Evangeline Trail Nova Scotia * Churches * 404 Years of North American Settlement

From Shelburne, a few hours in Yarmouth, then on to the Evangeline Trail. No pictures of the Port of Yarmouth! I was sometimes overwhelmed by the continuous photographic opportunities everywhere, of historical architecture, lighthouses, and fabulous ocean scenery - the camera gets in the way of the experience, I find.

Smuggler's Cove National Park, the latest of many previous names, at the Yarmouth end of the Evangeline Trail. Legend has it, the cave was used by rumrunners  hiding contraband during Prohibition in the US. Check out the house atop this national treasure! I tried to cut it out, but there it remains ruining my experience.

Driving solo in Canada's Maritimes summer /08, a particular a jazz station or some Putamayo World Music I picked up, kept me tuned. Or, I listened to my reflective thoughts. Still other times, I silently opened myself fully to the allow the area I was in to be my guest and guide.

And this area, partly because of the mists floating and shifting, allowing a few sunny spots, emoted serenity, making it truly a perfect experience for enjoying the many churches. 

 And I mean MANY churches - more than I could ever want to photgraph! Behind many of these beautiful Churches is the view of the Bay of Fundy, which I didn't get to see much of due to the fog.

I missed quite a bit of this area, due to fog - just kept driving and took advantage of visibility and the sun when it shone. Traveling an extensive area, it's difficult to take in everything, and impossible sight-seeing when you can't see - everything worked out great regardless! 

With a haunting sweetness the misty views of pastoral farmlands, cathedrals and churches along Nova Scotia's Fundy Shore, stories of the Evangelines returned from my youth, permeating my consciousness together with present energy. "I'm actually here!" I often feel surreal, when I visit certain historical places. This was one.

In various places in New Brunswick. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, I felt an emotional connection. Much of Canadian, as well North American history was birthed here, . The Acadian settlement at Annapolis Royal is one of the the oldest North American French settlements - 1604 - 404 years of North American settlement.    

A lovely place to sit behind the church overlooking the Bay.

Back door of the Church Residence - the whitewashed rough-hewn timbers  appealed to me.

So that's just a very small handful of SO many very interesting examples of church architecture. Many were far more elaborate. I had to wonder what the future is for these old buildings, since attendance has decreased immensely over the years. Nova Scotia is terrific at preservation. I would love to see these beautiful buildings house useful activities.

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein

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Deborah Pearce is a Kelowna Business Woman & webmaster established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years. LIVING SPACES features over 140 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.

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