Saturday, August 14, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
August 5 to 10th
Aug 5 - Rain has stopped and the sun may even shine. Hear from friends from home, Gary and Carmine that they are in a campground in Bras de Or so we decide to head there instead of Louisbourg. They are taking the ferry tomorrow for Nfld. We meet a great couple at Battery, Linda and David from Peterborough, Ontario. They give us a few suggestions for Nfld as they are headed that way again for the 4th time! They have a cat named Cassie, same as Gary and Carmine so I tell them if they meet a couple from BC travelling in a Eurovan, with a cat, to go up and ask if Cassie is home. You never know! Have a good drive along Bras de Or lake and arrive early in the afternoon. Do some laundry then Gary and Carmine return so we visit then decide to head into town for dinner, I think there is only one restaurant in North Sydney but it is a good one, I have lobster again!
Aug 6 - Gary and Carmine are off, sunny this morning so we head off to Fort Louisbourg. Awesome place, very well done. In 1961 the government decided rebuilding the Fort would be a good way of putting coal miners back to work on Cape Breton Island. I wonder how much that bill was, but it is a great piece of history. They fire a couple of cannons and their pea soup is good, not sure about the bread though! Did a little shopping on our way home tomorrow we catch the ferry to Nfld.
Aug 7 - Sunny again, should be a good crossing. We call in to check that our boat is sailing on time and of course it isn't. We were supposed to depart at 9:30 but it will now be 11:00. Still have to be there by 8:00. What a gong show loading this ship! Takes forever!!!! and we hear that they over booked so have turned away three or four semis, anyway we finally get aboard and we're off by 11:45 or so. We are on the Vision, new boat for this line, like a small cruise ship with many cabins and not much seating. Carmine calls as we are loading, they are at Barachous Point Prov Park so we will see them there. Find a seat in the Bar and have a glass of wine - terrible stuff - but a place to sit. Max and Robert find a good spot out on the deck so we join them there. Good crossing and fast, we are doing around 41 knots. We arrive Port aux Basque around 4:30 but again it's a gong show getting off. You are not allowed onto the car deck until the boat is completely docked. The stairwells are packed with people, kids yelling etc. Away to the campground just south of Cornerbrook. Saw a momma black bear and little cub, run across the road in front of us, so cute! Arrive the campground just after 7 pm, Gary and Carmine right behind us, they've been out exploring. David and Linda are here too, Carmine had to tell me about these people coming over to ask about Cassie - so it did work! We all sit around and visit, Maurice even got out the little propane fireplace.
Aug 8 - We are all six of us heading for "Blow Me Down" Provincial Park. Sounds good what? Finally get to see a little of Nfld. a very majestic landscape! Rugged, and desolate looking. Head out to the coast and Blow me Down park in the picnic area on the beach so we can all be together. Very WINDY! of course. We take the hike up the hill, 423 steps, 150 meters. The view is breathtaking! then back to the beach to pick rocks - we are rock hounds! Big yacht comes into the bay, into York Harbour, where Blow Me Down Days are being held. Name looks like Caraid? Beautiful ship but looks out of place.
Aug 9 - Still blow me down windy this morning but sunny. We are off to Cornerbrook for supplies and will meet up with G&C in Gros Morne. Get stopped in some road construction and had a great chat with the flag guy, when he sent us off he said "Look out for bullwinkle" so far we have not seen any moose. There was a sign when we got off the boat that said there have been 22 accidents so far this year - moose/vehicles. Stop at the visitor centre in Gros Morne and they send us up to Shallow Bay Campground. The scenery is just beautiful. I have some great photos but unfortunately not enough internet time to get them on, will keep trying though. Gary and Carmine fit in our space with us so we save a few $$. Put out the awning to keep the showers off for happy hour then it really starts to rain and it is windy too so everyone heads home for the night.
Aug 10 - Windy and rain in the night but a bit better this morning, we have a long way to go, 301 km to St. Anthony or Pistolet Bay Provincial Park. Foggy and misty all the way to St. Barbe Bay so we don't see much. Then the clouds break and the sun shines! Yahoo! We ran over a little mouse today and Robert's words of wisdom were "Better a mouse than a moose!" Arrive the campground around 3:00 and decide to head into St. Anthony right away so leave a note for Gary and Carmine and we're off. First stop Tim Horton's for coffee and a snack, Gary and Carmine spotted us on the road so they come in and join us. Then we drive out to French Bay and look for icebergs, no luck but we see whales! Max actually seen one broach, we think they are humpback they are BIG! Gorgeous spot and the sun is shinning - it is cold though! A couple of oddities are small gardens (vegetable, mostly potatoe) along the road, each one with it's own little fence and sometimes a scarecrow! and also all the piles of firewood along the roadside. The young lady at the campground tells us that when they put the road in they dug up good soil in places and the residents came along and took little plots for their gardens. As for the wood, they get their permit and in winter drag out the wood with these small sleighs and skidoos or whatever to the roadside, in summer they cut it up to dry. We decide to check out Raleigh and Ship Cove, little fishing villages, or used to be. Saw two moose!
Aug 6 - Gary and Carmine are off, sunny this morning so we head off to Fort Louisbourg. Awesome place, very well done. In 1961 the government decided rebuilding the Fort would be a good way of putting coal miners back to work on Cape Breton Island. I wonder how much that bill was, but it is a great piece of history. They fire a couple of cannons and their pea soup is good, not sure about the bread though! Did a little shopping on our way home tomorrow we catch the ferry to Nfld.
Aug 7 - Sunny again, should be a good crossing. We call in to check that our boat is sailing on time and of course it isn't. We were supposed to depart at 9:30 but it will now be 11:00. Still have to be there by 8:00. What a gong show loading this ship! Takes forever!!!! and we hear that they over booked so have turned away three or four semis, anyway we finally get aboard and we're off by 11:45 or so. We are on the Vision, new boat for this line, like a small cruise ship with many cabins and not much seating. Carmine calls as we are loading, they are at Barachous Point Prov Park so we will see them there. Find a seat in the Bar and have a glass of wine - terrible stuff - but a place to sit. Max and Robert find a good spot out on the deck so we join them there. Good crossing and fast, we are doing around 41 knots. We arrive Port aux Basque around 4:30 but again it's a gong show getting off. You are not allowed onto the car deck until the boat is completely docked. The stairwells are packed with people, kids yelling etc. Away to the campground just south of Cornerbrook. Saw a momma black bear and little cub, run across the road in front of us, so cute! Arrive the campground just after 7 pm, Gary and Carmine right behind us, they've been out exploring. David and Linda are here too, Carmine had to tell me about these people coming over to ask about Cassie - so it did work! We all sit around and visit, Maurice even got out the little propane fireplace.
Aug 8 - We are all six of us heading for "Blow Me Down" Provincial Park. Sounds good what? Finally get to see a little of Nfld. a very majestic landscape! Rugged, and desolate looking. Head out to the coast and Blow me Down park in the picnic area on the beach so we can all be together. Very WINDY! of course. We take the hike up the hill, 423 steps, 150 meters. The view is breathtaking! then back to the beach to pick rocks - we are rock hounds! Big yacht comes into the bay, into York Harbour, where Blow Me Down Days are being held. Name looks like Caraid? Beautiful ship but looks out of place.
Aug 9 - Still blow me down windy this morning but sunny. We are off to Cornerbrook for supplies and will meet up with G&C in Gros Morne. Get stopped in some road construction and had a great chat with the flag guy, when he sent us off he said "Look out for bullwinkle" so far we have not seen any moose. There was a sign when we got off the boat that said there have been 22 accidents so far this year - moose/vehicles. Stop at the visitor centre in Gros Morne and they send us up to Shallow Bay Campground. The scenery is just beautiful. I have some great photos but unfortunately not enough internet time to get them on, will keep trying though. Gary and Carmine fit in our space with us so we save a few $$. Put out the awning to keep the showers off for happy hour then it really starts to rain and it is windy too so everyone heads home for the night.
Aug 10 - Windy and rain in the night but a bit better this morning, we have a long way to go, 301 km to St. Anthony or Pistolet Bay Provincial Park. Foggy and misty all the way to St. Barbe Bay so we don't see much. Then the clouds break and the sun shines! Yahoo! We ran over a little mouse today and Robert's words of wisdom were "Better a mouse than a moose!" Arrive the campground around 3:00 and decide to head into St. Anthony right away so leave a note for Gary and Carmine and we're off. First stop Tim Horton's for coffee and a snack, Gary and Carmine spotted us on the road so they come in and join us. Then we drive out to French Bay and look for icebergs, no luck but we see whales! Max actually seen one broach, we think they are humpback they are BIG! Gorgeous spot and the sun is shinning - it is cold though! A couple of oddities are small gardens (vegetable, mostly potatoe) along the road, each one with it's own little fence and sometimes a scarecrow! and also all the piles of firewood along the roadside. The young lady at the campground tells us that when they put the road in they dug up good soil in places and the residents came along and took little plots for their gardens. As for the wood, they get their permit and in winter drag out the wood with these small sleighs and skidoos or whatever to the roadside, in summer they cut it up to dry. We decide to check out Raleigh and Ship Cove, little fishing villages, or used to be. Saw two moose!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
July 23 to Aug 4
July 23, we are off to Upper Sackville KOA for a couple of nights. Time to get the oil changed in the truck, do laundry and do a final shop before Jenny and Caden arrive tomorrow.
July 24, haircut this morning then head into Halifax around noon, find Cogswell Street and head to the waterfront. Beautiful day! Walk about, have a Starbucks, shop! Excellent! Then we are off to the airport to pick-up Jenny and Caden who arrive right on time! 7:20 pm. They had a good flight but long! We are so happy to see them. Caden is more interested in the John Deere riding lawnmower exhibit!
July 25, woke to rain. Off to Peggy's Cove, warm but misty and foggy. Beautiful spot but would be even better in the sunshine! Managed to spend a little money then we're off again heading for Risser's Beach Prov. Park. Lobster for dinner!
July 26, sunny this morning and we are off to Lunenberg. Take the cable ferry at LeHave $5. Have a great day walking about, going for a horse and buggy ride, shopping, tasting vodka etc. Beautiful spot! Back home again via the cable ferry, hot dogs for dinner. Made some calls today, found out Uncle Harlan is in the hospital so we are praying for his speedy recovery!
July 27, pack up and head across the road to the beach, beautiful sandy beach but cool water and windy. Max and Robert bought Caden some beach toys, shovels and buckets etc so he has a wonderful time digging and playing in the water. The outside showers on the RV's are a blessing! We are off again to Lockeport nice little campground with a pool. Caden loves the pool! After everyone has a dip we drive into town to have a look and check out Crescent Beach, another beautiful sandy beach!
July 28, Maurice and I head out early for Shellburne to visit Jim and Ruth Banguay who used to be our neighbours in Ladysmith. They live on Dock Street, the house Jim was raised in. It was built in the 1770's and Jim's dad found two cannon balls in the walls of the house! They are across from the old govt dock. When Max and Robert and Jenny and Caden come we go for a walk about, then we're off for Yarmouth. Nasty campground, lots of mosquitos, Maurice slices open his forehead on the slideout trying to hook-up the water and keep away from the bugs!
July 29, misty morning and foggy as we drive through Yarmouth and on to Digby. Pretty scenery along the way, a few fields etc where it has been mostly forest, scrubby forest compared to BC. Call my friend Heather's sister Sandy, who lives just down the road and Moe and I drive over for a visit. They are building a new home two k up the road so we go over for a tour. Sandy and Tony, very nice people, have a great visit and take some photos for Heather. Once back at the campground we all head into Digby for some famous Digby Scallops. They are good but I like lobster better! and our westcoast prawns are even better!
July 30, decide to drive out Digby Neck but are disappointed as it is not at all what we expected. We were looking for sand dunes and beaches. Found a couple of beaches and think we saw a whale. So drown our sorrows at Diary Queen in Digby!
July 31, heading for Blomidon Prov. Park. On the way drive into Annapolis Royal to look up Cosby House! It is the oldest recorded wooden house in N.S. Beautiful area, many lovely old homes and Fort Anne! 13 battles were fought here. Very interesting and the setting is lovely. Do some shopping, find a German Bakery! Yum! Head off the main road at Greenwich, great farmland, dyked! Apples, onions, broccoli, carrots, corn! Good corn too! Blomidon Park is full so they put us in the Group Area, couldn't be better! Private and quiet, we love it and stay two nights. Blomidon is a huge headland jutting out into Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy, the tides here are up to 50 feet!
Aug 1, after breakfast head to Scot's Bay Beach, great for rock picking. The tide is waaaaay out, very cool, and as it comes in over the rocks the water heats up! Very warm, like your bathtub almost! Stopped at the Look Off for a grand view of Annapolis Valley and Minas Basin! Into Wolfville for a look around and shopping. Tonight I let Jenny color my hair! Wait till you see it!!
Aug 2, takes awhile to get going this morning but soon we are on our way, drive through Gran Pre but don't stop, wish we had. On past Avonport no stopping here either, sorry Heather. Through Windsor and on up to Noel where we turn south and head back to the airport. We have decided to cancel our reservations at KOA and find something close to the airport as Jenny and Caden have to be there by 6:30 am. End up at Dollar Lake Prov. Park for the night. Our last play time with Caden.
Aug 3, late getting away and then Maurice realizes he's left the keys in the RV door so we have to turn around and go back. Adds half an hour or so to our trip into Halifax. We arrive the water front again and discover chaos! No parking! People everywhere. We head back uptown a bit and find parking then walk about, shop and have an early dinner. There is a yacht at the dock, called "Destination Harbour Too" odd name, beautiful boat owned by the guy who owns Tim Horton's. There are two tanker trucks here filling the fuel tanks, apparently another two are on the way! On the way back to pick up the RVs we are looking for two cooked lobster for Jenny to take home, well that wasn't easy! We are late getting back to the RVs and we have to hook up and head back to the airport, we are parking behind the Petro Can station for the night.
Aug 4, cool and cloudy this morning. We are up by 5:45 and we all hop in the truck and take Jenny and Caden to the airport. Get them checked in and get in the security line which is almost out the door. Maurice and I stand in the line while the rest head to Tim Horton's to get her a coffee and bagel. Then they are gone! How sad! Caden is such a bundle of energy but he has been an awesome traveller!! We will miss them greatly but not as much as Max will! Back to the RVs and we are off, our earliest morning yet. Head up to Truro, and across to Antigonish and back over to Cape Breton. Stop in Port Hawkesbury for a McLobster - yes at McDonalds - we had to try one but we won't have another! Not so good. On to St. Peters and Battery Prov. Park. A beautiful park but it is blowing and raining and just plain nasty! Have a great view of the Atlantic, white caps etc. Robert makes shepherd's pie for dinner, nice comfort food! Jenny has called and she is home safe!
July 24, haircut this morning then head into Halifax around noon, find Cogswell Street and head to the waterfront. Beautiful day! Walk about, have a Starbucks, shop! Excellent! Then we are off to the airport to pick-up Jenny and Caden who arrive right on time! 7:20 pm. They had a good flight but long! We are so happy to see them. Caden is more interested in the John Deere riding lawnmower exhibit!
July 25, woke to rain. Off to Peggy's Cove, warm but misty and foggy. Beautiful spot but would be even better in the sunshine! Managed to spend a little money then we're off again heading for Risser's Beach Prov. Park. Lobster for dinner!
July 26, sunny this morning and we are off to Lunenberg. Take the cable ferry at LeHave $5. Have a great day walking about, going for a horse and buggy ride, shopping, tasting vodka etc. Beautiful spot! Back home again via the cable ferry, hot dogs for dinner. Made some calls today, found out Uncle Harlan is in the hospital so we are praying for his speedy recovery!
July 27, pack up and head across the road to the beach, beautiful sandy beach but cool water and windy. Max and Robert bought Caden some beach toys, shovels and buckets etc so he has a wonderful time digging and playing in the water. The outside showers on the RV's are a blessing! We are off again to Lockeport nice little campground with a pool. Caden loves the pool! After everyone has a dip we drive into town to have a look and check out Crescent Beach, another beautiful sandy beach!
July 28, Maurice and I head out early for Shellburne to visit Jim and Ruth Banguay who used to be our neighbours in Ladysmith. They live on Dock Street, the house Jim was raised in. It was built in the 1770's and Jim's dad found two cannon balls in the walls of the house! They are across from the old govt dock. When Max and Robert and Jenny and Caden come we go for a walk about, then we're off for Yarmouth. Nasty campground, lots of mosquitos, Maurice slices open his forehead on the slideout trying to hook-up the water and keep away from the bugs!
July 29, misty morning and foggy as we drive through Yarmouth and on to Digby. Pretty scenery along the way, a few fields etc where it has been mostly forest, scrubby forest compared to BC. Call my friend Heather's sister Sandy, who lives just down the road and Moe and I drive over for a visit. They are building a new home two k up the road so we go over for a tour. Sandy and Tony, very nice people, have a great visit and take some photos for Heather. Once back at the campground we all head into Digby for some famous Digby Scallops. They are good but I like lobster better! and our westcoast prawns are even better!
July 30, decide to drive out Digby Neck but are disappointed as it is not at all what we expected. We were looking for sand dunes and beaches. Found a couple of beaches and think we saw a whale. So drown our sorrows at Diary Queen in Digby!
July 31, heading for Blomidon Prov. Park. On the way drive into Annapolis Royal to look up Cosby House! It is the oldest recorded wooden house in N.S. Beautiful area, many lovely old homes and Fort Anne! 13 battles were fought here. Very interesting and the setting is lovely. Do some shopping, find a German Bakery! Yum! Head off the main road at Greenwich, great farmland, dyked! Apples, onions, broccoli, carrots, corn! Good corn too! Blomidon Park is full so they put us in the Group Area, couldn't be better! Private and quiet, we love it and stay two nights. Blomidon is a huge headland jutting out into Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy, the tides here are up to 50 feet!
Aug 1, after breakfast head to Scot's Bay Beach, great for rock picking. The tide is waaaaay out, very cool, and as it comes in over the rocks the water heats up! Very warm, like your bathtub almost! Stopped at the Look Off for a grand view of Annapolis Valley and Minas Basin! Into Wolfville for a look around and shopping. Tonight I let Jenny color my hair! Wait till you see it!!
Aug 2, takes awhile to get going this morning but soon we are on our way, drive through Gran Pre but don't stop, wish we had. On past Avonport no stopping here either, sorry Heather. Through Windsor and on up to Noel where we turn south and head back to the airport. We have decided to cancel our reservations at KOA and find something close to the airport as Jenny and Caden have to be there by 6:30 am. End up at Dollar Lake Prov. Park for the night. Our last play time with Caden.
Aug 3, late getting away and then Maurice realizes he's left the keys in the RV door so we have to turn around and go back. Adds half an hour or so to our trip into Halifax. We arrive the water front again and discover chaos! No parking! People everywhere. We head back uptown a bit and find parking then walk about, shop and have an early dinner. There is a yacht at the dock, called "Destination Harbour Too" odd name, beautiful boat owned by the guy who owns Tim Horton's. There are two tanker trucks here filling the fuel tanks, apparently another two are on the way! On the way back to pick up the RVs we are looking for two cooked lobster for Jenny to take home, well that wasn't easy! We are late getting back to the RVs and we have to hook up and head back to the airport, we are parking behind the Petro Can station for the night.
Aug 4, cool and cloudy this morning. We are up by 5:45 and we all hop in the truck and take Jenny and Caden to the airport. Get them checked in and get in the security line which is almost out the door. Maurice and I stand in the line while the rest head to Tim Horton's to get her a coffee and bagel. Then they are gone! How sad! Caden is such a bundle of energy but he has been an awesome traveller!! We will miss them greatly but not as much as Max will! Back to the RVs and we are off, our earliest morning yet. Head up to Truro, and across to Antigonish and back over to Cape Breton. Stop in Port Hawkesbury for a McLobster - yes at McDonalds - we had to try one but we won't have another! Not so good. On to St. Peters and Battery Prov. Park. A beautiful park but it is blowing and raining and just plain nasty! Have a great view of the Atlantic, white caps etc. Robert makes shepherd's pie for dinner, nice comfort food! Jenny has called and she is home safe!
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