Back in early October, I went to a new area that I had only really driven through before. I decided to take a weekend trip to the Acadian Shores region of Nova Scotia, mainly to Clare. Being from a province that is surrounded by water, I enjoy all the lighthouses we have here and there were a couple that I wanted to see. I forgot how long it really takes to drive down there and I went by myself so I didn't get to my first destination until about noon. I saw the Belliveau Cove Lighthouse, took a few pictures and it's actually at a municipal park so there was a trail which I walked. The park is also where they have their weekly farmer's market but since it was October, it was shutdown since it is an outdoor one.
After I was done, I drove to Cape St. Mary's Provincial Park and are my lunch at the picnic table there before looking around and taking some pictures of the lighthouse. Since it's a provincial park, it had a nice parking lot, some amenities (bathroom/picnic tables/etc) and nice signage explaining the history of the area. There was a memorial for fisherman that had been lost at sea in the area. I think you can go into the lighthouse but only during the summer months. The last lighthouse I visited was at the Universite of Saint Anne, I wouldn't really recommend going to this one as there is hardly any parking and it isn't that interesting. However, the university is pretty so I explored around the campus a bit. I also took a few pictures at a church that was down the street.
For supper, I went to La Cuisine Robicheau in Saulnierville and had their seafood chowder. I went because the restaurant is part of the Chowder Trail so I wanted to get my 'stamp' but I forgot to sign in to the passport website *face palm*. The chowder was good, I was surprised by how much seafood there was. I couldn't eat it all as I had lunch at 3pm and got supper around 5 but I did ask for the rest to go. Before I headed to my grandfathers for the night, I went to Fort Anne to see it during sunset and take more pictures.
I thought I would share a few more things to do in the Acadian region if you are looking for ideas.
- Port Royal National Historic Site and Annapolis Royal - not part of Acadian Shores but was once a settlement of New France
- Cape Saint Mary Lighthouse Park
- Mavillette Beach Provincial Park
- Rendez-vous de la Baie Visitor Centre
- Eglise Sainte-Marie Church - the largest wooden church in North America
- Joseph et Marie Dugas Municipal Park - includes Belliveau Cove Lighthouse, community farmer's market and an interpretive trail
- La Cuisine Robicheau - has rappie pie, creamed lobster and fish cakes plus more on the menu
- Le village historique acadien de la Nouvelle-Ecosse - experience Acadian culture and heritage in an early 1900's living history village
- Deep Sky Eye Observatory in Tusket - sleep under the stars and see the galaxy during a guided night sky viewing
A few events that happen in the region
- Le Festival acadien de Clare - late July, early August
- Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie - cycling race held in September
- National Acadian Day - every August 15
