Days 23-27 Mile 2885.4 Halifax

Halifax Farmers' Market.   

Halifax is a thriving seaport on the southern coast of NC with a long, colorful history. The Cunard Line of shipping and passenger vessels began here, and we spent a good three hours in the maritime museum on the waterfront. Cunard began with fishing boats and expanded to shipping and passenger vessels, and from sail to steam to diesel. The locals have always been tied closely to the sea and were directly involved in the rescue of Titanic survivors.  We also learned about a horrible explosion of a munitions ship in 1917 which killed thousands and completely leveled a good portion of Halifax.

Charity Golf promo on the Halifax wharf. Can you hit the green?  

Today, it's a cosmopolitan city with a thriving seaport and lots of tourists.  The Queen Mary II was in port, so along with the tour buses, there were lots of folks strolling along the boardwalk and visiting all of the shops, restaurants and galleries that dot the waterfront.  Luckily, we were there on Saturday morning to visit the farmers’ market.  It's all inside a huge pavilion and is about the size of the market in Minneapolis.  Lamb, seafood, fruits and veggies, herbs, food shops from Chinese to hot dogs, and too many craft and gift shops to mention.

Peggy's Cove.   

The next morning it was off on the coastal highway to Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg.  The drive was pretty, and the coastal towns are very nice; although, they did seem all alike after about number ten.  Just west of Peggy's cove is a small memorial to the passengers lost on Swiss Air flight 111.  It's only a couple of granite stones but very moving and marks the closest spot on land to the crash site.

Coffee Break at Peggy's Cove.   

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse.   

Lunch break on the way to Lunenberg.  

Driving back to the campground that night, the rain began, and we had an all night storm with a deluge of rain and strong winds.  The B rocked, but no leaks.  When the storm subsided, it was replaced by a high-pressure system with strong northwest winds expected…to continue for two or three days.  

Lunenberg.  

Bluenose II at Lunenberg.   

Ferry from Yarmoouth NS to Portland ME.   

I really am a wimp when it comes to driving the B in wind, so we looked at alternatives and found this ferry.  It travels between Yarmouth and Portland, with one round trip per day.  Our ride is about ten hours, leaving NS at ten this morning, and with the time change, arriving in Portland at seven tonight (except the ferry was an hour late). 

I estimated the cost of gas to drive all the way back through Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and the total cost was about the same. (Except the only comfy seats with upholstery are an extra $25 bucks each). So we are about 2 1/2 hours into the cruise and relaxing in our nice reclining chairs. 

Yarmouth, NS.   

Outside it's sunny but very cool and windy, so the decision seems to be correct.  Tonight we have reservations at a campground just outside of Portland, and then we head west, hopefully to camp along and ride our bikes on the Erie Canal trail.