Journey into Winter Pt. 5

The Lighthouse Trail cont...Chester, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg The train back Home

Our journey continues down Nova Scotia's south shore, past quaint fishing villages, hidden coves and the ever present sea. We journey around St. Margaret's Bay to Chester, a charming seaside village with elegant heritage homes. Chester was settled just after 1760 by families from New England. We pass by many attractive shops and the well known Chester Playhouse.

Chester is a yachting town, which boasts 3 marinas and is home to Atlantic Canada's largest sailing regatta "Chester's Race Week," the highlight of the summer. We stop at the government wharf and go for a stroll along the seaside. Chester is also the ferry terminal to Big Tancook and Little Tancook, islands that are sometimes called "Nova Scotia's hidden Treasures." Scenic country roads and walking trails wind through rolling hills, with unique views of the bay. There is no overnight accomodation on either island, but Big Tancook has a cafe, grocery store and gift shop. The ferry runs from two to six times a day depending upon the time of year.

Back on the road we head for Mahone Bay, a picture postcard village of uncommon beauty. As we round the curve, we view the sparkling blue of the waters of the wide bay, ringed by brightly painted houses. As we approach, we are greeted by three elegant churches (the village boasts five in all). These famous churches have stood here for over a century.

There is a white sign on the side of the road just before we reach the first church. We stop and I get out to read it. Its message is charming.

Mahone Bay
"We love the beauty around us and welcome you to share it."

As we enter the village we are most impressed by beauty of the well-kept houses, painted in all the colours of the spectrum. We learn that they must be painted at set intervals and the yards kept up, as part of a commuity agreement. Mahone Bay's narrow lanes are lined with studios and galleries. Some of Canada's finest artists and craftspeople reside here.

On main street is the Mahone Bay Settlers Museum. It is a house built circa 1847 and has many of the architectural accouterments of that era. There is also a wonderful collection of ceramics, furniture and other household goods dating from 1790-1840. The museum is open from May till labor Day. After that it may be opened on request. Admission is free.

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