Tuesday, 9/29 5:53 PM

At my lodgings in Truro.  Nice drive today, but in and out of rain.  Not unlike last night, this was a bit of a shock coming into a city, and neither Sydney nor Truro are that big. 

 

I've been in the rural areas for a while and this feels a bit unsettling.  The idea of tooling around Lunenburg alone has no appeal, so I am taking it off the itinerary and winding towards home. 

 

It's funny, I lived and worked in NYC for 13 years and Boston for about 6.  Find I am not as comfortable in the city as in the country. 

 

Am fearless on the one and two lane roads, paved or not, not so much in the bright lights and traffic in unknown places.  It is not the driving around or through, it is the stopping, figuring parking and how to get where I need to go that feels overwhelming. 

 

So, to keep in mind for future trips:

• Plan limited sightseeing,
• Visit historical places,
• Avoid sightseeing in big cities alone,
• Keep single day's drive to no more than 6 hours.
• Have great sing-a-long music in the car, local radio may have little for my enjoyment. (I have listened to local TV on the radio and this morning local radio on the TV!)

Well, surprise, surprise, I'm hungry - great breakfast at the B & B, no lunch on the road, so now I will put on a clean blouse and go out for some dinner.

 

Be in touch tomorrow from a really neat inn right on the Bay of Fundy (hostess is a quilter!!).

 

Ciao

Monday, 9/28 8:39 PM

Left Cheticamp this morning, felt a bit sad to be leaving the Gulf of Lawrence side of Cape Breton.  It is quite rural, very beautiful, and love the Gaelic and Acadian heritage.  Drove to Louisbourg which is on the Atlantic side.  Much windier and cooler here:  lots of trees showing fall colors.

 Got to Louisbourg after a few arguments with the GPS, she kept telling me to turn down dirt roads.  I had spent some time the studying map, so I felt confident to disagree with her. 

 Another wonderful historic restoration.  I took a guided tour; Time Travel.  We stopped at three buildings, the soldier’s barracks, an Officer’s home, and the elegant home of the Chief Engineer.  The staff at each were in period costume and stayed in character.  We were new arrivals looking for work and were being instructed on life, customs, culture, food, etc. 

 It was very informative in a truly delightful way.  This would be a place, when in full operation, to come for 2 days.  You can spend time cooking, learning from an herbalist, gardening, woodworking, doing just about anything that is being done there, they work the place as it had been over 200 years ago.

 Got to my B & B in Sydney Forks in about 40 minutes.  Great hosts.  Terrific room.  Now am out for supper at an Irish Ale House in Sydney, no music tonight.

 Tomorrow I will drive to Truro, check in and they try to visit the Springhill Mine exhibit.  This is the site of the Cumberland Mine, made famous in folk song that had 3 major disasters. 

Back from dinner and ready for bed.  Feel like I am getting closer and closer to home.  Cable here looks like Comcast and I can figure out what is on and even find things I recognize.  Drive back from dinner was interesting.  First time I’ve driven in a city since I left home, felt a bit overwhelmed by all the lights and buildings and screeching tires, also a bit anxious.  Need to consider this planning other trips.  Being in rural and suburban areas seems safe, cities, not so much.

Well a brand new episode from the latest season of Murdock Mysteries (for us, the Artful Detective) is on and I am going to actually stretch out and watch TV.

Night and sweet dreams to all.

Sunday, 9/27 10:05 PM

What a day today.  Up and out by 9:30 AM and just got back at 8:30 PM.  Drove to the Welcome Center at the Highland National Park.  Paid my admission and got info and great tips from the staff.  Drove the Cabot Trail around the park stopping, not at all, but I bet 5 out of every 6 look-outs.  Oh, the views.  There are not words, so I won’t even try. 

Met many other travelers at the stops.  I decided it wasn’t a good idea for me to venture on any of the trails being alone.  I did drive 2 miles on the dirt road to see a waterfall.  When I got there learned I would have to walk on the trail to get to it.  While standing and pouting a very nice German couple returned to their car from the trail.  I asked about the distance and condition, explaining my concern being alone.  They assured me it was a short, easy walk, but also waited for me to return. 

It has just been on experience after another like this with everyone I have met. 

I will upload an assortment of pictures to give just a glimmer of an idea of what the experience was like. 

I also did not stop at every artisan shop along the trail, but did stop at quite a few.  My dilemma is that when I am in an artist’s shop/studio I just can’t leave without buying something.  So, I tried to limit my stops and didn’t do too bad on limiting my purchases. 

Finished the day with an enormous fisherman’s platter – lobster tail, ½ king crab, some shrimp, scallops, and mussels.  It was delicious.  Had a glass of a local white wine with it. 

Now, I want to try to stay awake for the lunar eclipse which should be dramatically visible behind the chalet sometime around 10:30 PM.

Then to bed, up, back an on the road again tomorrow.

 

Saturday, 9/26 8:22 PM

View from my front door.

My lodgings are right half of chalet

Took a day off and it was worth it, and well spent.  Lazy morning, moved slowly and didn't venture out until 10:00 AM.  The forecast had been for rain, none, another beautiful day.  Made some changes to my plans and cancelled what needed to be and booked some of what is needed.  Think this is a better plan. 

Stopped in a gift shop and met a woman doing a hooked rug.  This is THE craft here and the work done is beautiful.  Then went to the Visitor's Center, got info on the Cabot Trail - that will be my full day tomorrow, up early and back late.  They have a hooked rug museum there so I enjoyed that.  Then drove around and saw the local sites. 

Picked up a brown bag lunch and came back to my digs for a rest.  Around 3:30 PM headed out to a local pub for some Cape Breton music. 

Sat myself with a Mom and Daughter and had a great time.  The fiddler was awesome, he really enjoyed himself and kept time with both feet and both eyebrows, a real cutie!

After that stopped for some dinner where I saw a full parking lot and sat with two sisters who live locally, both retired.  One had been a teacher, the other a nurse.  They too were at the pub and also at the concert the other night.  And, the piano player at the distillery is their cousin!  And the know the young fiddle player for the other night and the lady from the B & B in Mabou.  I am feeling much less like a total stranger.  This is so much fun.

Off to bed soon, want an early start tomorrow.  The forecast is good and there are not many tourists so I should be able to have an enjoyable day.  Will do the Northern part of the Cabot Trail slowly, then, depending on the time, may have to shoot back here instead of touring the Southern part.  I can do that the next day as I travel to Sydney Forks (new destination) the following day.

Keep hearing from AT&T about data usage, upgraded my plan, again.  I am relying on free Wi-Fi, which is just about everywhere, but so sssssllllllllooooooowwwwww.  Have to curtail my texting and indiscriminate uploading to Facebook.  And even stopped emails via phone - it is nice to be connected, but also nice to have to relegate it to time at my lodgings.

For now, Good night, God Bless, Sweet Dreams.
 

Friday, 9/25 5:26 PM

Have just settled in at Oceanview Motel & Chalets in Cheticamp.  Have a chalet and am here for 3 nights; very glad to be it bit less on the move and have some space to hang out.  Have driven close to 1,200 miles since leaving home and except for last night changed lodgings every night.

Cabot Trail to Cheticamp

Need some time to re-group. Have to decide where I stay the first night when I leave here, next 2 are all set in Lunenburg.  Then also the 2 nights after Lunenburg, was considering Yarmouth.  Can't remember if I booked the ferry home or not, and think I want to change the plan. 

Am thinking all day on the ferry might be boring and I wouldn't even get a good rest in the "airplane" seat.  I will probably be better off to go back through Digby/Saint John and take 2 days to drive home.

Tomorrow is supposed to rain and I certainly hope so.  There is a Museum here of hooked rugs and other fiber arts that I want to see and also a Cape Breton Music event in the afternoon.  Sleeping in, late breakfast, short visit to museum, good music, simple supper and to bed sounds like a great way to spent the day. 

Then it's on the road again to tour the Cabot Trail for the next 2 days.  The further north I get on Cape Breton the more breathtaking it is.  Port Hood, Mabou, Inverness are very Gaelic.  Names on mailboxes and streets: Beaton, MacDonald, McInnis, Rankin, Fraser; I keep expecting Claire and Jaime (for my fellow Outlander fans) to appear.  No men in kilts, yet!

Cheticamp and this surrounding area seem to be very French.  Makes for a most interesting trip. 

Visited the Glenora  North America's first single malt distillery, of course!  Took the tour and was able to ask intelligent questions!  Shared with others on the tour my "experience" as a single malt tasting host.  Had a taste, smooth as silk. 




Had a leisurely lunch with great music in the pub, this time piano and guitar or mandolin. 

Met a really nice couple from Indiana and we chatted all through lunch.

Thursday, 9/24 10:00 PM

Just got in, yup was out after dark and stayed up this late.  Last minute change in plans, had to postpone music and dinner at distillery.  I'll stop there for lunch tomorrow on my way back to Cheticamp.

Had a quick bite at The Mull and then rushed off to hear Sylvia Tyson in concert.  Yup, that's right, Sylvia of the 1960's folk duo, Ian and Sylvia.  Great concert. 

Music with dinner last night the Red Shoe Pub.  Afternoon local ale and music today at he Celtic Music Center. And tonight top it off  with the concert. 

Music is everywhere and it isn't even Celtic Colors, that festival is next week.  And L, who owns the B & B where I am staying is a musician; had some folks here for lessons this afternoon while I was relaxing. 

The concert was in the hall at the high school which is used continually for theater and concerts.  There is a very active movement here to preserve Scottish traditions and language.  Gaelic is offered in the schools, all the signs in the high school were in both English and Gaelic.

My ears, eyes, nose, taste buds and mind are about to explode.  So much to take in.  The forecast for Saturday is rain and at this time I hope so.  Need a rainy day to stay in and reflect and absorb all I've seen and experienced. 

For now, night, night and then tomorrow off to Cheticamp and a couple of days to explore the Cabot Trail.

Thursday, 9/24/2015 - just an assortment of pictures

Mabou

Use free tidal power to generate electricity

Recycling done everywhere

Statue of Evangeline and commemorative chapel at Grand Pre UNESCO site

Me, in case you've forgotten what I look like

Port Hood

Thursday, 9/24 10:00 AM

Well, I did!  Was in the water with the whales and it was amazing.  What an incredible afternoon.  Beautiful, warm, sunny day.  Seas a bit choppy, but otherwise perfect.

 

Me in the wet suit and vest.

Never been in a Zodiac before, it is an interesting experience.  It's a good thing I like roller coasters cause you really do get bounced around. I did not take any pictures while on the boat because I needed both hands to hold on to feel safe that I wouldn't get pitched out;  found myself looking for the seatbelt.

 

 

We were 9 folks, one not snorkeling, 4 on one side, 5 the other.  Everyone had a great view for the entire trip. My side did much better when in the water with the whales, actually had them swimming by and over us.  Could hear them under water and feel the movement when they went by.  The other side seemed more confused once they got in the water, they would look to the right while we kept telling them to look left.  Funny how all of us on my side felt like the "winning team"

The water wasn't cold, the wet suit helped, but my hand, face and feet were fine.  Sliding off the boat into the water was easy and needed to be done instantly when we stopped, so no time to hesitate that it might be cold.  Very choppy and tiring to swim or even just stay in place. 
 

The real shock was trying to get back into the Zodiac,  the first rung on the ladder was about mid thigh, it was a struggle pulling all of me up;  by that time I was also quite winded and tired from swimming.  But, without any grace I made. 

Did two swims then decided that was it for me.  Felt a bit embarrassed until the young man next to me quit after three, then I thought "not to bad for this old lady."  Slept very soundly last night at the most charming B & B. 

Am off to tour the Mabou area, thank you W & I for telling me to come here.  Will look for some local artisans, back for an afternoon nap and then off to the Distillery (single malt and music, who could ask for more!) for supper.  I think I am in love with Cape Breton.

Tuesday, 9/22, 4:23 PM Tulloch Inn, Inverness, Cape Breton

Just arrived at tonight's lodging.  A charming Inn right on Lake Ainslie.  Very serene, only one other guest besides me and they are not here now.

 

Had a great night’s sleep Sunday night, lovely lodgings and started Monday very rested and ready.  Visited the UNESCO historical site at Grand Pre.  It is really well done and a great presentation of the exile of the Acadians.  Got a beautifully illustrated volume of Longfellow’s Evangeline. 

 Thoughts and feelings were all over the place on yesterday's drive from Grand Pre to Tatamagouche, about 3 hours.  I found I have a USB port in the glove compartment, so I can charge my phone and use the GPS at the same time, that dramatically lowered my anxiety.  Now, if needed I can turn on my “hot spot” and access all my files (Oops, didn’t print everything before leaving home, so need the computer files, did save them to the cloud) if needed.

 Am much more relaxed about being so GPS dependent.  If fact, used the postal code to find Monday night's lodgings and wound up in the wrong place.  Reset after assistance as to where I needed to be, kept going, and no panic or anxiety attacks.  

Everyplace I have been or purposefully stopped for directions, info etc. I am amazed at how kind, helpful, friendly everyone is.  The lady at the Irving gas station, the gentleman I met outside, the 2 guys at the Grand Pre welcome desk, the 2 ladies in the gift shop, the staff at McD’s in Trenton and the 2 customers in line, and the liquor store clerk here in Tatamagouche.  When needing info each took so much time to be sure I understood exactly how to get where I wanted, patiently repeating when I asked.  When recommending they made sure their choice matched what I wanted.  All have made me feel so welcome here.  Am a bit embarrassed to think these folks might not meet the same level of hospitality in the US

My friends W & I, who summer on Cape Breton advised not to under estimate the time it takes to get from one place to the next.  It was when I was told this that I edited my trip and destinations.  Even with that I find I still may be a bit ambitious.  Took me a while to remind myself, this is my trip and I can do or not do as I please.  And, I don’t have to “do” something every day.  I can spend a whole day relaxing, reading, napping; it is my vacation after all! 

Am finding I do okay with the driving as long as I have beautiful landscapes to enjoy.  Get a bit lulled on long, monotonous highways.  I am good for about 1 ½ hours, then need a stop to stretch and move a bit.  So cross country is physically possible though may be slow.

The room at the Train Station Inn was adorable and dinner in the dining car lovely.  Had breakfast this morning in the Station Café. There was a couple from British Columbia and sisters from Halifax.  We all had a great time at dinner and breakfast chatting, taking each other’s pictures and comparing travel notes.

Met a really nice couple at Grand Pre, they are from Louisiana and were tracing their Acadian routes.  They have an RV attached to a truck, spent 2 months getting here and plan another 2 months to get back home.  After our chat they’ve got me seriously thinking about a small RV, not a trailer, but one that I can drive around as well as “camp” in.  That would eliminate the need to change lodgings every night!

 I started this day enthused, excited and ready to continue; then when home begin to plan my next excursion. 

 

Stopped at a sheep farm and a lavender farm, both were in my plan, didn't do the winery, and glad not.  The drive from Tatamgouche to Cape Breton was so pretty, a bit long, but picturesque.  I feel like I should have a video camera on the roof that just keeps panning back and forth, want to show everyone everything I'm seeing.  At one point during a long stretch of farmlands and woods, no homes or businesses, felt myself starting to get anxious.  Thinking, what am I doing, I need to turn around and get home.  It passed, civilization appeared and I went onward.

 

Stopped at the Quilt shop at the very beginning of Cape Breton, saw a wall hanging I really like.  If it is still there when I am heading home, well, I will take that as a sign I'm meant to have it.

 

Barring any changes in the forecast, tomorrow I shall meet the whales.  Need to be in Cheticamp for noon as we sail at 1:00 PM.  The weather has been great, pray it continues if only for this one more day.

 

Ciao

 

 

Sunday, 7:25 PM

Sitting at the computer in my charming bedroom with a delightful breeze coming through the window. I am overwhelmed, amazed, and exhausted.

Yesterday was very tiring. I was up very early, drove for a long, long, time. When I finally got to my lodgings in Saint John I was too tired to even think about going out for dinner. Munched on some cheese and cracker snacks, took a quick bath, read, and then stretched out for the night. Didn’t sleep soundly, never do away from home.

Today I was up at 5:45 as I had to be at the ferry by 7:00. Once we were underway and I found my spot, I napped for the first hour of the trip. It was grey, rainy, and foggy so I wasn’t missing anything. After the nap I roamed the ferry, checked reservations and address info online, chatted with some folks.

Have decided to put day to day things on the Senior On The Road page and leave this for reflections, etc.  Not yet sure about  getting pix from the phone to here, so they will appear someplace, it will be a surprise.

Feeling like this might be too much and a bit of a mistake.  Will plug on, but am having my doubts.  Think I need rest and restoration.  So, nite, nite.

Saturday, 3:18 PM Atlantic Time

Just crossed the border and am in Canada!!!!!! I did it.  Having a bite and then onto Saint Johns.  Should arrive at my lodgings in about 1 1/2 hours.  Called my hosts to let them know I was going to be late, very nice - said they are just hanging out and not to rush.  Whoever estimates travel times must have a very young bladder, but there are really nice and clean and friendly stops through Maine and here in New Brunswick.  Was way to honest at the border crossing, should have simply said I had no booze.  After I proudly declared all I had for hostess gifts and my own consumption, the guard cued that it was all for me to lower the duty tax.  Still got hit for more than all the wine was worth!  Next time I will keep my mouth shut!  The Mets and Yankees are on the TV here.  Am having my first sampling of Canadian cuisine.  Not that hungry, so just ordered a grilled cheese.  It is good, doesn't look like the way I make it, cheese is a really dark orange, but it is good and filling.  Everyone I have encountered has been so nice, friendly and helpful.  I think this was a good idea and that I am going to have a great adventure.  Thank God my speedometer shows miles and kilometers, hadn't paid attention to that before.  Also, that I was changing time zones didn't make an impression until I just did.

Have the courage .....

Have the courage to venture forth into the unknown with an open mind and heart to experience God's people and creation; to be an explorer in already explored lands.

It is a long held tradition for a family to have a coat of arms, a crest, a sigil, a motto; I don't know enough about my diverse heritage (Italian, Scotch, Russian, Polish) to know what any of mine could be.  In the absence of the ancestral facts I have defined the above as my retirement motto.  

The reason I have this motto is that I have spent most of my life feeling afraid and still do.  I am innately shy and insecure and these qualities often have me feeling unsure of whatever is before me.  If I give into them they can be immobilizing.

I was, however, raised to faith and be courageous and brave.  I was taught that bravery is not rushing in when you are not afraid, that is impulsiveness.  Bravery is going forth with trepidation when you are afraid and continuing forward despite your fear. 

Faith, is truly believing that all will be well.  What well is, how well will look and feel may not match any idea I have, but it will be well.  The following has long been my most beloved prayer.

 "All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.” ― Julian of Norwich 

My faith and my courage have led me to try things that were scary and overwhelming but then became exciting and wonderful.  The rush of meeting my fears and overcoming them has conditioned me to keep transcending all that stands in my way.  If I had not life would have passed me by and I would have missed out on, well, just about everything I have done.  

But every time I stand before something new, I have to go through the process of being afraid and then overcoming the fear.  This is what happened when I began planning this upcoming trip.  

After the first rush of excitement about where I might go and what I might see and do, as I got into the nuts and bolts of planning, I started to come up with a myriad of reasons why I shouldn’t go.

• What if I can’t figure a good plan of where to go when and where to stay?
• What if I get lost?
• What if I have car trouble?  
• What if I can’t handle the long driving part? 
• What if I don’t meet anyone to chat with?
• What if I have an auto accident? 
• What if I fall and break something? 
• What if I get sick?
• What if I get a rash?
• What if there is an emergency at home? 
• What if there is bad weather? 
• What if there is Armageddon? 
• What if there is a Tsunami? 
• What if Nova Scotia sinks into the ocean? 
• What if I get kidnapped? Taken hostage?  
• What if?  What if?  What if?

It is really quite amazing the list my imagination can create of all the possible things that could go wrong.  Fortunately, I have learned to rationalize with myself that this is all irrational thinking.  And I am most thankful that I can, because then I am courageous and free to venture forth. 

I have had the necessary long conversations with myself, being rational and reasonable.  

I will never be more than a 1 day drive from home, so, if need be, I can turn around and go back.  

I have GPS, AAA, cell phone with international roaming and a hot spot, so, I am not really going to be alone at any time.
  

The many catastrophes I have imagined are just as likely (which is pretty unlikely) to happen if I stay at home.

I am ready and I am really excited about this adventure.  I will journal this with pictures, assuming I figure how to get them from my phone or camera to here and that I have an Internet connection.

Next post will be from the road.

Ciao!

Lake Oscawana, Putnam Valley, New York

I’ve been busy planning a motor trip for late September, so vacation has been on my mind.  A recent conversation with a colleague about camping reminded me of when, before my family moved to the suburbs, we would often spend weekends and sometimes a week or two in “the country”.  This was in the late in the late 1940s and early 1950s.  We would stay at the Trading Post Cottages on Lake Oscawana, Putnam Valley, NY. 

Before highways, turnpikes, and parkways this was about a 2-hour drive on 2-lane roads through Westchester and Putnam counties and then a circuitous route across Fahnestock State Park on 1-lane or dirt roads. Many sections of this had straight-up mountain on one side and sheer cliff drop-off on the other.  

My Mom and Dad knew the roads very well and would move along at a pretty good clip providing a real thrill for the passengers.  No wonder I love roller coasters!  I was exposed to that adrenal rush at a very early age. Coming down the last leg of the journey into the area of the hotel and cottages was always a time for cheers “we got here” and prayers “we didn’t go over the cliff”.

The main building, housed a restaurant, bar, game room and had hotel rooms on the second floor.  There was a wide porch along the lake side with Adirondack chairs.  I remember sitting there, listening to the music from the game room and coloring.

The cottages were a bit rustic.  There was one great room and smallish bedrooms. The great room had a kitchen area, dining area, the rest was comfy sofas, easy and rocking chairs.  There was electricity with limited lighting.  There was no running water; we got buckets of water from a well and hauled them to the cottage. The toilet was an outhouse behind the cabin without any electricity; this was always an adventure at night!

Before they had children my parents and their friends would go there mainly for the fishing.  After the kids whole families would go.  Some renting a cottage for a week, others staying at the hotel for the weekend.

Yes, this is me sans bathing suit

My first excursion was as a toddler.  There was a wooden “crib” at the lake shore.  This was a raised, wooden platform with railings that provided shallow water for little ones, like me, to enjoy.  Abutting the “crib” was an area that could be easily accessed for swimming and further out in the lake was a platform for diving and sun bathing.  

The shore of the lake was not very sunny; rather trees and woods came right to the edge and provided wonderful shady spots.  This was where I learned the pleasure of swimming in fresh water and to this day it still delights me.  We would stay in the water until our fingers and toes got “pruney”.  And even then, didn’t want to get out of the water.  Wrinkled digits, blue lips, shivering all over, none were enough to get us out without being told we had to.

Me, not Shirley Temple!

The main activities were fishing, swimming and exploring the woods.  There were no sidewalks, so sewers, no street lights, no cars.  Only row boats were permitted so the fishing was tranquil and plentiful.  Going fishing meant getting up before dawn or going out at dusk, rowing to the middle or far end of the lake and coming back an hour or so later with whatever we caught.  My Dad would clean and fillet everything caught and my Mom would cook and serve it.  We grew up eating our own fresh caught fish, so of course we learned to like fish early on.

Brother J and me exploring

Across the lake from where we stayed was a large campground that had the Appalachian Trail running through it.  This was where I learned to love going for a walks in the woods.  We would tread slowly and silently so as not to startle whatever bird or wildlife might be around.  We saw rabbits, deer, beaver and too many variety of birds to name.  Once something was spotted we would remain silent and still as long as we could.  I think I was probably always the first to move or make a sound (I was the youngest!) and that would startle the wildlife off to safety.  It was always an awesome thrill to come upon wildlife in its environs and to watch them scamper away.  

This was time spent in woods and lakes for the sole purpose of enjoying being there. I am so grateful to my parents, extended family and their friends for all the wonderful summer days spent there.  We fished, we sang, we played games, we laughed.  These times taught me to enjoy being "in the woods" and it still pleases me to this day.  

Where I have been living these past 14 years, well, it is a townhouse condo complex, a small one and our backyard is a state forest.  No wonder I fell in love with this spot when I first saw it!