Day 229 of a 365-Day Portrait of Canada: The Cabot Trail

McPherson’s Cemetery

A man in his yard with his barking dog near Bay St. Lawrence.

Young Evan

Faces of the day, Cabot Landing

An early morning talk on the beach at Cabot Landing.

Breakfast in their home away from home.

Wharf at the Bay St. Lawrence

Steaming into port with the first day’s catch of Lobster…today would normally be the season’s biggest catch, however many fishermen were less than impressed with their haul.

Allan re-hook’s his fishing line with brand new hooks.

Hines the Fisherman

A father and son take in the sights and sounds down at the Bay St. Lawrence.

Sorting the Day’s Catch

Heading home after a day of fishing on the Bay St. Lawrence.

This young boy was out helping his father fish.

Two Thumbs up!

Joe “Buck” has been collecting moose and deer antlers for over 23 years.

Meat Cove is at the northern most tip of Nova Scotia.

Meat Cove

A room with a view!

Days 228 of a 365-Day Portrait Of Canada: Smelt Brook, Cape Breton Garbage Dump Debate

Smelt Brook Garbage Dump Debate

(feel free to leave comments but please show some respect for the children who use this in their studies and reframe from using profanity and overly negative comments.)

You be the judge, the locals have emailed me and insist all these lobster traps, engine blocks, tins cans and 1000’s of feet of rope have all washed ashore in the one spot. Do you think this is possible?I do not wish to insult the residents of Smelt Brook, but someone in the area in my mind has been dumping their trash over the cliff edge thinking it’ll just magically just go away. I will take this opportunity to also say that the boat launch and bushes were full of trash too. Nova Scotia without question had the most litter on its beaches of all the Maritime provinces, most of it is directed can be directly linked to fishing industry. I have witnessed fisherman cutting of 12 inch pieces of rope off their gear and casually tossing it over board. WHERE do you think this trash ends up? Please see the comments below and see what the locals think of my reporting on what i saw, please look closely at the below photograph and you be the judge as to whether or not this trash washed ashore. Notice, its half way up the cliff side and seemingly in a pile. It should be noted that there is a fishing shack not 50 feet away from this pile of fishing industry trash. Also the boat launch looked more like an industrial park with wood scraps and fuel containers, old lobster traps in every nook and cranny. No disrespect intended to Smelt Brook, but please I must report on what I see, or would you rather me lie or turn a blind eye and tell you I never saw even one piece of trash the whole time I was in the Maritimes? The truth can sometimes hurt, but this is what it takes to create dialogue and change within peoples minds. I hope next time I’m in the area this fishing industry dump is cleaned up.

Like I said, no disrespect intended to the people who call this area home, but this level of trash is embarrassing for not just Cape Breton, but all of Canada. For two months while travelling through Nova Scotia, I kept my month shut and didn’t say anything about the garbage on pretty much ever beach I visited but after witnessing this colossal dump, I had had enough.

If a local resident would like to send a new up to date photo showing that this cliff edge has been restored I would be happy to publish the good news.

Smelt Brook stuff pile to be burned later.

Please visit the Facebook group entitled “People against Tim Van Horn” to see who wants this issue/me to go away. This group only makes Smelt Brook look even worse then it did before.

Yet more trash in Smelt Brook

The Bushes in Smelt Brook

Think you really know what’s going on in the world?

I put forth a challenge to each of you to sit and watch these videos, perhaps you’d rather not know what this trash is doing to the worlds sea creatures.

Please look at what garbage is doing to shore birds in the Pacific , do we want this in Cape Breton? No and that’s why I’m speaking up, because these birds can’t talk. If I can save one bird with this post I’ll be happy.

These photographs of albatross chicks were made on Midway Atoll, a tiny stretch of sand and coral near the middle of the North Pacific. The nesting babies are fed bellies-full of plastic by their parents, who soar out over the vast polluted ocean collecting what looks to them like food to bring back to their young. On this diet of human trash, every year tens of thousands of albatross chicks die on Midway from starvation, toxicity, and choking.

To document this phenomenon as faithfully as possible, none of the plastic in any of these photographs was moved, placed, manipulated, arranged, or altered in any way. These images depict the untouched stomach contents of baby birds in one of the world’s most remote marine sanctuaries, more than 2000 miles from the nearest continent.
Message from the Gyre

Day 170 of a 365-Day Portrait of Canada: The Switzer Bedford Tugboat, Nova Scotia

Jean is the captain of the Switzer Bedford, and was our host for the hour and a half adventure.

We took a tug boat across the Halifax harbour to tug a tanker which has unloaded its load and was now heading out to the open sea.

Getting ready to leave the harbour.

Looking back at Macdonald Bridge

Heading Out into the Harbour

We followed the lead tug to the tanker called the Norient Solar.

The workers head from the warmth of the ship to the open deck to untie the tanker.

On Deck

Tim shoots as the tugboat approaches the side of the tanker.

The Switzer Bedford pulls the Norient Solar out from the shore so that it can turn around.

Checking the Rope

With both tugs pulling the tanker, the job gets done epediently.

With the job all done, the rope is released and dropped down.

Jean is in control, and all goes according to plan, despite a slight delay.

Back from the job in time for another boat to head out.

The lighthouse helps to guide the way.

Day 168 of a 365-Day Portrait of Canada: Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

Annapolis Royal is located in the western part of Annapolis County. Known as Port-Royal to France until being renamed in 1710 by Britain, the town is located in an area that claims to have the second oldest continuous European settlement in North America. The community is situated at the western end of the fertile Annapolis Valley, nestled between the North and South mountains which define the valley. The Bay of Fundy is just over the North Mountain, 10 kilometers out of town, and the Annapolis Basin forms the waterfront for this historic town. Directly opposite Annapolis Royal on the northern bank of the river is the community of Granville Ferry. 

Buffleheads break through the still waters of the Annapolis River. 

Golden Morning Light in the Annapolis Basin

The town of Granville Ferry sits nestled in the hills across from Annapolis Royal. 

Nova Scotia Scenic Moment

The Ryan Royale 

The crew of the Ryan Royale fixes their gear and gets ready to head out for some more scallops. 

Lighthouse in Annapolis Royal

A local enjoys a stroll by the water on the wooden walkway in Annapolis Royal. 

Downtown Annapolis Royal is home to many small businesses and brightly-colored historical buildings. 

Fort Anne National Historic Site of Canada is Canada’s oldest. It is a present-day reminder of a time when conflict between Europe’s empire builders was acted out on the shores of the Annapolis River. It offers a sweeping view of the beautiful Annapolis Basin from the centre of Annapolis Royal. 

The Fort Anne Museum exhibits highlight the history of the fort.

Fort Anne

As the focal point for French and British settlement and as the seat of government of Acadia and then Nova Scotia, Fort Anne National Historic Site played an important role in Canadian history. The site was the scene of numerous battles as France and England fought for control of North America in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Both imperial powers considered the conquest of this fortified site as the key to domination of the part of eastern Canada known by the French as “Acadie” and by the British as “Nova Scotia.” The site has been fortified since 1629 when the Scots who came to colonize “Nova Scotia” (New Scotland) built Charles Fort. After the colony reverted to France in the 1630s, French colonists replaced the Scots. Their leader, Charles de Menou d’Aulnay, built the first of four French forts, possibly incorporating parts of the Scots’ fort. Two make-shift forts succeeded d’Aulnay‘s fort. Then, in 1702, the French began construction of the Vauban earthwork that still stands to-day.

These hills are an example of Vauban fortifications.

Historic Fortification in Saint Anne

Once a sight of conflict, strife and war, children now run free on the battlefields. 

Dean and Tyler play frisbee on a brisk day in Annapolis Royal. 

Mirror Moment

These gentlemen acquired some vintage horse tackle to use as decorations from the auction in Lawrencetown. 

Dale and Ervin

Kathy runs the A.J. Meats and Grocery store in Lawrencetown. Not only does she sell delicious homemade pork sausages, but she also makes a mean banana bread.

This mural in Windsor sums up the flavor of the area. In 1878, Windsor was officially incorporated as a town. Its harbour made the town a centre for shipping and shipbuilding during the age of sail. As the port of registry for the massive wooden shipbuilding industry of the Minas Basin, Windsor was the homeport of one of the largest fleet of sailing ships in Canada.

Built in June 1750 by Major Charles Lawrence, Fort Edward protected the route from the new capital, Halifax, to the Annapolis Valley.  It was garrisoned by the British army until the 1820s. The blockhouse at Fort Edward is the oldest blockhouse in Canada, and one of the oldest buildings in Nova Scotia. It is a National Historic site of Canada. 

Fort Edward

Day 166 of a 365-Day Portrait of Canada: Ferry Ride From Saint John, New Brunswick to Digby, Nova Scotia Aboard the Princess Of Acadia

This way to the Ferry…

The Princess of Acadia has a Starbucks in the Rising Tide Cafe, a Little Mates Quarters for kids, the Fundy Grill restaurant if you’re hungry and the Sea Breeze lounge if you’re thirsty. You can watch a movie onboard, play in the arcade, or try your luck on the VLTs. You can even hook up your own laptop to the internet, or surf free-of-charge on the Ferry’s computers. It’s a pretty cushy three-hour trip, but it can be a bit rocky, so you may want to bring some Gravol if you get nauseous.

The Princess of Acadia leaves the Saint John Harbour at 9:00 a.m., bound for Digby.

The van is loaded, and we are ready to go!

Phyllis passes the time with a crossword puzzle.

2nd Officer Kevin Arsenault

Steward (1) Brian Cousins

QM (1) Carven Chamberlain

Captain Oral Hamilton

The captain watches the ferry pull up along the 60 foot high pier. The tide at the Bay of Fundy can rise as much as 30 feet.

Two Longshoremen wait for the ferry to dock.

Flags are stored on the bridge, and each flag has a meaning.

Tying up the ferry.

Departing the ferry from the vehicle deck.

Canadian Flag on a Fish Farm, Digby, Nova Scotia.

Day 165 of a 365-Day Portrait of Canada: Tugboats in The Historic Town of Saint John, New Brunswick

The Atlantic Beaver is the newest boat down at the pier as it is about a year old. Note the orange paint on the top of the boat to increase its visibility.

The Crew of the Atlantic Beaver

Allan has been the engineer of the Atlantic Spruce for two year, a Saint John-based tug boat. Crew members often live on board for months at a time depending where the tug boat is working.

In the quiet months the crew paints and does maintenance on the boats. The Atlantic Beech celebrated its 40th birthday this year and is still considered to be a viable work horse.

Rope Detail – This stuff is strong! 

Tim has been working on big boats for 26 years, 13 years in St John and before that 13 years in the Philipines. Tim is the engineer of the Hazelnut tug boat.

Canadian Flags adorn two of the four tug boats moored in Saint John.

Welding crew works on the Atlantic Beaver.

Curtis is the Captain of the Atlantic Beaver. He uses joysticks to steer, and the boat can manoever in any direction. 

The crews have many maintenance-type tasks to keep them busy during the slower season. 

Colin works on the Atlantic Beaver. 

The escape hatch doubles as a round window in the kitchen, right above the sink. 

Day 164 of a 365-Day Portrait of Canada: Saint Patrick’s Day in The Historic Town of Saint John, New Brunswick

A huge SAINT JOHN sign hovers over the city reminding everyone of how unique and special Saint John is.

Saint John Harbour  

Downtown Saint John

Market Square

An aging mural depicting Saint John is worn and weathered, much like the 100’s of historical warehouses and residental buildings in the downtown core. Many of which date back 200 years. Saint John is saturated in history, character and characters.

The Saint John Harbour boardwalk was busy with pedestrian traffic with temperatures of plus 6!.

Fort Howe sits atop a hill just North of the downtown core.  

Cairn by Fort Howe

Details of artwork in Market Square park.

Francoise-Marie Jacquelin and Sieur Charles de Menou d’Aulnay are two French historical figures that play a key role in Saint John’s history. They are carved in wood and stand down by the waterfront beside Market Square.  

Market Square Interior / The Marco Polo was built in Saint John.

Coast Guard Lighthouse by the Water’s Edge

Scallop fishing boat returning to Saint John harbour.

Some of the only houses to survive the 1877 fire which gutted most of downtown Saint John.

North Side Neighborhood

Shopping Centre

Scultures and historical monuments are throughout Kings Square, which takes up an entire city block in downtown Saint John.

Outside of the City Market

 The original Saint John City Market (named Country Market and held in the open air) was located at the foot of King Street at Market Square. It is open year-round Monday through Saturday. 

Vendors at the City Market in the heart of Saint John.

Helena sells her paintings at the City Market. 

Cinemas, like the Drive In’s, are becoming fewer and fewer with the population renting movies and using the internet.

The Kings Square Cinema is across the street from Kings Square Park.

Flags of the Day

Is it Ground Hog day today or is it St. Patrick’s day?

We spotted this furry friend on a visit to Fort Howe Park in Saint John, which is situated on a hill top overlooking downtown.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Saint John!!! This musican was on the way to play the Irish drum at a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

A group of 20 Saint John businessmen showed up in a Hummer limo to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a local pub.

Even the butcher at the Market Square got in on the St. Patties fever.

Friends meet at O’Leary’s for some St. Paddy’s Day fun.

Waitin’ For Some Friends

Working on St. Patrick’s Day

Cheers! Welcome to Saint John! 

A worthwhile message to heed at any time of the year!