We arrived at Digby Campground in Digby Nova Scotia on 26 June 2024 and found the campground manager very friendly and informative about things to do close by. We could see the community fire pit down the hill from the office and it certainly looked inviting. She told us Point Prim Lighthouse is a wonderful place to see a sunset and that it's only a 6 minute drive from the campground. We were needing to do laundry so that's all we got to the day we arrived.
There was rain in the forecast for a few of the days we were in Digby, and on our first full day it rained all morning. We went out later in the day to grocery shop and fuel up the truck, then after dinner we went down to the community fire pit. We met a nice young couple from Truro Nova Scotia on holiday for the week. They had been whale watching that day and they said a Blue whale was spotted and had never been seen at Brier Island before! They said the boat captain and crew were running up and down taking pictures and were very excited. We enjoyed our time with them and all left around 9:30pm since we all had plans for an early start the next day. Our plan included two ferry rides to get to Brier Island Nova Scotia. On 28 June we left around 7:45am and arrived at the first ferry (to Tiverton) around 9am. It was a short ride on the Tiverton Ferry, then another short ferry ride from Tiverton to Westport Brier Island. We certainly tried to see everything Brier Island has to offer! We hiked on the Brier Island Coastal Trail with the goal of doing the 4km distance, but the Herring gulls did not want us there. The Herring gulls were loud and flying around us as if warning us to leave or else... (they were nesting). When the trail itself was no longer obvious and seemed iffy with having to walk through thicket with rocks, we opted to can that hike and go on to the other hikes we'd seen to do. With Nova Scotia, especially Brier Island, being surrounded by water, there are 3 lighthouses to see too. We ended up doing the Sea Cove Trail, the Big Meadow Bog Trail, and then the Balancing Rock Trail on our way home. We had lunch at the end of the point where boats take people out whale watching, and we could see Peters Island Lighthouse across the water. There was a memorial on that point, so we checked it out before continuing on with our day.
On Brier Island, we saw Western Lighthouse, Northern Lighthouse and Peters Lighthouse. Each one of the lighthouses has its own unique charm and affords the opportunity for getting a few steps in. We thoroughly enjoyed our day on Brier Island. We stopped to see Boars Head Lighthouse on the trip back to the campground.
28 June 2024
28 June 2024
28 June 2024
28 June 2024
28 June 2024
28 June 2024
High Tide on the return trip back to Digby
28 June 2024
28 June 2024
28 June 2024
28 June 2024
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Scottish Highland cattle seen on the road to the Western lighthouse
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Coastal Trail 28 June 2024
Herring gull on nest
Brier Island Coastal Trail 28 June 2024
Herring gull egg
Brier Island Coastal Trail 28 June 2024
Herring gull egg shell on road
Big Meadow Bog Trail Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Big Meadow Bog Trail Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Same area today shown in first picture
Big Meadow Bog Trail Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Big Meadow Bog Trail Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Big Meadow Bog Trail Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Big Meadow Bog Trail Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Big Meadow Bog Trail Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Big Meadow Bog Trail Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Big Meadow Bog Trail Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
On our way to our lunch spot 28 June 2024
We saw whales in Mexico a couple of months ago so we opted not to do the tour here.
Whale watchers Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Low tide People waiting to board their whale watching boat
Peters Island Nova Scotia Lighthouse 28 June 2024
Low tide
Peters Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Captain Joshua Slocum Memorial Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Captain Joshua Slocum Memorial Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
First man to sail around the world alone 1895
Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Western Lighthouse Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
From Western Lighthouse Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Low tide
Western Lighthouse Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Northern Lighthouse Brier Island Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Wild Lupine
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Blue Flag Iris
Brier Island Nature Preserve 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Larch seen on the hike
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Balancing Rock Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Tiverton Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Tiverton Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Boars Head Lighthouse Tiverton Nova Scotia 28 June 2024
Boars Head Lighthouse as seen from ferry in the morning 28 June 2024
On 29 June, we went to Annapolis Royal for their Farmers Market. The farmers market was really nice with lots of vendors and this one even had a "Town Crier" dressed in period costume and announcing the upcoming events. Canada Day was on Monday July 1st and there were celebrations going on in several little towns around us. The town crier gave Annapolis Royal's rundown of events for Monday. It was fun to watch her! After the farmers market, we walked to Fort Anne which is just a few blocks up the road. It was a beautiful day for a walk and we enjoyed walking around the grounds of Fort Anne. After lunch we went across the water to Port Royal which the town crier had told Steve is a must see for history about the Acadians. Anita is interested because the town where she grew up in Lafayette Louisiana is in Acadiana, or Cajun Country. Nova Scotia has a few towns that were built by the French in the 17th century, with Annapolis Royal/Port Royal being the "Cradle of Acadia". I've always known my ancestors were French with some being from France and some having stopped in Nova Scotia. I didn't find my mother's maiden name of "Roger", nor my own maiden name of "Hulo" in Nova Scotia. I did find the last name of "Poirier", which was my ex-husband's family name. We didn't do any deep searches in our travels, so what we saw was in the main listings of family names in exhibits. "Poirier" was even on a mailbox we drove by. There are many French speaking people in Nova Scotia. Anita had a conversation in French with a local lady from Annapolis Royal! I was surprised how much came back just in talking with the lady. She was tickled that I could speak her language. I had another brief conversation in French with a neighbor lady at the campground just before they pulled out. It's been fun seeing all the French names and hearing them on local news and in church. It's like being in my hometown! Oh, one interesting fact that is predominant in the Acadian history is the frequent marriages between Acadians and the Mi'kmaq (Indians). I've wondered why Cajuns in Louisiana (including my own family and relatives) seem to have a little darker skin. I may have found my answer.
After we walked around Fort Anne, we walked through Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. We took lots of pictures but none do justice for the beauty of the gardens. We really enjoyed seeing all the beautiful flowers and plants. Before heading back to Digby for mass at 6pm, we went to Port Royal. We also made one more stop at Digby Pier Lighthouse. It was another full day of making memories!
Farmers Market Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Farmers Market Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Farmers Market Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Town Crier
O'Dell House Museum in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Once home of Pony Express - Circa 1869
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Dr. Daurene Lewis
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Low tide
Port Royal from Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Low tide
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
From Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Colorful Scallop fishing boats at harbor
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Dappled Willow
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Korean Fir
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Kousa Dogwood
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Penstemon
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Allium family (garlic)
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Foxglove
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Clematis
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Sea Holly
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Dykes
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Samuel Champlain
Parks Canada provides the red Adirondack chairs (seen behind the bust facing the water) to "enjoy the view" throughout the country
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Port Royal National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Annapolis Royal from Port Royal Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Digby Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Digby Pier Lighthouse Digby Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
Digby Pier Lighthouse Digby Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
St. Patrick's Catholic Church Digby Nova Scotia 29 June 2024
We tried to do so much on the Saturday because Sunday's forecast said rain all day and it did rain off and on all that day. On Monday 1 July, we drove out to Kejimkujik (Keji) National Park and National Historic Site. A couple of weeks ago we had hiked at Keji Seaside National Park. For Monday, we wanted to do some short hikes and we did get them in after the light rain stopped. We hiked the Rogers Brook Trail, one of the Graft Woods trails, the Mill Falls trail and then when we got home we walked the trail from the campground down to the town of Digby. It was Canada Day, so the seafood market we wanted to see was closed. We headed back and after all the short hikes and walking we had just under 5 miles for the day. The sun finally came out in the afternoon, so we decided to go to Point Prim Lighthouse to see the sunset. It did not disappoint!
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Visitor Center
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Visitor Center
We actually saw this Cancer Root on the Grafton Woods hike, but didn't know to take a picture at the time. We saw this poster after the hike at the end of the day.
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Grafton Woods Hike
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Mill Falls Hike
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Mill Falls Hike (Lots of unusual plants etc. seen)
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Mill Falls Hike (Star Flower?)
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Mill Falls Hike
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Mill Falls Hike
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Mill Falls Hike
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Mill Falls Hike
Keji National Park and National Historic Site in Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Mill Falls Hike
Digby Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Digby Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Digby Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Digby Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
As the sun was setting it reflected from a house up on the cliff with many windows onto
the Annapolis Basin behind us
Sunset Digby Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Sunset Digby Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Sunset Digby Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Sunset Digby Nova Scotia 1 July 2024
Today (2 July 2024) is a beautiful day and we decided to go out for lunch. Digby is a great little town with a few restaurants. The campground manager had recommended Crow's Nest, so we went there after getting our truck washed. We had a table outside on the water and it was wonderful!
View from lunch at Crow's Nest Digby Nova Scotia on 2 July 2024
Today's been a productive day of getting projects that we've been putting off done. Steve's done many of the projects while I worked on this blog most of the day. It was nice to go out for lunch and enjoy the sunny day for a while. Tomorrow we're heading to Pictou Nova Scotia for a week. We don't know what the Internet reliability will be so I decided to tackle the blog today. The campground here in Digby emptied out this morning after Canada Day, so the Internet was much faster with fewer people using the bandwidth. We're excited to be moving on to Pictou tomorrow. Every stop in Nova Scotia has been different and beautiful!
Love seeing your adventures. Continue safe travels. Blessings.