Nova Scotia 2024-2: Halifax & Grand Desert Boondocking

We spent two days exploring Halifax, spending the night at a campground across the river in Dartmouth. 

Halifax, like everywhere we were to go in Nova Scotia, is colorful. 

And wet the 1st day. 

Looking down a street of old buildings. 

Narrow streets created long before automotive traffic. 

The “Old Burying Ground” was established soon after the 1840 founding of Halifax. 

 

At its front is the Sebastopol Monument—“Sebastopol” is carved across the top—commemorating Canadian losses in the 1850s siege of Sebastopol during the Crimean War. 

Halifax is a major port, as well as home to the Canadian Atlantic Fleet. 

Point Pleasant Park next to harbor. 

Wide street to the park is lined with large homes. 

Contemporary house seems somewhat out of place. 

As it was raining we decided to take in the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

Museum extends from exterior wall of an old building. 

One of beautiful sailboats on display. 

Doug kept smiling as he looked at the craftsmanship. 

Cunard Line display. Cunard ships were requisitioned during both world wars as personnel & transport. 

We took in Halifax’s Citadel the next day in perfect weather. 

Looking from Citadel. Before the modern era, Georges & McNabs Islands, part of the Halifax defense, were clearly visible in the harbor.

Marilyn joined the much smaller group for the tour in French, pleased to understand the guide well. 

Built in the shape of a star & with many layers of defense, plus being high on a hill looking out to sea, the Citadel was never attacked. 

All Citadel enactors & other employees are employed by the Canadian government.

Fort. 

Gun powder storage. 

Imprisoned military personnel had sparse quarters & rations, but had to be ready to man the cannons  nonetheless. 

Imprisoned military beds exactly as they were.

Underground tunnels.

Guide in Scottish infantryman uniform 

Ramparts. Juxtaposition of historic & contemporary.

Heading underground.

Another layer of defense.

Marilyn heading back down the steep hill everyone climbs to the Citadel.

Halifax Town Clock on Citadel Hill.

We enjoyed the beautiful day on the steps of the Town Clock.

We finished the day by continuing on Nova Scotia's jagged coastline to the town of Grand Desert, where we boondocked on a spit of land on the water.

Boondocking on the beach, Grand Desert.

Doug joked that one of the signs says "Visalia."

Does it get any better?

By evening, a few other vans were boondocked along the beach.

View out back of van.

Ahhh...