Canadian Maritimes

[Captain Goodwench]

Hey there maties!!! It's been a while since I've been in port.

I'm car camping with me first mate, 6000+ km from central Ontario to Cape Breton and back. Anyone been and have any travel tips? What to see and do, especially what NOT to miss etc?

[CaptainCiaran]

Ahoy Captain Goodwench. I have traveled to the Maritimes twice now, as well as Quebec and eastern Ontario. Along yer drive, these would be my recommendations:

1) Quebec City -- the most beautiful city in North America. I love standing on the high bluffs of the old city and looking out at the St. Lawrence.

2) Gaspe peninsula -- awesome views that would rival Cape Breton. Parlez-vous francais?

3) Hartland Covered Bridge -- New Brunswick, near the Maine border, longest covered bridge in the world and yes, you may drive across it.

4) Prince Edward Island via the Confederation Bridge -- Charlottetown, the provincial capital is very hip and modern with lots of outdoor cafes and the Confederation Bridge is a true masterpiece of engineering.

5) Halifax -- spend two or three days in Nova Scotia's capital city, the largest city in the Maritimes. Great bars, museums, shops, restaurants, etc. The Citadel commands the best view and the Maritime Museum is one of the best nautical museums I've ever been in. Lots of Titanic memorabilia, as Halifax served as the place the recovered bodies were brought.

6) Peggys Cove -- near Halifax, Canada's most photographed lighthouse and the site of the Swiss Air disaster and memorial. Beautiful coastline with crashing waves and large boulders here.

7) Lunenburg -- about two hours south of Halifax, the UNESCO fishing village is very charming. Great restaurants and the Fisheries Museum is a must-see.

8) Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail -- oh my god, the most amazing drive I've ever done. Drive the Trail clockwise if yer faint of heart! Breathtaking views, whales, moose, villages, crafts, fiddle music and celidhs. Have lunch at the Keltic Lodge restaurant. And, hold on to yer hat as you wind over Cape Smokey!

9) Fortress Louisbourg -- Canada's largest reconstructed historic site, the fabulous fortress was French Canada's stronghold.

Nova Scotia is one of the most beautiful places on the planet! Spend a lot of time exploring it!

Bon voyage!

Captain Ciaran

[Sjöröveren]

I assume you're hitting all the Tanglefoot highlights like Pictou Harbor, the Black Rock, etc. If you do, take some pix and share with us fellow Footheads!

And for all of you who don't know what I'm on about, Tanglefoot is an incredible Canadian band, who are certain to become your favorite band the moment you hear them. Really, they're that good.

[Captain Goodwench]

Actually...I'll be seeing Tanglefoot at the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival while I'm there, and staying at the Ovens campground, owned by the widow of HArry Chapin, for a few nights!

So far the plan is to stay in Quebec City a couple of nights for the New France Festival, stay a night in New Brunswick, at a provincial park just outside of Fredericton, near King's Landing, a few night in Lunenburg, a few in PEI National PArk, and a couple in Cape Breton to go whale watching on a 73 foot schooner!!! And visit Fortress Louisbourg, and we have reservations to sail on the Bluenose!!!

Here's a random thought. Would a sailor ever have worn leather while sailing? Once it's wet, it doesn't dry quickly.

I am so excited about this trip. I want to see old lighthouses, and go to a ceileidh and a lobster supper, and so on.

I figure if my sweetie and I can endure and enjoy two weeks of car camping together, then this relationship just might survive. LOL!

[CaptainCiaran]

(Ciaran turns green with envy)

Oh, to sail on the Bluenose II ! I have seen her in Lunenburg and Halifax. What a sleek, beautiful ship she be. Would love to sail on her one day.

I went to a delightful celidh in Mabou (Cape Breton). Saw the great Maybelle McQueen playing the piano. Mabou is also where the Rankins are from. Port Hawkesbury has celidhs on a regular basis as does the Celtic College at St. Ann's.

Have a splendid time, Captain Goodwench, and please let me know everything about yer trip once yer back. Bon voyage!

[Captain Goodwench]

Hey there,

The other ship we'll be sailing on is The Spirit, a 73 ft schooner. You can see a picture of her at: The Spirit

We'll be boarding her for a 2 hour whale and bird watching cruise from Ingonish Beach, NS. I AM SO EXCITED.

Did I mention how excited I was?

Now I'm going to research the history of pyracy in the Maritimes. Something fascinating I discovered while doing my genealogy and that is I have Huguenot French ancestors. Many renowned pyrates were Huguenot. I wonder if my Huguenot ancestors were among them? Could explain a lot of things, hmmmm!?