RussLeona Trip 9/3/12 Ferry-Louisbourg

This is the ferry that we took from Argentia, NL to North Sydney, NS.  The photo was taken from the campground where we spent the night before boarding the ferry..

This was taken standing in front of our motorhome where we camped in North Sydney after leaving the ferry.

This is a lighthouse in Louisbourg.  You might have guessed we like lighthouses.

This is the gate entering the Louisbourg Fortress.

This is the guard that challenged us at the gate.  He wanted to know our business and told us to not make any drawing and promise that we wouldn't give any information to the English.

One of the canons on the wall defending the fortification.

This canon was fired for us.  It is looking out towards sea.

Friday we left Saint Johns.  We drove to Argentia where we will leave on the ferry.  We stayed in a campground build on site where homes were when the US had a naval base there.  The base was closed in the 80's.  It had been there since before WWII.  It looked down on the ferry dock.  The wind blew really hard and it rained all night.  The next morning the rain stopped but the wind continued.  We boarded the ferry and were warned to make sure we set our parking brakes.  We left at 6:30 pm.  The ferry ride was rough.  15 to 20 foot waves.  I was OK, probably because I took a Dramamine.  Leona was challenged.  We had a two berth cabin so was able to sleep some.  It was nice to get to North Sydney.  Sadie had to ride in the motorhome.  She was especially glad to see us at 9:00 am  the next morning.  We spent the rest of the day resting..
Monday, we toured the Louisbourg Fortress.  It was built in 1713 by the French.  In 1745, the English captured the fort.  In 1748, a treaty gave it back to the French so they moved back.  Then in 1758, the English captured it again.  In 1760, the English demolished it.  From 1963 to 1983, the fortress was rebuilt, as it was in 1844, using the original drawings that were found.  Today is to manned by people acting like it was 1844.  It was very interesting and we learned alot.