In my last blog post, I asked for your advice on how to plan a 45 hour visit for a friend visiting Halifax for the first time. I asked, you answered. On Facebook, on Twitter, by email and hollering over my cubicle. A page full of your suggestions were printed, folded and tucked in my bag for BC Brian and I to regularly check to make sure nothing was overlooked.
A few hours after BC Brian's arrival, it was time to hit the Halifax waterfront. We were dropped off at the Halifax Town Clock where BC Brian asked if it was a re-constructed lighthouse. This self proclaimed "arrogant westerner" was in for a lesson.
After a stroll along the waterfront boardwalk, being peppered with questions (that sometimes stumped me), we ended up on the patio at the Old Triangle Irish Alehouse. As the evening went on, we continued down the boardwalk to Garrison Brewery where we sampled Jalapeno ale and award-winning Imperial I.P.A. beer. Here we met cruise ship passengers Kelly and Todd of Los Angeles who were staying an extra day due to bad weather elsewhere.
The next morning, after breakfast at Cora's, with the threat of rain showers, BC Brian and I were Peggy's Cove bound. The windy road leading to this classic fishing village just 30 minutes outside Halifax was no stranger to tour buses. Of course, no visit to Peggy's Cove is complete without a visit to the Swiss Air memorial site.By now, the rain had started and we made a bee line to Pier 21, Canada's Immigration Museum. Having the privilege of working there for 4 years, BC Brian was treated to personalized tour through the exhibits and film, "Oceans of Hope".
The clock was ticking and our stomachs were rumbling so the next stop was John's Lunch in Dartmouth. So many of you suggested this place for making the best fish and chips in town and for good reason. It was really good. Melt in your mouth fish and buttery clams good. All topped off with being treated like family in this 1969 style diner. The friendly service gave no need for dessert, they were sweet enough. 
After stuffing ourselves and taking a few snaps of Halifax from the Dartmouth side, we headed back over the Macdonald Bridge. While seafood was on the brain, I quickly realized that one simply CANNOT come to Nova Scotia and not have lobster and a good feed of mussels. Plus, they were on "the list". I have to admit, it was my very first time cooking live lobster without parental supervision. Hoping BC Brian would not notice, I did the best thing I could think of... offer him a Keith's. You see, that was on the list too.
What wasn't on the list was convincing BC Brian to stay another day. You see, all of you suggested such great things and 45 hours simply wasn't enough time to enjoy them all. Thankfully, BC Brian agreed and changed his flight.
This bonus day was BC Brian's self-exploration day and he made good of it. Visiting the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Rum Runners Rum Cake Factory, Brewery Market and having lunch at the Lower Deck "across from the big cow".
That evening, after lobster risotto, BC Brian, my husband and I went back to the Old Triangle Irish Alehouse to watch McGinty. These songs and others were played (click to listen): Barrett's Privateers,
Rollin' Down to Old Maui,
Nancy Whisky
That evening at the Triangle, BC Brian just couldn't stop smiling. My highlight of the evening was when BC Brian turned to me and said, "this is just like the Nova Scotia tourism commercials!"
I wish I could tell you at this point that everything on "the list" was crossed off. In fact, we got about half way through. I figure that you have to leave some things to explore next time. BC Brian tells me that he's hoping that there will be a next time, with his wife in tow. I don't think he'll have too much trouble convincing her, after all, he's our newest tourism ambassador.
So my friends, THANK YOU for your suggestions. Also thanks to Tourism Nova Scotia who shouted out to their followers and likers on Twitter and Facebook.
Most of all, thank you BC Brian for visiting Nova Scotia.
See more pictures from BC Brian's visit on Flickr.
Here's BC Brian's persona (not his actual photo):
If you were on a boat near Cape George, Nova Scotia in the mid 1800's, you couldn't help but notice the lighthouse. And, if you did, you'd be in a bit of trouble!
Over 107 years there were four lightkeepers. From the Condon family (1861) to Alex MacEachern (whose annual salary was $450), Charles Falkenham and finally William Clark (1968), they kept the lighthouse lit 24/7. Today, the lighthouse is automated and unmanned. The grounds are kept well by volunteers and there are a lot of picnic tables to eat your lunch, enjoy the view and snap pictures of St. George's Bay, PEI and Cape Breton. Interpretive panels are on site to learn more about the history of the area.
On a warm spring day, my sister and I took a mini road trip to the "Mini Cabot Trail". Wouldn't it be cool if we were driving a mini?
In Arisaig, signs direct you to a lighthouse at the end of a point. At the lighthouse, interpretive signs circle its base that tell stories of the area. Like the 17th century story of "Frenchman's Barn" - when the crew of a French sailing ship thought a massive rock not far from shore was a building and ran aground.
The 4 kilometres of coastline from McArras Brook to Arisaig Point, including 
My skates are old, 23 years old to be exact. They are "figure skates", for those who can do "figures" I suppose. I guess that explains why I could never really skate with them. My friend just bought a fancy pair, the kind that you turn a dial and the laces are tightened. Go figure.
Stepping out onto the ice was weird. So used to skating on a bumpy pond surface, it was wonderful and smooth at the arena. Everyone skates in the same direction for about 15 minutes, then switches to the other direction - you can hear people groan as they say "I skate better in the other direction". The majority of people are just doing their best to stay upright. It's a happy, fun atmosphere.
