Nova Scotia Day 14

Hopped on the ferry from Argentia NL yesterday afternoon and it will take us to Sydney, Nova Scotia. Left at 5 pm and arrived 8 am.

We spent our time talking it up as a group with Norman Jones and then Karl and Patty came by and sat down. (People we met at the hotel waiting fornthe ferry) We had a full table and plenty of laughs. I guess I offended some French speaking Canadians because I was to loud and obnoxious while speaking on the phone trying to speak over the noise. It was a deck full of people and someone playing the guitar and singing. He wasn’t bad. Music was loud as we were more in front of the speakers. Oh, well!

I went out on deck once just as the light of day was going to disappear and found out it was raining! Took a quick video of it then ran back inside. Ferry was rolling a bit but not a lot. Norman told me later that he was trying to walk in a straight line and he was weaving like a drunk. Yeah, you just point to where you want to go and you’ll get there but you won’t go in a straight line. Everyone went to bed and I stayed up a bit and turned the lights out around 1 am. Up by 7 and in the shower. This Ferry had to be newer than the one coming over as the head and shower were a bit bigger, bunks were spaced apart a bit more and there were a lot more electrical plugs than the on the other Ferry. Everyone was up and ready when the call came to go to your vehicles. We went down and removed the straps from the bikes and put our gear away. We were more prepared for the ferry this time. Only took the essentials up to the cabin and we had gone to the store the day before and bought cable locks and some small padlocks so they couldn’t remove my bags, helmet and suit. After leaving the ferry we headed down the road and got to the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton. The woods have gone back to mostly birch and some other deciduous trees and then it changes to mostly pine on the upper Highlands. Stopped several times for construction and had to wait. But we were on the coast and seeing some dramatic scenery. We would come to a long steep upgrade and go up and from high up go along the sea. Then as you’re coming down you see cliffs wrapping around out to sea with beautiful water breaking in white lines as the wave broke apart in the shallows. We turned inland up on the Highlands and the trees were stunted pines again. Before the large hills/ small mountains were covered with deciduous trees which where not all the same so you had all types of green covering the mountains and some were just starting to turn colors. I was told by a lady at the Nova Scotia Visitor Center to do the Cabot Trail. We had already planned on it. She said go to Meat Cove on the top of the peninsula. 9 km of dirt/gravel road. We did and we enjoyed the scenery. Even bought a T-Shirt. We left there and in 90 minutes we pulled into the Lantern Hill which has nice yellow cabins by the seashore. Darryl and I went to the beach and looked at rocks. Told Darryl he could use my swimsuit and jump in the water! Brrrr, he said “no way”!

We are shifting our schedule and will be returning a day early so we are headed to Moncton, NB tomorrow then heading SW through Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont down to PA .

I have video to upload but unfortunately last night and tonight I cannot upload anything so… no highlights.

We were all sitting in the ferry terminal and what do we see? Scott walking outside to a table with food. It was no surprise to us that if there was food to be had Scott would be the one to find it.

On the ferry waiting for the cars and trucks with trailers to be loaded.

That’s how far from home we were yesterday

See Norm’s car down there? Little maroon MG 3rd car in front of the ramp in the middle.

Norm hanging out with us. Darryl said he will never be the same now.

Karl and Patty. He has built houses for 53 years.

Norman telling Mike to get in and Mike just laughed at him. Norm said he would fit! Mike said, maybe but it is so low getting out would be a problem.

I have watched he’d the sweets this trip… but how often do you see a Skors cheesecake? Breakfast at 1030 am. Two eggs, 5 pieces of crispy bacon and two large pieces of PORRIDGE BREAD. I asked… what is PORRIDGE bread… bread made with oatmeal? Yes, and it has molasses too. Ok, I’ll try it. It was good!

Look at that layer of chocolate! Cheesecake would melt quickly then the chocolate would take its time after that. Yum! Oh, as it was a bit chilly I ordered a large hot chocolate… it came with heavy whip cream that was almost a meal in itself!

Looking down on hills and the ocean just before the road descended at an 8% grade and twisted and turned like a serpent.

Where we are tonight. Doesn’t seem much closer but it is considering the ferry ride of 15.5 hrs.

Cabins by the seashore. East coast of Cape Breton

I couldn’t believe how bad that guys front tire was. Rear needed replacement very soon too. He got the rear replaced already but it’s so loaded down he is using it up quickly. You can tell it is a dual compound tire. Strip in the middle is harder and doesn’t wear as fast. Sides are softer for better grip in the corners and wears faster. He said that he was going to go home to Ontsrio or Quebec… some 1300 to 1500 miles! Now I have worn tires down until no tread is left. Even on the front just a hint of tread… but not like that. Both Mike and I said he should be hunting a tire down! Hope he makes other home alive. We saw him doing the Cabot Trail today! So no shortcuts and no new tire!!!!