The Fundy Loop - Lupins, Daisys and Buttercups - and lots of Dead Folk!

Fonda Gamble Smyth

Our little journey today began with a delightful breakfast with my new found third cousin, Fonda.  She is as interested in the Gamble family history as I am, so it was a real gab fest.  She filled me in on so many details that only someone who grew up here would know.  Her great grandfather Harvey, was my great grandfather, John William's brother.  We talked a lot about the Gamble reputation for a keen sense of humour and an ability to pick up any old instrument and play it as if they'd taken years of lessons.  Maybe that's where Uncle Ed got his musical gift.

One of my objectives on this trip was to make it up to Castlereagh, the community where the Gambles settled in 1819 after arriving from Donegal.  For the most part, it is a ghost town but many generations of our family are buried there and I would love to add photos from the cemetery to my collection.  The road up there is iffy, at best and so we've arranged to go up the mountain on Friday by Quad or Jeep.  I am so excited!!

After our breakfast, we drove up along the Fundy Shore through Great Village, Portapique, Bass River, Economy and on into Parrsboro.  It is incredibly lovely country - lush, green and prosperous looking.  We took the side roads and did lots of exploring.  At one point we were very close to the Bay and the tide was a long way out.  There in the red mud, some 100' or so from shore was what we thought was an old cemetery.  Bravely, Ann volunteered to climb down the rocks and investigate.  It turned out to be a bunch of old tree stumps - but was a pretty awesome sight anyway.

At Bass River we stopped at the Fire Hall to take a picture of the old fire engine they have for sale.  Had a visit with one of the firemen and heard all about their new water rescue program.  He directed us through upper Bass River which is quaint with cottages and homes - and, of course, another old cemetery.  We travelled around the Portipique Mountain to the foot of the Castlereagh Road.  Up at the top of the road, in addition to the old town, is Gamble Lake, named for my 4th Great Grandfather, Robert.

We had a great drive and can't wait to get back up there tomorrow.

Congratulations, Mark on your Academic Achievement and Congeniality awards.  Way to go!!


To be continued......

Serendipity is Alive and Living in Nova Scotia

Elizabeth Patterson Johnson

As a professional (self-designated) cemeterian, I seem to have a sixth sense for finding the right tombstone in acres of them.  Of course it doesn't always work - hence the necessity of buying a new roof air conditioner this spring - but it's pretty accurate.  It has worked to find my Loyalist Great Grandparents, Alexander Peers & Mary Bolding (Me, Russell Bragg, John T. Bragg, Charles Bragg m Matilda Swallow, Hannah Teed, Jerusha Peers, Alexander & Mary),  my Cobequid Planter Great Grandmother Elizabeth (me, Russell Bragg, John T Bragg, Charles Bragg, John Bragg m Jane Rogers, Rachel Johnson, Elizabeth Patterson Johnson,  Thomas Swallow (me, Russell Bragg, John T Bragg, Charles Bragg m Matilda Swallow, Thomas Swallow).  How fortunate I am.

Thomas Swallow

Last night I got an email from a lady names Fonda Smyth.  She introduced herself as a member of the Gamble Family and said she liked the family history blog I'm doing and if I was ever in Nova Scotia, I should give her a call.  I wrote back, "Funny you should say that, I'm in Truro right now" She came back with "I live in Truro!"  So we're getting together tomorrow.

I went to the Colchester Archives and Museum to do some research today and a dear little lady heard I wanted information on the Johnsons.  She told me her great grandmother married one of  my Johnsons and then another lady piped up saying she was related too.

Alexander Peers & Mary Bolding

Turns out the guy who runs this campground is also a Johnson relative!  It never seems to end.

Tomorrow, we are venturing up to Bass River, Portaupique and Londonderry to dig around in some more cemeteries.  Went to Swiss Chalet for supper - just the ticket after all that fresh air!

Sometime genealogy is a solitary venture with hours spent poring over computer files, documents and such.  On this trip is has been more like a gathering of the clan!  And it wouldn't be near as fun without my fellow cemeterian, Ann tromping along beside me!  If you want the definition of friendship it is stomping through muddy, bug infested cemeteries in the rain and laughing about it.  Thanks Bud!

The Cobequid Planters

This is an exerpt from by Genealogy Blog about the Johnsons of Truro:

Relationship to me:

1. James Johnson & Elizabeth Patterson

     2. Rachel Johnson & James Rogers

          3. Jane Rogers & John Bragg

               4. Charles Bragg & Matilda Swallow

                     5. John Thomas Bragg and Julia West Gamble

                           6. Russell Mackie Bragg & Dorothy Madeleine Harrigan

                                 7. Me  

 SPECIAL NOTE: 2011 marks the 250th Anniversary of the arrival of the Ulster Scots - also known as the Cobequid Planters to Truro, Nova Scotia.  Celebrations will be taking place all through the summer.

------------------------------------

As a result of the Settlement Act of 1652 in Northern Ireland where Catholic landowners were stripped of their property, many Scots from the lowlands and English border region were encouraged to settle and work these lands for British landlords.  However, by 1703 the Presbyterian Scotts were persecuted for not adhering to the "True" Church and many emigrated to the North American Colonies.  These people were known as the Ulster Scots.

James Johnson was born in June 1719 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.  In 1744, he married Elizabeth Patterson.  Elizabeth was also from Londonderry, having been born in 1725.  The couple had 11 children: Adam, Robert, Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth, Matthew, James, John, William, Hannah and Rachel.  All the children were born in Ireland and emigrated with their parents.

Johnson Family Crest

 James and his brother, John and their families were part of the Ulster Scots migration with Alexander McNutt.  McNutt travelled throughout Northern Ireland and New England recruiting settlers for the land he had been given by the British Government in the area known as the Cobequid along the Bay of Fundy. In 1761,about 60 families came to settle Truro Township on the south side of the bay, including the Johnsons.  They became known as the Cobequid Planters.

James and  John were living in New Hampshire when they learned of grants of land being offered in Nova Scotia to English speaking protestants willing to relocate and settle.  Much of the land had formerly belonged to the French Acadians who had been removed from the province in 1755 and so were partially cultivated and fertile.  Each grant was to include a town lot, a farm lot, a marsh lot and a wood lot.  James and John applied and were approved for a grant of land in the newly formed township at the head of Cobequid Bay that was to be called Truro.  James received two rights of land, each containing 500 acres.

James himself may have been part of the group who were at Cobequid in 1760 as mentioned in the Minutes of His Majesty's Council of Halifax.  These records maintain that in Aug of 1760 there was a committee of persons with interests in the Truro and nearby Onslow townships, present in that area and that among the business they were intent upon was the want of a road from Cobequid to Halifax.  The route was agreed upon and by April of the following year, Council at Halifax agreed to supply them with provisions while they were actually employed in making the road.

James Johnson was one of the original Grantees of the Township of Truro and one of the seven elders of the Presbyterian  Church of Truro who were elected in the summer of 1770.

Truro is located on the Salmon River east of the head of Cobequid Bay in central Nova Scotia. 

Commemorative Plaque celebrating

the arrival of the Ulster Scots

There was one Right to the Township of  Truro grantee for the first Presbyterian Minister who would settle in Truro, one Right for a glebe, and another Right for the benefit of schools.  ItIt is significant that all the first settlers, and grantees of Truro were Presbyterians from Scotland, and the north of Ireland.  They soon began to feel the loss to themselves and their children, from the want of a Preached Gospel.   In the year 1765 the Rev. Mr. Kenlock arrived in Truro, and continued to labour in and about Truro for about three years.  Then he returned to Scotland, and did not accept the call from the people of Truro to be their settled pastor.

At the earnest request of the people of Truro, the Rev. Daniel Cock came out from Scotland in the fall of the year 1769.  He was sent out as a Missionary for the whole Province, and continued to labour in Truro and other parts of the Province for a time.  The Reverend Cock would soon marry into the Johnson family.

 September 13th, 1770, is the date of the call that was made out and presented to the Rev. Daniel Cock, from the Truro congregation, which he accepted.  This call was signed by seven elders who had been chosen but a few weeks before, and 42 adherents.  The names of the elders were, David Archibald, John Johnson, William Fisher, James Johnson, Robert Hunter, John Savage, and Samuel Archibald.  The names of the adherents are, James Yuill, Senr., Thomas Gourley, Samuel Archibald, James Archibald, Matthew Taylor, Thomas Archibald, Matthew Archibald, John Archibald, John Archibald, Junr., James Faulkner, John Fisher, James Dunlap, Robert Archibald, Alexander Nelson, William McKeen, John McKeen, John Oughterson, William White, Samuel Wetherby, Adam Dickey, James Wright, John Fulton, George Scott, David Nelson, Adam Boyd, Adam Johnson, James Archibald, Junr., James Fisher, David Archibald, Junr., James Johnson, Junr., David McKeen, James Yuill, Junr., Alexander Miller, John Gourley, John Logan, William Logan, Thomas Skeed, John Taylor, Joseph Moore, Henry Gluen, James Whidden, David Whidden, and Alexander McNutt.  Note:  all names highlighted are part of our family tree.

James built his house on land located in the Lower Village of Truro.  Years later, his grandson Robert Johnson build his home near the same spot.  James was an active and leading man in the early settlement and was one of the seven elders of the first Presbyterian Church in Truro Township.  His name can be found mentioned in the township record book where he is recorded as being in the year 1774 the "Surveyor of Lumber" and in 1777 was acting as "Surveyor of Roads".

Grave of Elizabeth Patterson

Robie Street Cemetery

Truro, Nova Scotia

Elizabeth Patterson Johnson died on December 2, 1776 and was one of the first to be buried in the Robie Street Cemetery in Truro.  Following her death, James married Margaret McRoberts on February 27th, 1777and they had 3 additional children, Jane, Sarah and Alison.  Margaret died in 1782 leaving James a widower again.

James Johnson died at his home in Lower Village, Truro in1798 and was buried beside Elizabeth at Robie Street.

Inscription on James' tombstone:

Husband of Elizabeth PATTERSON 

{born - 1727 in Ireland died - 2 December 1776

at Truro, Colchester, Nova Scotia}.

Bug Bites and Blessings

 So here we are back at my favourite campground - Scotia Pines just south of Truro.  We are here for a week or so before heading back up to Cumberland County and the Bragg family so we're taking advantage of the sights and sounds between here and Halifax.  It's overcast this morning and misty but we're hoping for some clearing this afternoon so we can go and visit the Robie Street Cemetery and find all my Johnson ancestors.

Yesterday we toured the majestic Stewiacke Valley, home of Stewiacke, Middle Stewiacke, East Stewiacke and Upper Stewiacke.  It was here that the Johnsons settled after a short time in New Hampshire.  They were originally from Londonderry, Northern Ireland and arrived here in 1761 - 250 years ago.  They were called the Cobequid Planters and were encouraged to settle on the lands where, just a few years before, the French Acadiens were evicted by the British.  Today it is rich farmland with incredible views, amass with wild lupins and fat and happy cows.

Our cemetery prowlings have produced one little problem, though.  We have encountered several too many Biting Midges or NoSeeEms as we've strolled the rows of tombstones and have been bitten severely.  You don't feel the bite, but several hours later you develop a lump that becomes extremely itchy.  I've had them other years and the itching can last for up to two weeks.  We're using all our home remedies and store bought - itch creams - not really helpful.  This morning I woke up with one eye almost swollen shut from a bite on my temple - very glamourous.  There is an app on the ipod that is a mosquitoe repellant.  It gives off a high frequency squeal - and seems to work pretty well on the little stingers, but it's Deep Woods Off for the Midges from here on out.

As for blessings today - all I can say is "There but for the grace....." Our neighbours last night were two adults and three teenagers in a tent trailer.  While we  got up to a nice hot shower, our temperature controlled furnace and all our electrical appliances, they were shivering in their open-sided beds with rain dripping through the mesh and reading by a Coleman lamp



Here's a quote from one of my favourite authors which pretty much sums up my reason for these annual trips:

In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage - to know who we are and where we came from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness.

- Alex Haley

The Cemeterians are Back - Let's See What They Dig Up!

Wallace

As a pass time goes, I'd say roaming through old cemeteries comes pretty close to the top of my list.  Today, I was about as happy as I could get.  We left Amherst early and headed over towards Wallace where I was searching for a very old graveyard - home of some of my Loyalist ancestors.  Wallace is a pretty little town on (what else?) Wallace Bay but when the Peers and Teeds arrived it was called Remsheg and they were the Remsheg Grantees.

Graves of Alexander Peers & Mary
Bolding

We crossed the causeway to North Wallace and followed the signs to the Loyalist Cairn which was erected to mark the 225th anniversary of the arrival.  Beside the Cairn is an old road that had been freshly mowed and so we followed it up the hill to the old Dotten Cemetery - which was about 3/4 km walk through fields of wild flowers.  There are about 30 stones in the clearing and a cozy little park bench right in the centre.   Most of the stones belong to the Dotten Family but off to one side we found the graves of my 4th Great Grandfather and Grandmother, Alexander Peers and Mary Bolding.  Alexander died in 1816 and Mary in 1808 but the stones are in remarkable condition and I was thrilled to find them there. Today someone unknown lovingly cares for this beautiful little spot and they are owed a big THANK YOU!

The Whirligig Cafe

After such great luck, we stopped at the Whirligig Cafe in Wallace for lunch and were treated to the greatest meal - Ann had blueberry pancakes and I had the fish cakes and beans - all home made and delicious!  I particularly liked the relish they served with the fishcakes, but on asking, found it was Habitant Chow Chow, right out of the bottle.  It is a warm friendly little restaurant with an amazing view out over Wallace Bay and is decorated with beautiful hand hooked rugs and local photography.  Stop there, for sure, if you are in the area.

After lunch we headed to Wentworth to seek out another branch of the family - that of  the Bragg boys' mother Matilda Swallow.  We, of course, began at the cemetery - the very one, in fact that did in our air conditioner last year.  With more care taken in where we drove, we were rewarded with a plethora of Swallow tombstones and a bunch of Teeds, as well.  Then we followed Swallow Road up Swallow Hill to where the old homestead was.  Lush, healthy farmland, for sure.

On our way down to Truro, we went through a 10 km construction zone where we had a pilot driver who was trying out for the Indie 500.  You might be able to go 60 down a narrow lane with a big drop off on each side if you're driving a Honda, but in a Motor home....  Let's just say, I owe the province of Nova Scotia for about 10 traffic cones, and Ann some dry underwear.

Speaking of Ann - who else but your best friend would tromp through cemeteries the way she does with me!  It's a gift!!!

To be continued.....

Old Dotten Cemetery, North Wallace, Nova Scotia

What a Ghostly Day!

Completed mural

After visiting the Cumberland County Museum and Archives today, we took a quick look at the mural which decorates the back of the Scotiabank Branch in downtown Amherst that depicts the events surrounding the Great Amherst Mystery.  For those of you who don't know our famous family ghost story, here's a copy of a blog entry I did about it last winter:

Relationship to me:

1. Daniel Teed & Elizabeth

     2. Daniel Teed & Jerusha Peers
                  David Teed & Eleanor Wynn
                  Daniel Teed & Olive Cox  --- Esther Cox

          3. Hannah Teed & Thomas Swallow

               4. Matilda Swallow & Charles Bragg

                    5. John Thomas Bragg & Julia West Gamble

                         6. Russell Mackie Bragg & Dorothy M. Harrigan

                               7. Me

Daniel Teed was born in 1851 in Malagash Nova Scotia, the grandson of the original Daniel Teed, the Loyalist.  He married Olive Cox from Truro  on the 14th of July 1874 and the couple moved to Amherst where Daniel was a bootmaker.  The following events began when Olive's sister, Esther came to live with them.

Esther Cox

	Esther Cox was not an extra ordinary human being. In fact, she was quite the opposite. A happy, healthy eighteen-year-old girl, Esther lived peacefully in the home of Olive and Daniel Teed, her sister and brother-in-law, along with their children and her sister, Jennie. A fun loving girl, Esther enjoyed playing with her nephews and visiting friends. She busied herself with household chores and attended church regularly. However, the tranquility and simplicity of Esther’s existence was shattered when unexplainable phenomena made her the target of its cruelty. Home of Daniel Teed and Olive Cox - Amherst Nova Scotia
	Esther was haunted by spirits that subjected her to mental and physical torment. They engraved death threats into her bedroom wall, swelled her limbs in feverish fits, stuck her with pins, and chased her with kitchen knives. Esther was not their only victim. The entire Teed household was turned upside down. Unseen hands tossed furniture about, lit mysterious fires, and knocked thunderously upon the roof. Esther often sought refuge with neighbouring friends and family when the ghosts endangered her or her family. However the spirits soon followed. In 1879, a neighbour’s barn that Esther had been working in caught fire and was destroyed. Charged with arson, Esther was convicted and spent a month in jail. Many attested her innocence. For not only had Esther’s family witnessed the incredible acts of the unseen powers, but the townspeople as well. Amherst Mystery Poster
	Esther’s spirits followed her beyond her home, never allowing her a moment’s peace. Whenever Esther attended church, incessant knocking and flying hymnbooks interrupted the service. Patrons at White’s Oyster Saloon, where Esther was employed, were amazed when chairs stacked themselves and dishes leapt off the shelves and crashed to the floor. The townspeople flocked to the little house on Princess Street to confirm the strange rumours concerning young Esther and to attempt to solve the mysterious occurrences. Wall Mural about the Amherst Mystery in process of being painted downtown Amherst
	Esther’s experiences were documented in the local newspapers. As the story spread throughout the nation and to parts of the United States, The Great Amherst Mystery evoked curiosity and scepticism. “Experts” of the day deemed Esther to be a fraud, a lunatic, and even a criminal. Others suggested that Esther some how conducted lightening or had fallen under the influence of hypnotism. Others suspected that dark unearthly agents were at work.
	Currently the Great Amherst Mystery remains unsolved. This classical tale of possession continues to challenge our belief in the supernatural. The little cottage on Princess Street where Esther lived out her worst nightmares has ceased to exist, but the story will never fade from memory. Whatever became of Esther Cox? She amazingly survived the ordeal and went on to become a wife and mother, finally taking up residence in the United States. Why the ghosts were motivated to haunt Esther or why they eventually allowed her to lead a normal life is unresolved. Some people believe that an exorcism performed by a Mi'kmaq Medicine Man successfully drove the mischievous spirits away.

Lupins, Lunch and Lutes (Mountain)

We spent our final night in New Brunswick at a lovely little campground near Shediac.  If there is a more beautiful place than this province, I've certainly not seen it yet.  To drift off to sleep amidst a million lupins of every colour; the soft sea breeze drifting softly through the window and a gentle rain tapping on the roof - heaven!

Genealogically,  my search began this morning.  We visited both the Albert County and Lutes Mountain Historical Societies and Museums in search of our Rogers ancestors.  Our great great grandmother Jane Rogers married John Bragg and she was born in Lutes Mountain.  Unfortunately, while both places have a lot of information in their archives, no luck with Jane or her father, James.  However, New Brunswick was part of Nova Scotia up until 1864 so the records I'm looking for may just be waiting for me in Halifax.

We stopped at Patty's Lunch near Shepody,  for a bite and remembered we had been there last year on our way through - still good burgers and great homemade soup.

This afternoon, we entered Nova Scotia and the sun came out for the first time in a week!  Crossing the border felt to me like a spiritual homecoming.  I think all us Braggs have some kind of homing device buried deep in our brains that leads us eventually to this land of our ancestors.  It is a place where our roots are so deep and where our early history was written.  So for the next few weeks we'll be visiting all those places where our story begins and passing along some of the more interesting bits.

To be continued.........

Now I Really Have Seen Everything!

This morning, as we were leaving Pokemouche, we had to stop for gas.  The nice attendant was filling er up (which can take some time) so we were wandering around the depanneur looking for a snack for the road.  We tried on sunglasses, checked out the candy bars and then came across this package - flat about 8" x 12" with a blue label that was all in French.  Curious, we asked the lady at the counter what it was, and in her best northern New Brunswick English said they were Communion Wafers.  So here's the dope:  4 sheets of 25 wafers each cost $3.95 plus tax and each wafer has 65 calories in it.  NOOOOO KIDDING!!  We didn't get a snap of the package so I went online and found this ad for another brand - I hope no one will be offended.

Before I left, Carolyn got me this little garden in a can, to satisfy my barely visible green thumb while I am away.  So for her benefit, we now have 6 seedlings appearing above the soil and they should be impatiens by labour day.  Thanks, kidlet!

This afternoon, we stopped at Bouctouche and visited the boardwalk.  This wooden bridge-like structure stretches out several kilometers over the ocean and parallel to shore.  It was a tad nippy out there today, but well worth the scolding we got from Miss Hathaway for not taking the umpteenth U-turn she was demanding and definitely not something to be missed if you're out this way.

Have I mentioned what a healthy diet we've been following on the road?  We have been dining on fresh produce, supplemented by egg salad sandwiches and hearty cereals for breakfast.  We're saving up for our first big lobster feast, which we are expecting in the next day or two. Here's Ann with her special cucumber and coleslaw salad - M M Good!

To be continued..........

A Blue Lobster?????

When was the last time you saw a blue lobster?  That's the lead line in all the tourist brochures for the Atlantic Aquarium and Marine Centre in Shippagan, New Brunswick.  Well, how could you pass up a teaser like that?  So off we trundled through the sheeting rain and what a treat we encountered!

The visit begins with a movie about unusual creatures from under the sea.  David Attenborough narrates the story of giant squid attacking clouds of krill, thousands of crabs all shedding their shells at once and a pacific coast octopus that lays 40,000 eggs and tends them until the first one hatches and then she dies.  Quite amazing photography and incredible colour.

Following the movie, we toured the Aquarium and saw all kinds of fish, sea animals such as teeny, tiny starfish and the most enormous lobster I've ever seen in my life - at least 20 pounds worth of him.  Outside were a pool of happy harbour seals - oblivious to the rain and having all kinds of fun.  But the Blue Lobster - he must have been on vacation because he was nowhere in sight.

To day we are heading south to visit the Miramachi Valley and walk the boardwalk at Bouctouche before stopping for the night at Shediac.

To be continued......

Blessed New Brunswick!

I wish someone would remind me, before I get here, just how beautiful New Brunswick really is and how under rated it seems to be elsewhere.  This morning we set out from St-Basile near Edmundston and headed across the top of the province.  For about 140 km from St. Quentin to Bathhurst we saw nary a house, billboard, car, truck, motorcycle, or  roadkill.  It was raining and the clouds were just above our heads as we travelled through these wilds.  Magnificent!  We stopped at Pokemouche which is at the very tip of the Acadien Peninsula and FINALLY had our first glimpse of the ocean!!!  Did you know that New Brunswick is the only province that uses cow moose on their Moose Crossing signs?

Every Friday while we're travelling, Ann and I buy a Lotto Max ticket.  This week's jackpot is around 23 million but every dollar of that money could not buy the luxury of crawling into a cozy bed (in the middle of the day) under a puffy duvet and drifting off to the sound of rain pattering on the roof and a cat snoring at your feet.  I love this vacation!!!

As we drove along today, there was a whole stretch of Highway 11 that was populated with tiny little houses.  It was like driving through Munchkin Land.  They looked like regular houses, but about 1/2 scale.  Quite a test of the imagination to picture the family who lives in a 10' by 12' home.

For those of you who have been asking about our zip lining adventure at Grand Falls - Unfortunately, the weather intervened and we had to postpone until we're on our way back.  (Such a disappointment!!!)

Tomorrow promises more rain, so we're going to head off to the Atlantic Museum and Aquarium and do some indoor sight seeing.

To be continued.......

Au Revoir, Quebec - How ya doin' Maritimes?

HuH???

Once again, I was going to blog about the difficulty of travelling in Quebec as an Anglophone.  How many English speaking tourists miss some of the best adventures because they cannot read the signs or directions.  The tourist information kiosks have lots of colourful pamphlets and maps - all in French only and all road signs, including those around construction zones have no English on them at all.  They might be telling me to turn left at the next junction, while I carry on and drive off a cliff.  I was going to write about all that, and then today we into a restaurant for breakfast.  The young man at the door heard our English "Hello" and immediately went rummaging through the front desk to find us some English menus.  Finally, after an excellent meal and great service, we thanked him for the great job he was doing and it was then we realized he spoke about 5 English words - and was a wonderful ambassador for Quebec.

So tonight, we are in Madawaska, New Brunswick.  Our drive today, up the Gaspe was incredibly beautiful.  We followed the St. Lawrence up as far as Riviere du Loup and enjoyed the Kamaraska region where Shane's French Ancestors lived for many generations. The highway was twinned and new most of the way and past Quebec City, the traffic light.  It was a perfect day for driving - a little overcast but warm.



Things we use our laptops for while travelling:

1. Blogging
2. Keeping in touch with family
3. Watching (and crying over) the hockey series.
4. Planning our travel days.
5. Listening to music
6. Looking up places we want to visit
7. Checking the news and weather
8. Listening to audio books.
9. Play games (Bejewelled)
10. Listen to Stuart McLean "Dave and Morley" stories

OK, so tomorrow we are going zip lining at the Grand Falls Gorge so this may or may not be continued.....

Parlez Vous Quebecois?

Having enjoyed the solitude of our Ottawa campground, it was great to have a visit with my cousin, Mary Lee and her husband Colin.  The have such a lovely garden and it was fun to sit around the table and catch up.  I hope their upcoming project is a success and I thank them for the books and poetry.  I particularly like the one called "Charlotte Gives Me Music".  Thanks for the beer and good conversation.

We are now in St. Jean Baptiste, Quebec in the nation's largest campground.  Who says bigger is better?  We pulled into our "full service" site to find the water attached to someone else's RV, the power 30 feet away (we only have a 25 foot electrical cord) and a not very level parking place.  Hard to keep from rolling out of bed.  I must say, however that the grounds are beautiful, with a lake and fountains and a cart track.  Since it's early in the season, not all of the amenities are open yet, but it was nice going to sleep last night to the sounds of frogs croaking.  (That's singing, not dying).

It is interesting travelling in Quebec, where all the signs are uni lingual.  We decided that we would put our own interpretation on some of what we saw.  For instance, there was a note taped on the wall of a washroom at the tourist bureau that we thought said "Please do not put your foot in the toilette".  

We travelled through Montreal at 10 kph and managed to find the tunnel that takes you to the south shore of the St. Lawrence, so I have yet to encounter one of those big scary bridges, I so dislike.

Today we are off to Quebec City and then on into New Brunswick tomorrow.  We should be dipping our toes in the Atlantic soon.  But for now, our goal is to hit the Walmart and then get ready for the hockey game tonight.

                                     

Our technology is serving us well and between the two of us we have 2 ipods, 2 laptops, 2 cell phones.  Here are 10 apps that are really handy when you are camping:

1. The level, for keeping us straight and even.
2. The flashlight app, which has an interesting assortment of strobes, glow sticks etc.
3. A mosquitoe repellant, that emits a high frequency sound to deter the little pests.
4. The mirror app for doing a quick beauty touch up
5. The list maker - for keeping track of what we need at Walmart
6. The GPS - although not as capable as Miss Hathaway
7. The camping cookbook app.
8. The English -> French translation app - although not very accurate
9. The camp songs app
10. The timer, world clock and stop watch app
11. Additionally, the weather channel app - although it really hasn't given us much good news so far.

Time to hit the road - To be continued......

Chapter Three - Part Two

Chapter Three means this is my third trip and Part Two means after picking up Ann. (Just in case I'm being a bit cryptic).  Having had a nice stopover at Ann's and a thunderstorm delay in Kingston, we are now in the Nation's Capital and about to go exploring.  This morning, we're heading for the hills - the Gatineau Hills to be exact!

I haven't blogged since we have been taking time to catch up and  returning to our normal state of synchronized speech that marks all good friendships.  Even the music on our iPods match.

We're going to tour the Museum of Civilization and then have lunch in Aylmer - where I lived when I was four.  Hopefully, we'll catch up with cousin, Mary Lee this afternoon and then tomorrow we'll set out for Gaspe, on into New Brunswick and then Nova Scotia by the end of the week.  Can't wait to dip my toes in the Atlantic - again.

To be continued.....

Butterflies, Bumble Bees and Lily Ponds

Yesterday, on the trip from Sault Ste Marie to Parry Sound, I felt like I was driving through a Beatrix Potter story.  As I rounded the top of Georgian Bay and began heading south I was delighted to see thousands of small lily ponds in full bloom.  Lucky frogs!

I nearly ran over a turtle or tortoise the side of a dinner plate who was ambling along the side of the road - almost in the traffic lane.  I don't think I'd like the sound of that!

As for the Butterflies and Bumble Bees - well there's nothing like some good windshield washer juice to take care of that little problem.

Today, I arrived at Ann's and now I feel my vacation will truly begin.  We spent the day loading her stuff and organizing everything.  The woman has a "container" for everything and I'm still amazed at how much we have on board without tripping over things.  We're heading east tomorrow, but right now I need to go in and watch the Canucks trounce the Bruins.

To be continued.........

A Canadian Hat Trick!

My mind is still boggled by $1.48 gas!  Fortunately, I filled up in Thunder Bay and didn't have to stop on the loop over Lake Superior.  Talk about highway robbery!

It was a gorgeous drive, though and I'm here in Sault Ste. Marie enjoying a glass of wine after a long day.  If you look at a map, it looks like the Highway follows the north shore of the Lake.  To the contrary, it twists and turns, dips and rises down a scenic aisle of rock and forest.  Occasionally you get a lovely surprise as you come around a bend and the seemingly endless water scape that is Lake Superior unfolds in front of you.  The trees have freshly leafed out and are still that bright, yellow green of Spring.

Just east of Thunder Bay, I saw a wolf - the first one I've ever seen in the wild.  At first I thought it was a black dog, but when it turned and looked at me - I knew for sure.   He/She was just strolling along the ditch and paying no attention to the cars whizzing by.  When I stopped to grab a photo, he obligingly stopped, posed and then carried on his merry way. This is not the photo I took because I seem to have lost my USB cable for the camera.  But this is pretty much what he looked like.  Magnificent!

A couple of hours later, I spotted a cow moose standing on a side road.  She was watching the traffic with interest and I imagine she was counting cars for some government agency or another.  At least boy moose have those incredible antlers to make up for how ugly and awkward they are.  This poor cow had nothing whatsoever going for her.

Finally, around Marathon, I saw a chubby little beaver slapping and playing in a pond that was full of dead wood and probably the perfect place for a beaver to play.

I was lucky enough today to see two vintage Harvards and a vintage Cornell aircraft take off from the airfield at Wawa, where they had been grounded by last night's thunder story.  Took me back to the days at RCAF Penhold.

Lots of nature today, lots of fresh air and this will definitely be continued...

Now I've Seen Everything!

Live Bait Vending Machine

I stopped about midday today to grab some coffee and was amused to find this vending machine right next to the coffee station in the 7-11 and across the aisle from the hot dog machine.  You've got to know you're in fishin' country for sure.

Another fabulous day of driving.  It was overcast and rained for a bit but since I had the highway to myself again it really didn't matter.  I've decided that since they have finished the TransCanada (I haven't seen a construction zone yet), and since I'm almost the only one who is using it, we should rename it Marilyn's Awesome Avenue of Adventures.  - a little borrowing from Anne of Green Gables.

Speaking of adventures, it has always been my goal to do something everyday that I've never done before.  See a new place, try something new, eat something different....  Today, my thing was paying $1.40 a litre of gas (can you hear me crying?).  However good things do happen to good people and when I went to check into my campsite tonight, I had enough KOA bonus points for a free full service site.  (can you hear me giggling?)

I'm still in the Canadian Shield and amazed at the force of nature that pushed those gigantic boulders around and at the tenacity of the trees that grow strong and healthy in only the dirt in the cracks of those boulders.  How Canadian!  This is called the Land of a Thousand Lakes and each one would be worth a day with a canvas and a good water colour set.  - oh and a gallon of bug spray.

My campground is across the highway from the Terry Fox Memorial and the stretch of the road is called the The Terry Fox Courage Highway.  Just a reminder of the capacity within each of us.

Time to call it a night.

To be continued......

Oh, Deer!

Here I am - obsessed with road signs again.  These signs both say "Night Danger" which conjures up a picture of a herd of deer followed by a herd of moose, down on their hind knee, front hooves on the start line just waiting for the sun to set so they can sprint off to their favourite highway.  I saw just a few too many deer beside the road in broad daylight for comfort today and would like to ask them to wait until dusk, please.

After a lovely drive through southern Manitoba this morning, I had a chance to take a close up look at the results of the Red River Flood.  I have never seen so much water and can just imagine the damage many individuals have incurred.

The rivers I passed over were just barely clearing the bridges I was crossing.  Water seems to be moving fast and is full of debris - mainly trees and branches. Little islands like the one in the picture sit sad and abandoned near the banks and many fields are chewed up and covered with what looks like mulch.  The side roads are soft and chewed up - even the one to my campground at Portage last night.

This afternoon I moved into the heart of the Canadian Shield and found the scenery breath taking!  The wonderful rock formations and the brilliant colours would be an inspiration to any artist or architect and the lovely little lakes are so unspoiled and calm.  Tonight I'm just west of Thunder Bay in a nice clean campground on a lake.  Nice!!  What a beautiful day in all ways (except for the odd black fly).  When I came through this way two years ago, the traffic was pretty heavy, but today I had the road almost to myself.  The fact that gas went from 1.21 in Falcon Lake to 1.39 just 10 km down the road may have driven a lot of truckers down through the States.

Today is the anniversary of D Day and my Dad is in my thoughts.  He landed on Juno Beach on June 6, 1944 and as engineering officer for 401 RCAF Squadron, it was his job to get a landing strip and repair depot set up in France for the allies to use.  They spent their time, between the lines, with shells zooming over them in both directions and completed the job in just 2 1/2 days. That's my Dad on top of a Spitfire at Beny sur Mere, Normandy in early June.

Tomorrow I'm off to Sault Ste. Marie and then hit Ann's sometime mid Thursday.  Get your motor running!!!