Hey Everyone!!!
This past weekend (5/10 - 5/13), my friend Babs & I went up to Halifax, Nova Scotia. We had a great time!!!
We left Massachusetts Thursday afternoon around 4pm. We drove up to Portland, ME where we stopped for the night. The next morning we got an early start (6:30 a.m.). Our 1st stop was to be in Etna, ME. I have friends there. We went to Diane & Kendall's place. They have a large farm/logging business. We were there to bring 10 lbs of carrots to the 8 horses they have on farm. Both Babs & I are horse lovers!! We spent about an hour & half there. Then we were off for the border.
The trip up was great. We crossed over the border without any problems. It did start to rain, in the evening- but it wasn't too bad. It was strange trying to determine how fast we were to travel!! Thank God that cars come equipped with klm under the mph on dash board! My metric math isn't very good! LOL
We did have a whoops moment when we missed a turn...and it did take us a bit to get back to where we wanted to be- (the exits are far between!!! LOL) but we made it there by 10pm. Though we thought it was 9pm- didn't know about time change!! We went to local pub to get a bite to eat and have a couple of drinks. Everyone was very nice and helpful.
The next morning (Saturday) we got a later start around 11 a.m. We went to find downtown Halifax 1st. We ended up in Yarmouth instead LOL..... but once we got our sense of direction back we found Halifax. It's a quaint city, many older buildings, a few newer ones. There definitely was a Victorian flair to the area...as you'll see in the pictures. We went around the Citadel, but did not go into the fort. It sits high up in a hill that over looks Halifax Harbor. We then made our way to Peggy's Cove. It was so beautiful there. It was a warm sunny day with a light breeze. The waves were crashing over the rocks, and you could hear the sea birds talking away! Peggy's Cove is a small fishing village with a population of 40! There are a few gift shops and a couple of places to eat. This area was very relaxing to be in....a much slower & relaxed atmosphere here. It got to be around 5:30 p.m. and we decided to go back to Halifax for dinner. We ate at a Greek Restaurant called "Opa The Greek Tavern" This place was great!!! It was rated as 3-diamonds in the AAA book...it was that and more! Everything in there was great- the decor, the staff and most notably the food!!! We had a wonderful time that evening! The next morning we were to head back to home.....but we wanted to stay! On Sunday morning we left around 7:30a.m. we had a couple of stops we wanted to make before heading home.
Our 1st stop was to Fundy Bay, in New Brunswick. This park is huge and beautiful. I was looking for a particular section...the one most photographed in advertising, is in this area. We were able, with the help of some locals, to find the exact spot I was looking for. Its located in Hopewell Cape. It's called the "flower pots". The reason it has this name is because the rocks look like flower pots with the trees growing out of the top! LOL This is so pretty. The tides here come in and out every 2hrs!! there are warning signs all over the place telling you about it so you won't get caught off guard and get trapped. When the tide is out you can walk on the oceans floor and see into (the usually) underwater caves! When the tide comes in the water level is 43 feet above the ocean floor....so those rocks that look like flower pots when tide is out are islands when the tide is in!!!! This really is a cool place!!!
On the way to our next stop we saw these HUGE cows- but alas they did not bother us as I had "cow proofed" this vehicle!! (LOL) We also came across a railroad museum in Hillsborough.
We next headed to another tourist site called Magnetic Hill. This is located in Moncton, New Brunswick. It is a water park that has gift shops, restaurants, putt - putt golf ...but there is an attraction here that is so unique- it is the reason most people come here!! It is "The Magnetic Hill" It was discovered in the early 1800's. This hill you drive to and there is a board that gives you instructions on how to enjoy the phenomenon here. You drive to the bottom the of this hill. When you get to the bottom you pull your car over to the left hand side of road. Now you put your vehicle into neutral and take foot off the brake. Your vehicle will go up the hill by itself!!! Now we did this twice...the 1st time Babs & I were both in my SUV. It did go up the hill by itself (with me steering) backwards to the top again. The second time I did it...I had Babs video tape it with my camera....so I have tape of it too !!! LOL It is the weirdest sensation!! To know you are going up a hill with out your foot on the gas!! My SUV got up to 10 mph going back up this hill!! After we finished playing here (lol) we headed back for home. We had a long trip ahead of us. (it's 11hrs- nonstop from Halifax to Mass) The weather was a bit drizzly from time to time until we got close to border. Then it seemed to clear up. We did see a young moose along side of the highway in Maine- munching on some grass!! But none of the wildlife tried to cross while we were driving (Thank God!!!).
We finally landed at Babs at 2:30a.m. -Monday...talk about a longggggggg drive!!! LOL But it was worth it. Hope to do it again when I get back home from walkabout.
Hope that you enjoy the pictures.....I'll be back in touch soon. Until then take care everyone!- Love Donna
SEE PICTURES IN ALBUM #77:http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880
Pictures:
(01-08) Etna, Maine
(09-48) Halifax, Nova Scotia
(49-72) Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia
(73-78) Halifax, Nova Scotia
(79-112) Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick
(113-119) Hillsborough, New Brunswick
(120-129) Moncton, New Brunswick
Tags: ME & Halifax, NS
