Thursday, August 16, 2007

Cape Breton Island








Cape Breton Island lies off the northeastern cost of Nova Scotia. It’s separated from the mainland of Nova Scotia by the Straight of Canso. The causeway connecting the two was built in 1955. Prior to that a ferry was used. There are three distinct cultures on the Island. The Mikmaq “Indians” or First Nations as they are referred to in Canada, the Gaelic/Scottish and the Acadians/French. Music & dance are the mainstay entertainment on Cape Breton.
On Monday the 13th, we drove from Halifax and spent the night at the Whycocomagh Provincial Park near Baddeck. A nice, well kept park in the middle of a pine forest. It rained most of the day. The next morning we drove to Baddeck and parked by the fishing dock. Walked around town for a while treating ourselves to a wonderful flax & carrot muffin. We ran into some friends we had made at a campground earlier in this trip. They too were touring Cape Breton.
We continued on to Louisbourg staying at the Village owner campground right downtown. Lucked out by getting the last campsite available. Louisbourg is a beautiful little town. Reminds us of the small coastal towns in Maine.
In the evening we went to a performance at the Louisbourg Playhouse. We say Lyrics & Laughter 2007. “A spirited performance of Cape Breton music and comedy in the historic atmosphere of the Playhouse”. We don’t recall ever attending a more entertaining event. The cast was composed of six of the most talented young singers & dancers. They are all local college students home for the summer. There was this one young women who played five different instruments, the fiddle, piano, guitar, bodhran (a type of drum), djembe (another drum), had a wonderful singing voice plus was the lead step dancer. Amazing. The weather today wasn’t much. Cool & misty. Rained hard most of the night.
On Wednesday we went to the Fortress of Louisbourg. The fort was founded by the French in 1713, captured by the British in 1745, returned to the French in 1748 by a treaty, captured again by the British in 1758 then abandoned by the British in 1768. When the local coal mines began shutting down in the 1960’s, Canada helped offset the very high unemployment rate by rebuilding the Fortress to appear as it did in 1744. “Each summer the Fortress springs to life as dozens of costumed animators become the town’s residents of the summer of 1744. Period homes and exhibits line the central streets of Rue Toulouse and Rue Royale, as well as along the busy waterfront”. A very enjoyable day. Bright & sunny.


Today, Thursday, was a down day. Cleaned up the camper, did some maintenance stuff, took walks and went out for dinner.


Tuesday, April 10, 2007

April 10th James Island County Park



We had a very nice day today. Took two long walks. Stopped at the off-leash area. Here are two pictures. The link is to the St. James Island County Park.
In the morning we head for Myrtle Beach State Park. About two hours from here.

Monday, April 09, 2007

April 6th through the 9th

On the 6th & 7th, we stayed at the Dynasty Campground near Springfield, GA. The owner breeds, and trains, Australian Shepherds. I found the place on the internet. Overall, we were disappointed with our stay. The advertising played up a great dog park with an obstacle course, off leash area, etc. Turns out the place was not well kept, the facility was much overrated and the dogs she raised didn't didn't look any better than Gopher. On the other hand, we met a very nice couple from Michigan. He coaches ice hockey at the University of Michigan. Oh well. Some winners, some losers.
On Sunday, we headed out to Charleston, SC to stay a the St. James Island County Park. This place is great. We'll be back. Full hookups, three miles of paved multi-use trails, perfect for Carol's scooter, and very well kept. There is a shuttle that will take you into downtown Charleston for the day. We didn't take it because the trip lasts all day. At this point Carol felt that would be a bit much. Next time perhaps. This place has the biggest off-leash dog area imaginable. Must be the size of a football field. It fronts onto a beautiful, clear lake. Stopped there once yesterday and twice today. A tired dog is a well behaved dog. We drove the RV to nearby Folly Beach today. Managed to find a parking place and had a real good seafood lunch.
We're really enjoying the trip so far. Staying here again tomorrow then heading for Myrtle Beach on Wednesday. There have been times we wish we towed a car with us. When we get back from this trip I'm going to look into it. Would be nice to go out to eat more often, explore local sites on our time frame, etc. Carol's need for a wheelchair does limit our activities. A car would help a lot.
Still cool by our standards. A low of 42* last night.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Huguenot Memorial Park



April 4th & 5th, 2007
rrived at noon on the 4th. A beautiful day. At low tide we drove the motorhome onto the beach and spent the rest of the day reading, relaxing and walking along the beach. Our campsite looks directly onto the St. John's river. We watch the cargo and navy ships come & go. The aircraft carrier, USS John F. Kennedy is in Mayport for decommisioning. We saw her final voyage into Mayport during the Lazy Daze rally at Hanna Park in March. While I was walking Gopher on the morning of the 5th, Carol got herself up and completely dressed. Another first in her recovery. Today, the 5th, we took a ride to Fort Clinch State Park near Fernandina Beach. The campground was full. It's Easter/Spring break week. We returned to Huguenot Park and drove onto the beach again. A windy & cool day.

Monday, April 02, 2007

Spring Trip, 2007

We are about to set out on our first major trip since the out-west trip of the summer of 2006. Leaving on Wednesday, April 5th, returning about June 5th.
As you recall, Carol had a heart attack and then a stroke on June 13, 2006 while we were camping in Rock Springs, WY. Almost nine months of constant contact with hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and therapists have past. Carol still has very limited use of her right arm or leg but, true to form, her spirits are high. Just sitting home is not one of the options. Off we go. Carol's physical change has necessitated a modification in our planning of camping trips. We have a mobility scooter we carry on a cargo carrier attached to the rear of the Lazy Daze. This allows Carol a considerable amount of freedom of movement but still limits us to "hiking" on paved or well compacted paths. This trip is just with one dog; Gopher. Jennifer & Karen are doing us a tremendous service by caring for Balou & Bagera as Carol continues to recover.
From now on, all posts to this blog will be mostly done by Carol since starting a blog was her idea.
In general we will be slowly working our way to visit with Alex & Britta in Annandale, VA to see our newest grandchild, Teagan. Stoping in Jacksonville,FL then Springfield, Georgia, Charleston, SC then north along the Outer Banks of North Carolina then to Annandale. In May we will be attending two Lazy Daze rallys. One in Gettysburg, PA another at Tuckahoe State Park in Maryland.