We could not figure out why it was proving so difficult to find a place to stay in Lunenburg this time of year. Sure the weather is beautiful and the fall colours are turning, but with summer over and the kids back in school, it was puzzling to say the least. We got our answer tonight when we walked down the waterfront and stumbled onto the set of Beethoven VIII (Beethoven's Treasure). We got to meet both Beethovens (yes there are two) and witnessed a scene being shot on the Lunenburg waterfront. The girls couldn't believe how long it took to set up, rehearse and shoot one little 20 second clip. As always, we didn't have our camera with us when something unexpected happened.
We ended up finding a cozy little two bedroom cottage just outside of Lunenburg but still walking distance to downtown and the Bluenose II which is fresh out of refit. The weather is spectacular and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a beautiful as ever. I love the old houses that still radiate such charm and history.
This morning we visited Peggy's Cove where we had lunch, snoozed on the rocks with the waves slapping around us and then visited the moving memorial to the victims of the crash of Swissair Flight 111 almost 15 years ago exactly. Noone puked on the windy seaside drive around St. Margaret's Bay to Mahone Bay and Lunenburg, but they were close. There was a collective groan when we resumed our driving torture. Nothing the bribe of a little ice cream or clam chowder couldn't cure. Forgot how much we loved this part of the world. The sailboat and seaside culture is outstanding, making the south shore of Nova Scotia another top five retirement destination for us. But, first we need to do get this trip done and pay it off! Retirement can and must wait.
We're having a quiet and relaxing night by ourselves for the first time in a while. It's great but we do kinda miss the chaos of having a gaggle of kids around. It will resume soon enough.
This morning we slept late and had a lazy breakfast. We all went for jogs prior to heading over to the Ovens campground for a hike around the impressive sea caves and a swim in their pool. We understand it may have snowed in Yellowknife today so we won't talk about the amazing fall weather here in Nova Scotia. Besides, the kids were a bit homesick after learning that today was the day for the cross country races at St. Joe's. They spent their free time today looking at pictures of their friends and writing postcards. After a visit to the Bluenose, which has been completely rebuilt these last few years, we had a great meal overlooking the Lunenburg Harbour. It's a full moon here and Mira and I wondered aloud as we strolled back to our cottage whether any of our friends in YK were looking at the same moon we were right then. There's a big part of me would like to be lighting my woodstove for the first time tonight and planning a day in the woods cutting firewood with Fred or Johnny. Home sicknesses is all a part of the traveling experience. I'm not sure people get as homesick as they used to with Skype, email, Facebook and the like. We are certainly enjoying being relatively disconnected on this trip, but I'm sure it's nothing like it used to be.
Time to hit the sack after a good day on Nova Scotia's southern shore. Back to Halifax tomorrow for more family time.
Good night moon.