Day 30...We had a good crossing last night from Argentia. Jackie woke up around 2 a.m. but found the large swells interesting and not a problem. The seas had caused a slower pace so we arrived around 10:30 that morning.
Our first stop of the day was the Alexander Graham Bell National Monument in Baddeck. It would be easy to spend a whole day or more there, rather than just a few hours. He was such an experimenter-originally with kites, airfoils and early high speed rising boats, then telephony.
At the end of our visit, we had just enough time to make it to Truro to watch the tidal bore. Pretty impressive
A visit to Masstown Fish Market got us chowder and salad takeout to take to the campsite, but first we had to fix a flat tire on account of a nail in the parking lot. This is why it's a good idea to carry a screwdriver needle and tar rope caulking repair kit. THey cost about 8$ at Canadian Tire and have saved our (and others) bacon a few times over the years. It also helps to have a small on board compressor for airing tires up and down in sandy areas.
We had a site at Five Islands Provincial Park and arrived just before dark. It's a very nice campground with views looking over the ocean, fireworks across the bay, a foggy night and a good sleep.
Day 31... We spent a couple of hours walking on the ocean floor as the tide was out.
We paid strict attention to the signs telling us when to get out and avoid being swept to sea.
Next we are off to Cape D'or with its Lighthouse and "The Dory Rips"
Massive and dangerous swirling rip tides have foundered ships for centuries.
You can see the churning currents in the distance.
Don't stand "hear", without hearing protection, just in case it starts up.
Very nice surroundings and pleasnat people, but the chowder was very so-so. (sadly, but we had already been spoiled)
Continuing our travels we unfortunately couldn't get a campsite at Cape Chignecto, where Jackie and Willow had stayed several years ago. So we kept going towards the Joggins Fossil Cliffs and spent a quiet night at the end of a small road overlooking the water.
After our walk, we head out and visit the Longest Covered Bridge in the World, which I saw with my parents on a camping trip in the 1960's!
Day 32...The plaque says it all
Besides the wonderfaul and conprehensive fossil record of the Pennsylvanian Epoch in world history, the local human history is deeply related to the earth- the coal miners.
A touch life undereground in so may ways. This full size casting of a miner on clear display at Joggins remembers their past efforts, and the trials still faced to this day.
So there it is. 33 days on the road, in a camper bus.
Unbelievably good sunny warm/hot weather except by chance for long driving days.
We ended our Maritime tour at Joggins and made straight for home in Ottawa in the most direct way.
We streaked along.
And the weather right on time changed to rain.
Our last night was spent under soggy skies at De La Republique Campground near Trois Riviere Quebec.
Arrival home Day 33 Back to sunny skies as we approach Ottawa. Now it;s time to cut the grass and do some trimming.
We hope you enjoyed the pictures and stories - perhaps the will help you plan a trip to the exceptional areas of Cape Breton and Newfoundland!
