Rediscover the Evangeline Trail

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

These are subjective guides, drawing their strength from the authors’
personal interests and inclinations. Combined, the two escort the reader
along the shoreline of the southern half of Nova Scotia’s mainland,
from Halifax to Windsor. The Lighthouse Route starts at Halifax and
moves along the south shore to Yarmouth, covering the counties of
Halifax, Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne, and Yarmouth. The Evangeline
Trail starts in Yarmouth County (there’s no significant overlap) and
continues along the Fundy coast through Digby, Annapolis, Kings, and
Hants counties.

The guides target those traveling by car, with an interest in scenery,
interesting shops, and historical and geographic data. Each author
provides a running commentary on museums, galleries, boutiques, parks,
historical sites, craft workshops, beaches, unusual geographical
features, and, occasionally, unusual places to eat. The pace is
leisurely and the tone one of rather mild enthusiasm.

Both guides include a sprinkling of quality black-and-white photos and
sketchy maps of each county. There’s a strong possibility that in
editorial discussions, the “target audience” for the guides was
described as “grandmother, or middle-aged maiden aunt.” If so,
they’re on the money.