Sept 28

We learned a lot about Fort Ann (in Annapolis Royal) and the role it played in early Canadian history. As one of the Acadian guides said, it’s the most fought over piece of land in Canadian history. My knowledge of Canadian history will be readjusted since I learned today that Acadians are not only French/Aboriginal, they are any of the early settlers who may have also been French, British or Scottish.    The fort at Annapolis Royal went back and forth from French to British (including the New Englanders) 7 times.  Interesting that in the end they called it Nova Scotia (New Scotland) – maybe to avoid taking sides once again.(?)  The fort is the oldest in the Canadian Parks.

Next stop was to visit the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.  Even though it’s the end of September, there were a good number of flowers to enjoy.  I can’t imagine the rose garden at the peak of its blossoms.

While we were at the garden we overheard a man ask about the village “on stilts”.  It is called Bear River.  So after a little meander on the boardwalk at Annapolis Royal we set off to find it.  On arrival, we looked around and wondered what the guy was talking about.  But as we turned around and looked back we could see that the rear of the buildings, on a main street near the river, were indeed supported by stilts.

Not too much further down the road is Digby, so we thought we’d check out the ferry schedule for Monday / Tuesday as we head to St. John and Fredericton, NB.