6 foot 2 with eyes of blue

First stop today was to visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. But once we got there and realized that it was free from 5:30-8pm on Tuesdays, we figured it best to save the $30 and come back later.

So we hopped back into the car and drove to Peggy's Cove - a cute little village town. Population ~35 people year round. It's a town that has about three souvenir shops, two art galleries, and one restaurant. After snapping some photos at the lighthouse and walking through the main souvenir shop we had a late lunch and enjoyed some local brew. It started sprinkling a bit, but overall it was a nice day compared to what the forecast predicted.

All throughout PEI and Nova Scotia we've seen tons of lobster traps - both on land and the buoy markers in the water. Curious as to what bait they use to get the lobsters to walk in I just Googled it. Apparently it is usually a piece of fish or chum. Chum consists of fish parts and blood. Delicious.

At the restaurant where we had lunch the table next to us ordered lobster. When the waitress brought over the three live lobster for them to review, they sent them back for larger lobster. When those came back they snapped photos before they were plummeted into boiling water. I couldn't help but be sad. Even after Megan called them the cockroaches of the sea, it was still sad for me.

We wanted to drive to Lunenburg for a short visit, but couldn't fit it in the fun packed day. So we headed back towards Halifax and were stopped for a bit as a little family of raccoons with cute little babies crossed the road. Then we drove up the Bedford Basin to Prince's Lodge. Prince's Lodge was named for the estate Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, resided in while in Halifax in the 18th century. In 1794, Prince Edward arrived to serve in Halifax with his French mistress Julie St. Laurent. The old estate mainly now makes up the Hemlock Ravine Park which has a heart shaped pond known as Julie's pond, constructed by the Duke for his mistress. It had two male mallards and about six female mallards that were clearly used to being fed. They followed us around and were very cute. Made my day. I definitely need to have a pond with a mallard couple when I grow up.

The only building that is still standing from the estate is the music room - a dome shaped structure. We couldn't get too close to it because apparently it is a private residence now.

Then we drove back to the maritime museum for our free entrance. It was entertaining, with the special exhibit about gay Navy sailors of the 1900s which I found impressive, and the Titanic exhibit. Many of the victims from the Titanic are buried in Halifax. While it was a interesting 30 minutes, I'm sure glad we didn't pay $30.

After the museum we went to the Alexander Keith's brewery and sat at the bar. We tried the sampler first - my favorites being the amber and the dark. I got a pint of the amber. We were all entertained by the kilt wearing bartender. Once he knew it was Megan's birthday he decided to pour us all a shot of his specialty which he calls '6 foot 2 with eyes of blue', which is what he is. After our shots and pints, Carol asked if we could buy the pint glass for the birthday girl. Without knowing my klepto history, the girl waitress said "well, if you have a big purse you are all set". And then we asked the bartender if that was ok, and he said he was going to walk to the other side of the bar and what he didn't see didn't happen. So all three of us pocketed our pint glasses. Pretty amusing. Free souvenirs are the best.

Then we went over the Jane's On The Common restaurant, which was recommended by a Halifax policeman that Carol waited on in Maine. When we told the brewery bartender we were going there he couldn't stop raving about the food, so we were pretty excited. It was the first time in a long time where I had quite a few delicious vegetarian options. It was a great dinner.

Afterwards we walked to the fountain on the common which has lights that change color around the fountain.

Then we drove home and had some quality time with Cocoa. She's adorable but not the friendliest lab I've ever met. We pet her for quite a bit and the woman behind the desk threw her treats for a few tricks. Carol even joined in on the trick/treat entertainment. While I want a dog so badly, playing with other pets makes me miss my kitties so much!

We asked the hotel restaurant for three wine glasses so we could enjoy our champagne and two bottles of wine in style, instead of in paper cups. Once we popped open the champagne, upon birthday girl's request we played JLo's new song - On The Floor - and drank every time she said 'On the floor'. Turns out she says it 24 times. We were hoping it was going to be 26 times for Megan's birthday.

My camera is officially on it's death bed. The screen has started to flicker and there is a fuzzy spot in the right hand corner that is not part of the lens. Am hoping the photos will be ok. It looks like the last trip for my cute little blue Nikon. Sad times.

Overall great day. Great night.