July 11, We're Home

ODOMETER READING: 5,441 MILES

FROM COLUMBUS, GA TO LABRADOR AND BACK

MY JOB IS DONE ------------------ FOR NOW!

The best part about being home:

July 3-5, Prince Edward Island

We traveled from Peggy's Cove, NS to Truro/Glenholme, NS on Friday, July 2. Then went on through New Brunswick and crossed the 9-mile long Confederation Bridge into Prince Edward Island on July 3. No pictures of the bridge, both hands were gripping the steering wheel! We're here for 3 days.

We've had some terrific guides on this caravan, but this young lady just stole our hearts. She was the bubbliest, most effervescent female I've ever met. Her love of the island was evident and her personality was a lot like the character Anne, in Anne of Green Gables. This is where the author of Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery, lived. And this is the place that inspired her to write the book. If you've never read it - by all means DO.



PEI was originallly named Abeqweit by the First Nation People, which means "cradled on the waves". It is referred to as the "gentle island". As I mentioned earlier, when the glaciers moved over Labrador and Newfoundland, they lifted most of the fertile soil and deposited it here. The land here is flatter than the other islands and the soft rolling hills seem to go forever.

The lupins are still blooming, but are moving toward the end of their season. Although potatoes are the primary crop of this island, you see many fields covered with yellow blossoms. These once were called rapeseed, but are commonly known today as canola - ie. canola oil. They are a brilliant lime yellow and look almost irredescent.

The farms are divided into specific sections that are limited in size to about 3,000 acres and the water frontage is limited to something like 500. The reason for this is to prevent commercial companies from buying the land and turning them into less desireable things like condos. SMART people!



We went to Fisherman's Wharf in North Rustico, for a buffet that 'bout knocked my socks off. The salad bar alone was almost 30 feet long and guess what was at the end of it ????? YES, MUSSELS !!!!!!!! I just passed right by all that green and yellow stuff and pounced on those little beauties. I ate until I was just about to slide off my chair. then the main course came and guess what that was - you got it - LOBSTER !!!! Am I one happy camper. I waddled out of that restaurant looking like a pregnant penguin.

The next day we rode to Summerside to watch "Anne and Gilbert, the Musical" at the Harbor Front Jubilee Theatre. Some of the best singing and acting I've seen in a while. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, toured the house and farm that inspired the story of Anne of Green Gables.

Had a great lunch at the P.E.I Preserve and Jam Co. and just fooled around a bit. Told you I fell in love with bagpipes!

We toured around Charlottetown, which is where the founding fathers met and voted the Maritimes into the Canadian confederation in 1867. Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick joined their provinces together as the Maritimes Confederation.

Back at our campground after a busy but beautiful three days in lovely Prince Edward Island. We had a little more entertainment this evening by an Islander and some local yokle doing the Hambone!

June 29-July 1, Lunenburg and Peggy's Cove

We stayed 3 days at King Neptune cg in Peggy's Cove. This is the scene outside our window, early one morning. At first, the fog seemed to irritate me because you couldn't see the distant views. But then I became more aware of it's beauty; the serenity and stillness of it.

We went to Lunenburg today with Lou and Tom, to visit the Fisheries Museum. They are both enthusiastic travelers with a keen eye for adventure. The Bluenose II boat is a world champion schooner that has won many sailing races for Nova Scotia. Joe really enjoyed roaming around all the ships in the harbor.

Here's Joe with more of our new friends on the caravan, Dolly and Don. She is a cancer survivor and a true witness to God's mercy. What a delight she was!

Couldn't resist this photo op! It took several strong fishermen to remove this one from the trap!!!!!!!
The museum was fantastic. There were so many live demonstrations to include these ladies who were weaving linen from flax. There was a demonstration of how a ship is launched, videos about the life of a fisherman, a man who showed me how they caught cod and salted it down to preserve it until time to cook it. This is a must see if you go to

Lunenburg. The village itself is just adorable. Lots of architecture that's been authentically restored. It's CANADA DAY, July 1st and the owners of our campground have a huge picnic for all the campers, their family members and all the neighbors around the area. It was so refreshing to see how small town life still exists and flourishes here. They provided hot dogs and tons of other food and desserts. Boy, were there some desserts!

This is part of the family. The little lady in the middle is the grandmother and the two girls are the daughters. They lost their father, Vince, 6 years ago, but they honor him each year at this celebration by singing one of his favorite songs about the fisherman's life. The men at the grill were son-in-laws.


All the kids went crabbing. What fun they had! The way childhood should be, playing with what nature has provided.

The sea birds even joined in on the fun!


Joe got a big hug from Tanzy, Lou and Tom's precious dog.

Does it get any better than this? NO - Sitting by the seaside, hanging out with your friends, waiting for the sunset. This IS the good life and it's all about faith, family, and friends .

June 28, The Tattoo - Halifax, NS (see also June 29 post)

We went to the Nova Scotia International Tattoo tonight. This is an annual event celebrating the Canadian Navy and other international military groups. This year was the 100th year of the Navy. It was AMAZING! The music consisted of vocal groups, bands with every instrument known to man, and BAGPIPES. I've never been a fan of the bagpipes! But after this experience, I'm a convert. About 150-200 bagpipers played, accompanied by drums ----- I could not stay still. It was the most riveting, exciting sound I've ever heard.

There were also Celtic dancers, gymnists and and other acrobatic acts. The patriotic enthusiasm of the Canadians is certainly moving. I almost wanted to apply for citizenship!

This is one of the Royal Canadian bands.

Here are some scenes around our camp ground at Peggy's Cove.

It was a small family owned cg and had all the charm in the world. We were parked right on the bay and could watch the tides come in and go out. There was a small fish and lobster business across the bay. More about this place on the a future posting.

ALSO SEE PREVIOUS PAGE (JUNE 29) FOR ANOTHER POST. SOMEHOW GOT THEM OUT OF ORDER.

June 29, Halifax, NS

We traveled 250 miles to Halifax today.

The next day we all loaded up on a bus for a tour of Halifax. Unfortunately, it was pouring down rain and pretty cold. Our outdoor stops were a bit hurried but it was still a most interesting day. We visited the City Park, which they say (on a nice day) i

s THE place to go for meditation and getting in tune with nature. All of the Maritimes provinces take great pride in their cities, communities and parks. Every place we've visited has been immaculate. No trash on the grounds; lawns are all neatly cut; gardens are pristine and colorful.
We visited the cemetary where over 100 of the victims of the Titanic were laid to rest. This was truly a heartbreaking sight. Until you've actually seen something like this, you can't imagine the reality of such a tragedy. The grave stones are arranged in a semi-circle and resembles the bow of a ship. There were little children's graves as well as those of entire families. The ship sank off the shores of Newfoundland and many vessels, including fishermen's boats, from Haifax responded to the distress call from the Titanic. The Carpathia was the first to reach the scene and rescue people from the lifeboats.
Here's our group, standing on a platform outside the Citadel. Still raining! The guard won't let us in - says we look very suspicious! smile

Our new friends, Sam and Margaret, took us to Salty's for lunch. This is where I ate mussels for the very first time, 15 years ago and I LOVED them. We had a wonderful "anniversary" dinner together.

There are a lot of festivities going on this week because THE QUEEN, yes, Queen Elizabeth is here. We had quite a thrill as we sat in our bus at a street corner. Her motorcade drove right by our bus. Of course it was dark and raining, so we didn't get a look at her but we all waved -- you know the Queen wave. I took a picture of the motorcade but you can't even tell what it is, so I won't bother to post it. .

There are a number of large ships in the port. She was there to bless the fleet on their 100th year celebration. There was also a large Pow-Wow of the Mi'k Mac Indian tribe who are the First Nation People of Canada. They were commemorating the Baptism of their first chief.

Here's Joe, scouting out one of the tour buses that carries tourists around the city and harbor.

There were lots of security people all over the place, including these mounted policemen. I thought they were pretty cool.
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It has been an amazing day! CHEER-Y-O