September 4, 2015 ---- Whenever Nathan and I have free time, we like to explore the surrounding area within two hours of driving from our place. One day I googled "Things to do in Nova Scotia" and found the province's official website suggesting many interesting places around the peninsula, and "Bay of Fundy" is one not to be missed because it is home to the highest tides in the world!
I found that Burntcoat Head Park is one of the best places to observe the tides or explore the bottom of the ocean during low tide. It's just about 1 hour and 20 minutes of driving from Halifax and the park is completely free with parking and a picnic area. Before going to Bay of Fundy, it's important to check the tide times if you want to explore or walk on the bottom of the ocean. This link is a good place to start: http://www.novascotia.com/about-nova-scotia/regions/bay-fundy-annapolis/bay-of-fundy-tides
Nathan and I got to Burncoat Head Park just about when it had the lowest tide. We walked down the wooden steps and explored the floor of the ocean. Some parts were muddy and slippery, but most areas were solid with red rocks. It was very amazing to see how deep the bottom is and how much water flows in and out the bay each day.
Later in the afternoon, we drove to Grand-Pré National Historical Site. The landscape of Grand-Pré was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. The Acadians settled in this area in the mid-17th century and the community grew quickly because of rich pastures and fertile fields. You can learn about Grand-Pré's rich history at the Grand-Pré National Historical Site and visit the church and Evangeline statue.
Nathan and I didn't pay to see the exhibit. Instead, we just picked up a map and drove around the area. The landscape was very beautiful with rolling hills and some farmhouses. There were bales of hay everywhere. I don't know what it was like back in the 17-18th centuries when the community was large, and if there hadn't been an awful expulsion of the Acadians, this area might have been more lively today.
All in all, the day trip to Bay of Fundy and Grand-Pré was enjoyable and I highly recommend any visitor to explore those areas of Nova Scotia.
Burntcoat Head Park
Grand-Pre National Historic Site
