Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Ingomar & Shelburne Nova Scotia)

June 24th: On our first full day staying at Whispering Waves Cottages, Ingomar Nova Scotia, Sparky discovered the sandy beach. He stuck his nose deep into the sand and inhaled the briny scent of the residents hiding below. And then his tail started wagging. I swear he was remembering hunting the little white ghost crabs that inhabited the beach in front of our house on Isla Mujeres, Mexico. 

Happy dog investigating the smells

After breakfast I decided to investigate the area a bit. We drove a short distance to Roseway Beach, where the Fuzz-butt was in heaven, sniffing and exploring the long white sandy beach. 

Our home for the next three days

Roseway Beach Nova Scotia

This area was hard hit by the recent, devastating forest fires. The destruction is clearly visible on both sides of the road. Evacuation orders have now been lifted and residents whose houses escaped the blaze are back in their homes. 

I believe around 60 homes, and 150 other sturctures were destroyed in the conflagration.

The ferns are already sprouting in the fire zone

Our next stop, yesterday, was the historic waterfront of Shelburne. It's a fascinating glimpse of Canada's early days. The Mik'maq traversed the Roseway River and used the surrounding lands for summer encampments long before this area was visited by Spanish, Portuguese and French fishermen.

Historic dockfront Shelburne

Then in the spring of 1783, 5,000 settlers arrived on the shores of Shelburne Harbour from New York and the nearby colonies of America. Promises of living under the British flag, and free land, tools, and provisions lured many from the newly formed American colonies to the British colonies in Canada.

In the fall of 1783, the second wave of settlers arrived in Shelburne. By 1784, the population of this new community is estimated to have been at least 10,000; the fourth largest in North America, much larger than either Halifax or Montreal.

In 1787, the government distribution of provisions was terminated. Within a few years, houses were put up for sale, and settlers left for England, New Brunswick, Upper Canada, and the United States. In the 1820s, the population of Shelburne had dwindled to about 300. There are about 2000 residents now. 

On the waterfront in Shelburne, this group was conducting a first lesson for new sailors. How to right, and get back in a capsized boat. The blonde woman in the boat was the student, the tall brunette standing in the boat, and the guy in the water were the instructors. The student managed to get the boat upright, and scramble back inside, all while keeping up a running monologue of hilarious comments.

Cheers, Lynda and Sir Fuzz-butt