top of page

TOUR INFORMATION

The tour starts in VICTORIA, B.C. on JUNE 28th, and finishes in St. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND on SEPTEMBER 1st, 2017

  • w-facebook
  • Twitter Clean
  • w-googleplus

The 2017 Canadian Coast to Coast tour is the most unique automotive tour in the World. Not only do we have members that represent every Province in Canada, we take a leisurely drive through each of those Provinces exploring the best each one has to offer. The tour starts in Victoria BC and after a wheel dip in the Pacific Ocean it then winds though the Coast mountains to enter the spectacular Rocky Mountains before being greeted by our friends in Alberta. Alberta offers its own wild west with a trip to the world famous Calgary Stampede and day tours of two Unesco World Heritage Sites. The list goes on for the rest of the Provinces, we visit many historical sites and places that aren't open to the regular public. Everyday isn't a hectic pace, our travel days are usually less than three hours to give lots of time to see the sites on the road less traveled and to enjoy the fellowship of car people from across this great country of ours. Participants of the tour are about to go on the tour of a lifetime, there is no other tour in the world like it. This page will give a brief description of the tours, when a Provincial Coordinator sends in the description it will have a blue box put around it. Note : These are subject to change. See the bold underlined words, click on them to go to the coresponding website. Remember these are just little snips of the actual tour information and not the complete agenda, tour participants will receive a detailed tour book in Victoria as well as information supliments along the way.

The agenda can change as things happen beyond our control

MANITOBA

July 17th

drive to Dauphin today. The town of Dauphin has put together a special event for us including dinner and a Manitoba Welcome

July 18th
Town and Country RV
Winnipeg. The campground is arranging for people to stop by and visit, including local car clubs.

ALBERTA

July 6th

Meet at Tourist Information – Crowsnest Pass

  • Walking Tour Frank -

  • **Frank Slide Interpretive Centre –

Camping/Lodging at Great Canadian Barn Dance

GPS 49.343566N 113.613917 W 45056 A-C Range Road 275


Supper – Great Canadian Barn Dance Dinner: 

  • Barn Dance (included in camping fees for campers)

  • ww.thecarriagehousetheatre.com

  • Great Canadian Barn Dance Friday Night Dinner Show – Prebook at least 2 months ahead via Great Canadian Barn Dance Website  http://www.gcbd.ca

  • July 7th

  • Tour to Waterton {World Heritage Site} – Cameron Lake/Red Rock Canyon Free

  • Remington Carriage Museum (Cardston)- 

  • Cardston sites:  Card House (donation), Cobblestone Manor (Restaurant) 1-866-653-2701
  • Carriage House Theatre TheatrewMeet at Tourist Information – Crowsnest Pass

  • Walking Tour Frank - Free

  • Bellevue Mine Tour 

  • **Frank Slide Interpretive Centre –

  • **Leitch Colleries Tour (donation)

  • Camping/Lodging at Great Canadian Barn Dance

  • GPS 49.343566N 113.613917 W 45056 A-C Range Road 275

 

July 8th

  • **Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump {World Heritage Site}-.

  • Fort Macleod – Fort Museum (Musical Ride 11:30 AM, 2 PM, 3:30 PM) 

  • Farmers’ Market – Lethbridge Exhibition Grounds 8 AM to 1 PM

  • 39th Annual Street Wheelers 100 ft Dash – 11 AM Exhibition Grounds

  • Coaldale Settler’s Day Candy Parade 11 AM

Camping Bridgeview Campground & Lodging Lethbridge

  • Reception – 4:30 PM  Bridgeview Campground

  • 11 AM Lethbridge Street Wheelers

 

July 9th

  • Calgary Stampede – Previously booked

  • Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens 

  • Street Wheelers:  Car Show – Galt Gardens 9AM to 3 PM

  • Street Wheelers:  Autocross & Ultimate Auto Care Street Car Shoot out.

July 10th,

  • AM:  Tours to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump or Fort Macleod Museum

  • 2 PM:  Birds of Prey, Coaldale  

  • Supper – Gem of the West Museum, Coaldale (Included in Meal Package)

July 11th

  • Little Bow Reservoir – Dam – Swim

  • Lomond – Irrigation and Farm Equipment Display, 

  • Camping/Lodging at Patricia, AB

  • *Dinosaur Prov Park Visitor Centre: 

  • Dinosaur Prov Park {World Heritage Site}- Self Guided Tours Free

  • Bus Tour (Recommended) or hiking Tours – Book after Feb 1, 2016

http://www.albertaparks.ca/dinosaur/activities-events/interpretive-tour-programs/booking-info/

  • Supper – Patricia Hall

July 12th 

  • Brooks Aquaduct or Dinosaur Park tours

  • Music Jam – Patricia Hall

July 13th Leaving for Saskatchewan

  • Coffee – Suffield Military Base

  • Medicine Hat Tee Pee – Med Hat Car Club

 

ONTARIO

 

July 19th & 20th

Leaving the Bison Province of Manitoba we cross the boundary into Ontario. The destination today is Fort Frances. We will be met along the way by car club members from Kenora. After you pass Longbow Lake, remember to stay on Highway 1 (also known as highway ON-71S) Don't go on ON-17E at the intersection of Hwy 11 turn left and head for Fort Frances.

Fort Frances has a planned a special welcome for us, members of the International Early Iron club,

the town and the tourist bureau from the town and International Falls from the US side have banded together to make our stay a special event. We are here for an extra day to enjoy the festivities including an International Bass fishing tournament that is taking place.

July 21st & 22nd

To Thunder Bay

Head East on Hwy 11 at Shabaqua Corners the highway changes to 11 & 17 stay on it. We are no longer at Fort William our new site is Trowbridge Falls Campground many thanks to the city of Thunder Bay for arranging our stay on short notice. The benefit is it is a lot closer to the site of the Car show. The Lakehead Antique Car Club has arranged a Car Show on Saturday the 22nd. The club was formed in 1967 and the first Coaster tour was part of the car show, it’s their anniversary and we join together again to do a spectacular show. Many vehicles from the surrounding towns including the US will join us to celebrate the clubs 50th.

July 23rd

Head East on Hwy 17 and keep, going a point of interest is Ouimet Canyon 88km from Thunder Bay. See Cindy for details. It’s another beautiful Ontario drive along the shores of Lake Superior. Stop at many of the pull offs and skip a few stones, enjoy the drive. The town of Wawa will greet us and show us a great time. http://www.wawa.cc/tourism/

July 24th

Head East again on highway 17 and turn right onto Hwy ON-6 at Espanola toward Manitoulin Island. An overnight wait for the Ferry. All even numbered Coasters will catch the early ferry and odd numbered one will take the second Ferry.

July 25th and 26th

We slow the pace, our destination today is Chesley, an easy 1 ½ hour

We stayed at this camp site in 2010 our coordinator on that tour Jim and Adelle Dawm did an excellent job of organizing a great stay.

Jim and Joan Scott have arranged three tours. The center for Marine Research, which has a world renown simulator to train seafarers at any seaport in the world. Very cool. Bruce Nucular Plant it produces 30% of Ontario's power.

July 27th

leaving Scone for the Chatham area Country road #10 through Mennonite farming country. Be prepared to see horses and buggies, stop for maple syrup and apples on the road side. Farms without hydro. Watch for The Old Mill, Canada's largest leather store. Well worth the stop. Wilson's Conservation area Chatham, ONtario 3 piece broasted chicken dinner.

There is also the special tour of an ice sculpture facility in Hansell They are the people who did the famous ice truck used in the Canadian Tire commercial. Ice Sculptures, their sculptures are sent worldwide.

After leaving Hansell, our next stop is Bothwell and home of OLD AUTOS the all Canadian car magazine. From Bothwell we head to Thamesville to tour the Erickson plant and museum. The owners Connie and Brent are a major producer of tie downs and straps. A side trip to Uncle Tom's Cabin is recommended.  July 27 th Wilson's Conservation area Chatham, Ontario 3 piece broasted chicken
Special A&W car show with the Chatham Kent Historic Auto Club

July 28th

we will leave Chatham on the morning of the 28 and follow directions to the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village 6155 Arner Townline RR#2 Essex Ontario N9Y2E5 where we will camp for one night and enjoy the Musem and Heritage Village , the directors have offered us the use of camping on their grounds and the use of washrooms and showers , they have agreed to keep the restaurant open on Friday night to accomadate our needs and to also offer us a smorgasborg breakfast on SaturdayA.M. with a 10% discount on food they may also open the bar for anyone wanting to purchase a drink , they will also transfer their car show from Thursday to Friday  for fellow ship

 July 29th & 30th

Today we head for the Niagara Falls area for two days. Sight seeing on your own.

July 31st

We are off to Lindsay Exhibition grounds for our nightly stop

August 1st

A nice quiet day for the campers at Lower Beverly Lake

August 2nd & 3rd

Two days at Hither Hills campground, Close to Ottawa, tour bus stops at the site.

QUEBEC

August 4th and 5th

Leaving Ottawa on rte tc 417-E it change to Rte/ tc 40 at Qc border  merge onto

QC-30E via exit 32 toward QC-20/ON-401/Sorel Tracy/ take exit 55

Toward QC -15 /New York /I 87/QC - 132/ merge onto QC - 15 south to exit 6

Route 132 west toward Hemmingford to route 219 south / 1 KM on your left

Aug 4th & 5th

CAMPING

CANNE DE BOIS 306 route 219 Hemminford, QC

MOTEL 

Motel Souvenir Naperville,(20 km from the Campground

Phone  450--245-3655,

Aug 6th and 7th

CAMPING KOA QUEBEC 684 chemin Olivier Levis QC

MOTEL 

Bernieres Hotel 1-800-749-31199 ((3km from campsite.

Hotel l'oiseliere 1-866-8300878 also 3km from campsite

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Where are we going in BC, good question. A few days in Saanichton (near Victoria) dip your wheels and get your picture taken at the 'Mile 0" sign.

June 29th our first day of travel takes us across the ocean via BC Ferries to Tsawwassen, then a drive along the Fraser River through mixed and dairy farming to Agassiz famous for some of the best corn in Canada and the stop for your first night. The next day is a  scenic drive along the famous gold trail of the Fraser Canyon to Lillooet for a First Nations welcome and BBQ Salmon dinner.

July 1st is a leisurely drive to enjoy some hospitality from the car club in Merritt and a Canada Day celebration.

July 2 & 3 is to Osoyoos, with a welcome stop along the route in Princeton for a coffee break, visit the downtown and enjoy the history of this early gold rush town. Our next stop for a break and some early gold rush history is Hedley. We will be greeted by some of the local car people, another worth while stop.  We carry on to Osoyoos and spend two nights in wine country by the lake, bring a bathing suit.

July 4th is a mountain drive to Trail to visit the winner of Cities in bloom, we will make a stop at the Rossland Mine Museum.

July 5th is at Fort Steele. The original outpost of the North West Mounted Police. A short walk up the hill will lead the original 1800's Cemetary,  

July 6th We have a great stop at the Museum in Fernie  well worth the couple of blocks off the highway to have a stretch and visit some history. Then we're off to Wild Rose Country, Alberta. This is but a brief summary, a full description will be in your detailed tour book.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Aug, 13 Arrive Via Confederation Bridge

First night in Cavendish with warm welcome from the PEI Antique Car Club and there just could be another excellent meal

Aug14 Two great early morning tours #1To Rossignol to visit a wnery in Little Sands and the Myriad Distillery in Rollo Bay. Canada’s first legal moonshine distillery.

 #2 Tour to PEI Potato Museum and MacAusland Woolen Mills in Western PEI.

Our evening meal will be the famous PEI Lobster Supper                                    

Aug15 Free day to go to the beach, golf, tour on their own. Three events will be planned for those interested..

# 1 8AM. Barry Doucette Deep Sea Fishing. Charter for 20 people per boat, $30 a person.

#2. 1 P.M.. Visit to the Anne of Green Gables house and a stop at The Belcourt museum. This is where Father Belcourt had the first car in Canada in December 1866. 

.#3 6 PM  Red Shores Horse Racing a Motor Coach will be booked at a cost of $20 per person, admission to the races is $10.00.

ORConfederation Centre features live theatre, including Anne of Green Gables and other shows. $20 for bus, and the price of the show ticket to theatre. prices vary depending on seating location

Other places to visit and things to do.

Stanley Bridge Ceilidhs- local musical entertainment seven nights a week.

Cows Ice Cream Factory Tour in Charlottetown.

Tour Historic Charlottetown or Summerside

Visit Historic St. Mary’s Church in Indian River  

Aug 16  Depart for Nova Scotia via Bridge

NEW BRUNSWICK
One of the points of entry to Atlantic Canada, is Campbellton NB which combines the best of the great outdoors with cultural charm for unique urban experience. Take your photograph with Restigouche Sam, the “Largest Salmon in the World” adorning the impressive downtown fountain, stroll through Galerie Restigouche and the National Site of the Battle of Restigouche. With the ancient Appalachian range surrounding the city, there is no end to the wonder you’ll discover
The Coaster tour will travel along the scenic routes of New Brunswick's Atlantic coast, we will immerse you in vibrant communities and a rich cultural scene. Travel will bring the Acadian's 400 year old history to life. 

Aug 8th Arrive Via Edmundston and our stop for the night is Campbellton

Aug 9th

The tour today will leave Campbellton on Rte. #134 along the Bay of Chaleur towards the town of Dalhousie, NB. Dalhousie is a town in Eastern Canada, where rolling hills, rivers, lakes and streams provide a scenic backdrop for New Brunswick’s most northern community.

You will have an opportunity to drop into Antique Plus and Vintage Collectibles, one of Canada’s largest Antique locations, just before Belledune.

Situated on beautiful Chaleur Bay. Bathurst is the hub of urban adventure framed by the natural saltwater beach and nearby Daly Point Nature Reserve. Come see our local venders and their products at the Farmers Market.

Our destination will be Caraquet and spend the afternoon atthe Acadian Village .

 It is one of the most authentic historical sites in North America (Phoenix Award Winner), the Village Historique Acadien strives to portray the lives of Acadians between 1770 and 1949. More than 40 historical buildings are staffed with interpreters who will make you relive the ancestral customs and traditional trades during these years.

Aug 10th,11th and 12th

We will be in Shediac for 3 days and do tours from there.

The tour will be continuing on Rte. # 11 towards Miramichi,

Day 1

The Miramichi Business Association are hosting a Boat Cruise on the Miramichi River and after you can stroll around the City Centre and return to the parking lot for a BBQ, where your vehicles are, at no cost for the Canadian Coasters. Let’s make sure we show our appreciation and thank these organizers.

Our stops today include the towns and Villages of  Richibucto, Rexton, and Bouctouche which is our stop for the night.

Day 2

Today for those interested, the Canadian Coasters will go on a tour of two unique car hobby sites. of the Acadien Coast. There will be two groups organized to travel in different locations and each group will see the same sites during the day, however at different times

Day 3

Today we will be travelling to one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Sediac. Visit to the Acadien Village Visit to the Irving ChapeIrving Eco Park and Dunes Visit to Doug Bannan beautiful car collection.

New Brunswick Picker and Collector Planned, day trip to Hillsborough and the Hopewell Rocks one of the natural wonders of the worl

Between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM the Canadian Coasters will travel Route # 114 North to Gary Steeves Insurance (editors note: Gary Sheeves was also a great supporter of the 2010 tour and we appreciate his involvement) and the NB Antique Auto Club Inc. barbecue located at 11 Simpson Street Hillsborough, NB. (many thanks to the car club) After the BBQ, at your leisure, return to Shediac leaving about 15 minutes, apart for groups of vehicle.

Aug 13th

Today the Canadian Coasters will leave for PEI and meet up with Rudy and Ruth Croken, PEI Tour Coordinators. You will travel Rte. # 15 east and Rte. #16 to take the Confederation Bride to the Island. The distance will be approximately 45 miles or 73 km. Thank You for visiting a small part of our Picture Province of New Brunswick, Come Again

SASKATCHEWAN

July 13th

Eastend home of the T-Rex

As we travel across the great province of Saskatchewan take the time to enjoy the beauty of the many cropss in the field, the yellow of Canolla, blue of Flax, the waving wheat fields and the surprise of 

July 14th

Omega, Home of the Southern Prairie Railway 

July 15th & 16th

Two nights in Manitou home of Danceland  built in 1928 it boasts a 5000 sq ft dance floor built on horse hair  and the famous Manitou Beach the mineral lake where you float. Canada's largest indoor mineral spa.

 

NEWFOUNDLAND
Arrival in Port aux Basque approximately 7am on the morning of August 25th, 2017.
Travel to Corner Brook that day with 1 stop along the way, Stephenville show and shine Details to follow. {Lunch Tentative}.​
We travel on to Meadows about ½ hour further where they will have full access to the soccer field at the old high school.  There is a paved parking lot at the high school where we will hold show and shine that evening with possible dinner details to follow.
Depart Corner Brook morning of the 26th for Deer Lake where we will drop our trailers at the Deer Lake community field then travel on to Rocky Harbour / Gros Morne, for a Boat Tour.  Return, arriving back in Deer Lake the afternoon of the 26th approx. 5 pm. 
 
Deer Lake: night of August 26th, 2017
Upon our return to Deer Lake the town will host a show and shine for us at the Hodder Memorial Recreation Complex with a free meal for participants.
 Leave Deer Lake the morning of the 27th, for Gander with 1 stop along the way at Botwood.
At Botwood we will visit to the Botwood Heritage Park, Museum and Archive.
We will have a get together/lunch sponsored by the Central Newfoundland Antique Car Club
Leave Botwood for Gander
Gander: night of 27th
Depart Gander morning of the 28th, via Gander Bay highway 330/320 through Carmanville, Musgrave Harbour, New-Wes Valley and Dover to Gambo (reception hosted by the town tentative). Back on to TCH, where we travel to Clarenville.
Overnight in Clarenville night of the 28th.
Theater Entertainment {Tentative to be confirmed}. 
Depart Clarenville the morning of the 29th.
Travel to Swift Current for a visit to Vernon’s Antique Toy Shop with soup and sandwich lunch to be served.  

Clarenville: night of 28th

 

  • Overnight in Clarenville night of the 28th.

  • Hotels:

St. Jude, 247 Trans-Canada Highway, Clarenville has a block of 30 rooms booked reference is there is a 10 day cut off for bookings.

The Wave Hotel has a block of 15 rooms booked. Booking references .

  • Campers will be set up at Clarenville Events Center parking lot, with security and the building wash rooms will be accessible all night.

  • The Events Center will provide dinner and a show.

  • Dinner will be Soup, Salads and traditional Newfoundland dishes including Fish & Brews (confirmed).

  • Dinner will be 7pm with Theater entertainment at 8pm by The Fortunate Ones a Newfoundland folk / pop award winning duo. info@fortunateones.ca

  • Depart Clarenville the morning of the 29th.

  • Travel to Swift Current for a visit to Vernon’s Antique Toy Shop with soup and sandwich lunch to be served.  

  • Arrive St. John’s Afternoon of the 29th. Get settled for the evening and  enjoy some R&R

St. John’s: nights of August  30th 
  • August 30th Open Day R&R, evening event sponsored by the NACCC Traditional Baked Cod Dinner at The Legion Pleasantville with a show and shine with the Newfoundland Antique and Classic Car Club. Confirmed

  • Pleasantville is located in the east end of St. John’s overlooking historic Quidi Vidi Lake, home of the oldest sporting event in North America, The Royal St. John’s Regatta.

  • August 31st bus tour of Petty Harbour, Cape Spear, Signal Hill.

After tour options:
St. John’s
  • Tour Members who wish to stay on past Sept 2nd which is check out date at the Fairfield will need to book their hotels as required. This is also check out for Pippy Park Campsite
 
  • For those who would like to visit France while still in North America, travel to Fortune where camp grounds and hotels are available, secured parking has been arranged while you travel to the French Island of Saint Pierre for a 1 or 2 day visit. Google, French Islands for information

NOVA SCOTIA

August 16 Amherst to Truro

Amherst to Parrsboro about 30 miles; Parrsboro to Truro about 55 miles)

Depart PEI via Confederation Bridge.  Arrive Amherst area.  Welcome to Springhill, NS, a small place with a big heart.  Anne Murray Centre opens at 9am with special prices for Coasters. Miner’s MuseumDr. Carson and Marion Murray Community Centre will be the site of a farmer’s market and crafts from the area.  A light lunch compliments of the Cumberland Car Club will be held inside.  The Springhill Fire Department will have ice for those who need it.  Mike Kaye is full of stories of Springhill and its many sites.

 Follow hwy 2 to Parrsboro (47 km), passing through Southampton, West Brook.  In Parrsboro, follow the signs to the Fundy Geological Museum

 

Aug 17 –Truro to Grand Pre

Maitland, stop at the W.D. Lawrence Museum {*where the largest NS wooden sailing vessel was built.  Continue on, through Brooklyn, to Windsor *(approx. 125 km).  In Windsor (the Birthplace of Hockey), continue until road ends (just before Tim Horton’s); turn left onto Gerrish St. which is also Rte. 1.  There are two museums in Windsor – Haliburton House and Shand House.

Continuing on Rte. 1 will take you to Hantsport  through Hantsport.  If you wish you can visit Garth Scott’s Memories Museum.

Continue on rte. 1 to Avonport.  Quilters may wish to visit Avonport Discount Fabrics (6000 bolts of fabric, Briggs and Little yarn, Regia yarn, Marble Yarn, etc.).  On the same property is a store with items of interest to men…tools, etc.  A short distance away is Just Us! Coffee shop and museum.   Grand Pre Historic Site (on left).  Well worth a visit.  Their gift shop has many NS books, including books for children

 

 August 18Grand PreDigby

Today your lunch stop is at the Greenwood Aviation Museum.  Leave the motel or campground and continue on Hwy. 1 to the town of Wolfville, the home of Acadian University.  There is limited parking in the town of Wolfville especially with trailers.  Local attractions include Botanical Gardens at Acadia, The Gallery and the Foxhill Cheese House. There are also six wineries in the area as well as The Randall House Museum.  If it is a clear day when you leave Wolfville on Hwy. 1 towards New Minas you might want to view the beautiful Valley from the Lookoff which is about 10 miles off Hwy. 1 on Rte. 341 through Canning.  On return to Hwy. 1 pass through New Minas and on to Kentville.  This is the home of the Nova Scotia Agricultural Centre.  After passing through Kentville you will go through Coldbrook where there is an excellent book store (Books Galore) on the right.  It is another 10 miles to Berwick.  In another 5 miles is Aylesford, home to the Aylesford Zoo.  After passing through Aylesford proceed to Kingston and onto Greenwood for lunch.

At the only light in Kingston, turn left, go straight to the next set of lights and turn left, this is Greenwood.  Drive straight down past the Post Office on the left and continue on down a slight hill.  The Greenwood Aviation Museum (1 Ward Rd.) is on your left.  Here you will be offered a free tour of the Museum with many vintage airplanes on display and have the opportunity to take pictures of your car among this impressive display of vintage aircraft.  Arrive early if you wish as the free tour of the museum will not disappoint you.  This is also your lunch stop, a BBQ sausage, chips and pop prepared for you between 11 and 1 by the volunteers of the Greenwood Military Museum.

After lunch and tour you are on your way to Digby.  Exit right out of the Museum, at second light turn right and return to the light on Hwy. 1 in Kingston.  Turn left to Middleton about 8 miles down the road.  Located here is a Railway Museum at 6 School St.  Next, Lawrencetown is about 6 miles, then Bridgetown is about 6 – 8 miles.  Then 18 miles further is Annapolis Royal.  The Tidal Power Generating Station will be on the left.  There is a parking lot for sightseers.  Proceeding into the town, Fort Anne is on the right (Canada’s oldest National Historic Site)There are craft shops, book stores and the Botanical Gardens (which includes a cafe)   Annapolis Royal’s streets are narrow (and mostly one-way) and there is very limited parking.  You can follow the signs to Port Royal, home of the Habitation – where Samuel de Champlain landed in 1604.  This is a reconstructed fortress with plenty of free parking.  You will go past Upper Clements Theme Park as well as the former Naval training base Cornwallis where there is the Museum Acadian Military.

 

August 19 –  Digby

On your own to tour around DigbyBrier Island in the Bay of Fundy is at the end of Digby Neck and is reached by two short ferries (no charge).  Joshua Slocum (first man to circumnavigate the world alone, in the 1800s).  At Marshalltown is the Maud Lewis Memorial Site.  Maud Lewis was a famous folk artist, in spite of being badly crippled, painted literally every surface of her home with brightly-coloured pictures.

Bear River is an interesting town.  Home of a winery, many artists (including a shoemaker who hand-makes shoes for movies and the wealthy).  The Flight of Fancy is a shop selling work by artists nearly all Canadian and many from NS, some of whom have designed works for Cirque de Soleil.

 

 August 20 – Digby to Bridgewater

Return to highway 101 (at exit 25) and get off at exit 22. This takes you to highway 8 which crosses the province; you will go through wilderness and many small villages.  The distance is about 70 miles.  Kejimikujik National Park is along this road. 

At the end of highway 8 is Liverpool, Turning right at the T and going perhaps 100 yards, on the left is the former railway station, now the Hank Snow Museum.  The third week-end of August is the Hank Snow Festival. We might just be there..

Take highway 3 from Liverpool, through Brooklyn (birthplace of Hank Snow)  SONG  to highway 103 toward Bridgewater

August 21 – BRIDGEWATER TO HALIFAX

Hwy. 3 and takes you to Mahone Bay – a unique town with its three famous churches along the waterfront, famous Suttles and Seawinds shop and other craft shops.

Because of the narrow, hilly streets and very limited parking in Lunenburg, you may prefer to take the bus tour from Halifax to Peggy’s Cove and Lunenburg.  Lunenburg is where the original schooner Bluenose and the replica, Bluenose II, were built – the ship that is still on the Canadian dime.  The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic on the waterfront is fascinating.  Lunenburg has many art galleries, restaurants and craft shops.

From Mahone Bay, follow highway 3 through Western Shore (site of the Oak Island Treasure Hunt mystery), Chester Basin, East River, Hubbards, Head of St. Margaret’s Bay, to Tantallon, about 40 miles. Left onto Hammonds Plains Road.  Hatfield Farms is about 7 miles on the right .Camping is on the left at Woodhaven Camp ground.

Great stop for a meal will be Vernon Kynock’s Diner on Hammond Plains Road for dinner, lunch or a great breakfast, it's just down the road from the campground. Vernon is a great supporter of the tour and has a new cafe with automobile decor. I'm going, see you there

 

August 22 –  

Halifax area, banquet Tuesday night at Dinner is at Brewsters, 961 Bedford Hwy. Full details will be given on arrival in Nova Scotia 

August 23 –Truro to Antigonish

To Truro. Take exit 15E, route 104 toward Cape Breton.  You may stay on 104 to Antigonish, or you may wish to try the alternate coastal scenic route between New Glasgow and Antigonish. The main route (via the TCH 104) is 58km (36 miles) or the more scenic coastal route is 109 km (68 miles). Travelling on TC104 east, take exit 27, go on rotary towards Sunrise Trail/ Merigomish (route 245), drive 1.4 km and turn left toward Egerton/Merigomish on Hwy 245.  Follow 245 for 33.2 km. The water on your left is the Northumberland Strait separating NS from PEI.  You come to Arisaig Beach, Dockside Cafe and Lighthouse Canteen on Arisaig Point Road, if you wish to visit.  Continue on Route 245, Cape George, where there is a lighthouse and a beautiful view.  The Lighthouse Road is a short gravel road (0.7 km), vehicles can turn at the lighthouse.  Continue driving to Ballantyne's Cove and wharf with an Interpretive Centre and Fish n' Ships takeout. Travel on to Cape George, then Cribbon's Point. Continuing toward Antigonish.

 

 August 24

Antigonish to North Sydney (Newfoundland Ferry)– Two choices: (Distance 185 km/115 mi).  Leaving Antigonish take Hwy 104 East towards Cape Breton, cross Canso Causeway at Port Hastings take Hwy 105.Travel to exit 8 to Baddeck, a village along the shores of the Bras d'Or Lakes. There are interesting shops, boutiques, restaurants and the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site if you wish to stop.  Alternate route: (Distance 225 km/140 mi)  After crossing the Canso Causeway keep right and take Hwy 104 towards Port Hawkesbury and St. Peter's. At St. Peter's there is an operating locks and canal to allow ships to travel from Chedabucto Bay to Bras d'Or Lakes.  At St. Peter's take Hwy 4 towards Sydney RiverRita MacNeil’s Tea House is on the way, at Big Pond. Take exit 6 to Hwy 125 towards North Sydney.

bottom of page