Ol' '95 Hits the Highway Again

After 18 days of R and R, I think I am ready to see what lies out of the Annapolis Valley.
I'm tooling at about 40 MPH viewing the scenery along the country roads when I realize I am slowing down the cars behind me going to work.
I speed up.
Nova Scotia country roads are narrow without any shoulders and few turn offs. I finally find a retail parking lot and pull off.
A truck that has been following me for some distance pulls up beside me.
"You're dragging your bicycle!" he shouts.

6 Inches of Handlebar Rubbed Away

With only one hand, I can't take a picture of the blisters I got on the fork of my thumb when I foolishly grabbed the handlebar.

I wanted someone to kick my butt down the road - regardless of how many commuters it inconvenienced. This is the 4th accident damage to my Trek - only one of which was caused by someone else.....and just perhaps I might have been just a teeny bit responsible for that one also.

Using Google Maps and searching the very small coastal towns and driving the wrong direction for several miles, I finally found a bike shop and asked him for a "very big bandage."

I was sure I could use the bike by just putting a new grip over the shorter handlebar to protect me from the sharp edges.
He did not have the necessary handlebar replacement - perhaps it is because his shop is named Bike and Bean l located along the train track converted bike path. But. he was certainly typically Canadian friendly and said, "Promise me you won't try and ride this bike. It is too short and sharp to just put on a grip. It won't be safe for you to ride."
I'm not sure, but I think he made a reference to my age.

I decided to shrug off my exasperation with myself and continue on to the Hooked Rugs Museum of North America in Hubbards, Nova Scotia.

The White Beaches Near Hubbards Nova Scotia

Exasperation quickly turned to Enjoyment.

Yesss!

The Very Talented Ladies at the Museum

Save This to Use as a Pattern

Maybe I Could Make A Covering for My Camp Chair

I Bought a Bag of Wool Strips to Make a Random Mat

On Linen with Height

1884 Colonial Style

My Vary Fine Room at the Surfside Inn

A Very Nice Breakfast Room

Sunrise through the Mist

Mist on the Lake

Sunrise through the Mist 2

After being on the road since June 3, I was ready to take a break by September 3. In those three months, twice I had stayed in one spot for four days and twice for three days. The remainder of the time, I was in a new spot every day or two.
I was more than ready to stay in one spot and do activities that could be reached in less than 30 minutes drive.

I Did Not

After visiting the museums to learn about the early history, here's a checklist showing how to entertain yourself while on R and R near Windsor, Nova Scotia.

Alternate days of sittin', knittin', hookin', and readin' with days to go, see, do.

Have a Nice Lunch at The Flying Apron

You Can Also Take Classes at The Flying Apron

Take a Walk in the Woods

Look for Interesting Shapes

Pick Some Apples in the Annapolis 'Valley

Enjoy the Company of Inge and Bob on Three Occasions

Have Lunch at Rosie's with Some Members of the Finnish Club

Enjoy the Local Public Library

Take Simian to the Vet

Invite the Neighbors to Enjoy a Fire and a Glass of Wine

Join Some Real Artists for the Afternoon

Rug Hooking and Quilting Are Everywoman's Tradition

Enjoy the Bounty of the Garden

Spend an afternoon with Inge and Bob at Peggy's Cove:

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse with Inge

Visit a Very Old Anglican Church in Peggy's Cove

View the William de Gaerthe Famous Backyard Mural in Granite

The Home and Gallery of William de Garthe

Obey the Signs

Avoid the Black Rock while Walking on the Granite

See the Inspiring Memorial to the Victims of Swiss Air Flight 111

Cut from the Granite on Which It Sits

Gray with a Wide Green Stripe

Spend an afternoon at the Agriculture Exhibition:

Review Displays of Antiques That Are Younger Than I

Walk Through the Midway

Reminisce About the Years I Sat in the Dunk Tank at Old Settlers'

Watch the Domino Drop Display

Wonder if These Kids Are Really Fascinated with an Antique Gas Powered Saw

Red is First Place Here

Watch the Miniature Horse Competition

Watch the Horse and Surry Competition

Watch the Fatiguing Ox Pull

Ride your bike along the walking tour of Windsor, Nova Scotia and among other sites:

Visit the Halliburton House

View the Actual Garrison Where Acadians Were Held in 1755

That is history of European settlement in this southern arm of Nova Scotia. I have looked and looked for someplace where I can learn more about Mi'kmaq history and culture, but there doesn't seem to be anything where I am.
But I certainly have learned about L'Acadie and The Planters who followed them.
The French who settled what was then known as Acadia or New France came to this area and soon began to think of themselves as Acadians and no longer French. One of their primary agriculture settlements is in Grand Pre where there is now a UNESCO site. One of the reasons this is a UNESCO site is because the areas of the original dykes are still maintained.

Dykes Still Holding Back the Tide

Dykes Still Maintained

It is difficult to imagine that this is what the dikes are holding back, but this is the land of 50 foot tides. The salt water encroached on the land; the dikes kept the salt water out and included engineered drains that allowed the freshwater to drain while shutting out the tide.

This Is What The Dykes Are Holding Back

The local word for dike/dyke is the French word aboiteau as they were called in the 17th century.

An Original Well Site

Another Tribute on Acadian Foundation Stones

A Very Fine Gallery

The Acadians

The Acadians Were Not to Live Happily Ever After

This entire area is also remembered as one of the primary locations of deportation in 1775 when all of Acadia became part of Nova Scotia when France finally lost the wars with England over the colonies in this part of Nova Scotia. Some Acadians had been allowed to claim themselves as Neutrals, however many were not trusted by either the French or the English. Therefore, when England decided to deport all Acadians, the French remaining in Quebec would not protect them.
All males over 10 years of age were forced into the Grand Pre church.

Replica Built on Church Footprint

After several days, all the confined males were placed on ships. Eventually, all the women and children were forced to join them and the homes and farms burned.
All this Grand Pre history was memorialized by Longfellow in 1400 stanzas of Evangeline.

Evangeline

Evangeline Pathway

Longfellow on Acadian Stones

Perhaps you might want to listen to the song Evangeline while you read Longfellow's[i] Evangeline.[/i]
There are 1400 lines in Longfellow's tribute. You might need to listen to this one also.

It wasn't long until the English figured out they needed to promote settlement to this area. They published in the Boston newspapers exciting terms to settle this land. Many new England colonists were feeling the crunch of available land. Further west of the colonies French and English wars were still going on. Here in Nova Scotia was land that had been cleared and fighting ended.
They came by the thousands.

Avondale Where Many Planters Landed

There is a small heritage center in Avondale. The ancestors of the man who owns this house where I am staying was actually among those who landed on this spot.

The Kent County Museum is the place to go to learn about The Planters, which is actually a term that in this case means settler or immigrant and not necessarily one who plants.

Learn about the Planters at Kent County Museum

This whole area is now a reflection of what these Planters did with the land from which the Acadians were deported. The Planters even needed to take some of the Acadians out of the garrisons so they could show them how to construct and maintain the aboiteaus.

You Have Been Warned in 2 Languages Tractors Have Right of Way

Farmland Behind the Dikes

Cornfield on the Dike

Rolling Farm and Dairyland

Down the Drive on the Side of a Hill

In the last 80 days, only twice have I stayed more than two nights in any one spot. I am ready for a place to call home. And what a place I have for the next two weeks and a few days.

Wonderful Home

Owner a Glasswork Hobbyist

Pleasant Water Feature

Backyard Pizza Oven and Fireplace

Jiminy Cricket

Built for the South Exposure

House, Garden, and Woods Oh My

Another Unique Pot

Indoors has just as many natural and beautiful features as the outside.

Beautiful Spots to Work and Eat

Something Beautiful Wherever I Look

Several Places to Read and Hook or Knit

Monk and Simian

They Trust Me With Home and Cats Probably Shouldn't to Take Their Photo

Because I have over two weeks to be in one spot it was good to find places to get Ol' '95 and my bike fixed. The front wheels of both really needed work! Ol' '95 needed brakes; the last time I had brakes put in was in Florida during my 2014 road trip., I checked online and I guess that 70,000 miles is considered a very good life for brakes.

Ol' '95 REALLY NEEDED Front Brakes

The Trek needed a new front wheel after I backed into a pole again in a Newfoundland campground.

The Spoke & Note Deals in Bicycles and Musical Instruments

4th New Wheel in 8 Months

After Sarnia where I found the only mechanic in Canada who also runs an AirBnB, I found the only combined bicycle and musical instrument shop in Canada - perhaps in the entire world. And what a clever name - The Spoke & Note.

Are We There Yet

After a 7 hour ferry ride from Port aux Basques, Newfoundland to North Sydney, Nova Scotia the bed in Ol' '95 was looking rather dumpy and the Coleman stove a little grungy.
I had become accustomed to attractive Bed and Breakfast Inns with their pleasant hosts, comfy rooms, and yummy breakfasts. I decided to continue this routine for the next few days.

Welcoming Garden

The Best Little B and B in North Sydney

The first stop was perfect at the Chamber's Guest House in North Sydney.

I had one more stop on my quest to look at hooked mats. Cheticamp on the east coast of Cape Breton Island was my next stop.

Flags of Cape Breton, L'Acadia, and Canada at Sunset

They Don't Bury Power Lines in NL or NS

I Want to Hook a Rug Like this Antique One

Les Trois Pignons and Flora's Gifts were well worth the drive.

Les Trois Pignons in Cheticamp

How to Turn an Old Sweater into a Rug

Auberge des Pecheurs Inn was chosen because it was the only one with room.

This Auberge Not Worth the CAD

Most places on Cape Breton Island seem to charge more than on Newfoundland Island. After the high level of friendliness that makes you forgive any shortcoming, the normal level of interaction here makes you a little pickier.

Misty Merci

I had a nice drive down the coast of Cape Breton.

It's Misty and Moist in the Mornings Here Too

Sunflower Field Attracts Customers

Suddenly the Land Becomes Agricultural

By the time I got to Maitland on the Bay of Fundy, I really missed Newfie friendliness.

I had booked The Blue Room on Airbnb and then immediately checked out of the Auberge in Cheticamp. After 4 1/2 hours of driving I arrived in Maitland. I chose this place because I had seen there was a small museum and cafe in this town.

Only One Third of Maitland Is Open

Well, the cafe is only open on weekends and the convenience store's only offering was three-day old chicken salad sandwiches from Sobey's 15 miles away.

I arrived at The Blue Room. Needless to say, I was fatigued and not my happiest. The owner's car was in the driveway, but would not come to the door. I phoned and they answered telling me my only option was the convenience store or to drive 15 miles back to Truro, which on the curvy country road took me 30 minutes.

Be Prepared

I wanted to check in and was told I had been emailed all this information about self check-in shortly after I had made the online booking.

I explained I had been traveling and not checking my email frequently on the road. Could he please send me the password to his internet so I could try and access this information while crouching on his porch steps.

"Would you please stop talking, so I can explain," he interrupted. He then proceeded to repeatedly tell about sending me the required information, blah, blah, blah.

I finally interrupted him explaining that for some reason my Canadian phone cannot access my email via data and therefore need internet access to get this information via internet.

He interrupted me again repeating how he had sent me this information in a very timely manner but would consider providing me with the self check-in passcode. He spoke in paragraphs and in a theatrical, detailed, and repetitive manner.....am I being stereotypical here?

By this time, I had been wandering around the front yard while I could see his car in the driveway for over 15 minutes. At no time did he come to the door or commiserate with me for not being able to have access to any dinner after a long drive.

Instead he said, "I make my living as as a host and I expect to be treated with respect! I have decided to cancel your reservation."

At no time did he say anything about showing his guests any respect.

When Cancelled Just Find a Holiday Inn

I did drive back the 15+ miles and after an hour of Google searching and driving I found a Holiday Inn with a restaurant.
For about the same price, I got the "Breakfast Package."
For about $50 CAD more, I had a decent dinner and a bottle of red wine.