Back to Nova Scotia
(August 13, 14 and 15) On August 13th, we took the risk and headed back across the pond to the Arm of Gold Campground. It was a flat and calm journey compared to our crossing to Port aux Basque. It did take 6 and a half hours which was much longer that the way to Newfoundland. We decided just to take things easy and catch up on our shopping, clean the rig, do laundry, etc. Lucy was really happy running around in circles on the field below the RV park. I met a lady from Charleston, NC who was towing a Boler trailer that had been built at the Boler plant in Peace River in the 70’s. And, on one of my Lucy walks, I met another Virginia. She was an army brat and an army vet of 35 years and had retired on Cape Breton Island.
(August 16, 17, 18, 19) KOA, Bedford Nova Scotia
On Sunday we headed for our first KOA campground near Lower Sackville, NS. I have to say we were really disappointed. The park was old and felt kind of dirty and cramped. We had reserved a pull through and it was barely wide enough for us. We had to move our neighbour’s picnic table in order to put our slide out. Fortunately we didn’t put our canopy out, otherwise, while we were gone the next day, The RV that pulled in next to us wouldn’t have been able to park in the spot next to us. We could hardly get in our door. The rig next to us was SO big!
The rig that had been there the day before had come in at night. We heard this horrendous screeching of metal as we saw it driving down the road towards the parking spot. In the morning, we saw the car it had been towing had hit a rock on the side of the road and crunched in the back fender. I am sure there were some unhappy campers inside that rig.
We drove out to Peggy’s Cove. What another disappointment. It has become a crowded tourist attraction and there were probably several hundred people jammed in a tiny area. We just drove up to the lighthouse and didn’t even get out of the truck. The scenery is very beautiful and rugged and lovely to see but too many people for my liking.
Of course Laurencetown was on Don’s list of places he had to see. It was definitely worthwhile driving there. People were out in the water swimming and boogie boarding, on paddle boards and surf boards. A beach very much like Long Beach at Tofino. Very small waves though. Probably better ones in the winter.
We ran into a local Nova Scotian who told us where to get the best view of the Annapolis Valley and the Bay of Fundy. The Lookoff was spectacular. What a view! I am sure my photos won’t do it justice. Along the way, we bought some corn. Have to test it to see if it is as good as our favourite Peaches and Cream that we buy on Oldfield Road in Central Saanich. (it wasn’t).
The weather here is very hot and humid. Not fun at all. We drove into downtown Halifax and took the Harbour Hopper. It runs on ribbets. It took us around downtown Halifax and out into the harbour for an hour’s tour of all the sites. The tour guide was very entertaining. We were fortunate that morning because the fog had lifted. After that tour, we hiked up the hill to the Citadel for the noon cannon firing ceremony. It was very similar to the one we watched at Fort Louisbourg. I felt sorry for the poor cadets who had to be out in the extremely hot sun and humid weather for hours at a time.
Afterwards, we walked along the boardwalk to the end and then back to the other end where our truck was parked ($16 for the day).
We took part of a day to visit Lunenburg. I loved Lunenburg. We stopped at the visitor’s centre and they suggested that we walk down to the waterfront instead of driving and trying to find a parking spot. Yes, again it was another hot and humid day. And we had brought Lucy with us so we couldn’t leave her in the truck. It was a fair way down to the waterfront but what a lovely surprise to see the brightly coloured historical buildings. Unfortunately the Bluenose wasn’t in port but there were a few other sailboats to see.
It was so extremely hot and humid and the pavement probably could fry an egg so we were worried about Lucy burning her feet. I ended up having to carry her. There wasn’t much shade to be found. As soon as I saw the horse drawn carriages on the streets, I said to Don that we had to find where to get on them. It was perfect timing. We only had a 10 minute wait. I thought Lucy might bark at the horses (she thinks they are big dogs) but she must have known that the poor horse would have to do all the hard work in the hot sun. We sat at the back of the carriage with Lucy tucked in between us and held an umbrella to give us shade. It was an interesting tour up and down the hills and streets with a stop to give the horse a shower. We learned a lot about the history of the buildings and the people who lived there.
Afterwards, we walked back up the hill and headed back for our rig at the KOA.
