Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

To catch you up on our travels, we have left Cape Breton Island, traveling south east to the other side of Halifax to a charming seaside town of Lunenburg.  Steve had booked us a lovely B&B for two nights, as a treat for all of our camping, so we are staying in a very fine place within walking distance to the downtown of Lunenburg.  After driving for 6 hours we arrived, settled in and headed into town for the beginning of our adventure, and what an adventure we had.  Lunenburg is a brightly painted town set on a hill overlooking the inner harbor.  After wandering around and treating ourselves to a beer and mussels, we headed down to the docks for picture taking and seeing what was up.  We ended up taking a sunset cruise on a beautiful boat out into the harbors, a two hours cruise that evolved into a 2 1/2 hr cruise, getting back to the dock a bit after 9:00, but it couldn't have been a better evening, balmy, and the most beautiful sunset we have seen since we have been on our trip.

Today we wandered into town checking out Canadian and US dory races that we had just stumbled upon, then the art galleries ad shops.  The afternoon was spent at the Fisheries Museum that was three floors of fish aquariums, the history of fishing in Nova Scotia, the stories of fishing, the captains, crew….whaling, storms, ship building, dory building, and on and on.  I'm sure that even after spending three hours there we missed lots, there was so much to see, but we were tired and the place was going to be shutting up shortly.  Walking back down to the piers we came across a wedding leaving out on a boat….one never knows what we will stumble on.  Enjoy.

Cape Breton Island, NS

Boy are we having an action packed time.  we said our good bye's to our friends John and Anne yesterday morning and then headed down the road to the Wood Islands Ferry to take us back to Nova Scotia.  It is very cool, you can drive the Confederation bridge to PEI, and then take the ferry back, take the ferry both ways, or the ferry to bridge.  you are only charged when you leave PEI.  mind you, our total came out to $92.00, but we just had to do it because we could, and it would save us a lot of backtracking.  The ferry ride is for 70 minutes across the Northumberland Strait to Caribou NS.

Arriving in NS, we then drove over to the causeway that took us into Cape Breton, then up the west coast towards Inverness.  Along the way we stopped at Glen Breton, North Americas only single malt distillery.  We signed up for the tour of the distillery which was interesting.  Each time we do one of these we learn and retain a bit more information.  Then a quick mini dram of their whisky, which Steve didn't care much for, then back on the road up to our campsite for the next two nights.  All I can say is wow.  You get to the top of the driveway in and you see this magnificent cove with blue water, high cliffs and a beautiful sight to perch for a few nights.  We went for a walk on the beach and settled back for the night.

Today we headed out and drove the John Cabot Highway up the east side, joining the Cape Breton Highlands NP and seeing some of the most dramatic scenery.  I think we were driving or taking pictures for about 5 hours, needless to say, we are both exhausted, especially our eyes.  

Tomorrow, back across the causeway past Halifax to Lunenburg.  Stay tuned, but enjoy the past few days for now.

Glen Breton Distilery

the Cabot Trail #1

Near Ingonish, NS

Ingonish Harbor

The Cabot Trail #2

Number 3

Near Pleasant Bay, NS

The Cabot Trail #4

Greetings from PEI

We are at a good friend's on Prince Edward Island, enjoying his hospitality and his internet connection.  Canada's internet infrastructure is challenging, to say the least, thus the paucity of posts.

We're having a great time in the Maritimes and the weather has been relatively fine, with only a couple of heavy rains, which made us ever so grateful to have our camper, Shelly.  The scenery is very much like Whidbey Island, WA, and Kangaroo Island, South Australia and Tasmania, all combined.  Perhaps it is like how Maine was 50 years ago.

We came over on the Confederation Bridge, an engineering marvel, and will take the ferry back to Nova Scotia and then on to Cape Breton Island for a couple of days.  It should be great fun!

'Til later, enjoy!

Near Pugwash, NS

the Old Farmstead near Pictou, NS

Pictou, NS

the Hector, Pictou NS

Sunset at the campground in Pugwash, NS

Dawn Heron

Rossignol Vineyard, Woods Island, PEI

PEI oceanside fields

the Big Sky of PEI

John's Barn Window

Mowing Time

Waiting for Laundry

Nova Scotia Adventure

So, here we are, reclining at a beautiful campsite just outside of Pugwash, Nova Scotia, but let me begin at the beginning.

Upon our return to the States 1 1/2 years ago, Steve and I have been looking at campers, we had such a good time camping around Australia, we thought we should see North America. Afterr much searching, we found "Shelly" our replacement for "Snappa" our faithful Australian tent.

So. Here we are, on our maiden adventure with Shelly. Saturday, we left Hancock and travelled to Portsmouth, then up the Maine Turnpike, through Portland, Augusta and Bangor, past Orono and Old Town, and getting off at Howland, then traveling south along the Penoboscot River to a little campsite. To be honest, when Steve pulled in I had severe thoughts, but it turned out to be lovely site. We were the only campers, the cabilns were full but there were only two of those and it wasn't a problem.

Today we travelled east through the border crossing and on through New Brunswick passing Fredericton and Moncton, then south crossing into Nova Scotia. Arriving here at our campsite east of Pugwash, right on the Northumberland Strait. When the rain clouds parted, we can see PEI, which is where we will be in Tuesday. We have driven across some beautiful countryside.

I can't say that the eastern parts of Maine that we drove through were the most beautiful, but as soon as we crossed the border into New Brunswick, the homes and properties were just well kept and beautiful.
Enjoy the few photos, remembering that the last two days were mostly spent on the road getting here.




Em and Shelly (and two dogs who know something is afoot)




Our campsite in Passadumkeag, Maine




The Penobscot River




Uncorking the wine (why travel hard?)




Shelly and Allie in Pugwash




The beach at the campsite




Our fellow campers




Tonight's sunset