Day 40 - Thursday, July 10 - Balancing Rock

Today we are going to drive up the Digby Neck - it is like a peninsula.  Little fishing villages dot the coast line and very few services.  This is a very natural environment with lots of hiking trails and a few beaches.  One of the larger beaches is called Sandy Cove but upon our arrival the tide is in so there is no beach at the moment.  The area has very few residents, but for the most part those that are living there have large beautiful homes and very large parcels of land.  We wondered what the industry here is and we think it is mostly tourism with many whale watching businesses and the ferries.  

As we drive along we find it very peaceful, very little traffic and lots if vegetation.  The route takes you down the middle of the island so the ocean is only accessible at the many coves along the way.

We are taking the ferry to Long Island.  Cost for the return trip $5.50.  It's a government operated ferry with a crew of 4 that we saw.  The ferry holds about 12 cars and less if there are fuel trucks or other large vehicles.  It takes a total of about 10 minutes to cross.  It took way longer to dock and unload than it did to get there.  Wonder why they don't build a bridge?  Hmmm. 

Tiverton is the little village that you first come to on Long Island.  It is very small, just a few streets and maybe 30 or so houses.  We carry on to Balancing Rock.  This is a government site with outhouses and trails.  To get to the rock you must follow a trail through the forest.  The trail goes over bogs via newer wooden walkways, gravel trail through the forest and some natural soil as well.  Interesting, but warm and we are not sure how far it is to the steps to the rock.  The trail we are walking through is so dense that if an animal was charging through it would be never see me as the height of the trees and   brush is taller than me.  

It seems a long way, hmmm should I have signed up for this expedition?  Well I did and I will get there! The sun is out, blue sky overhead and it's hot and as usual I am perspiring - I put on bug stuff because I am a "Bug Magnet".  They smell me and they come running!!  I have the kind of blood they are looking for.  

All the way through the trail are signs explaining the different kind of trees and plants.  Very well done.  One of the plants along the trail is a "northern pitcher plant" a rare plant found in bogs and bog meadows that actually traps and digests insects.  The tulip shaped flower holds water which the plant uses to trap the insects.  Dan says there should be more of those plants!

We get to a sign that says 1/4 mile to balancing rock and it is all downhill - 235 steps to the base of the cliff. 

But wow the view and the rock cliffs are amazing! 

This is the basalt sea stack resting on its end - and it has been like this for many, many years! 

Looking down from the viewing platform.  

Gidget made it all the way - a long walk for her.  Dan carried her down most of the steps and almost all the way back.  She was pooped. 

But I had to walk back on my own!  So now I find out after we completed the trek it was 2.4 Kms to the steps and 235 steps down that is a total of 5 Kms and 470 steps - no wonder Gidget was tired!! 

Worth it though.  

Off we go to Freeport the end of the Island looking for some coffee after the hike.  No coffee, only a ferry dock to take you to Brier Island.  We decide we are not going to go there and head back along the island looking for coffee.  No coffee, but as we get to Tiverton the ferry is loading for Digby Neck so we just make it on and we are leaving Long Island.  On the other side we stop for coffee at the Petit Passage Cafe and share a bowl of seafood chowder.  Mmmm, good!  Glad we waited.  

So what next? We are going to Annapolis Royal to the Fort there. This is east of Digby about 32 Kms. The fort is called Fort Anne and is named for Queen Anne of England.  Annapolis Royal was a sought after port and fortress for many.  The first people to use the area were the Mi'kmaq (mikmack) Indians as a stopping place in their voyages.  In the early 1600's Sir William Alexander received a charter for 

New Scotland - "Nova Scotia" to establish a Scottish colony in North America.  In 1629 Sir William built a fort here and called it "Charles Fort" in honor of King Charles.  Over the years the fort was the capital of both French and English reign.  It was also a haven for the Loyalists, both black and white.  It was established as a National Historic site in 1917.  The actual fort was built in 1702 using the Vauban-style fort.  Vauban was a European fort design master of his time.  As we walk around the fort and view the site we are amazed at the technology of the times.

Powder Magazine underground.

The Black Hole where they stored explosives and sometimes prisoners.

The embankments protecting the fortress.

The Officer's Quarters where the museum is now located.  Very interesting site.  

Time to head back to camp it is almost the end of the day - but what do I see?  A Grape Sign.  Okay off to Bear River winery.  They may or may not be open as it is just about 4:30 pm.  As we drive up we see that there is another car there and the sign says it is open until 5:30 pm.  We are in luck.  The Bear River Winery is open.  Chris Hawes is the owner and provides us with a sampling of their wines - all good.  But the most  interesting part is that this is a 100% estate grown winery that is gravity fed and solar powered!   Awesome technology for a winery! 

Also what is interesting is his son operates Lakes District Air that flies clients into remote fishing camps in the Burns Lake area.  So you never know Dan might take a trip one day.  

Well time to head back to camp.  We are going to try the Fundy Resturant for supper tonight as it was recommended by some campers that we met that were from Chilliwack.  We have not been out for supper since we left Alberta, so to tonight is the night.  Really great service and awesome food.  Dan had the Seafood Casserole and I had the Seafood Sampler - very good, belly full and time for R ans R.  Good night.