Our last day in Charlottetown was a day of last minute chores and a last walk around Peaks Quay, where we enjoyed a very late lunch or a very early dinner..(food again!!). Peaks Quay, on the harbour, is a pretty area with a small harbour full of pleasure crafts, shopping area, restaurants and a walkway that extends for several kilometers. A great way to end our stay on beautfiful PEI.
Tuesday morning (7th) we finally got away around 11:15 and headed to Woods Island where we would hopefully be able to catch the 1:00 p.m. ferry to Nova Scotia (about a 40 min. drive in the bus). Not having made reservations, we were not sure if we would be able to get on so wanted to be as early as we could. As it turns out, the 1:00 p.m. ferry was delayed in docking as the preceeding ferry returned to the terminal after 15 mins. out as one of the engineers suffered health problems and had to be taken off by ambulance.
The trip across the Northumberland Strait to Caribou, N.S., was about 75 minutes; an uneventful crossing..not as pretty a trip as Tswwassen to Swartz Bay..and the ferries are much much smaller, fewer amenities (but good chowder!!). Once we were off the ferry we headed east on Hwy 104, crossed the Canso Causeway, headed east again on Hwy 105 and arrived in Baddeck around 5:30 that afternoon. On the drive to Baddeck, we passed through delightful little towns with names such as Marshy Hope, Aulds Cove, Whycocomagh, Wagamatcook..would be interesting to find out the history behind the naming of these places.
Our park, just 3 km west of Baddeck was at "The New Bas d' Ors Lake" RV park. Lucked out and we were able to have a 3 way hookup again...does make parking so much more enjoyable. The weather was spitting rain, overcast, cool so not able to enjoy any amenities (ie: swimming either in the lake or at the pool, canoeing). We had a tremendous thunder and lightning storm that lasted well into the early morning. Usually "at home" thunder and lightning rolls through and is gone. Here, it was most of the night..perhaps being open to the unending ocean makes a difference?
Wednesday (8th) a.m., we got off to a bit of a late start and headed, counter clockwise around the Cabot Trail. We stopped at Magaree Harbour for a very late morning breakfast. While there, met a couple who lived nearby and they suggested a bit of a drive "on the other side of the harbour", that was much more interesting. So we backtracked a little and found the bridge and crossed over. On the way, we came across "Larchwood Enterprises", what appeared to us to be almost in the middle of nowhere. They produce cutting boards, cheese boards etc., in various sizes. Beautfully handcrafted pieces..so, yes, I bought a small cheese board. When you all come to visit, you will admire the handwork in this piece.
We continued our drive..and so beautiful. The whole coast has a different feel, ruggedness, red rock/sand/gravel..such a contrast to the greenery and the occasional glimpse of blue sky.We passed thru Cap de Moine, Cheticamp, Pleasant Bay, Neils Harbour, Ingonish, Wreck Cove, and on to Tarbotvale. Here, we took a small ferry ($5.00..such a deal) across to Englishtown and on to Baddeck. This was bit of a shortcut instead of having to turn inland and go around a long inlet. This had been a beautiful drive and so much to see. A "must" on everyone's list.
I can only imagine the traffic in the prime tourist season. Even at this time, it was very busy...mostly gray hair who, like us, probably waited until after school started and "less" traffic on the road.
Baddeck is a very charming town. Of all the places we had seen, this would be one place I would like to spend more time in. Lots of amenities, right on St. Patrick's Channel, beautiful setting and a nice sized community. Alexander Graham Bell museun (a national historic site) is here as well. We were not able to tour the facility tho as it was not open when we left on our explorations and was closed when we got back.
Thursday (9th) we headed over the mountain to Sydney and Louisbourg. We went first to Louisbourg to visit the site. Dale thought we would could just drive through and around and call it a tour. He was somewhat surprised when he found out we had to park the car and take a bus to the site and then, Oh No!!..walk!! However, he proved to be a good sport and we did quite a good walkabout. One can only imagine the hardships suffered by the people that built and lived there, particularly through the winter months of the 1700 and 1800's. You could feel the history seeping out of the streets and houses and the fortifications. A must see for anyone travelling to Cape Breton Island.
We took a leisurely drive through Lousbourg and stopped at the Kettle Restaurent, on the harbour, for lunch, for what else...seafood chowder! We can't get enough of it and every dish we have had has been stuffed to the brim with seafood.
On to Sydney for more explorations. The town is not as pretty, as say, Orillia, but does have a very well done pedestrian esplanade along the harbour walk. Noting the age and condition of many buildings and homes, you can see where coal was king for many years and the subsequent downturn when coal mining stopped in that area.
After a good tour of the town and surrounding areas, we stopped at Wal Mart to pick up some movies (we have no TV due to no satellite connection..too far north??), and then went back over the mountain and the lovely drive to our campground. This day, the rain held off, just slightly overcast with fairly warm termperatures.
In the a.m., before we left I had put a pot roast/veg in the slow cooker, so we arrived home to some pretty delicious smells and enjoyed dinner after a leisure "happy hour" and a review of the day.
Friday a.m., (10th) we didn't rush to get ready to leave. The day was overcast and cool, the park wasn't full so we new no one was waiting for our spot, so just took our time and got all the pre-trip prep done in good time before we headed out.
We had to backtrack down Hwy 105 South, over the Canso Causeway, on to Hwy 104 West passed the turn off to Caribou and then on through Truro, Stewiacke, Shubenacadie, Lower Sackville and on to Hammond Plains, where we going to the Woodhaven RV Park. (Hammond Plains is to Halifax as Delta would be to Vancouver). It was a nice drive, not too busy except for when we hit road construction and then the traffic backed up. All in all, a very nice drive..rain, sun, cloud, rain, sun a mixed bag of weather all the way.
We arrived around 4:00 ish, so made excellent time. Got settled in and a few chores done and then went to a pizza place just down the road (I walked down, Dale drove). Fabulous pizza and the most delicious crust I have ever tasted. This will definitely call for more than one stop while we are here. We had one more movie left (still no satellite) "Happy Feet" which I thoroughly enjoyed and Dale could not see any redeeming value in it (!).
Today (Sat. 11th), is getting off to a slow start. Overcast, breezy and a little cool. The sun is supposed to come out so might warm up as the day progresses. Not touring today per se, do a Costco run, maybe down to the Harbour..just a lazy day and go where the mood takes us..will see how it plays out. "Serious" touring (eg: Peggy's Cove area) will probably take place tomorrow.
So till then, hope everyone is well...till next time....
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