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October 8, 9, 10
Carl kept hitting the snooze alarm instead of turning it off... So, after the fifth or sixth hit, we gave up and got up. As a result, we were up a little earlier than the last two mornings.
After breakfast, we took the Marine Drive out of Halifax, which winds along the coastline northeast of Halifax. After a false start that took us through a residential area, we finally got on the right road. The road signs in and around Halifax could use a bit of work. Following the signs got us on the wrong road. Fortunately, the map helped us get back where we belonged again.
Our first stop of the day was Martinique Beach Provincial Park.
The photo on the left above is an overview of Martinique Beach Provincial Park from the top of the dunes that surround the bay. The center photo shows Carl standing at the top of the dunes, ready to descend the steps to the beach. The photo on the right shows a large dandelion growing among the sea grasses on the dunes.
The photo on the left above shows a pebble and some sea grass after a wave has passed over them. You can still see the water running off around each of them. The center photo shows some of the ripples left in the sand as the tide went out. This one includes part of a depleted wave. The photo on the right is a gelatinous blob on the sand. Initially, I thought this was a drop of water, but poking it didn't change the shape. I still don't know exactly what it is.
Continuing along the coast, we stopped for gas and asked where we could find a place for lunch. The attendant told us there weren't any places... However, just down the road, we found Salmon River Bridge (Salmon River House Country Inn and Lobster Shack Restaurant). Open face fish sandwich with fries for Carl, seafood pasta salad (yum) for me.
After lunch, we continued on up the road. This route just isn't as scenic as the Lighthouse Route.
We stopped at Prince Alfred Memorial Arch, a small park with a picnic table and a wrought iron arch set in granite to commemorate Prince Alfred’s arrival at that spot in 1861 (at age 15) to honor the gold mines in the area. He was Queen Victoria’s second son.
We turned back towards Halifax at this point, stopping at Clam Harbour Provincial Park Beach on the way back. Both beaches nice and it was a pleasant day. However, we ran into a lot of road construction the last three days...
The photo on the left above is an overview of Clam Harbor Provincial Park Beach. The photo on the right shows some mussels (or possibly clams) bunched on a rock that was exposed when the tide was out. When the tide is in, these are covered with sea water.
We made it back to hotel with only one u-turn... After cleaning up, we had dinner at Montana’s, an overpriced steak house with a cutesy paging system...