Saturday, July 18, 2009

Day 26 (7/17/09) – Truro – Peggy’s Cove

Scotia Pines did live up to it’s name as a Quiet, Family Campground.  A very restful evening in the drizzling rain.  We departed at 8:50 and 63 degrees.  A little fog.  Decided to eat breakfast out at a restaurant we had seen the day before.  It was closed.  So, it was a breakfast sandwich at Tim Horton’s (which, by the way, are all over the place – the Starbucks of Canada).

The first stop was Burncoat Head, location of the highest recorded tide in the world.  On October 5, 1869, the difference between high and low tide was an astounding 54’.  At the tide’s peak, extensive flooding and damage along the coast by a violent storm which became known as Saxby’s Gail.  Saxby was an astronomer that predicted a high world-wide tide at that time.  He was right!

There was an interesting quote by Joseph Howe, a local politician in the 1800s “brag of your country.  When I’m abroad I brag of everything that Nova Scotia is, has, or can produce; when they beat me at everything else, I say, ‘how high do your tides rise?’”

We saw our first eagle of the trip, guarding his territory from a high treetop.

The on the Windsor, the birthplace of hockey.  It was very exciting for Donna, the former diehard hockey fan.  The Heritage Museum was closed for lunch, so we ate out meal #2 of the day. 

On our way back to the RV after visiting the museum, we encountered two older, local gentlemen, one in a St. Louis Cardinals t-shirt.  Steve struck up a conversation and found that wearing red on Friday was to show support for the troops.  The conversation quickly turned to things like – what do we think of Obama, bailouts, war, economy, etc.  Those Canadians like to talk politics.

We planned to go to a winery near Windsor, by one of the gentlemen said to skip it and go to one near Grand Pre’.  Good recommendation.  Good setting.  Wine way pretty good, but we passed.  The Grand Pre is very important to the Acadians – the original French settlers.  Do a search and read all about how they were treated.

We continued through Wolfville, a charming University town with stately trees and beautiful heritage homes.  They win the house prize, so far.  Made a quick stop at the Fox Hill Cheese House and bought a small hunk of cheese made with milk from only Canadian cows.

Our goal for the night was the Kentville area.  We went to the largest and highesst rated campground in the area and discovered an ocean of pop-up trailers and kids.  Called two other places; they were full, as well.  Seems every family in Nova Scotia camps on the weekend.  We were not too far away from Saturday night’s reserved campground – King Neptune in Peggy’s Cover – we called them and secured a site for Friday.  Arrived at King Neptune around 5:30; found a nice site real close to the shore; and were told to get to know our neighbors.  Turns out our neighbors own a house in Mesa (they are from Ontario).  Another couple nearby is from Tucson, and a third couple is from NJ and dreams of living in Arizona.  We went to dinner with them – our third meal out of the day.  We’ll be better tomorrow.

We have reserved this place for four nights.  We’ll tour the area some (if the fog lifts) and see the tall ships on Sunday and Monday.  Monday the Sail Away Parade and the current weather forecast is for sun!

Our internet access here is VERY slow, so update will not be current for the next few days.

Distance: 240 miles (384 km)

Driving Time: 6.1 hours

KPG: 37.2

Fuel:  none purchased

Camping: $29

No comments: