Catching Up!

Friday, September 9, 2016      Roosevelt's Cottage, Harbor Head Light, Java Jam

After finally getting up, we went to Joice's Java hut for a morning brew. We enjoyed a cups while looking out to window overlooking Friar's Bay.

Eventually we made our way to Roosevelt's cottage. The grounds are magnificent, the 18 bedroom cottage exquisite, and the view spectacular! We enjoyed our visit including the Hubbard cottage and the visitor center.

We then picked up a couple lobster rolls from the Family Fisheries Restaurant and had a makeshift picnic on the grounds of the Harbor Head Light. Visibility was much improved over yesterday's visit. I got a good shot of the iconic lighthouse. Alas, the tide had just turned when we arrived, and already the path was covered with 4" of water. The tide can rise five feet in an hour, so we didn't chance the crossing.

After driving a few back roads, we picked some fresh haddock and made a dinner of corn-on-the-cob, slaw, bean salad and buttered lemon pepper haddock. It was delicious!

When the dishes were cleaned, we went back to Joice's Java jam. A band played for and hour and then it was open mike night. We had fun listening and singing along.

Saturday, September 10, 2016     Two Ferry Boats, Deer Island and the New Brunswick Mainland

We left Campobello Island by catching the 1000 Deer Island Ferry. During our boat ride, we saw seals and a Humpback Whale, not to mention flocks is sea birds. The water was glassy calm. The ferry was a bit unusual in that it is a barge with a hydraulic ramp on each end. Locomotion is provided be a narrow beamed boat whose bow is mechanically attached to the barge. The stern is attached by a heavy duty line. This arrangement allows the vessel to pivot around the barge so that it can go forward whether coming or going.

Once off the boat, we headed directly for the mainland ferry at the other end of the island. Our planned stop at the Pilgrim Take Out Stop was foiled because it was 1045 hours and they don't open until 1200. We were disappointed and hungry!

We managed to find a local lunch stop on the mainland after which we finished the drive to Fundy
National Park. We secured a site at the HQ Campground for two nights.

In no time we had the camper opened and set up. We took a short break and promptly fell asleep. Our nap lasted an hour or so, after which we drove into Alma for ice and to reconnoiter our evening options.

That accomplished we returned to the CG. At 1830 hours we walked back into town, dined at the Alma Lobster Shop and attended the Molly Koll kitchen party. Put on by the park service, the party consisted of stories, singing and dancing in the tradition of 1930's Fundy kitchen parties. We learned that Alma native Molly Kool was the first licensed female Captain in North America. The two hour program was fun, educational and entertaining. We enjoyed it very much!

Walked to town and back including a climb up 118 steps, the equilivent of four floors.

Sunday, September 11, 2016      Dickinson Falls

Hiked to Dickinson Falls in Fundy National Park. Pictures to be posted later.

Monday, September 12, 2016     PEI!

We left Fundy National Park and the village of Alma at 1000 this morning. Our route took us past Hopewell Rocks, a place we visited 43 years ago. They've made a few changes since we were last here, but the natural features look pretty much the way we remember them. Among the attractions were ET and Elephant Rocks and the famous Flowerpot Rock. From two hours after high tide until two hours before high tide, you can walk the "ocean floor" around and through the naturally made rock formations. The place had over 100 cars in the parking lot, attesting to its popularity.

We filled up the gas tank to the tune of over $50.00. The rate was 99.5 cents per liter. A similar fill up at home would have been around $35.00.

We crossed from NB to PEI over the Confederation Bridge. It wasn't there 43 years ago! Construction on the main road in PEI National Park foiled our arrival, but we eventually found a  way into the Stanhope CG area and secured a spot for at least three nights.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016     Green Gables and the Dunes and Tunes Ceilidh!

This was a pretty active day. We visited North Rustico and Cavendish. We did some walking at both places. Overall, we did 3.5 miles on the day. In the evening we attended the Dunes and Tunes Ceilidh (Kay-Lee), a party with lots of music.