Cross Canada and Back Part 25

The Ovens Natural Park, Hirtle Beach and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

It's the 18th of July 2011, day 64 or our "Cross Canada and Back" trip. We are still in Tantallon NS visiting our good friends Maia and Peter. Today they will be our tour guides, what a treat.



View The Ovens, Hirtle Beach and Lunenburg in a larger map

The Ovens Natural Park

After another wonderful breakfast, we are off to "The Ovens" or "The Ovens Natural Park". These caves were first natural caves, and were then excavated by mining activities in the 1861 gold rush that took place at the Ovens. 

The Ovens

Peter, Maia and Liz

 At the peak of the gold rush, the Ovens was surrounded by a town of over a thousand miners, including hotels, stores, and a bank. The buildings are long gone by now, but you can still find some remnants from the mining industry.

Walking down in to one of the caves

Liz definitely out of her comfort zone...

There is a great little hike you can do, and you can even walk down into some of the caves. Just wonderful vistas. There is also a quaint restaurant "The Ol' Miner Diner" if you want to sit down and have a meal.

Anders at the Ovens

Anders and Peter

Inside the cave

If gold-rush fever hits you and you feel lucky, you can pan for gold down on the beach. Equipment can be rented in the store/restaurant. Very interesting.

Hirtle Beach on Hartling Bay

Next we were off to Hirtle Beach. Hirtle Beach is a gem hidden away, few know about.

Anders and Liz at Hirtle Beach

Liz at Hirtle Beach

Here you will find an incredible beach that goes on forever and a wonderful surf that comes crashing in.

Peter and Maia

Anders on Hirtle Beach. He just has to get his feet wet.... 

We walked around the beach and enjoyed the wonderful scenery. And I had of course get my feet ( and pants ) wet.

Lunenburg

What a picturesque little town this is. In 1995 Lunenburg was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List and a plaque in its honor was erected. The character and history in this town is visible everywhere. 

Lunenburg Harbour

Flowers everywhere

Lunenburg dates back to 1753 when mostly settlers from the Upper Rhine area (present-day Germany), the French and from the German speaking Swiss cantons and from the French speaking area of Montbeliard. More on the history of Lunenburg on the Lunenburg.com website.

The Mariner King Historic Inn in Lunenburg

Lunenburg

One of the main attractions is the sailing ship "Bluenose II". The first Bluenose who sank off Haiti hauling freight in 1946 was also nicknamed "The Queen of the North Atlantic". For 17 years this ship would win the International Fishermen's Race. The Bluenose II is a replica of the old one.


There is a Bluenose exhibit in the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic on the waterfront of Lunenburg, a worth while visit.

Lunenburg

Lunenburg

The architecture in town is very interesting, and we found ourselves just walking around looking at all the buildings. The rebuilt replica of the St. Johns Anglican Church is a wonderful piece of craftsmanship.

St. John's Anglican Church

Liz in front of St John's Anglican Church in Lunenburg

Inside St John's Anglican Church in Lunenburg

After a fantastic day of discovering these wonderful places it was our turn to treat and say thank you to Maia and Peter for their hospitality. We went to the Gingergrass Thai and Vietnamese Restaurant in Halifax. The food is exceptional and the service is the best. A must eatery in Halifax.


For more pictures from this part of our trip, click on the image below or go directly to the slide show here.

With Maia & Peter,Ovens,Lunenburg,Hirtle Beach

In our next blog we will go and pick up our trailer.


Cheers, Anders and Liz

Here are some shortcuts to all the blogs from our Cross Canada Trip. Just hover over the number to see where it will take you

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