The Prodigal Sun!

Entrance to Fox Harb'r

After waiting four days on a beach on the ocean for the warm weather and sun, it has finally appeared just as we are preparing to leave.  Go figure!  On the whole, our weather has been cooler that previous years proven by the fact that we have actually had to fill the propane tanks.  The furnace (and thank goodness for it!) has been on at some point most days.  However, it's a great way to travel - furnace, hot water tank and all the necessities to keep us warm and cozy when we need it..

You've gotta be kidding!

I need to make a comment about the speed limits in Nova Scotia.  Depending on the road it varies: 110 on divided highway, 100 on non divided and mostly 80 on the smaller routes.  Some of the roads are in great shape and some are not so much!  The road from Tatamagouche to River John is two lane, no shoulder and has not been maintained in 30 years.  Grass grows in the pot holes , the road slopes decidedly toward the ditch and yet they suggest you can go 80 in a loaded motor home!  I beg to differ!  These are the types of roads that require us to open our fridge very carefully when we arrive at our destination or everything comes sliding out to meet you.

Today is our last full day in Nova Scotia and we plan to visit our last cemeteries, our last museum and our favourite restaurant so far - Whirligigs in Wallace Bay.  Tonight we'll be in Amherst and then westward ho!

Summing up our visit this summer I'd say the highs all involved the people we've met.  To find my cousin, Fonda in Truro was a real gift and to spend some time with my Edmonton cousin, Charlotte was a treat.  We spent time with our Mitchell family from Saskatoon and we met some extraordinarily warm and helpful strangers along the way.  Yesterday, we had a lovely lunch with my cousins John and Judy at Fox Harb'r and heard more wonderful family stories that need to be added to our family history.

Malagash Salt Mine

One of the things we've particularly enjoyed have been the tiny museums we've found along the roadsides.  Each one has a theme and so yesterday we learned all about the mining of salt at Malagash.  From 1918 to 1959 they extracted more than 200 million tons of salt - mostly by hand.  There is still enough salt below the ground there to supply the world for the next 500 years.

The Wallace and Area Museum is dedicated to the United Empire Loyalists, the Bass River Heritage Museum tells the story of life along the Fundy Shore.  Each one has genealogical records and wonderful photos as well as displays so I've had a rich resource to draw from.

To be continued.......