Photos from my Nova Scotia Trip

Below is a link to all my Nova Scotia pics. As you can see, it’s a beautiful place. Water, rocks, boats, beautiful Victorian homes, and lots of yummy seafood at every meal. (Even Salmon eggs Benedict. ) Somehow though not my first trip to Canada, it really hit me this time how close we are to them. It’s another young country settled by the British (and yes, the French.) The “loyalists” who fought on the British side of the American Revolution were given land and pushed to settle in along with plenty of others coming for a new start in the Americas. It was interesting to see Canada trying to reconcile with its indigenous people past (First Nation people in Canada speak) Sign posts are in English/French and Mi'kmaq. Tourist markers are telling stories in 3 languages too and trying to center the Mi'kmaq in the story. It’s interesting to see the effort and think about history a little differently because of it.

I also liked learning about the lives of lobsterman. (Hint: they make a lot of $$$ over a short 3 month season.) Canada protects from over fishing but having distinct fishing seasons and has rebuilt their stock saving the industry.

We drove through beautiful farm country though unfortunately it was a little early for much harvest. But the open swaths were wonderful after so many miles of pine lined highways.

And mostly I had wonderful quantity and quality with my Godmother and my friend Tracy. It’s a real luxury to have hours and hours to bounce around ideas.

Thanks !

Click HERE to see all of my Nova Scotia pictures.

 

My Nova Scotia Family Connection

Long post alert: This trip to Nova Scotia has an unexpected discovery that made a hazy thing my mom used to tell me about our family history become clear.

Built in 1921, the Bluenose is a fishing schooner that is revered in Canada for its 18 year undefeated status in the International Fisherman’s Trophy Cup. It is on a Canadian 10 cent coin, the Nova Scotia license plate and there are pictures and models of it all over. It was a racing schooner that won a big international races and must have raised Canada’s profile in the world.

The hazy part was that some male in my mom’s family was once associated with the sailboat and my mom was proud of it. I thought it was my great grandfather, who was a ship doctor for the explorer Admunson, and I figured it was the boat that was used to discover the North Pole. 

Then I decided to go to Nova Scotia and I looked at the top things to do and low and behold the Bluenose II is docked in Lunenberg and the top thing to see and I read the history and the dates just didn’t fit.

What I discovered is that my grandfather, who owned a freighter company and transported things like those beautiful cars that still drive on Cuban streets and sugar back to the Domino Sugar port in Brooklyn, among many other places, was actually the one who purchased the Bluenose after it’s racing days were done, to bring it to the West Indies to use for trade. 4 years late Canada’s great ship crashed into a reef in Haiti and was no more and my grandfather was responsible for a sad moment into Canada’s history. He diminished the purpose of The Bluenose, a racing schooner, down to transporting sugar, a much less prestigious role.

Well, luckily, Canadiens still wanted to believe in the greatness of the Bluenose’s past, so they built a second one that can be visited and sailed on and goes around coastal Canadian cities. And the short version of the story is I got to visit her and think about my grandfather and the adventures in his life. I wish my mom was around to talk to about it, but I’m glad I could learn a little more about my family history. Travel always opens my eyes.

Thanks for reading if you made it to the end.

Digby, Nova Scotia: The Scallop Capitol of the World

How far would you travel to eat a fresh scallop? Well I thought it was worth a day of my vacation to head to Digby, Nova Scotia, the Scallop Capital of the World to eat some and check out the fishing fleet that catches them. They were yummy.

Nova Scotia First Stop: Lockeport

I set out to Nova Scotia to finally visit my Godmother who has lived in Lockeport for years. The green rugged rocky coast was beautiful. It’s lobster fishing country, though the season ended June 1st so the boats and pots were less active, but still I’m not sure I’ve ever been somewhere with seafood fishing and processing it as much of its economic center. I loved seeing different plant life, particularly vibrant lupine and giant ferns. And although I didn’t see them I loved hearing about porcupines and her resident beaver, who diligently works hard to dam up all water flows. Nova Scotian crafts like whirligigs and carved trunks added to the local folksy feel. I’m such a city girl, but it’s always nice to take a walk in the woods or on the beach.

An Unexpected Night Exploring Toronto, Canada

My stepfather always said “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I think he would be proud of me.

Sunday I set out to fly to Nova Scotia, but thanks to lots of delays I missed my connecting flight and ended up with an evening in Toronto. I was tired and grumpy but decided to buck up and take advantage of it. I literally walked to a hotel from the Toronto City Airport and explored the city along the way then walked till dark.

I haven’t been to Toronto in 30 years and it has exploded with growth. There are so many soaring modern glass towers and more construction everywhere. There is a wonderful mix of cultures which made for fantastic people watching. Add some street art, a multitude of exciting food choices and the opening of a giant provacative public art installation I just happened to stumble on right as it begun, and I got the ingredients for a fabulous night.

 

It was fun to wake up and see myself on TV! Two weeks ago I went out to meet the NY Lt Gov candidate Antonio Delgado and next thing I know… lights, camera, action! And now I’m in a political advertisement. Maybe it was my topical t-shirt!?