Halifax pier walk and Pier 21 Immigration Centre

A short walk from the house took us to the shuttle ferry that takes pedestrians from Dartmouth across the bay to Halifax.

Inside the ferry sailing across the bay to Halifax.

Halifax in the distance. Marley excited about going some place new.

Really nice, smooth ride across the bay on this shuttle service.

The waterfront walk takes you past many of the marine attractions.

A wonderful statue depicting a gentleman with his suitcase arriving on the dock.

A statue of Cunard the founder of the Cunard shipping company who was from Halifax.

On the roof of the indoor market there this patio overlooking the bay and harbour.

Our friends, Lou and Marilyn Sawchenco, are wonderful tour guides. They live in Dartmouth.

The 5 of us enjoying the view after walking through the market.

A view of the indoor market from the second floor.

Although the train no longer runs in front of the immigration building, a sample of the rail car that immigrants used is still sitting there.

Pier 21 where many of the immigrants to Canada first got off the boats and boarded the trains for travel to points across Canada.

 A "my story" board. You could write a short note about your history and then cut a piece of yarn to stretch it from place of origin to destination. My parents went from the Ukraine to BC

The arrival hall. Everyone entered here from the ships and then on to processing.

We took the tour through the building which has been re-created to match what early immigrants would have seen when they first arrived.

After all processing had been completed the immigrants boarded trains, which were parked right outside of the building. This is a replica of those train cars.

Complete with cook stove in the back of the car.

The Pier 21 Museum has some incredible displays of immigration related items.

View of the harbour from the upper floor of the museum.

This was a model of the immigration as it was until the late 70's

A view of the harbour from the pier.

The day changed from drizzle to sun and we were thankful for that.

One of the many plazas along the walk.

Heading back to Dartmouth with Halifax in the background.

Two toll bridges connect Dartmouth with Halifax.

Taking advantage of the sunshine while heading back.

This Anglican church is celebrating 200 years!

An animal hospital. Can you spot Marley?  Hint: sitting in the shrub in front.

Cape Breton Island to Dartmouth

Today we drove from Sydney to Dartmouth. The roads were better for the most part and the trees are already a lot greener and more flowers blooming. I would say that this drive was more rolling with gentle hills.

Close to 1/2 of Cape Breton Island is a lake. Bras d'Or is shaped like a large hand with many "fingers" so you come across sections of it all along the way.

Marley always finds a favorite tree to hang around in.

Without pre-planning, we came across Rita MacNeil's tea house. Unfortunately we were a day early for season opening but the place was really pretty.

Part of the Garden at the Tea House

Went through a small town called St. Peter's and came across a Christmas store. :)

At the causeway and canal that separates Cape Breton Island from the rest of Nova Scotia there is a swinging bridge. We just happened to arrive as the bridge was opening.

Nowhere to go until the 5 boats sailed through the canal.

The first of 5 boats to travel through the canal.

This is the welcome sign for the traffic arriving on Cape Breton from the southern part of Nova Scotia.

This large Catholic church, which is still being used, was situated on a small knoll overlooking the water.  It is very old but in pristine condition.

A four lane highway with only ourselves and 1 or 2 others to use it. Also, another view of the landscape.

Not sure if this picture should be in here but that road on the far right is the colour of terracotta like many sections of the highway. It's the colour of the local soil.

Arrived at our destination. It's the home of friends who used to live in Abbotsford, Lou and Marilyn Sawchenco.

Marley is glad to be out of the car.

Before dinner we went for a walk around the lake that is a few blocks from the house. It certainly was good to stretch the legs a bit after the drive.

Everything here is very green and fresh.

The lake is also home to many water craft competitions, regattas and races. This is the viewing house for judges and officials for these events.

It's kind of nice to have spring twice this year.

The fountain in the lake is a donation from a local resident and adds to the beauty of the setting.

There are so many large, old homes in this area.

Had a great salmon BBQ dinner with Lou and Marilyn before calling it a day.

Tomorrow we plan to take the water taxi across the bay to Halifax and do some walking along the shoreline.