Northumberland Shore

 Joe’s field of scarecrows is a popular tourist stop and is next to the main road.

                                              We pulled in for a look --

              --and after talking to this guy, decided it wasn’t worth our time.

                                    The place is in disrepair and is now for sale. 

Once again, we reminded ourselves how happy we are to be able to travel as we do and avoid many of these tourist areas and experience much more of the local culture where we may be.

We crossed the Canso Causeway, leaving Labrador, Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island behind and headed west along the Northumberland Shore of mainland Nova Scotia.

This is a dairy farming area, reminding  us of Wisconsin.  Milk is expensive in Canada.  A gallon can easily be over $8.00.

 This is one of the  first really nice,warm days we have had this summer.  It’s in the 80’s and there are not a lot of really nice beaches, so people are here today.

There are a lot of old fishing boats here and they can often be bought for about $4,000.  After fixing them up, people use them for pleasure boats with complete modern inside cabins and large outside flat decks with grills, picnic tables and lots of spare room. 

 These are usually 40 footers and are commercially built for the sea, with large below deck storage areas.  Many are equipped with radar and lots of electronics.  This would be a great Lake Michigan fishing boat.

Pictou is a wonderful, little sea side town that shows its Scottish heritage.  We stopped to see the exact replica of the Hector, which brought the first Scottish settlers in 1773.

While touring the lobster hatchery, we were referred to Susan’s Cafe, the place where the locals eat.  The seafood chowder and fish were both excellent.  You just can’t beat the seafood they have here.

We took our time, enjoying the warm, sunny weather and the last two days and nights in Nova Scotia.

Once again, the scenery was spectacular, the campsites were free and easy to find, and we were welcomed everywhere.