September 1, 2016

 

Halifax Harbor

Arrived in Halifax Thurs 8/25, but did stop just before the “Longest Bridge in the World” or so they claim,

Longest Bridge in The World

8 miles long from PEI/ Borden-Carleton  to New Brunswick, and spent the night in a little Yogi Bear Jelly Stone Park .  Lots of families camping and having fun.  Met a nice couple next to us from Daytona  Beach Shores, Fl, so lots to talk about.  Friday, a rainy day, so decided to do a road trip into Halifax and check out some tours.  Found the Grey Line booking agent and booked a 2-1/2 h tour for tomorrow. Staying  at a nice campground just outside of town.  We walked the harbor boardwalk and did a self- guided car tour of the downtown.  Vibrant area and lots of construction going on. 

Halifax Port

Over 29 cranes in construction mode downtown.  Driving is challenging but did ok.

Arrived at Grey Line at 8:30am for the 9am tour.  Beautiful day.   Jim, the driver / tour guide, dressed in a “kilt”. 

Tour Guide "Jim"

Wow!  Tons of history!  More than I can share here.  Most memorable is the sinking and recovery efforts of the Titanic.  Halifax served as the “rescue” port.  Visited the

Titanic Souls

cemetery of some 150 souls who did not make it, but were numbered in sequence of recovery, some still un-named.  Also a world renowned “ port of entry”  to North America.   A full 2-1/2 hour tour.  Great guide!

After tour, lunch downtown, then off to “Peggy’s Cove”.  This is a must see tourist site and is very popular.  Unfortunately, it was a Saturday, so very crowded. 

Peggy's Cove

A beautiful cove carved out of granite rock.  Spectacular views of the ocean.  A fishing village with lots of history.  Back to the RV in preparation for our final departure from the Maritime.  We will catch the Digby, NS ferry to Saint John , NB ,  and then plan to drive to Bangor, Maine.   Will be a full day.

 

"Special" RV Friends

Up at 6:ooam to

Digby Ferry

depart for Digby ferry leaving at 11:OOAM, but a 2-1/2 hr drive to get there.  They want you there 1 hour before.  Beautiful morning and highway wide open.  Lovely drive across Nova Scotia.  Saved us a full day drive by taking the ferry, but expensive.  Ferry nice, flat seas, arrived in St. John on time.  Then drove to Bangor, Maine.  Customs no problem, but they did enter the coach for a brief search.  Decided to head for home.  Initially, had plans to tour the east coast, but ran out of time, so will do next summer.  Labor day weekend approaching, so released all the tourist destinations would be crowed, so decided to head for home.  Over night in a Walmart in Bangor.  Lots of RVs.  Met some really special friends here.  (see pic)

Made the mistake of taking highway 95 from Maine to North Carolina.  Could have walked on the hoods of cars all the way! 

I-95 Traffic Jam

Besides paying huge tolls ie; one day over $100, the highway was full of pot holes and bumper to bumper traffic, especially through New York City and Washington DC.   Blew a tire on the RV,  Milford Connecticut, outside rear dully, so lost two hours at a tire shop.  Besides pot holes, tolls, and bumper to bumper traffic, the eastern drivers are “rude and dangerous”.  So much for hwy 95, never again.  We did get a lovely view of the New York City sky line while

NY Skyline

sitting in traffic.  What a change from driving in Newfoundland.

The trip has been wonderful, so ignore my comments on our east coast experience.  We are on our last leg and should be home by Friday, 9/2, beating the Labor Day crowd by an inch.  Great having you along the way.   Wonderful trip, but always nice to be home!