Headed for the "Rock"

Sept 24th

The Light House at Canso
A Ship Loading Crushed Rock at Canso

Up and had breakfast at our motel, then headed toward Sydney, but Lo and Behold as we were crossing the Canso Causeway Denice spotted what she thought was a "Tall Sailing Ship" way down the Canso Strait. We just crossed the Strait and then stopped at an info place and asked if they knew if any tall ships were scheduled to stop here. None were but we decided to go back to where the bridge crosses the Canal through the causeway. Once there and with the help of telephoto lenses on our cameras were able to see that in fact there was was a very large sailing vessel headed toward us.





As we were in no real hurry to get to Sydney as it is only a 2 1/2 hour drive we decided to wait awhile and see what the ship actually was. WE had to wait a couple of hours, but finally it was close enough that we could clearly see her drop her sails and turn toward the locks in the causeway canal. We watched her navigate through, and the highway and rail bridge turn vertical to the canal to allow her passage.

Traffic on both sides of the bridge backed up several miles during the 20 minutes it took for the ship to pass through. We found that an interesting event for today, then headed on down the road along Bras d'Or Lake. Nice leisure drive with great scenery! Colors on the trees are starting to change. Another week or so, and they should be real good. We pulled over in one spot where an eagle was flying by, and he honored us by landing in a tree right in front of us.


We were able to get some great shots of him! We arrived in North Sydney by 2:30PM. This is where the ferry leaves from tomorrow morning. We checked into the North Star Inn right adjacent to the Ferry terminal. At present two Ferry's are waiting in Queue at the docks.




At 5:00PM we went down to Rollie's Beachside Restaurant at the advice of the desk clerk at the North Star. She said tonight was 2 for 1 steak night, there would be some music and we could enjoy a little Ceilidh!! (this is pronounced Kaylee - and is a Scottish Party) She was not misinformed!
We did have a 2 for 1 steak dinner with a 16 oz steak, but the nice waitress allowed us to have one steak and the other to have a large portion of haddock, and we could share. The meal was excellent, the music great, the Kieth beer fine, and the caramel ginger spice cake delicious. While we ate we watched a ferry dock and unload. Another Great Day!!
Sept 23rd
Traveled from Shediac to Ault Cove on Canso Strait in Nova Scotia with the Jeep only. Left Shediac on highway 15 to Port Elgin, then highway 16 to Sackville, then #2 from there to the Canso Strait. Trip was rather uneventful with only stopping at the info Booth at the entry into Nova Scotia.
Just prior to the Canso Causeway found a nice motel right on the water with a restaurant included. We checked in and then took a few photos, then went for supper,





Denice had a Halibut Steak, me a Spicey Fish Hotpot. Both were good, but I'm not sure that I would choose mine over a prime Alberta Steak.
Sept 22nd
Today we took a tour to PEI, across the Confederation Bridge. Had lunch over there and then returned for $42.50 to cross the bridge.





PEI is smart as they do not charge to get on to the island but sure sock it to you to get off. We just went over and had lunch, and then returned to New Brunswick. It was still early so we decided to take a run down to the Hopewell rocks the other side of Moncton and then maybe Cape Enrage. We were at this cape about 10 years ago and remembered to light house in the fog and then the neat beach below the cliffs with course gravel "tumbled" with the endless waves, making them all like gem stones. When we got to Hopewell rocks decided to by-pass them and continue on to Cape Enrage first. We drove for about 10 miles, and then were concerned about how far it was to the Cape, so I stopped at a little store and asked. They said another 20 minutes, but since our time was running short we turned back and went to Hopewell. Even as it was we were only able to spend 3/4 of an hour there before closure at 5:00PM. It is quite a walk to the cliff edge, but there is as golf cart type shuttle for $1.50/person each way. We decided to take it in the interest of time. The girl at the ticket booth charged those just in front of us, but when we paid the entry fee she waived the shuttle charge, with a smile and a wink, and gave us the shuttle tickets. Not sure why we were so gifted, but we graciously accepted. Must be our good looks!!



So we made a flying trip down for some good photos. I ran down the stairs for some beach shots and Denice stayed on top. The tide was out. back up the stairs, and back onto the shuttle and back to the jeep. Returned through Moncton and back to Shediac to ELTORO.
Sept 21st

Shediac's "largest Lobster"

Purlee Beach at Shediac

Well, here we go with those plans "Cast in Jello" again. It was to travel to Sydney, NS with ELTORO from here in Shediac. Travel time was two days to get there. Then, we had found an RV Park that would store the motorhome in a non hook up area for $10/night or if we stayed a couple of nights would only charge $5/nights. We would then take the jeep across to Newfoundland and stay in B&B's or motels for about a week, before returning to the main land. Well, today we were discussing our plans and Denice comes up with this idea. "Why are we taking ELTORO all the way to Sydney, storing it there, and then returning all the way back here, a total driving distance of 600 miles on the motor home". I guess I had never thought of it that way, but she does have a point. She does occasionally come up with some good ones you know!! So now here are the new plans. The park we are in here will match the cost of the one in Sidney, so we will leave ELTORO here for $5/night while we are gone. We will just take the jeep from here Thursday after getting ELTORO settled in. Then we will get to Sidney Friday night, stay in a motel, be at the ferry terminal at 10:00AM to catch the one to Port aux Basque at 11:30AM. Its already reserved for about $140 for 2 seniors and the jeep. Once on Newfoundland we will tour as much as we can see, but have to return to Port aux Basque for the return trip on Oct 2nd. The ferry from Argenta to Sydney shuts down on Sept 25th, and only one operates during the winter months. We did have the option of reversing and catching the last ferry to Argenta on the 25th, but decided not to. After returning to Sydney we will drive back to Shediac, stay one more night and the head south toward warmer climes.
Sept 20th
On the road for fairly uneventful day. Left Point A la-Croix about 9:00AM, and crossed over the bridge over Chaleur Bay into Campbellton, NB. There is a bit of a snag there as just after you cross the bridge if you do not take the first ramp to the right you cross under a railroad bridge with a height of only 3.7 meters. Convert that to feet and it is only 12 feet and 2 inches. My motor home is 12 feet high to the top of the air conditioning units, so I would only have 2" of clearance. Too close for me!! Luckily we had been over to Campbellton in the jeep a couple of days ago so we new about the subway pass. I'm surprised that there is not a whole pile of RV air conditioner units beside the road near this pass as its on a fairly main thorough fare.We did a circle route to by-pass this and then back onto Highway 11 to Dalhousie, Bathhurst, MIramachi, and finally into Shediac. Found the Ocean Surf Trailer Paark and checked in , and set up. Went down town to get a few supplies at "No Frills". Grabbed a hamburger on the way home and then settled in for the evening. Looked like a great sunset, so I went over to Parlee Beach, but the sunset sort of fizzled out.

Did get a couple of OK ones at the marina with a lighthouse in the forground.
Sept 19th
Get ready to move day. Spent a good share of the up dating my blog, Finding our next RV Park and reserving same, and planning Newfoundland Trip. With the help of Nova Scotia Tourist information on a website chat with a nice person by the name of Meaghan. Here is the gist of our conversation:
Meaghan R: Thank you for visiting NovaScotia.com, how may I help you today?
Meaghan R: Are you still there? If you are having difficulty, please contact us by phone. You can contact us toll-free in North America at 1-800-565-0000, or in the U.K at 00-800-1565-0000. If you are outside of these regions, our local number is 902-425-5781.
Dennis Lang: Good Afternoon. My question is, "in a few days we are going to be in the Sydney area, and are planning on taking the ferry to Newfoundland, but leave our 35 ft motorhome somwhere near the ferry terminal. Is there a RV park that has storage for up to 10 days while we are away?
Meaghan R: Just one moment and I will check for you
Dennis Lang: OK Thanks
Meaghan R: There is a campground near by called Arm of Gold Trailer Park. They are the only ones that are close-ish by that may offer that. Their website is www.armofgoldcamp.com and their phone number is 866-736-6516
Dennis Lang: Thank you very much Meaghan. I will call them. Do you know how soon we need to reserve on the ferry before departure?
Meaghan R: I would say as soon as possible. It can be a very busy ferry so just to be safe I would say at least a few days in advance
Dennis Lang: Thanks again for your help. Have a GREAT Day

We remember that when we were here 10 years ago that the Maritimes Info was Great, and today was no exception. I like doing that kind of business on the web as you have a copy of your conversation to review at your leisure.
We then reserved a site in Shediac for two nights at the Ocean Surf Trailer Park