Greetings from Anne of Green Gables Land

One quick note about Halifax before moving on to Cape Breton. There is a relatively large casino on the wharf in Halifax. We had to see the competition so went in. The floor plan/layout was the same as all other casinos we have seen, but very light and airy. That is because the entire wall facing the harbor was windows. Great views from a casino. They also don't stay open 24 hr. David went by the next morning around 10 AM while the computer was being worked on and they were closed. Certainly not the Las Vegas model.

After leaving Halifax we drove to Cape Breton Island in the northeast section of Nova Scotia. Rugged mountainous landscape with rough rocky beaches. The first day there we drove the Cabot Trail which goes around the perimeter of the island. Unbelievable views of the ocean, cliffs and mountains. Cloudy most of the day, but didn't limit the view except in the mountain areas which were fogged in. Had lunch at The Chowder House in Neil's Harbour. Very picturesque fishing village and thought it very appropriate to have lunch there. Bought some oat cakes at a little Acadian bakery. They were good and kind of a cross between oatmeal cookies and a shortbread. Bought others later at the campground and they were just rectangular oatmeal cookies so there seems to be a lot of variation in the product.

The second day in Cape Breton we went into Baddeck near our campground to see the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. He and his family lived in Baddeck for the last 37 years of his life. There is an excellent museum that covers his life and work. Did not realize all the areas he worked in and his dedication to teaching the deaf. Very interesting and educational site. This was Saturday, June 30, and they were having a Canada Day parade so we stayed for that. Reminded me of the Boulder City parade with horses, the Shriner's mini-cars (which died during the parade and had to be pushed) and many cars with balloons. Dairy farming is big here and they even had a person in the parade wearing the same cow costume I have (udder and all). However, they didn't need to have the parade at 9:00 AM to beat the heat. It rained briefly just before the parade started, but did stop in time for the parade. I guess everyone knew it would because no one had rain gear with them. While standing under the overhang of the post office during the shower I visited with a lady from Sidney, Nova Scotia, who told me about a recreated highland village in Iona on a small island just south of our campground. We had planned to go kayaking that afternoon, but since the weather now didn't look too good we decided to go to Iona. Glad we did. Several homes starting with a round stone house like used in Scotland in the 1700's and then to a log cabin and 2 newer frame houses. Gave a good opportunity to see how their homes changed as the time passed and they became more established in the area. Also had a church, school, general store, blacksmith shop and a wool carding operation. Most of the buildings had people there to explain things. While visiting one of the houses a storm moved in over the bay and the rain came down in buckets. One of the guides loaned me a hand made wool shawl to help keep me dry til we finished the tour. Found out they served fish cakes at the restaurant next door so went there for dinner to continue the Scottish experience. Very good. The rain stopped and we were looking across the bay at a double rainbow. Amazing sight and wonderful way to finish the day.

Got up the next day to continuing cloudy weather with a prediction of rain so packed up and moved on to Prince Edward Island. Took the ferry across and had a beautiful ride. Drove to Cavendish on the northern part of the island and settled into a campground right next door to Green Gables. We have fallen in love with PEI. It is beautiful rolling farmlands with some woods, sandy beaches with salt grass dunes and mostly a rural area with tiny tiny towns scattered throughout the island. We bicycled 2 days along the beach and kayaked today in New London Bay. We also took time to visit Green Gables and saw several sites mentioned in the book. I am now rereading the book and enjoying mention of places I have now seen. We have finally experienced summer - in the 70's all three days and enjoyed the island tremendously. Since they are predicting rain for tomorrow we will pack up and drive back to Shediac, New Brunswick for a few days on the beach there (weather willing) and then we will start our trek across New Brunswick to Quebec.

Happy 4th of July!! David and Barb

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