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 Nova Scotia!
Ciad Mile Failte
Gaelic for
"One Hundred Thousand Welcomes"
Land Area: 21.425 sq. miles
Highest Point: White H"ill 1,747 ft.
Population: 899.942
Capital: "Halifax
Largest City: Halifax
Nova Scotia boasts the first permanent European settlement (1605) in North America north of Florida.
There are more whales off Nova Scotia's shores than almost anywhere else in the World.
There have been 440 species of birds sighted in Nova Scotia including a wealth of seabirds, wading birds, waterfowl. And, the woods and fields are home to twenty-two species of warblers.
Along the coast you can see some of our 250 nesting Bald Eagles, or watch hundreds of thousands of shorebirds take flight during their migration. 
The highest tides on planet Earth occur near Wolfville, in Nova Scotia's Minas Basin.
The water level at high tide can be as much as 52.5 feet higher than at low tide.
High tides happen every 12 hours and 25 minutes. At mid-tide, the flow in Minas Channel north of Blomidon equals the
combined flow of all the rivers and streams on Earth!
 A wonderful place, untouched by many of the travesties of modern life, doesn't get the big attention that draws most hunters to Canada. It is known as a great Tourist spot with the
current exchange rate for Canadian money, hunters should really take a second look at the fine opportunities available in this unknown Providence. Home to a large population of White Tailed Deer, Black Bear,
Bobcat and many other species of game animal, hunting abounds in Nova Scotia. The vast providence itself host some fantastic opportunities for hunters and the pressure is
low on the animals here, but what I found that left an impression on me was the people that live here.
They are a diverse people not easily depressed by the hard times that the Government has thrown
their way with it's high taxes and tightly regulated laws. It is rare anymore when a stranger can walk down the street and be greeted by almost everyone they pass. Nova Scotian's are a happy
bunch and seem very eager to share there friendship! Full of laughter, joy and honest friendship, these folks know how to make a person feel right at home.
 I met many new friends while I was there, from the cooks that came and made our meals, folks that where Vic Morrell's (our host), friends or just people we meet while we traveled around, we
found ourselves welcome. Even Hank, Vic's Black and Tan hound dog, made us feel right with the program. Hank became a buddy from the minute we meet at the airport. He is much little Vic's
young Son and goes just about everywhere that Vic travels. Hank is about 5 months old now and shows great promise as a life long pal and a fine coon hound. We formed a great relationship and got
along great. I kept threatening to pack him up and take with home with me but I think Customs but not have liked me very well so I declined to try this trip.
I gave with singing lessons at a party thrown for us one night! He has a great voice and loves to sing. Speaking of that party....
The first Friday we spent at the Lodge, we came home to what the locals refer to as a "Nufie
Party". I was a little worried when I heard the phrase and wondered what we were about to experience. As our new friends started arriving, we found out it is nothing but a good old
fashion hoe down! Merwin, a regular visitor to the Lodge after we made friends at his rifle range and over a powder purchase, stopped past with his Son Rocky, Paul and his wife Mary,
both excellent cooks for us, Vic and his wife Marie and many other friends stopped in. The local traveling band play local favorites and folk songs for us deep into the night. We sang,
sipped home made brews and wines made by a few of the band members and had a good time. It was really refreshing to have this group share their time with us. The music was
fantastic and the company just couldn't have gotten any better for any price and this came out of the goodness of their hearts.
Merwin visited us often and we never knew just what he was going to surprise
us with. We stopped past his home and I purchased my black powder from him the first day we arrived. After we got the chance to step out back, to his homemade rifle range, and make sure
my black powder rifle was still sighted in after the plane ride. I appreciated the chance and gladly accepted. Little did I know I was about see one of the best black powder shooters I have ever met.
Merwin and Rockie really take their muzzle loading with a passion and these Guys are good. I tell you what, I have been to many black powder shoots and I would hate to have been shooting
next to these two. Merwin was placing an empty primmer cap can out at about 30-35 yards and nailing it in a no rest, standing position. Repeatedly.....! I learned a great respect for them that day.
Merwin also shared more than just friendship, I think he has one turkey that is minus all this
feathers, he sure seemed to shed a lot of them after Dave said he could use them for fletching arrows. :) He also make some of the best maple syrup I have ever had! One night, right before
we left, he stopped past with his Wife, and their Grandchildren and Rockie, it was the capped for me. I really wanted to go home soon after that. It was the first real time that home sick had
played it's hand since I had arrived. Thanks Merwin, I sure do miss you my friend!
Besides good friends and excellent hunting opportunities, Nova Scotia is beautiful! It offers so
many diverse things to do when given the chance to go "scouting" or site seeing it was a hard toss up. This Maritime community is host to many varieties of activities for all fun loving folks.
Whale watching, fishing, photographic trips, tidal boar rafting (for the brave at heart), Museum Tours, Nature Drives, Animal Reserves and the list goes on. It makes a great family vacation
spot for the entire family too!
From the first moment we arrived at the airport in Halifax and had to ask "where to go" to pick
up our luggage to the farewell send off the last night we spent there, we found ourselves constantly meeting new friends and seeing new sites. As we made our way to the Airport, early
Friday morning, we fulfilled one of my all time dreams. Although it is still early in the year for them, I got to see the Northern Lights for the very first time. I have read about them, looked at
many pictures of them but never had I seen them until now. I can only saw, they took my breath away. A million pictures could never describe the wondrous beauty they hold. This is a special
land, a place to relax, unwind and step back into history. History abounds here!
 I invite you to visit the coming soon, Part 5 "A Glance at a Tragedy, The Titanic Story". I took a day and visited the Titanic Museum, Halifax and the Fairview Cemetery, (where
some of the victims of the Titanic are buried) and again, got more than I bargained for. I took many pictures and would like to share the feelings I personally felt while exploring
this great event in history. It will be on-line soon!
Thanks and remember..... make a new friend today. It could change your life! Stop back soon!
Back to Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 Part 5
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