What a fabulous day in Nova Scotia. We did a road trip around the area and we saw so much!!!

First stop was Chester, NS. We first stopped in town at the cafe and a walk through. There was a real estate office and we were checking out the prices for homes – wowza!!! Way out of my price range!

They had a really nice memorial at the bay in Chester. Each side dedicated all the people from Chester that were lost in the First World, Second World, Korean war, etc.

A very cool thing they had at the local beach (so to say) was a public salt-water pool built into the ocean water. In the picture the tide is low, but when the tide is high it will be almost even with the pool water.

We then drove down the road to Oak Island. We came here 13 years ago in 2011, in hopes to book a tour of Oak Island (the story of Captain Kidd and the hidden treasure), but they had just shut it down. The Lagina Brothers purchased part of the island and they shut it down to get ready for filming the program “The Curse of Oak Island” that started airing Nov 2014 and 10 years later it still continues. Have they found the money pit? Not yet……but they sure have found a lot of stuff!! They are working at opening up a Oak Island museum where you can view all the artifacts. As we came to the island, the sign said private and no coming on to the island. A few locals said…..you can go over and turn around. And so we did!
Another local who lives just this side of the island shared her Facebook Page with us, and so we started to follow her. on FB. She will give up close information of what is going on Oak Island. If you are wanting to follow her…..search “Oak Island From The Other Side of The Causeway”.

We then went on to Mahon Bay. A very gorgeous little town. It is known for its picturesque view coming into the town where you see 3 churches across the Bay.
Frist things first….we found a craft Brewery – Saltbox Craft Brewery. They were having a fundraiser that day for a Soapbox Derby so they had a barbecue and local music which was great. The Shantymen group came up to do one song – they were about 10 local men and we wish they would have done a few more.

Actually before the brewery we stopped at the information centre. Bob and Bart learned some history, both from the info boards but also from a local women they met in an old cemetery. When the Acadians were expelled from the lands in the early 1700’s, the British brought European protestants over who swore allegiance to the Crown, and then were promised land and supplies for the first year.

We stopped at the Nosey Crow for lunch which was in the middle of Mahon Bay. I had a deal with myself that I was going to eat fish or seafood every day, but I didn’t on this day. I ended up with nachos – they were good – but the lobster bisque would have been the better choice.

We then went to The Ovens Natural Park. Debbie and Hank came here almost 15 years ago and our plan was to also go there 13 years ago when we were in Lunenburg, but it didn’t happen. I have had it on my list ever since that next time in the East Coast, I would like to do the hike at The Ovens. They have camping right on the ocean, sea caves and on the hike you can go into some of them. You can also pan for gold on the beach (gold was found/started here in 1801), which many were doing when we arrived.

The best time to do the hike to go in and see the caves is at hightide. That is when you get the big waves come crashing in. We were attempting to get there for hightide, but when on a road trip you never know what interests might entice you, and that is the great thing about vacation – not being on a schedule!! We were there as the tide was going back out, but it didn’t change that this was quite spectacular to see.

Here we went down into one of the caves, and we are looking out into the ocean. More cool sounds as the water came into the cave.

After leaving Mahon Bay we headed towards Bridgewater. To get there we had to cross in a small cable ferry in LeHave, NS.

Yes, we found another craft brewery in Bridgewater. I loved the name – FirkenStein Craft Brwery. Where the name came from – the owner would always say Firken – instead of that other bad word – and the Stein comes from their German heritage. The server was gave us a bit of history on the town. They have a big Michelin factory in town which would be a huge part of thier economy I would think. They had a beautiful waterfront with parks/gazebos, etc. but it was sad to see a number of homeless people living here. She told us they have just arrived after the winter. Sadly she said they have very little mental health services in the area – she said one office in Luneneburg to serve a very large area.

What a great road trip day in Nova Scotia. We saw lots. We ate and drank lots. We laughed lots. Cheers!!!