Annapolis Valley & Grand Pre

After Cape Breton Island we decided to trek over to the Annapolis Valley (NS) and to tour the Ntl Historic Sites depicting the Acadian story.  We took a bit of a cross country route to save time - NOT.  Once off the main highways in NS, the roads, while paved, are very narrow, winding and rough (lots of patch work on them).  But it is beautiful country and you see much more off the beaten track.

The WD Lawrence - the largest wooden hulled fully rigged ship ever built in Canada - launched in 1874 and did around the world for her maiden voyage!  The shipyard was in Maitland, NS

A cantilevered chandelier in the Lawrence home - they had many innovative furnishings and designs - partially due to their world travels upon their ships - the home dripped wealth and prestige1

Lawrence designed and built this bed for a family member with TB - this is back in the mid 1800's

A bottle of 'uncorked' Guano from the 1800's!

A picture of the picture of vessels waiting to load the Valuable Guano onto their ships bound for Europe

Can you imagine?!

Antique sewing machine in the Lawrence museum - Sandra didn't even recognize it as a sewing machine at first!  Most of the furnishings are originals and authentic property of the Lawrence family

A pretty modern 'bathing' room for the mid 1800's - doesn't resemble the galvanized tub in the middle of the kitchen floor that we remember!

Now this was innovative at the Lawrence museum - besides a chamber pot under every bed they had this covered walkway off the back/side door of the home leading to two side by side outhouses - total of four holes!  More comfort!

The home Lawrence built in 1865 - his shipyard was across the road and there were several more shipyards dotted along the Bay.  Lawrence was passionately against Confederation - fearing that the wealthy 'Province' of NS had far more to loose than to gain by such a move!  Family members lived in this home until 1969 when the Granddaughter sold it to the Gov't for the purpose of establishing a museum.

The incoming tide at the mouth of the Shubenecadie River - it literally reverses the river's flow.  At high tide times the waves can be as high as 20' in the Tidal Bore - we thought a raft ride would be fun!

Another view of the Lawrence home - foreground R is the walkway to the outhouse!

Tip of the Annapolis Valley bordering the Minas Basin off the Bay of Fundy

Beautiful Annapolis Valley look out

The Acadian story is a touching one as portrayed by an excellent documentary at the Grand Pre site - and which set the stage for understanding the magnitude of the injustice heaped upon them between 1755 and 1763 when it is estimated that up to 10,000 were deported, forced to forfeit their rich farmland, homes and possessions that they could not carry with them.  The Acadians consistently claimed neutrality during the back and forth skirmishes between the British and the French who were vying for control of the region.  Since the Acadians were primarily of French descent and Roman Catholic - they were caught between the two - and of course the British absolutely distrusted them - hence the deportation order!

Original Powder Magazine at Fort Anne (Annapolis Royal) - possibly the oldest building in Canada - dating to the early 1600's

Bastion design of Fort Anne to maximize defense

Mound formations of the Bastion Fort still evident

Fort Anne Canon on the rampart poised over the Bay

The Shaw's outside of Port Royal - the Acadian Habitation reconstruction

The Well!

Get to work Barry!

A portion of a well preserved excavated dyke and sluice found at either Grand Pre or near Port Royal.  The Acadians reclaimed over 3000 acres from the inter tidal salt marsh lands.  Once dyked and drained and after waiting for rain to rinse the salt deposits through, they were left with extremely fertile farmland

Evangeline and the Memorial Church memorializing and commemorating the Acadians at Grand Pre and elsewhere

I think its a Japanese Maple - a grand old tree on the grounds at Grand Pre (Big Meadow)

Sunset walk at Loch Lomand RV Park and Lake near Amherst, NS

Love these sunsets!

One more!

Confederation Bridge crossing over to PEI

We just happened upon the WD Lawrence Museum in this wee village of Maitland - and were quite taken with the history of the house and the area back in the mid 1800's.  We were also tempted to sign up for rafting the Tidal Bore on the Shubenacadie River - but passed on that one this time!

We spent 3 nights in the Grand Pre area - taking day trips with only the truck.  Had to check out the local Farmers Market as it was Saturday - and this area is overflowing with fresh fruit and produce.  Awesome!  Also discovered a great little Fromagerie - Fox Hill Cheese House - a Mom & Pop operation - make all their own fresh cheeses and Gelato with the milk from their herd of 85 Holstein cows!  Before we got home that day we had also discovered a neat little meat market to get some fresh pepperoni and jerky (made in the shop) to go with our cheeses.