Day 82: Louisbourg NS and Ferry to NFLD

 Dear Gilles, 

It was a long day today. 

We made it to Louisbourg Fortress just before noon. Had a picnic lunch and started exploring. 

It's the largest reconstruction site in North America. None of it is original (the English or the French blew it up a few times in the 1700's). It was rebuilt in the 1960s with local labour from Cape Breton Island, using tradesmen that were available during Coal Mine troubles. It's 1/5th the size the whole fortress would have been - but for a tourist day trip - it's enough. 

There's current archeological digs being completed, and some human remains that are being relocated from an eroding shoreline. 

The temperature was in the low 20s, but it was windy so we still needed to bundle up. 

Our explorations took us to many different buildings that had "animators" in them. Persons in period costumes that will come in and out of character at will. Most of them are local to the town of Louisbourg and have been doing this for generations. Others are students in university. 

Our admission was free with our National Parks Pass (I still don't see any announcement about Mark Carney's Canada Strong Pass). We purchased a guided tour for 2:30. We almost didn't need the guided tour though - as we're getting good at asking questions from the site hosts. The boys got lots of history exposure, and a musket lesson from a soldier stationed in church. 

We've now witnessed musket and rifle firing demonstrations - the rifle was at the Halifax Citadel. I think we really need to round out the experience with a visit to Fort Henry in Kingston. It's a fortified fort built for purpose rather than a town/community with soldiers. 

After a good day at the Fortress, we headed to dinner at East Side Mario's. They've been wanting to try it for a while, and we don't have any franchises local to us. It was anti-satisfying. Camp noodles are tastier. 

Then we drove about half an hour and got in line for the Ferry to Newfoundland. We were super lucky and our vehicle was parked so that it would be one of the first off the ferry when we dock. They started boarding at 9:15pm. 

Once we parked on Level 3 - we headed up to Level 8 for the cabins. We stepped out of the elevator and it felt "fancy". Shiny wood panelling, accent lighting. 

We found our cabin and explored the available spaces. Then settled down in our bunks. Once we were settled, with the lights out - the SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENTS rang through the cabin for 11:15pm sailing. 

All was smooth and uneventful. 

I woke up around 5ish - who even knows the times anymore with the change in zones. I wanted to see the sunrise. I could just see land in the distance. 

We arrived in Port aux Basques on Day 83.