Day 26 of 30 on our 2017 Canadian Maritime Caravan with Yankee RV Tour

We created a car caravan on Friday June 30, 2017, to the Grand-Pre’. On the way we passed through the Annapolis Valley. The Annapolis Valley, is a charming countryside that runs parallel to the coastline of the Bay of Fundy. The valley has fertile soil that is protected on both sides from cold and unfavorable winds by mountains. Being sheltered from the weather, fruits and vegetables flourish here.

We also saw the dykelands. Prominent examples of dykelands include the Queen Anne's Marsh near Port Royal on the Annapolis Basin and the Grand Pré marsh in King's County. These are predominantly agricultural lands developed from rich salt marshes found mainly in the upper Bay of Fundy. Occurring in areas of high tidal range, dykelands owe their existence to dykes constructed to keep out the sea. Prior to the construction of dykes, extensive salt marshes occurred at the mouths of tidal rivers and in other low-lying coastal areas. 

Saltmarsh plants helped to trap nutrient-rich sediments from the tidal waters on vast level areas which were ideal for development of agricultural lands. Dykelands played a central role in Nova Scotia agriculture until the early 1920s. By 1948 the dykes had deteriorated to such an extent that large tracts of dykeland had reverted once again to salt marsh. In 1949, the Maritime Marshlands Rehabilitation Act was introduced by the Canadian government to prevent the loss of additional dykeland. From 1949 to 1970, over 30,000 acres of dykeland were secured. Today, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing maintains 180 miles of dykes that protect approximately 17,300 acres of dykeland.

Grand-Pré is a powerful monument that unites the Acadian people. We learned about the tale of Le Grand Dérangement. A tragic event in Acadian history that has shaped the vibrant culture of modern-day Acadians across the globe through its quiet but powerful renaissance. Our exploration began in the hull of a Deportation ship, for a state-of-the-art cinematic introduction. By means of an ingenious system of dams and canals, the Acadians reclaimed fertile land from the sea and laid out large and productive fields for some 200 farms. The farms of the Acadian settlers provided for their needs as well as giving a surplus for export throughout the eastern seaboard.

The site commemorates the Grand Pré area as a center of Acadian settlement from 1682 to 1755 and the Deportation of the Acadians, which began in 1755 and continued until 1762. The English drove out the Acadians, destroying their homes, taking cattle and parceling the land out to colonists from New England’s Planters, Yorkshire farmers, and the United Empire Loyalists. Each new group of settlers claimed new acres of salt marshes, which the used primarily for pasture and hay production. The Grand Pré National Historic Site is in memory of the deported Acadian settlers.

In the gardens stands a memorial to Henry Longfellow, who in 1847 immortalized the tragic fate of the Acadians in his poem "Evangéline." Longfellow first heard the story which was to be the basis of Evangeline at a dinner party in the winter of 1840. Nathaniel Hawthorne was also present on that occasion and for some time Longfellow tried to persuade him “to write a story based upon a legend of Acadie," the legend of a girl who, in the dispersion of the Acadians was separated from her lover, and passed her life in waiting and seeking for him, and only finding him dying in a hospital when they both were old. There is also a statue of his heroine Evangéline. Acadian artist Philippe Hébert sculpted both memorials.

You'll be able to explore serene duck ponds bordered by majestic weeping willows, magnificently kept Victorian flower gardens, an orchard, and a kitchen garden.

There is even a set of iconic Canada Parks "red chair" experience.

The reproduction Church is a stirring memorial to the men and boys who were read the Deportation Order in September of 1755 and held prisoners for one month until the ships that would deport and scatter these families arrived. The order was directed by Governor Lawrence, he believed the Acadians were a threat to the British. However, the Acadians had no such intensions, they were peaceful, loving and hardworking people. The British wanted the Acadians to bear arms against France, when they refused the order of deportation was prepared and given by John Winslow. Some of the men and boys imprisoned in the church that day, would never see their families again.

We also had the opportunity to view impressive artefacts, some ingenious inventions and storytellers of a turbulent history.

We ended the tour by taking the path up the hill to the Landscape of Grand Pré View Park. You'll understand how this area got its name, Grand Pré, meaning great meadow, and why it became Canada's 16th World Heritage Site inscribed by UNESCO in 2012. For many Acadians throughout the world, the site remains a powerful monument that unites the Acadian people. It is the heart of their ancestral homeland and the symbol of the ties that unite them to this day.

27 of us stayed in Wolfville to enjoy an off the menu optional lunch at Evangeline Café. The tail-ender had stopped at the café on the drive in to let them know when we would arrive. They had one side of the café set up with tables snaking the whole length of the café. Shelia, the owner of the café, made us all feel welcome. 

Our waitress, Linda, was awesome. She handled all 27 guests and did not get an order or check wrong! We have eaten in smaller groups and waitresses could not get our separate orders right! She gave us flawless service! This bright and spacious Cafe is open seasonally, serving up classic homemade fare. Many enjoyed soup & sandwiches, others had burgers, or salads. Naturally, some of this crowd had homemade pie for dessert… Life is short, eat dessert first!

We relaxed back at the campground before we had our Yankee Supper of Lobster or Fried Chicken. A Yankee supper is similar to a potluck … Yankee RV Tours provides the entrée and you bring the sides dishes you want. You don’t have to bring enough to share … but most of us do! The campground owner and his son cut and cracked all the lobsters for us! Thanks a bunch!