The 1972 hit by Carly Simon, “You’re So Vain”, is one of my favorites, especially this part of the third verse, “you flew your Leerjet up to Nova Scotia, to see the total eclipse of the sun”. A fan of Simon’s music from a young age, exploring Nova Scotia was very high on my bucket list.
For my niece, Carly. Click this link to see and hear your namesake, Carly Simon performing live! Can’t wait to see you in NYC!
Commodore’s Quiz
Hey Commodores Greg and Gary, what are people who live in Nova Scotia called?
St. Peter’s, NS
The marina is run by very friendly volunteers from the Lion’s Club. As we tied up in the well-maintained marina, we found yet another adorable Rosborough from Florida. Hello to Melissa and Mike Read.
We did have a starry night – but without a camera with a high f/stop, it’s impossible to photograph. With a fun app, introduced by Chris, you can get a sense of how strong the stars were.
Baddeck, Cape Breton Island, NS
This quaint town is peaceful and sweet in the summer. Winter population is less than 1,000. Baddeck is also the summer home of the Grosvenor family, descendants of Alexander Graham Bell.
Perfect time for a dinghy ride
Traveling by water you get a close-up view of the lighthouse.
Inside the Yellow Rectangle with a Nat Geo Legend
Tied up at the Baddeck city dock, we received a warm welcome from several members of Sandy Grosvenor’s family. Say hello to Graham Grosvenor and his legendary father, Gilbert “Gil” Grosvenor.
Thank you, Gil and Graham, we are eating your lobsters tonight!!
Born in 1931, at 92, Gil Grosvenor is spunky and witty. Gil is the great-grandson of Alexander Graham Bell.
Alexander and Mabel Bell made Baddeck their summer home beginning in 1885. Mabel, who was 10 years younger than Alexander, had a fabulous sense of humor, as noted in one of her letters found in the Alexander Graham Bell museum:
“… it was impossible to see your stars last night. I am sorry because I wanted to see them because you were so anxious that I should, and because now we shall have to sit up again, and Oh dear it is so hard to care two pence for anything in heaven above or the earth beneath at four o’clock in the morning. “
The stories of Grosvenor and National Geographic
The National Geographic magazine dates back to 1888. That’s 135 years! Without a doubt, the exquisite photojournalism inspires humans, young and old, to explore our earth.
For me, the extraordinary stories found in National Geographic sparked awareness of, and appreciation for, our fragile world. Growing up in a rural Alaskan setting, I was an avid reader. My love of traveling was directly influenced by the glossy photos and in-depth stories. Passing on the tradition a few years ago, our teenage grandson Leo is now enjoying the remarkable magazine.
Alexander Graham Bell was one of the original founders of the National Geographic Society. The first full-time editor of the National Geographic magazine was Bell’s son-in law, Gil’s grandfather, Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor (1899–1954), followed by Gil’s father – Melville Bell Grosvenor (1957–67). Our visitor, Gilbert Melville Grosvenor, was the third-generation editor (1970–80), later taking over as president of the National Geographic Society (1980–96).
Our friend Sandy is the great-great-granddaughter of Alexander Graham Bell (her father was Gil Grosvenor’s brother).
About a year ago Gil authored a book that you should definitely order (that is unless someone special already bought it for you, Sideways, just saying).
Click here to order this book on Amazon! A Man of the World: My Life at National Geographic. This description is from the Amazon website, “filled with pirates, royalty, treasures, frostbite, shipwrecks, impenetrable jungles, hidden tombs and ancient temples.”
Gil told us he wanted to title the book “Inside the Yellow Rectangle.”
Changing with the times, National Geographic has fully embraced the use of social media platforms. Currently, its Instagram Page has 282 million followers, reportedly the most of any account not belonging to a celebrity. As more and more online followers elected to “Experience the world through the eyes of National Geographic photographers” in 2022 circulation of the printed magazine dropped to roughly 1.8 million. By comparison, readership was around 12 million in the late 1980s.
Now owned by Disney, I was saddened to read in the Washington Post, “as of June 2023 the magazine laid off all of its staff writers, shifting to an entirely freelance-based writing model. Beginning in 2024 it would no longer offer newsstand purchases.” Perhaps a more positive perspective, the shift away from “news that is fit to print” is good for the trees.
More Grosvenor Family members!
Thank you to Sara, who went out of her way to say hello!
Finally, a BIG thank you to Sandy, the queen of crab cakes, for sending us to Baddeck. Say hello to Ironbear and Grogu, continuing the Grosvenor family tradition, they are world travelers, currently in the Netherlands!
Today, Sandy is busy as an International Judge at The Hague, and the World Sailing World Championships. That’s not a typo by the way. Here’s the schedule.
St. Peter’s, NS again
We circled back to St. Peter’s for one night. Paul and Donna, this time we got to dine at the Bras d’Or Inn, where we finally learned the meaning of Bras d’Or.
No Commodore, it’s not a lady’s garment, the translation is arms of gold. And the food was fantastic.
Fishermans Harbour, Guysborough County
Today we are weathered in at Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s a well-protected little cove.
Craig Adford, what do you do when you can’t travel on the waters? Fish, of course!
Dinner on board Tonto’s Reward – A question for #8
While Gail B was making another wonderful dinner, she noticed the spice you introduced, #8, Slap Ya Mama, is labeled kosher. Intrigued by the kosher-ness, here is Gail’s question for #8, “if you sprinkle a kosher spice on your food, does it make the food kosher?”
For the tribe, what do you think?
Wondering where we are? Here’s the exact coordinates!
Trivia answer for the Commodores
People who live in Nova Scotia are called “Nova Scotians”. It’s good to have an easy quiz once in a while. There are over 900,000 of them; over 400,000 of whom live in Halifax.
Celebrating Milestones
Happy Birthday Alisha, from Buttercup!
Anniversary: August 19, Danielle and Sandra; August 20, Ann and Howard celebrating 45 years;
More Birthdays: August 21, Tom Turke; August 23, Matt Jackson.
Up Next: When the weather clears, we are headed to Halifax. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia has exceeded all expectations! Jim and Susan, we can’t wait to see you!
Exhale on the Water 