Amherst, NS

We got up in St. John’s, NB and headed to Amherst, NS.  Along the way we spotted this nice covered bridge.

We also noticed that some kind of bird was building it’s nest high on the electrical towers.

The country side is a mixture of hills, plains, and an occasional mountain.  That’s Mike and Patty’s coach ahead of us.

We stopped right after the toll booth to let the dogs out and for a rest stop.  Martha took some pictures of  Trouble in the flowers when Wayne took him out for a walk.

The wildflowers are just beautiful this time of year.  We even found wild daisies.

We also found fireweed like we saw in Alaska last year.

I have no idea what these dark purple flowers are.

They could be blue bells or something similar or the could be the early smaller fireweed that we also saw in Alaska.

When we crossed this river we could tell that the tide was out.

Finally we arrived in Nova Scotia.

They have this decorative light house and sign at the entrance to the welcome center.

This is the view from our camping spot.  The campground is called Loch Lomond.

Patty, Mike and I went to find the old historic places in Amherst.  This is the Lusby House: C 1882 done in a colonial style.

This is the Pugsley House: C. 1873  which is a fine example of Queen Anne Style architecture.

This is the view of the front.

Also at this stop is the first tree sculpture that we saw.  Patty insisted on getting a picture of me with it.  He wasn’t on the list of tree sculptures that we had so I don’t have a name for it but he was carrying a large hammer.

  

Looking down the street we saw this French style house.  It wasn’t on the list of historical homes but it was unique looking.  It is now a nursing home.

This tree sculpture was entitled Four Fathers of Confederation by Bruce Hebert.  It pictures the four men who represented Amherst.

This was another interesting house that was not on our list.  Note the roof on the tower, and the roof over the outside stairway.

This is the Amherst Train Station that officially opened for business in 1908 and was build of Amherst red sandstone.

This tree sculpture is named “North Nova Scotia Highlanders Piper” and is also by Bruce Hebert.

This tree sculpture was also not on our list but he was in front of the Baptist Church and looks as if he is holding a Bible.

This sculpture was also unnamed.  Sorry it is such a fuzzy picture.

 

This is the Old Bank of Montreal Building.  It was built in 1906 of red sandstone and had a mahogany interior.

This is the Dominion Public Building and is a replica of a Greek Temple.  It was built in 1935 and once housed the post office and the Canadian Employment and Immigration Centre.  it is now home to the Tantramar Theatre Society.

This is the First Baptist Church that was built in 1895 in a Queen Anne Revival style.

This is the Bank of Nova Scotia.  this building was built in 1907.

These sculptures are called “Victorian Woman & Child” and are by Bruce Hebert.   They are the first sculptures that he carved for the Downtown Amherst Revitalization Society.

This time Mike got in on the action.

This is the Royal Bank of Canada building that was built in 1906.

This sculpture “Barker Brother” by Bruce Hebert represents one of two brothers who founded the Two Barker’s department store.

This is the “Victoria Girl” also by Bruce Hebert.  It was intended to be the second Barker brother however the condition of the tree was not conducive to carving a full size figure.

 

This is the “Acadian Settler” by Albert F. Deveau.  It was the first tree carving in Downtown Amherst.  It commemorated Congres Mondial Acadien (World Acadian Congres) held in 2004 throughout Nova Scotia.

 

This was an interesting mural on the side of a building.  The large building depicted is the Old Customs Office.

 

And this is the Old Customs Office that was built in 1887. It was done in Victorian Gothic style.

This is the Courthouse that was built in 1888.

After we finished touring we met the rest of our group at Dooley’s Pub downtown for dinner.  The men sat at one end of the table and the women sat at the other end.   Here are Jack and Chuck

Here are Mike, Rich, and Fred.

A good meal and a good time was had by all.