August 17 Monday 2009 Bras d'Or Cape Breton Nova Scotia
We sign up for 2 more night at Arm of Gold RV park as we are using here to spoke out. Their WIFI works great in the rig. We wake up to rain so I roll over and go back to sleep. By 10am the sun is out we decide to go to Fortress of Louisbourg on the rocky Cape Breton coast. The fortress was established in 1713 by French settlers to guard the Gulf of St. Laurence . A stronghold for New France. It became a key military stronghold and trading center of Nova Scotia's northern tip. By 1740 there were over 3,00 residents including a garrison of 600 soldiers. In 1745 a New England army successfully attacked the fortress and shipped the defeated soldiers and merchants back to France. Several years later, as part of a treaty, the French were given control of Cape Breton Island . Peace was short lived and in 1754 General Wolfe retook the fortress. In 1760 it was captured by the British and destroyed. The site lay abandoned in favor of their outpost in Halifax. It wasn't until the early 20th century that Canada began the restoration.
A bus takes us from their visitors center to the site of the fort, 50 of the 250 buildings have been restored. We arrive too late for the first orientation tour(12:30 a 75 minute tour) meeting place was too far to get there on time. as we first looked at the displays at the center. Docents dressed in period costumes bring life to roles of merchants, craft people and the military. We take a 30 min. tour first then have lunch on the site so we can go on the next 75 min. tour at 2pm. Very Very interesting. If you decide to come come early first demonstration starts at 10:45. The site is huge -6,000 hectare(14,826 acres). And only ¼ has been reconstructed. Wear comfortable shoes and they say bring a sweater or coat. We didn't need one as we were in the beginning of a heat wave and the humidity was very high. I felt sorry for the people in those costumes. The temp got up to 81(28). Historic Louisberg is Highly recommended.
REMEMBER- Time may be a healer but it is a lousy beautician.