Aug-Sept.2022
As mentioned in the previous blog, one of our day trips from Mavilette beach was north to Annapolis Royal. The area first had a strong presence of Mik’maq peoples then was inhabited by Europeans, mainly French, starting in 1605 at Port Royal, moved later and then eventually renamed in honor of Queen Anne in 1710 by the British who had taken it over. Only when Halifax was made the capital in 1749 did the town’s 150 years of being the Acadian then Nova Scotian capital come to an end.
The drive north gave the chance to snap quick photos of the many old homes along the way.
In Annapolis Royal there are over a hundred historic buildings as well as a charming downtown historic district. We had a beer at Annapolis Brewing Company right across from Fort Anne and despite the drizzle I managed to check out some of the old home exteriors around. I was also impressed by the statue honoring Pierre Duggar, Sigurd de Mons, who founded the first permanent French settlement in Canada and who was Lieutenant General from 1603-1610. He faces the tidal basin in all his 17th century style for eternity
On the way back we stopped at a promising beach access road. The rocks were all a little sludgy and slippery but there were ones of interest to Jim. He and Chloe ventured over those rock cliffs where unfortunately he fell and scraped his hand. I was too afraid of turning an ankle to go far. On the way out we came across the couple who own the land the dirt road road abuts. They were very nice and gave us some good tips to find beaches with sand where the dogs could run.
Rainy views of tidal marshes on the way back reminded me a bit of my hometown in Gloucester, MA.
