Getting ready to move ... day 2

Went to Ingonish this afternoon.  I stopped at the market for some Diet Coke and bananas, and then had lunch at Coastal Waters Restaurant, another “Places to Eat” from the TV show.  The chicken focaccia was very good (one of their signature sandwiches) but the spinach salad was even better; the best I’ve eaten I think. 

They had decent internet and I wish I’d brought my tablet and thought to download some books on my Kindle.

Ingonish is home to the #1 golf course in all of Canada.  I don’t know how they rate that, but I thought the fact was interesting considering I’m on rock in a secluded place.  I would have thought the beautiful ones I saw in PEI and Quebec would be more appealing.

The day started out drizzly, so I started the outside prep to leave tomorrow in case it turned into a downpour, but by noon the sun was out.  The Jeep is all hooked up and the hoses stowed, so all I need to do in the morning is pull the power cord, bring up the jacks and bring the slides in and hit the road.

I visited with some fellow campers this morning.  I had no idea liquor was so expensive here!  They have family in Maine so they travel there regularly.  Apparently the same amount of beer you can buy there for $15 is $50 here with all the taxes.  They explained that the taxes go to the health care and retirement;  everyone receives a pension at 60 years.  The taxes are steep; even with the exchange rate there was $4 in tax added to my lunch tab today.  It adds up.  We also talked about the lack of government signage and the amount of rain I’ve seen.

When I was driving into the campground last night, I saw another Journey just like mine set up in the section over, but when I went over to talk to them it was gone.  They just stayed the one night.  I was disappointed.

Getting ready to hit the road .... again

I pretended I was retired and decided not to rush the move to the next campground.  I was toying with the idea of leaving here early, but decided to take a rest.  It rained again today.  I stayed warm and dry and did some wash and sightseeing planning for both New Brunswick and New Jersey.  I’m kind of excited to be going back to the States soon.

My next several campgrounds are booked for 3 week stays (longer than I ever stay anywhere), because I need to slow down.  I’m getting pretty tired!  Hopefully, I will be able to go see some things and come back at a decent hour, then go out again the next day.  I’ve been cramming 8 and 12 hour days to see it all and I’m finding that I’m just too rushed to spend the time I would like to actually experience the site.

Unfortunately, I really messed up my “New England Fall Tour.”  The New England states are more expensive than others, especially in the fall, so I booked my reservation in New Jersey where I had a free campground, not realizing it was too far south to see any of the fall colors in the New England area.  I will just have to come back another year; I want to see more of Nova Scotia (I didn’t see anything below the Canso Causeway) and I can combine it with Maine, etc.

I’ll still get to see some fall color where I am, so it’ll be fine.  Since I now have an “extra” month before I’m due in Florida, I’ve decided to spend it in Tennessee.

The campground in New Jersey is just north of Atlantic City, close enough to see Philadelphia (I’m excited) and go into NYC again.  Besides New Jersey, I’ll see the top half of Delaware as well.

More Nova Scotia

Today I made the 2 hour drive down the Cabot Trail to see the Alexander Graham Bell Museum in Baddock.  It is interesting to me when I visit a museum or read a biography how much more someone accomplished in their life that they aren’t necessary “famous” for.  For instance, Bell was the first to recognize the “greenhouse effect” and started conservation measures and experiments to help the environment – solar, growing plants in different environments, converting salt water to fresh, etc.  He was also instrumental in developing the first airplane and seaplane in Canada.

The pair of red chairs are a symbol you see all over Canada.  They are meant to be a reminder to stop and enjoy the moment and the view.  When I was in Fundy I saw the set of 4 – the only place I’ve seen them in more than pairs.

My Canadian annual park pass has turned out to be a great purchase.  Not only is it saving me the daily park fee at the campground, it gets me in free to national historic sights.  I saved $17 admission at the Fortress, and again today at the Bell Museum.  There have been several places along the way that I got in free (and don’t have to wait in line!).

I made sure I got back in time to drive up to the Chowder House for dinner.  I brought a cup of chowder home for tomorrow, but ordered fish and chips for dinner.  It was good, but not the best I’ve had … the dinner at five three one (the sports facility) was much better.  I’m sure the chowder will be outstanding ….  (I had it for breakfast and, unfortunately, it was not outstanding – bummer).  The chowder in Charlottetown, PEI was the best.

I passed a Cruise America rented Class C with California plates.  I was excited and then realized how foolish …

 

There is a box at the end of the driveways …. It looks a little like a bench and some are very crude and some fancy.  It is for the trash.  The birds won’t leave the trash bags alone and spread it all over, so they put it in these boxes to be picked up each week.

Tomorrow and Saturday I’ll take the time to get ready to move again …. This time back to New Brunswick and Fundy National Park, and then back to the States!

I feel like I’ve been in Canada much longer than the four weeks that I have; I’ve enjoyed it and look forward to coming back when I see the New England states.