Travel to Nova Scotia

One of the most spectacular drives it the Lighthouse Route in the autumn. Of course all areas of Nova Scotia are fabulous in the fall but the South Shore, backed by the Atlantic Ocean vista, is truly wonderful.

Ghostly Yards

And as you drive you will feast your eyes on some ghoulish sights. Because besides the usual harvest displays that many people offer up in their front yards there are the ghastly as well. Huge front lawns become broken-down cemeteries complete with coffins spilling out skeletal remians. Now, this is not for the faint of heart however it is all in good fun.

With 24 hours after the last Trick-or-Treater leaves many of these yards will give up their apparitions and familiar Christmas themes will replace them. This is the true spirit South Shore.

Just an hour north of White Point Beach and White Point Manor is the town of Mahone Bay. Like Many of the small towns in Nova Scotia Mahone Bay is a postcard-perfect maritime town. Named one of Canada’s best small-town downtowns by Harrowsmith Country Life Magazine, Mahone Bay is also considered by many as one of the most beautiful towns in Canada. Situated on a bay of more than 100 islands Mahone Bay is a treasury of history, culture and 19th century architecture. The charming main street hosts an assortment of art galleries, specialty shops and living museums - all within an easy stroll.

When you take Exit 10 and make a right at the the “T” intersection you will glide down the hill to and amazing view of 5 churches. When you line up the steeples of the three prominent ones you will see the towers of two more in the background.

Mahone Bay’s famous ghost ship is the Young Teaser. In 1813 the Young Teaser, a pirate ship, was trapped by British warship in Mahone Bay. Rather than allowing the ship to be caught and hanged, Lieutenant Frederick Johnson threw a torch into the ship’s powder magazine, blowing the ship from the water in a fiery blaze, killing himself and the entire ship’s crew.

A few nights after the explosion, locals began to report sightings of a ship resembling the Young Teaser, burning on the horizon. When rescue boats were sent out the ship simply vanished. Those who see the burning ship claim to see panicking men shrouded in flames on her decks. Perhaps they are paying the ultimate penalty for piracy, doomed to relive this tragic moment in history over and over. To this day, the residents of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia pay tribute to this legend by reenacting the burning of the Young Teaser at their

In the fall is the popular Scarecrow Festival where the whole village is decorated with hundreds of amazing scarecrows.

In 1999, The Pumpkin Regatta, with an operating budget of $50, attracted about 2,000 skeptical spectators who turned out to watch five brave participants attempt to manoeuvre their hollowed-out giant pumpkins across Lake Pesaquid.

So novel was the idea of racing giant pumpkins that local merchants and local media were quick to get on-side. The 1st Annual Pumpkin Regatta attracted national attention, and Windsor – “The Little Town of Big Firsts” claimed another first: Giant Pumpkin Racing!

Days’ Events

1. Annual Mad Gourd Scavenger Hunt for children under 13 years of age is held at 10:30 am. Imagine 26 acres scattered with hundreds of gourds. Prizes go to the lucky finder of the Golden Gourd. The event takes place at Haliburton House Museum Grounds on Clifton Avenue. Cost of this event is $3 per child 13 years and under. Call 902-798-6951 to register.

2. Tregothic Creek and Windsor Railway From 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m families can enjoy a ride on a miniature train at the Tregothic Creek and Windsor Railway on Centennial Drive in Windsor. This event is free – donations are welcome.

3. The Parade of Paddlers : At noon, join the paddlers and their PVC’s (personal vegetable crafts) as they help raise awareness for the Children’s Wish Foundation, the official charity of the Windsor~West Hants Pumpkin Festival Committee. Last year, Martha Stewart was supposed to join in the festivities but a sceduling problem prevented this. The parade route usually goes from Sobeys to O’Brien Street, down Gerrish Street, along Water Street to Falmouth.

4. The race: begins at 2 p.m. from the Falmouth side of Lake Pesaquid.

For information about the Pumpkin Regatta (including maps, photographs of the various activities) contact Van Essa at 902-798-6679, or visit the event website:

http://www.worldsbiggestpumpkins.com/Reg..

The town of Barrington is located on the southernmost tip of Nova Scotia. Its beginnings were marred in tragedy as the early French settlements were destroyed during the 1755 Acadian expulsion. British loyalists, most noteworthy the New Englander planters and fishermen, settled here following the American Revolution.

Cape Islander Boat Invented

Nearby Clark’s Harbour was the place of invention of the Cape Sable Island boat, which handles well in both rough seas and shallow water, with modernized versions still used in most fishing and seafood harvesting operations.

Attractions

1. The Old Meeting House, Canada’s oldest non-conformist Meeting House, a guide in period costume will recount the community’s history.
2. The Woolen Mill Museum houses the last water-powered mill in Eastern Canada. It also has on display a huge beautiful woolen tapestry that features a bit of the creation of the Nova Scotia Tartan.
3. The Western Counties Military Museum displays cannonballs dating to the 1630s from Fort St. Louis, at Port La Tour.
4. The five storey tower of the Seal Island Lighthouse he Sand Hills Provincial Park.

Barrington is 1.5 hours southwest of White Point Beach Resort and White Point Manor.

Summerville Beach -
Summerville Center Off Rte. 3 at Summerville Center. One of the finest sandy beaches on the south shore. Picnic tables are out in the open but each has a roof to provide shade. The 1 km long beach is backed by sand dunes and a open salt marsh.

GPS Coordinates:
X utm 354388.930724 Y utm 4868428.78533
Longitude 64°48′ 53.24″ W Latitude 43°57′ 16.48″ N

Risser’s Beach -
Recognized for its white sandy beach that stretches for a kilometer, the park provides excellent opportunities for swimming, beachcombing, camping, or simply enjoying nature. A beautiful picnic park and campground with a 1.5 km supervised sandy beach. Canteen, interpretation site, boardwalk, picnic area, toilets and showers.

GPS Coordinates
X utm 386284.71792 Y utm 4898671.00867
Longitude 64°25′ 26.11″ W Latitude 44°13′ 56.63″ N

Queensland Beach -
Although not large, this supervised beach is one of the most popular on the South Shore. The warm air and sand draw large crowds, so arrive early on the hot days to find a parking spot.

GPS Coordinates
X utm 418655.557026 Y utm 4942973.42145
Longitude 64°1′ 32.19″ W Latitude 44°38′ 7.85″ N