At Annapolis Nova Scotia the highest tides in the world are harnessed to generate enough power for 4,500 homes
Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia – Thanks to the massive movement of water created the tides of the Bay of Fundy, the Annapolis Tidal Generating Station creates enough electricity to power 4,500 homes. This is the only Tidal Power Generating Station in North America (the two others are in France and Russia). You can drop in to learn more - 35,000 people visit annually. The first floor has visitor information and the second floor features interpretative information. Then, there's a third possibility - to go ‘down under’. Up to eight visitors at a time (in hard hats and safety glasses) descend five stories by elevator into the power plant for a 25-minute tour. Because it’s a working plant, this can only be done during the hours when it is not generating. It’s open mid-May until mid-October. Photo courtesy of Nova Scotia Power
Where: Annapolis Royal and Port Royal form the oldest continuous European settlement nofth of St. Augustine, Florida. The historic town is located on the south side of the Annapolis River, about 10 km upriver, near the western shore of Nova Scotia.This was the first capital of the Colony of Nova Scotia and it features one of the highest concentrations of heritage buildings in Canada.
In the News: A new Fundy tidal energy project using submerged tidal stream generators is underway. The first of three turbines is expected to be operational in October 2009. The potential effect on fishing in the region is causing concern. The Bay of Fundy is one of 28 finalists in the 'New7 Wonders of the Natural World' competition. You can support with your vote at: http://www.new7wonders.com
Lucy Izon
Canada Cool is produced by award-winning Canadian travel writer & speaker Lucy Izon. Her travel stories & reports have appeared in numerous leading North American publications including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, and Chicken Soup for the Traveler's Soul. Bio page
Canada’s Coolest:
Welcome to a new feature on Canada Cool. I'll be presenting different 'Coolest' lists with my favorites and I encourage you to nominate suggestions from your own experiences. You can Twitter @CanadaCool or email [email protected]. Let me know what makes your suggestion exceptionally cool. Remember, by contributing your comments you are giving Canada Cool permission to quote you. Only a selection of submissions will be included, but all comments and submissions are greatly appreciated!
The first feature is: Canada's Coolest Single Day Scenic Drives
Here are some of my favorites...
The Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park, Alberta - This 229 km (142 mi) Rocky Mountain route from Banff/Lake Louise to Jasper passes 100 frozen rivers and nudges the base of the Athabasca Glacier - the most accessible glacier in the world. You can stop and explore it. It spills down from the Columbia Icefield, an area of ice so massive that you could fit the entire population of North America on it with each person getting at least a square metre of space.
The Corridor, Algonquin Park, Ontario – this 56-km stretch of Hwy 60 cuts through the southwest section of Algonquin Park. Less than three hours north of Toronto the park is a nature-lover's paradise with 7,725 km of lakes, rivers, forest, trails, camping, comfortable lodges and 2000 km of canoe routes. Offers hiking trails to stop and enjoy, but what makes it really cool is that it’s one of the best places in North America to spot moose (especially in May and June). And, on Thursday nights in August up to 600 cars will gather to listen to wolves howl.
The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – Driving this 303 km (187 mile) route is like riding a roller-coaster: the road snakes around hairpin turns, rises to heights over 365 metres (1200 ft), weaves around headlands revealing spectacular coastal scenery, and plunges down to sea level taking you into the heart of small fishing communities. The most dramatic scenery is between the Cape Breton Highlands National Park entrance near Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay, so go slow. And, plan some flexibility into your schedule, so you can drive it on a clear day.
And here are some of your nominations for 'Canada's Coolest Single Day Scenic Drives'...
More from Canada’s Coolest
'Canada's Coolest' topics we'll be publishing in the future:
- Golf Course Features
- Haunted Hotels
- Hotel Special Services
Send your suggestions to [email protected]
Recent 'Canada's Coolest' topics:
