Month: September 2019

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Day 63 – Terra Nova National Park

I managed to get a good nights sleep and woke up refreshed and ready for an adventure. Having got some food and coffee in me I took to the roads, eager to see what Terra Nova National Park had to offer.
My first stop was beside one of the lakes where I took Winnie for a drink. There was a trail nearby where I took a short little jaunt to a waterfall that was but a trickle in its current state. A thick and vibrantly green moss covered the fallen timber as it blanketed everything that had fell to the forest floor. With an abundance of trails awaiting me it came time to return to my car.


I soon arrived at the trail I’d picked out. With my hiking boots laced up tight and a full bottle of water I took to the gravel path before me. The trail weaved itself through a thick forested region, working its way through swamps and rocky terrain. Wild blueberries grew in abundance along the pathway, a tasty and continuous treat for me as I worked my way to the lookout.


In time I arrived at the viewpoint, a worthwhile endeavor. Despite overcast skies the landscape was a marvel to behold and I stood there for a while taking it all in. Eventually it came time to retrace my footsteps and return to the trail, with a smile I said a goodbye to the wonderful sight and returned to the dirt path. As I walked along I noticed Winnie was being quite the expert at finding all the burs, like a little magnet her snout always seemed to find a patch of the tiny things as they stuck to her hair in increasing number. I knew I’d have to pick them out later but what can I say, a dog’s gonna be a dog.


Having made it back to my vehicle and returned to road I soon arrived at another hiking trail. I was debating if I should do it or grab a bite to eat instead. After some time thinking it over, I decided to take to the trail and grab a bite to eat afterwards. I was glad I did so as an abundant supply of tasty blueberries were waiting for me. Among the tiny little delicacies was an outstanding view of rocky terrain and mountains in the distance. I took my time eating my way to the top of the lookout where an incredible view awaited me. A worthwhile hike indeed.


Before grabbing dinner I decided I’d drive to one more viewpoint where a tall tower awaited my arrival. I climbed it as high as I could go, getting a birds eye view of the incredible land all around me.


The hunger was getting fierce so I finally made it to a restaurant close by where I proceeded to stuff my face until I could hardly walk. Night had arrived and it was time to return to the campground from the previous night and rest up.

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Day 64 – Dinkin around in Dildo

Having spent some solid time in Terra Nova National Park, it was time to get back on the road heading to Saint Johns. The campground I’d stayed in had a small little cafe where I managed to pick up a coffee. It was just the right boost I needed, aiding me on the long drive ahead.
The weather stayed cloudy throughout the day, often damp roads taking me through a lush land where an endless supply of water fell from the sky. I made a couple of stops to grab a bite to eat or sate the caffeine addiction but managed to keep a good pace as I drove along.


Newfoundland has some funny names for towns and I simply had to stop in the town of Dildo. Feeling rather hungry, I decided to grab a bite to eat at the Dildo Dory Grill. As I chowed down I looked out the window where good ol Captain Dildo stood tall and proud. Having got a delicious meal in me it was time to return the car and continue the drive ahead.


I passed through a few more towns with funky names as the sun was setting. A thick layer of clouds accelerated the darkening of the land. It’s something I’ve been noticing more and more, the days getting shorter as autumn draws closer.


I pressed on into the night, the coves around me turning to patches of light as streetlamps illuminated the darkened roads. I managed to find a campground just outside of Saint Johns where I’d planned to do some exploring the next day.

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Day 65 – St. Johns, the city of color

I woke up excited to explore Newfoundland’s capitol. Having camped a mere 25 km away from the city, it wasn’t long until the highway guided me to the welcome sign I’d been longing to see, I’d arrived in Saint John’s.


The first thing to do was find a restaurant and get some food and coffee in me. Classic Caffe did the job well and returned me to the city with a full stomach, feeling content and caffeinated. I decided I’d do some random driving about, admiring the unique and colorful buildings that found themselves in abundance throughout the city. I loved it, everything felt so unique and different, other cities take note!


Knowing Winnie needed to stretch her legs, I drove to a nearby park that bordered the water. As I exited my vehicle and began the walk I noticed an area with a bunch of dogs running about, sure enough I’d just discovered a dog park and proceeded to head on in. Winnie immediately took to the canine crowd as she joyfully let her bundled up energy loose, running back and forth with excitement.


With a happy dog smiling up at me I returned to the car and set off towards Signal Hill, a national historic site. I’d soon arrived and found myself walking along the cliffs where old cannons lay overlooking the cove below. Blue skies had revealed themselves and the sun shone down upon the land of cliffs and salty water. Scattered about, wild blueberries grew in abundance and I took my time chowing down on the little treats as I explored the region.


My phone had died and I was unable to take more pictures so I returned to the car to charge it for a bit. Having sat there for 30 minutes relaxing, my phone was charged enough to return to the scene before me. I walked up to the highest point where I entered an old military fort and climbed to the highest point where I stood and admired the birds eye view. To think, the windows I was looking through were once the same viewpoint for soldiers as they watched vigilantly all day long for enemy ships.


There was still more to see so I returned to my car and ventured to Cape Spear, another national historic site. An active lighthouse greeted me from the distance and I followed its shining beacon until I’d arrived at my destination. As I exited my vehicle I was immediately greeted by a powerful wind and a spray of mist from the sea. I walked up a flight of stairs to view the old historic lighthouse that had both warned and guided countless ships to safely. I wondered what it would’ve been like to live there, high up on the cliff forever watchful over the sprawling sea.


I’d longed to stand at the most eastern point of Canada for ages and I finally fulfilled that desire. A walk along the tall cliffs took me to the place I’d waited so patiently to see. As I stood there I was overcome with joy, I’d achieved a life goal and my soul roared in adventurous elation.


I couldn’t return yet, I simply had to wander further out on the rocks and watch the waves crashing into the rocky shore. Over the obstacles I climbed until I found a perfect place to stand and gaze out upon the untamable sea. A storm was brewing and the waves grew in size, some must have been seven feet tall! As the rain picked up I didn’t move, I stood there getting soaked, a front row seat to the violent and powerful display of nature as the ferocious Atlantic sea assaulted the shore relentlessly. I must have stood there for hours until the growing darkness finally drew me back to my vehicle.


It was time to find a campground and I took to the roads once more. The rainfall had picked up its intensity, it fell with torrential force. At times I could hardly see out my window with my windshield wipers at their max speed. I worked through it and made it to a campground where the rain turned to a light sprinkle, a break in the torrent for me to set up my tent. I lucked out, managing to do so with minimal rain before crawling inside the shelter and giving into the exhaustion as I was reunited with my pillow once more.

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Day 66 – Taking the ferry in style

I had booked a ferry a few days earlier and upon waking up I decided to head straight there. The drive was about an hour and a half out but I made good time, making it to the dock a few hours before the check in deadline. It was a nice feeling getting in the lineup and relaxing for a bit.


The ferry finally began its loading and I soon found myself driving up the ramp, getting myself parked and situated. I had two options for Winnie, crate or car, and I decided I’d go with the crate since I’d be able to visit her and wouldn’t have to worry about her doing her business in my vehicle.


About an hour or so after loading, the ferry took to the sea with surprising speed as it glided across the deep waters. A brisk and chilly ocean air blew with unrelenting force causing me to spend less time on the deck than I’d thought I would, venturing inside to the lounge instead. As I entered the room in I saw an arrangement of oddly colored seats spreading themselves out among the floor space. I found the perfect spot right beside one of the windows where I could stare out across ocean and watch the sun slowly go down.


The boat had a buffet restaurant and being quite hungry I decided to see if I could get my moneys worth. I tested the button on my pants that night, to my amazement it didn’t pop right off!
With a live band playing back in the lounge, I decided to return there to relax. The singing duo was actually pretty good, playing a solid blend of different tunes for their onlookers.


With a movie playing on the deck below me I took a trip down the stairs to continue exploring the boat. I believe the movie they were showing was Amazing Grace, regardless it was quite good and I watched it until the end before heading back to the lounge.
When I returned back up the stairs I noticed most of the people had fallen asleep on the chairs. The last remnants of folks still awake were frequenting the bar, trying to get the last couple drinks in before the gate closed. I sprawled out on one of the sofas, pulling out my book and reading for a while before I finally dozed off with the rest of the sleepy folk.

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Day 67 – The captivating Cabot Trail

The morning light shining through the ferry windows woke me up. A scattered group of people with groggy faces clutched their morning coffee with comical desperation. The ship was just coming into the harbor, a rocky land appearing in greater detail as we drew closer.


Soon we’d arrived and I made my exit into a new land, I’d arrived in Nova Scotia. Having entered the province quite early I had a full day ahead of me to decide what I wanted to do. I made a stop at good ol Tim Hortons to grab some food and set about finding a campground with wifi to catch up on the blog. It wasn’t long until I was setting up my tent, weighting my options for what to do next.


With blue skies and perfect weather I simply had to explore somewhere. I finally decided I’d drive the Cabot Trail, a famous scenic drive I’d read about. It wasn’t long until I stood there looking at the sign that began the lengthy winding road.


In elated excitement I took to the trail, eager to see what it had to offer me. Like a serpent weaving through the grass, the roads zigzagged themselves across the land, sharp turns appearing everywhere. Oh, what a view though! I found myself stopping constantly to take in the picturesque landscape before me.


Eventually the Cabot Trail entered Cape Breton National Park, adding even more stunning views to a day already overflowing with beauty. Tall cliffs and a sparkling ocean continued to reveal themselves in abundance, now with vast forests that covered the mountains like a garment adding to the composition.


I made sure to take a few detours off the Cabot Trail every now and then for a closer peek at a village or lookout. One of those stops being White Point, a place recommended to me by the locals.


The sun had begun to set, the blue skies now adding a fiery touch to their palette. I continued driving along until I found the perfect perch on a cliff to watch the flaming sphere dip below the watery horizon.

With the sun having taken its daily rest, I continued pressing on beside an array of warm colors glowing in the distance. With the ocean so close I simply had to take a walk on the rocky shores. Finding a nearby beach, Winnie and I exited the vehicle to get a closer look at the waves as they crashed against the plentiful pebbles. For quite some time we stood there, appreciating nature in it’s ferocious beauty.


Night was drawing close so I returned to my car and pressed on down the road. I found a nice little restaurant to ease my hunger along the way. With a full belly I continued back to the campground I’d pitched my tent in that morning. Soon the days exhaustion finally brought my face to the pillow like a magnet. A day of incredible adventuring came to its close.

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Day 68 – Pressing onward

While I loved being able to shower and access wifi at the campground, the only place to set up my tent was an open field, which I knew would haunt me in the morning. Sure enough, as the sun rose I was cooked out of my tent. Being up early did have its perks and I started my day catching up on the blog. I’d though about staying another night but decided I’d head south to Halifax instead.


I took to the roads just before noon, making a short stop at a restaurant where an incredibly friendly waitress served me up some breakfast. It was a welcomed start to the afternoon and I returned to the roads again feeling cheerful.


Much of the drive took me alongside sparkling lakes that spread themselves out across the land. With the sun shining brightly above most of the day, the nature that surrounded me brought forth it’s color in vibrant beauty.


I tried to keep my stopping to a minimum, admiring the majority of the scenery as I drove by it.


As dusk was arriving I entered the city. I parked for a bit and sat there relaxing, the long drive had definitely taken its toll on my stamina. My goal of making it to the city was accomplished and I could do my exploring the following day. I found a campground just outside of Halifax. With wifi available, I was able to catch up on my blog at last before heading to bed.

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Day 69 – Hunting down attractions in Halifax

I was awoken throughout the night by a torrential downpour falling rapidly on my tent. Despite the heavy droplets making their noisy arrival, I managed to fall asleep once more, waking to a damp yet much calmer morning. It was time to pack my things and head into Halifax, a city I was eager to explore.
Having camped only 25 minutes outside the city, I soon arrived and began my exploring. As I drove throughout the area I came to a what looked like an old military post high up on a hill. Figuring it might be worth taking a closer look at, I quickly found a place to park and took to the path leading in.


As I arrived at the entrance I was pleasantly surprised to find out my parks Canada pass allowed me inside for free. I entered through an archway and into an open area. Guards in old uniforms stood at attention clutching their guns. The old military base had been turned into a museum of sorts, with most of the rooms now available to the public. A guided tour was being offered and I joined, eagerly listening to stories of a time passed when the base was busy and brimming with war activity.


With my parking about to expire, I returned to my car and continued exploring the city. This led me down to the busy but beautiful docks. I was soon walking beside a collection of shops that lined the waters edge. Strange and captivating art adorned the wooden path, bringing a greater blend of uniqueness to the impressive boardwalk.


My final destination for the day was Cape Breton Lighthouse. Being close to an hour away, I hurried on down to catch a glimpse of the site before the sun went down. I arrived and took to the rocky shores. As I stood there I was quite surprised at the deception of the waves. Often a powerful thrust of water would come along and sweep over the rocks that seemed to be safe from the roaring sea.


The sun began to set, granting a fiery glimmer to the crashing waves. I sat there and watched with excitement. Eventually the glowing fireball finally disappeared and all that was left was a crimson red illuminating the horizon.


With the last bits of light finally gone, I returned to my car and set off to find a campsite. It wasn’t long until I’d found a nearby campground nearby where a friendly owner greeted me with kindness. He led me to a spot right under a canopy of trees to help with the rain. I finally pitched my tent and called it a day, what an adventure it’d been.

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Day 70 – The tidal bore

It was a slow crawl out of bed in the morning. Having finally got my things packed back into the car along with getting in a quick shower in, I took to the highway at last. I had one main goal, drive to Prince Edward Island to meet my significant other who was flying down to meet me.
On the way north I discovered I was passing the Bay of Fundy and decided to take a little detour the see the tidal bore. Now what exactly is a tidal bore? When the tide comes in from the ocean it works itself inland, pushing forward with such force that it temporarily reverses the flow of the river. I chose to watch this phenomena in the town of Truro, where I set up my chair right beside the water in eager anticipation.


At last it began! In the distance a small wave pushed forward with such a strong force that it swallowed the river. The rising waters formed all sorts of waves and bumps as the currents clashed with one another.


Soon the rising tide had completely covered the lake bed, the water having risen dramatically in a very short time. I’d sat there admiring the phenomena for quite a while before returning to the road at last, venturing north.


I was making good time, passing by fields of windmills as I drove through the gusty region. Soon I’d made it to Prince Edward Island, where I immediately found a place to pitch my tent. Jenn’s flight was having constant delays so I had a little time to work on the blog before her arrival. It was getting quite late in the night by the time I finally drove to the airport to greet her.


There she was, sitting on one of the chairs waiting for me. She ran up and greeted me with an enormous hug, one of those things I’d been missing in my life on the road. We grabbed her luggage and walked to the car. Jenn had mentioned that she felt the dog might forget her, a statement that made me chuckle as I knew Winnie would never forget her. As soon as we got to the car, Jenn opened the door and Winnie went completely bonkers with excitement, hopping all over the place licking her face with boundless joy.


With an happy girlfriend and an overjoyed pup I returned to the campground where we all crawled in the tent together and called it a night.

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Day 71 – Jenn joins the party

The rain beat down on the roof of my tent all night. Having got to bed so late, with checkout being at 11am, both Jenn and I found ourselves sleep deprived in the morning. Despite the groggy start we soon found ourselves on the road where we arrived at a nearby restaurant.


With our appetites sated we took to the road once more, heading to Prince Edward Island Nation Park. As we arrived we were greeted by pristine sandy beaches alongside endless waves working their way to the shoreline. With a cool sea breeze and blue skies above, it was the perfect weather for an afternoon stroll. Winnie was overjoyed, she immediately took to the sandy shore with us, bouncing and running laps with seemingly endless energy. Sand dunes rose up along the oceans edge, often garnished with patches of healthy tall grass.


What was originally planned as a short jaunt turned into hours as we soaked in the scenery surrounding us. Eventually we made our way back to the car. We drove to a shaded area to relax and figure out our next stop. Fatigue was setting in, the lack on sleep from the night before starting to catch up with us. We figured it best to find a campground close by and rest up.


The drive took us 45 minutes east where we camped close to our destination for the next day. With an abundance of amenities I was able to get some laundry done while Jenn caught some z’s. Night time had arrived at last. We made a campfire and huddled close for its warmth before retiring to the tent. A wonderful start to our first day in Prince Edward Island came to a sleepy finish.

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Day 72 – Drawn to the sandy shores

The nights have been growing noticeably colder as autumn draws near. Upon exiting my tent, a brisk morning air greeted me with a chilly embrace as blue skies above beckoned me forward to explore the land.
It wasn’t long until Jenn and I were on the road, venturing out to Greenwich, a part of Prince Edward Island National Park. We found a place to park and began walking along a short trail that took us to a nice little picnic table where we snacked on some cheese and crackers. With a sparkling lake beside us, the scenery stayed nothing less than stunning. Having chowed down, we returned to the trail and finished the short little hike.


We found ourselves craving the ocean so we ventured to one of the nearby beaches. A weaving wooden boardwalk guided us to the pristine sands we’d been craving so deeply. Refreshing and cool, the ocean breeze swept through the area as Atlantic waves steadily crashed into the shore.


With eager excitement we walked along the beach until we found the perfect place to settle and soak in the sun. Occasionally we’d dip our feet in the chilly water before returning once more to our comfy perch. Having spent the afternoon there, we slowly packed our things and returned to the car.


Only a few hours remained before the sun went down so we took a coastal drive to the most eastern part of the island. We arrived just in time, with the sky bringing forth a dazzling array of warm colors to illuminate the horizon.


It was time to find a place to rest. We drove an hour and a half west to a campground that was close to the Anne of Green Gables museum we’d planned to explore in the morning. With Hurricane Dorian arriving tomorrow afternoon, it should be an interesting day to say least!