We then went into Charlottetown to visit the library and do some shopping. When we got back to the PEI National Park we did get a campsite.

The next two days were laid back ones. We went to the beach which was about 150 yards from the campsite. The beach is lovely wide and long and mostly empty of people. The water seemed cold at first but once in was nice. We spent most of the beach time making large river systems in the sand.


Joe and Ned are Ready for the Beach


One of the Rivers


Prince Edward Island National Park


Walking Back to Camp

We also stopped for ice cream at Cows a PEI ice cream chain that is very good. One night we played mini-golf at a golf course with a giant lobster. It was very relaxing and the weather was great. We were only going to be there two days but it was so nice we stayed an extra day.


Relaxing at the Campsite


Ned Swings by the Potatoes


The Lobster Trap

Fortress of Louisbourg And Alexander Graham Bell

Ned and Joe at Fortress of Louisbourg

Monday started off wet. It rained all night and into the morning. A good hard rain when you are in a tent is not. After about the fifth hour I started to notice that the tent was leaking in a few spots. Fortunately the rain stopped around 7:30 am and the tent leaked very little, nothing a few socks were not able to soak up.

The reason we were in the Southeast corner of Nova Scotia was to visit the Fortress of Louisbourg. The fortress was founded by the French in 1719 to protect their lucrative cod fisheries. Unfortunately they were competing with the British over this and the control over North America. In 1745 the British lay seige and captured the town. It was given back to the French three years later by treaty. In 1758 the British again captured the town and this time razed it.

In 1961 the Canadian government began a reconstruction of the town and fortifications. When you enter the town you are transported back to 1744 a year before the first siege. There are re-enactors throughout the village and fortress taking on the different roles of bakers, soldiers, cooks, fisherman etc. When you try to enter the gate the soldier on guard demanded to know where we from and what our business was. He quite put off to find that we were "British" and possible spies. Ned vouched for us we were allowed to enter.

Because of the wet weather I thought our visit was a bit more realistic. The fog was thick and nothing could be seen beyond the town. The ground was muddy and people had mud on them. The downside was being cold and wet. We still spent about five hours there looking in the different buildings, watching the blacksmiths, talking to the villagers, watching a cannon being fired and having a meal at one of the taverns.


The Approach to the Fortress of Loiusbourg


The Children at Dance and Song


The Waterfront Street of Louisbourg


The Frederick Gate


Joe Watches for the British


Overseeing the Troops


The Fortress Wall in the Fog


Ned and Joe Visiting


Conversing in the Kitchen

Saying au revoir to the fortress we started for Prince Edward Island. On the way we made a stop in Baddeck, NS, to visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Bell decided to build a vacation home in Baddeck in 1885 after visiting because in his words, "I have traveled the globe. I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies, the Andes and the Alps and the highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all." The museum has exhibits on Bell´s wide ranging interests and inventions, much of it undertaken at Baddeck.

We managed to catch the 7:30 pm ferry to Prince Edward Island and we soon found ourselves in Cavendish. Originally I wasn't going to take the ferry to PEI but I found out that you have to pay one way, to get off the island. I had planned on staying at one of the campgrounds in Prince Edward Island National Park. After driving around for a while I could not find it and after stopping to ask for directions found out that it was shutdown three to four years prior. So much for guide books, I should have called. We went to one of the other campgrounds and ending up sleeping in the car. The facilities were in such bad shape that I decided in the morning we would go to a different campground.


The Ferry to Prince Edward Island


The Woods Island Light on Prince Edward Island


Louisbourg, NS to Cavendish, PEI, 310 miles 6 hrs 25 min

To And About Halifax, Nova Scotia

Joe Ask the Highlanders What Is Under...the Big Stone Behind Them

The drive to Halifax was interesting. We stopped in Annapolis Royale to visit the Annapolis Tidal Generating Station. It is the only generating plant in North America using the energy from tides. The boys were disappointed because they wanted to go on a tour but you had to be 16 or older. We then headed across the interior of Nova Scotia passing by Kejimkujik National Park. Just south of there we almost wrecked the car when we came around a turn and found a black bear in the middle of the road. It was large cub and once it saw us it quickly ran into the woods. I thought it wise not to follow.


The Annapolis Tidal Generating Station

After a quick visit to the town of Liverpool we next stopped at Lunenburg. Lunenburg is a UN designated World Heritage Site but I mostly wanted to see the Bluenose. Unfortunately it was in Prince Edward Island. We moved on through Mahone Bay, the city of churches and very near Oak Island home of the money pit. Soon we were in Halifax.

We camped in Dartmouth across the harbor at Shubie Park. On Friday, July 27, morning we drove into Dartmouth and took the commuter ferry across the harbor to Halifax. We wandered down the harbor front and visited with Theodore Tugboat before going to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. The museum contains boats, models of boats and ships, a chandlery, shipwrecks including relics from the Titanic and a pirate exhibit. There is quite a bit to see and we spent a lot longer there than I had planned.


Halifax from the Ferry


Halifax is Big Harbour of Theodore Tugboat


The Only Deck Chair Recovered from the Titanic

We had to get back to the car since our meter was running out so hopped the ferry back and then drove into the city to visit the the Halifax Citadel.

It is on a hill overlooking the city and is very impressive. The boys loved it especially Joe. I think we explored every nook of the place. They have a History Hunt that if you get all of the questions correct you get a free cookie which the boys both received.

After the Citadel we stopped at the Halifax Public gardens for a quick stroll then headed back to the campsite. I wanted to get up early tomorrow to make the drive to Cape Breton Island.


Joe Taking Notes on How to Fire a Cannon


New Recruits Ready For Duty


The Halifax Public Gardens are Beautiful


Digby, NS to Halifax, NS, 230 miles 7 hrs 17 min

Maine Ho!

Joe and Ned With Eartha

Bright and early Friday Morning we left Cape Cod for Maine. After dropping Mary off at Boston's Logan Airport and a tearful goodbye full of "We'll miss you"s we promptly took a wrong turn and ended up heading south through the Ted William's Tunnel and then turned around heading for New Hampshire. Using the GPS we managed to find our way back on route.

On entering Maine we stopped at Yarmouth to visit DeLorme's map shop. They have a giant, three story globe there named Eartha, the World's Largest Globe. The boys enjoyed it a great deal. We were sorry to leave Yarmouth without stopping for the Clam Festival but we still had many miles to go and a stop in Freeport.


Ned Looks out Over Eartha's Version of Africa

Freeport is the home of L.L. Bean. For those who have not visited they have a complex of stores and the whole town is full of outlets. I bought some hiking boots. The rest of the way to Acadia National Park we took Route 1 along the coast. It is a bit slower than the interstate but it is much more picturesque. We stopped quickly in the town of Rockland for a bite to eat and found a town worthy of a return visit when more time would be available. We finally reached our destination, Blackwoods Campground in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island on the coast of Maine at 8:30 pm. We ended up setting up camp in the dark but we managed it and went to sleep quickly.


Osterville, MA to Acadia National Park, ME, 354 miles 7 hrs 58 min

Our Last Days on the Cape

Joe Shows the Proper Technique for Using a Touch Pool

Thursday and Friday were our last days on the Cape. Mary had to do some work so the boys and I dropped her off a the local community college to use their wireless connection.

On Thursday we headed to Falmouth and Woods Hole. We did some shopping in Falmouth and on the way to Woods Hole we stopped at the Nobska Light. In Woods Hole we visited the aquarium. It is a small aquarium but it packs a lot in.

On Friday we hung out at the house and in the evening after Mary got back we went out for a last boat ride. The ospreys were out and with the sun setting we made a last visit to crab beach. Then we headed back to the house to pack our things for the trip to Maine.


The Nobska Light


Woods Hole Has a Ships Coming Out of the Walls

Ned and Joe Viewing Fish


A 35 Year Old Lobster is Nearly as Big as Ned

Cape Cod National Seashore

Mary, Joe and Ned Brave the Fog at the Nauset Light

We spent Wednesday exploring the Outer Cape. We went to the Cape Cod National Seashore to visit some lighthouses and to let the boys get their Junior Ranger Badges.

The weather started fine but as the day wore on it began to rain and fog rolled in. On the way to the park we stopped at the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory and did the tour. We left smelling like potatos.

The park service changed the requirements for the Junior Ranger Badge that made it hard to get them in one day and on a short scehdule. We did get to visit the Nauset Light and take the short hike to see the Three Sisters Lighthouses. Afterwards we drove to Chatham to see the Chatham light and take the tour. Because of the bad weather the tours were cancelled.

Ann and Bill were visiting friends in Chatham and they invited us to stop in. They have an indoor pool and the boys spent the rest of afternoon swimming. On the way back to Osterville we stopped at Four Seas for our daily dose.


Joe and Ned Lounging in Front of One of the Three Sisters Lights



Joe, Mary and Ned (far right) in Front of Four Seas

Days of Beaches and Museums

Capt'n Ned the Scourge of Cape Cod

This week on the cape has been a busy one. We spent Monday at the beach and in the evening went on Uncle Bill's boat to do some fishing. Though we only caught one fish and Ned and I got a bit seasick it was fun.


Ned Digging at the Beach


Ned, Joe and Mary Enjoying an Evening of Boating and Fishing


Henry and Aunt Ann Admire Henry's Catch

Tuesday we went to the Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, MA. They have an exhibit on pirate life in New England, A Short Life and Merry: Pirates of New England, that we wanted to see. The museum grounds are famous for their rhododendrons and daylilies. They also have an extensive collection of antique automobiles, the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame, collections of americana, and a fine carousel.


Joe Gallops Away on the Carousel


Ned and Bobby Race to the Finish


The Dread Pirate Captain Henry Finds a Moment to Rest


Hey Joe! What's a Pirate's Favorite Letter?


Gary Cooper's 1930 Duesenberg J Derham Tourster


Ned and Henry Driving a 1913 Ford Model T?

The Drive to Cape Cod

Ned Works the Locks at the National Canal Museum

We left Carlisle for Osterville, MA where Mary's sister has a house on Cape Cod at 8:00 am. On the way we stopped in Easton, PA to visit the National Canal Museum and the Crayola Factory. The National Canal Museum is a very nice museum showing the canal phase in America's history. Easton is a the junction of the Delaware and Lehigh canals. They are very kid oriented with a displays that allow you to float a canal boat through locks, harnass a mule, buils bridges and design a canal.

In the same building is the Crayola Factory. Instead a factory Crayola has set up "a hands-on discovery center." They have a room that does show you how crayons and markers are made and then there are areas to make art. You can mold clay, paint with hot wax and create puppets.


Joe Takes His Canal Boat Back Through the Locks


Joe Presents his Alien


Ned Shows Off His Model Magic Snake

After Easton we headed on and stopped for a late lunch in Brewster, NY at the Red Rooster. This place has great burgers and my favorite, egg creams (chocolate only please.)

Only one more stop found us in Mystic, CT for a late dinner at food shack overlooking Mystic Seaport. We could see some of the ships and made a note to visit the museum when it was open. We arrived on the Cape about 10:00 pm. Mary's sister picked Mary up at the airport (thank you, Ann) and they arrived about 11:00 pm.

The Red Rooster in Brewster, NY


Carlisle, PA to Osterville, MA 482 miles 10 hrs 11 min