- 6:30 a.m. Monday – 7:30 a.m. Tuesday

I woke Ashley and everyone prepared for the day. I was sure to bring my cameras, and Ashley brought her own.

At 8:30 we left here and drove towards Middle Musquodoboit to pick up Kathy. As would happen all day, the time the 5 of us were in the car was filled with talking on countless topics.

The first stop was Peggy’s Cove. I had forgotten how beautiful it is. On the way there tons of big boulders dot the landscape, remnants of a glacier that receded thousands of years ago. It’s really an interesting sight to see those rocks perched on hills in the grassy land away from the coast.

The actual cove is amazing. There’s a lighthouse sitting on huge, very smooth rock cliffs, and the rocks are constantly licked by waves. We first stopped in the gift store so that I could buy a disposable camera and also we we could browse the goods. We walked along the shore, climbing over the rolling land and taking plenty of photos. The view there is so unique and beautiful, so natural, yet surreal. I’m sure we all could have happily spent hours walking around and hearing the crashing waves.

We returned to the gift shop and our mothers bought a few things. Ashley picked out a couple post cards that will be headed to pre-designated lucky LJers soon.

After the gift shop we stopped at a rock carved by a folk artist. It’s quite an impressive work. It has fishermen, an angel, a dorrey and other features carved with great detail.

We drove along more shore (allowing the Georgians to experience stereotypical Nova Scotian scenery) and then through Chester, where stopped at a couple places for supplies and nourishment. I was sure to buy 3 rolls of film and some Smarties to share with the guests (since they do not have them in the U.S.). Ashley and Kathy got Oh! Henry bites, another Canada-only chocolate snack.

More driving was done, including some stops at golf courses (my father is drawn to them) , before we went to dinner at a sea-side resturant for sea food. My mother had chicken stir-fry, but the rest of us had some fresh haddock (Ashley), scollaps (Kathy and I) and (for my father) a mixed chowder.

In Lunenburg (a UNESCO World Heritage site) we walked on the docks and were able to see the Blue Nose II, a replica Canada’s most famous sailing vessel (it is featured on our dimes). We all wandered around and took photos. There we also happened upon Miss Canada, who posed for photographs.

We also stopped beside Lunenburg Academy to see the huge old school house and the trees planted in honor of Canada’s provinces and territories. Ashley, my mother, and I all took the time to use the swings for a while.

The next stop was Mahone Bay. We saw the 3 famous churches there. They are all quite large and are along the shore, and stand right beside each other.

Most of the time here was spent looking through all the shops. Some of the notable stops included an ice cream break, gift shopping done by Kathy, and a secretive purchase of a mauve/blue Nova Scotia hat for Ashley.

When we left the final shop we headed for Halifax, our capital city. We hit the scenic spots, Point Pleasant Park, the water front and the Public Gardens in the dwindling light.

We ate dinner at Mexicali Rosa’s since Kathy loves Mexican food. The meal was really good.

We finished up there and turned our compass for the bed and breakfast. There I hugged and said goodbye to Ashley’s mother, since I will be working when she leaves for home around noon. She seemed very impressed with her day, and seemed to have liked my family (myself included) quite well.

20 minutes of further driving brought us back here. I discovered that my digital camera had lost all my photos, so that was saddening, but I hadn’t used it too much.

I gave Ashley the hat, which I knew she would love, we spent some time alone, bathed and went to sleep.

Now I’m awake and getting ready to go to work.