Amethysts and other semi-precious stones are to be found in the rocks near Parrsboro (Glooscap scattered his grandmother's jewellery), and not far away there was a major fossil find in 1985. The fossils include some of the earliest (and smallest) of the dinosaurs, and intriguing fossil footprints. Gems, minerals and a few of the fossils (there were over 100,000 found) are on display in the Parrsboro Museum, at the Tourist Information Centre in the middle of Parrsboro (just after the left turn). Hwy. 2 turns east in Parrsboro, along the shore of the Bay of Fundy. The terrain is rolling, as the route winds through a narrow wooded gorge alongside the Moose River. At Five Islands, the Economy Mountain, the only major hill on the tour, rises some 215 m. (700 ft) above the level of the countryside. The view is welcome but the 125 m. (400 ft.) climb is hard to appreciate if it comes at the end of a long day's ride. Part way up the hill (on the right) there is a pipe from which delicious fresh natural cold spring water flows; you can recognize it by the small parking area in front of it. The Five Island Provincial Park entrance is about a third of the way up the hill (before the steep part). The park has a wonderful campground (with showers) and picnic area on the Minas Basin. The rolling terrain becomes more consistent after Economy Mountain, and remains so all the rest of the way to Halifax. Economy, the next community, is located where the river of the same name empties into the Minas Basin. At low tide, miles of red sand flats are uncovered, and clam digging is a major local industry. Bass River's main industry is a wooden chair factory, and the local general store has an upstairs display area for locally manufactured traditional wooden furniture (worth a look). In Great Village there is a very old General Store that has an interesting area set aside with 19th century merchandise on display. The bustling town of Truro, "the hub of Nova Scotia", forms a junction for highways 102, 2, 104 and 4. The Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition, the largest agricultural fair in the province, is held here each August. Victoria Park, within Truro, is a large natural area with a winding stream which flows through a deep gorge forming two waterfalls: a fine place to stop for lunch. From Truro, continue south on Hwy. 2 toward Halifax. South of Truro is the Stewiacke River Valley, a rich farming area and also a centre of Micmac Indian culture. The Provincial Wildlife Park is located near the village of Shubenacadie, with many of our native birds and mammals on display in a natural woodland setting. Lantz is a small village where most of the buildings are made of red brick produced at the local brick and tile plant. As you ride through Enfield, you will be near the Halifax International Airport reached by Hwy. 102 (turn right at the overpass for the airport). Continue straight across the overpass and you will come to Grand Lake and two parks, Oakfield Park (picnicking) and Laurie Park (picnicking and camping, no showers). Oakfield Park is at the end of 3 km. (2 mi.) of gravel road, and has wide fields and an excellent beach. Both provide fine places to stop for a lunch or a swim. Grand Lake itself has landlocked salmon and trout and is a favourite with local anglers. Wellington, Fall River and Waverley are next on the ride. Take Hwy. 318 from Waverley for a winding shaded ride along a chain of lakes, and on into Dartmouth for a ferry ride (buy a token, $.75, bikes are free) to Halifax. Along the route the towns of Amherst, Springhill and Truro have shopping areas with hotels, restaurants, etc. There are also restaurants, motels and a few stores in Parrsboro and near Enfield (vicinity of the Halifax airport), and restaurants and food stores in Five Islands, Bass River, Glenholm and Shubenacadie. Campgrounds are available in the vicinities of Amherst, Parrsboro, Five Islands, Glenholme, Brookfield (near Truro), Shubenacadie and Grand Lake, and there is a comfortable municipal campground (Shubie Park, with showers and swimming) in the city of Dartmouth. B&B accommodations are available all along the route; consult the Nova Scotia Travel Guide for up-to-date details.
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