Rain, sun, picking up sister, moving to the Cabot Trail,,,,

Our Location: Adventures East Campground, Baddeck, NS

 

A few uneventful days after our visit to Louisbourg, lots of rain, cold, damp weather since my last post. It rained too hard to do anything in the way of sight seeing so we spent our time with the heater going to stay warm and  stayed inside to remain dry. So we'll just skip all those boring details, which brings us to the last couple of days. On Wednesday, June 20 Jan arrived back to the mainland from Newfoundland around 6:30 pm. In anticipation of this undetermined time, it could have ranged to an hour on either side of this time, we parked at a very convenient Walmart, 5 minutes from the Ferry Terminal so we could be in the comfort of our own home instead of trying to put in time doing things we didn't want to do or sitting in the Dogsled for a couple of hours. Nearby Campgrounds I'd found only one that was within a short distance of the terminal and it was seasonal only. We did see two on our drive out of town after picking up sister but they hadn't shown up on any website or book that I'd looked at.

 

Interesting name for a restaurant.

On our way to Adventures East CG in Baddeck, NS on the Cabot Trail.

She had a great time, viewed some sights, and enjoyed family time. She said the crossing was fine both ways, longer coming back than going by about an hour and a bit rougher on the way back. She was waiting with bag in hand when we pulled up to the terminal building to collect her. She had a big smile and I think she was a little happy to see us. We were happy to see her too. 

 

Some pretty sights to see even with the bit of rain falling.

You can see the road is wet and one needed to pay attention on these downward grades in places.

 

We spent the night there at Walmart before moving on yesterday morning. We had made plans weather dependent of course and since we were pretty sure the rain would end by noon we started out on the next leg of our journey. Sure enough by the time we had hooked up and had the wheels rolling around 9 am the rain was coming down once again. Not hard but enough to make us use the wipers on an intermittent setting. We travelled not overly far but about an hour to the area of Baddeck, NS. We are now on the Cabot Trail. Pulling into Adventures East Campground and Cabins we proceeded along the flag decorated drive to the office. The nice lady in there was very helpful and before long we were setting up in Site 18. It took a few tries before I managed to get the Igloo in the spot, a bit tight for making the turn, the fresh soft gravel made things a bit tougher, and of course you know just when you're backing in to a tight spot other cars need through, a garbage truck needed through and so after those few minor inconveniences I was able to get a good clear shot and within a couple of minutes we were hooking up the utilities and setting up home. The rain was  pretty much stopped by now. 

Leaving the office at Adventures East Campground and heading for our site just up around the corner.

 

The sun came out about this time bathing us in wonderful sun shine, warm temps and black flies. Close to the hardwood bush and we were stirring up the wet grass we found ourselves not swarmed but annoyed. The breeze of course blows them away for a few minutes but they return, so sitting outside wasn't an option but we had all the doors,windows, and vents open letting in the warmth and the bright sunshine. An afternoon walk for sister and I found the black flies not too bad but we didn't stop moving. The afternoon found Riley taking a dip in the heated outdoor pool. She wasn't gone long but offered up the fact that it was warm and she enjoyed it. 

 

Looking down down the roadway from our spot at Adventures East.

An empty spot between us and the 5'er. The little motor home has New Jersey plates on it. 

The campground is nice, clean, with some new spots evident. Lots of fresh new gravel makes me think the park has expanded a great deal in the last little while, a year perhaps. Lots of spots available, 2 and 3 way connections, a few tent sites and 3 small cabins as well. A very nice shower/bath house, along with 4 top load washers and dryers, a heated out door pool, a small canteen tent open on weekends, dump stations, numerous dumpsters and this weekend they are having a chili cook off, various kinds of bingo and something else that I can't remember. (Haha, sorry but I didn't read all the flyers pinned to the wall). The grounds are well kept, a fellow came by with the weed wacker yesterday doing all the trimming on the already well cut grass. It appears as if there may be free campfire wood (haven't asked but noticed folks walking away with armfuls) by the bathhouse as well. Nice spot, a Passport America Park as well.  

Our spot, sister Jan heading back to get her phone as we head out for a walk.

A call to Dad, left a message, lunch, and of course some reading finished the afternoon off. The clouds came along around 6:30 pm and the temps dropped fast, reminded me of the desert. Cool morning also remind me of the desert and if yesterday is any indication the days with sunshine will be hot quickly once the sun rises. 

 

Looking the other way down the road. The big white truck nearest is the Dogsled, the other little truck is from BC according to the plates.

 

Today will be a touring day. I think we're going to do at least part of the Cabot Trail today, the northern part up to Meat Cove, Chedicamp and perhaps as far down as Iverness. However that is a guess at this point, we'll know more when we actually get in the Dogsled and head out. We're looking at sunny skies for the next few days, so hopefully we get lucky and it stays that way. 

 

Sites on both sides of the roadway, only two way hook ups here though.

 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed the visit. 

 

Until next time... take care, be safe, 

 

Deb 

 

 

 

 

 

A few sights ......

Our Location: Waterfront Park, Louisbourg, NS

We’ve had more rain, more cold and of course more wind. The cold was very cold, we ran a heater for a few hours. We were down in the low digits, a temp of 42F/5C was the order of the a couple of days. A nice sunny day here and there but the cold winds no matter how well bundled you are seem to be the culprit. Grandfather called them a lazy wind because they are to lazy to go around you so they go right through you.

 

A house in Sydney.

 

We journeyed into North Sydney for a couple of reasons, one was laundry, we were all in need. We found only two laundromats, and used the second as it the best of the two choices. Vogue Cleaners on Prince Street was the lucky winner. All top loaders with small drums, not meant for large loads, small dryers as well. It cost us $30 to do laundry instead of our regular $16- 20. Not the cleanest place we’ve done laundry but at least we got our clothes washed, dried and folded. Two very small folding tables that wouldn’t take a towel fully laid out didn’t add any ease to doing the laundry. However, we managed and moved on. Our next stop was to find a garbage dumpster, which we didn’t find. We also had some donation clothes to drop in a box which we didn’t find either. A propane tank to be filled was also on the list, which didn’t get accomplished. We did manage to find the NFL ferry terminal and make inquires as to time, luggage, etc for walk on passengers. Friendly fellow behind the desk was helpful and a bit of a joker as well.

 

Some interesting colours.

 

Leaving the ferry terminal we went in search of a Chinese Buffet. Do you know the city/town of Sydney, Nova Scotia has no such thing. Even though they are listed as Buffet there were none to be found. We opted to head home as the two main things on our list was completed. The rain and wind made any other outings a bad idea and so we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening hanging out.

 

I was surprised to see the flat top house.

 

Friday dawned over cast with some wind gusts making themselves known. We were all up and mobile by 8 am with sister Jan making sure she had everything she needed for her few days in Newfoundland with her daughter Brittany and son in law Kevin. Around 9 am we headed out to the ferry terminal in North Sydney with a stop to get a couple little things for sister dearest. A few drops of rain greeted us once again as pulled into the Ferry Terminal but soon the sun broke through and the day became quite nice except of course for the cold wind. We dropped sister off at the Walk On Passenger terminal shortly after 10 am, gave hugs and said our goodbyes as she heads off on an adventure without us. The ride should be about 5-6 hours to Porte Aux Basque, NFL where her family will meet her, they apparently live just 2 minutes walking time from the dock. The sailing time was set for 11:45 am, and it left on time. Riley and I set off to see Sydney.

 

One of the many ferries at the Ferry Terminal in North Sydney.

 

We managed to fill the Dog Sled’s bowl with fuel at $1.29 per litre, where we chatted with a nice young fellow from Montreal who moved to Nova Scotia for the weather. Not sure that was a good move but oh well. Next we drove by a number of little parks but they had no parking available so we didn’t stop. We found a clothing donation box and managed to make a deposit. Next we decided we’d had enough of Sydney and headed home toward Louisbourg stopping on the way to get a big tank filled with propane and the nice fellow told us we could drop our garage in their garbage shed. He also gave us some tips on our future travels along the Cabot Trail. How sweet is that?

 

The Atlantic Ferry Terminal.

 

Now with all the errands complete we were home around 2 pm. The sun was out, the fellows were working on the dock and there was of course regular small town noises. We’ve found it very quiet here at nights. Tonight will be our last night and today our day to actually tour here in town. We’ve been too busy to do it before except a drive through on our arrival.

 

A little parkette in North Sydney with no where to park a car.

 

The town of Louisbourg is very quaint, small town fishing village with it’s the typical atmosphere. The houses are close to the street, packed tightly together, lots of churches every where, lobster traps and crab pots line the docks and old lobster traps seem to be the main decorating tool here on the coast. Louisbourg is very clean, very neat, well maintained, inviting. There is a Fort here that we will be touring today, a train station also calls us, and we will be driving out around the point to Lighthouse Point as well. I think after that we will have seen what we wanted to see and be ready to move on. I would definitely stay here again for a short time but I’m not sure there would be much reason to return after this trip. Sydney is a disappointment. I realize we are here during a late spring that is mostly over cast but Sydney is what I would call a pretty rough place. Parts of it I’m sure are lovely but we didn’t see many of those parts. Most of the city/town is grungy, dirty looking, and while not littered with debris it gives the feeling of grime. Plenty of greenery and some flowers but they don’t seem able to cut through the dingy appearance. People are friendly but not overly. There are no public places to put garbage such as a parkette or town centre, we noted very few garbage cans on the streets. Even with all the rain we’ve experienced there is just some grunge that does not wash off. Sydney is more of a run down seaport than a thriving town. If not for the ferry terminal I’m not really sure why one would go to Sydney. No offense to anyone.

 

A residential street in Sydney.

 

These of course are just my own opinions although both Jan and Riley have echoed these thoughts. The views are lovely, the sights are of course very interesting to us, as we’re not used to seeing vast stretches of this kind of coast line. The colourful boats, houses and building are eye catching and remind me of the Caribbean Sea area where bright primary colours are abundant. The thing that catches me the most is the blue of the water. It’s not a colour I can describe but it’s breath taking as it changes hues before your eyes. Inland we are reminded of Ontario a great deal. An interesting trip for certain.

 

All of the fishing boats have gone out, just a sail boat left here in Louisbourg at the docks by the Igloo.

 

Sister will return on Wednesday and we will once again begin travelling with everything depending on the weather.  We will just have to wait and see what comes along. Riley and I will be doing the couple small tours today and pulling out tomorrow heading further north and closer to the Cabot Trail. I’m not convinced we’ll do the whole trail, perhaps just half but again we’ll see how things go when we get started.

 

We are parked just out of the picture on the right.

 

Hope you’ve enjoyed your visit. Thanks for stopping by.

 

A house up the hill from our parking spot.

 

Until next time ….. take care, be safe,


Deb