Words & pictures by Deborah Loeb Bohren

Canada’s Nova Scotia was a mystical place to me growing up. My parents often spoke of Peggy’s Cove and a hand colored photograph taken by my dad of a local fisherman hung proudly in our living room. It took me more decades than I will disclose here to finally make my way north but I am very glad that I did.

My destination was Lunenburg, roughly 625 miles north of New York City as the crow flies, or about one-and-a-half hours south of Halifax by car. Founded in 1753, it has been a World Heritage Site since1995 and is considered the best example of a planned British colony settlement in North America. What I found was a town that had changed little since my parents were there and, in fact, had changed little since the 1800s — a rectangular grid of brightly painted houses exemplifying local wooden vernacular architecture.

The town is walkable, wander-able and wonderful with a myriad of ways to fill your days. Visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to delve into the history of the area and the importance of fishing then, and now. The museum is also home to the Bluenose II, an exact working replica of the original world-renowned Bluenose. Launched 100 years ago, it went on to be the undefeated racing champion for 17 straight years. Experience the Bluenose II from shore, be a deckhand for a day or indulge in a scenic harbor cruise. Afterwards stop by local microbrewery Ironworks for some Bluenose Rum. Located in an 1893 heritage building that was formerly a marine blacksmith’s shop, they also produce gin, vodka, whiskey, brandy, liquors (the rhubarb was my personal favorite) and eau de vie. Fun fact: no fruit used in the spirits travels more than 150 kilometers from where it was grown, making this a truly local experience.

Venturing out from town a visit to Blue Rocks, less than a 10 minute drive, should be on your itinerary. A working fishing village with blue slate rocks on the edge of the ocean, it provides a picturesque backdrop for a photo to send home.  A bit further afield is Mahone Bay, the perfect diversion for lunch and shopping for art, yarn and pewter. Although considered a major tourist attraction, a visit to Peggy’s Cove is a must. Locals still fish for lobster and fish, and the town still retains the charm that so engaged my parents. Once you are sated on local lobster and have explored the town, take a walk out over the rocks to Peggy’s Point Lighthouse. Watching over the waves and protecting working lobster boats since 1915, it is an idyllic place to watch the sun set.

Exploring Nova Scotia is a great way to tone up those travel muscles as the world starts reopening. As for me, I’m glad I finally got to see Nova Scotia first-hand and now understand why my parents loved it so much.

Deborah Loeb Bohren is a fine art and travel photographer. Photography has been Deb’s passion since her father put a camera in her hand when she was only five years old. Today she combines that passion with her love of travel, using her camera to capture the intersection and interplay of light, line and color to create visual stories from the flea markets of Paris to the dunes of Morocco and from Machu Picchu to Havana and beyond. She lives in New York.

Go to http://www.travelinglensphoto.com/ for info about her online photo workshops.