My New Travelling Companion

Today (to quote Johnny Reid), I said goodbye to my old friend.  Sad to say, Ann has hopped off at the end of her driveway and we have waved our last teary farewells (for now).  It is always the worst day of vacation and one we both dread.  However, I just noticed that I have a new travelling companion coming along for the ride.  His name is No one

• So  No one will get up and make coffee in the morning, 
• No one will run into Tim's for Ice Caps and crullers, 
• No one will put all that time and energy into cleaning a tombstone with an electric toothbrush, 
• No one will be the backing up assistant, 
• No one will say "Turn left" when it should be right. 
• No one will pass me a piece of gum while I'm driving, 
• No one will ride in the back of a pickup to a Ghost town in the hills.
• No one will make eggs to go with my favourite chow chow.
• No one get all my dumb jokes
• No one will finish my sentences
• No one will do the dishes
• No one will catch the food falling out of the fridge
• No one will read all the signs along the highway
• No one will tell me all their secrets'
• No one will ask for my opinion
• No one will give me theirs
• No one will give treats to my cats
• No one will hook up the water and sewer hoses
• No one will open the bathroom door and shout, Don't look, I don't have my teeth in, all the while standing there naked as a jay bird.
• No one will be my best friend in the world.

You see, Ann is replaceable by -  No one!

Walk softly, my friend and always carry a pocket full of meubles!

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

Brighton Beach Memoirs

After a peaceful night at Pittston, we spent most of our day ambling along the shore of the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario.  The 1000 Island Parkway is a beautiful drive and the views are spectacular!  We were particularly taken with this one house that had an arched bridge from the island where their house is, to the island where their boathouse is.  You try to imagine the lives of people who live in such places.

About mid-day we encountered an incredible rainstorm - heaviest rain I've seen - and then later we heard there were tornado warnings in the area.  However, the storm passed over quickly and we were treated to a bright, sunny afternoon.

Kingston Pen.

Part of our drive today took us along the 401 between Trenton and Brighton and let me say - I HATE Semi's!!!!!  Old Nellie isn't that aerodynamic to begin with, but with big trucks on all sides, it was like riding the tilt-a-whirl at the Stampede.  Glad it was only a half hour or so!

Harvard Trainer

At the Trenton Flying Club, we saw a beautifully restored Harvard Trainer and I couldn't help but think the that high pitched drone of it's engines was part of the music of my early life.

Kingston is a great city to visit.  The downtown is so vibrant with great cafes looking out over the water.  As usual, when our wandering eyes get the better of us, we end up getting lost.  Which is how we came to pass the Kingston Penitentiary as well, today.  Most interesting and forbidding place!

Tonight we're in Brighton and enjoying our last evening together.  Bittersweet!

To be continued......

Good to be Home, eh?

First of all, my apologies for all the errors in yesterday's blog.  We were in a campground (gadzooks!) with no wifi and I had to send it the old fashioned way - thus my inattention to grammar and spelling.

My feeling is that there would be a whole lot less trouble in this world if everyone had the chance to go out into the woods, sit under a tree and enjoy the silence.  It's like giving your soul a good bath.  We have enjoyed some of the most beautiful places these past 7 weeks and it still amazes me that two women - very set in their ways - can exist in a vehicle 10' by 23' and exchange not one impatient word; who are laughing as hard as we did in week 1 (I refer to the Shepherd's Pie shower I took at lunch today) and are still the best of friends - wishing the trip could go on another 7 weeks (Don't panic, Clark - it won't).

Akwasasne Casino

Just before entering Canada again, we travelled through the Aksasasne first nation in upstate New York.  Miles and miles of Casinos, tax free liquor and tobacco shops and bingo halls.  Quite the sight to see.

We crossed the border at Cornwall and are now tucked up in a cozy KOA at Pittston, Ontario. The border crossing was a peek at our passports, 3 questions about what we brought back and then an "Enjoy the rest of your trip, ladies"   It was nice to go back to Kilometres and Celsius and very comforting to see Tim Hortons on every corner.  Our next stop will be Peterborough and Wednesday, on to Sharon where I will slow down at the end of the driveway as Ann hops off.  But I'll think of that on Wed. and enjoy the day and a bit we have left.

Beautiful Vermont

What's been on our iPod this trip?

How's this for eclectic?  Amy Grant, Aerosmith, Johnny Reid, John Denver, Scotty McCreery, Cliff Richard, Josh Groban, Celtic Thunder, Rita McNeil, Elvis, Elton John, Canadian Tenors, George Strait, Tim McGraw and the Morman Tabernacle Choir - you've got to love it!

We had a late lunch today at an incredible Irving Truck Stop just up the road.  They have Beauty and Barber Shops, a video arcade, several stores where you can purchase gifts, snacks and souvenirs; off track betting, a great diner-style restaurant and of course all the auto services - pretty snazzy place - must look like heaven after 12 hours on the road.

To be continued.....

Just don't ask us about the ziplining fiasco!

Ausable Chasm

After two glorious nights on Mount Washington in Northern New Hampshire, we started our long trek to Vermont – (it's actually about an hour border to border in the north of the state). Vermont has to be called the WOW state because that was our comment at every turn in the highway. The terrain is mostly mountainous with wonderful little lakes spotted here and there. The ditches were alive with wildflowers from soft velvety mauve wild flax, to saucy white daisies, jaunty black eyed susans, sunny yarrow and all set in a bed of robust mossy green ferns. There were trees of every kind and we were imagining how it would look to drive this way in October. The roads here are great! Nice high speed limits and mostly four lane divided. What a pleasurable drive.

At Montpelier, we stopped and had a good visit with my probable cousin, Doug Bragg who runs Bragg Farms – Maple Products. E just missed a big Bragg Family Reunion by a day – which would have been so neat! Whey have a great little store with more quality souvenirs than most places we're seen at the tourist destinations. The special treat there, though, is their maple flavoured soft ice cream – which we enjoyed on the porch in our rocking chairs. I got the family discount – free!!!!

About 1:30 we boarded our our ferry at Burlington, for the one hour crossing of Lake Champlain. The ship was called the Valcour and as soon as we were all loaded, we turned and sailed across the Lake backwards. It was a little like experiencing Magnetic Hill – only longer. The weather was beautiful and sunny and it was fun to watch all the people out enjoying the day on the water. We saw some incredible sail boats, a few yachts, some power boats a few water skiers and plenty of personal water craft. The entire shoreline at the upper half of the lake is peppered with lovely sandy beaches and some amazing cottages. And there we were in our own private little stateroom (the motor home) enjoying lunch and watching the water go by.

Tonight, we're camping at Ausable Chasm, America's oldest natural history area. Rather like a compressed Hells Gate on the Fraser River, it flows through amazing, towering rock formations and falls over steep granite ledges to create some pretty spectacular views. I'll send along some more pictures tomorrow.

Everyone has been asking about the cats. Well, they are again being little troupers. Digit goes and gets into the bed as soon as the engine starts and Nosey has his little space beside the bed where he feels safe. They both have Ann totally in their power and she can't resist the sad meows Digit makes as she rubs against the “treat” drawer. They have covered her with scratches and cat hair and yet she forgives and comes back to lavish on them all her care and love. Pretty lucky little kitties!

Tomorrow, we are heading to Ogdensburg where, hopefully, we can find a Target store. In 5 days here, we have yet to see one. Then it's over the border and heading west again.

To be continued.....

Bean There - Done That!

Well, that's Maine done and dusted!  We managed to meet all our goals and then some.  A couple of days on the beach, a visit to LL Bean and a fabulous lobster dinner - delivered to our motor home door.  The weather on the coast was pretty hot and steamy so today we crossed central Maine and are now in the cool, dry air of the White Mountains in Northern New Hampshire.

The roads today were great with little traffic and no construction to hinder our journey.  We learned that central Maine has the biggest cemeteries we had ever seen!  Acres and acres on both sides of the highway.  Ann said she was glad I'm not related to anyone here!  We also noticed that everyone with a spare space on their lawn is a used car sales outfit.  We saw thousands of cars for sale in one two hour stretch and couldn't figure out who would be buying them.  Now we're in Maple Sugar country and looking forward to a stop at Bragg Farms at Montpelier for their delicious Maple Syrup soft ice cream.

The White Mountains are unique in that, while 5 - 8 thousand feet of elevation, there is no tree line and so they are green right to the top.  The area is criss crossed by rivers and streams and the tourism literature promised great fishing.  We are staying on Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast and it feels and smells a lot like Bragg Creek.  Same kinds of trees and undergrowth - and for the first time on this trip, we have been given the "Bear" speech.

Tomorrow we thought we'd search out a little adventure and since our New Brunswick ziplining adventure kind of weathered out on us - tomorrow we're going to try the Pinkham Knotch zip ride and gondola.  What do you think?

The Lobster in Maine is Mainely on the Plate!

The Lobster Man of Bar Harbor

We're here in Bar Harbor again.  This is the home of the lobster man, who as we speak, is cooking up fresh lobster not 20' (We're in America now)  from our motor home door.  We intend to sample heartily tomorrow, since you have to fast at least a day before attacking one of these succulent creatures.  It is also the home of LL Bean - factory outlet where I picked up some amazing bargains last year and look forward to the same tomorrow.  A couple of days shopping and then we get to take the ferry across Lake Champlain from New Hampshire to New York.  It was a glorious ride last summer and I expect no less this time.

New Brunswick

Yesterday, we spent a good part of the day crossing New Brunswick along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy.  I have to tell you that as driving goes, it was unsurpassed!  The New Brunswick government has spent generously on their road construction and we sailed along on four lane divided highway through some of the most beautiful and varied scenery we're seen.  We travelled through the tip of the Appalachian Mountains, skimmed along incredible beaches and fishing villages, enjoyed sparkling green farmlands.  Traffic was light and we had time to take it all in.  Highly recommended!

Last night we stayed at New River Provincial Park which was a treat.  We had a powered back-in (I'm very good at backing in)  site in the trees, the campground was quiet and there was a beautiful beach just across the street.  All for under $25.00.  Can you spell Bargain?

As we prepared to cross the border at Calais, we hatched a plan.  We knew we weren't taking anything illegal across and it is so annoying to have the border guards paw through everything - so we decided to play the "two little old lady" scheme.  (At least in our minds).  We were going to spray lavender throughout the motor home and put a package of Depends on the counter.  We were going to hang big old underwear in the bathroom and have a false teeth cup on the table.  We didn't actually do it and the young man at the booth was pleasant, polite and friendly.  So now we're in the States and dealing with mph, gallons and degrees F.  The great thing is that gas is only $3.87 a gallon (or roughly 97 cents a litre) and the Canadian dollar is $1.05 US.

Clarke's Hole in One

I have to congratulate Ann's husband, Clarke for scoring a Hole in One today. He had shoulder surgery during the winter and has only just started back playing a few weeks ago.  He's always our cheerleader and a source of good advice when we need it.  Congrats!!  Mr. C.

Viva la Difference!!!

It's a proven fact that men and women are wired in very different ways.  As we have been observing camping life, this demonstrates itself in the approach each gender takes to setting up camp.  Men tend to adopt the scientific and analytical method.  Here is a typical "male" arriving at a campground.

First he pulls up to his site, blocking the road for everyone else.  Out he jumps and strides the length of his allotted space back and forth in order to find the most level spot and find out where his services are located.  Next he maneuvers his vehicle into the site and will spend 10 minutes driving forward a couple of feet, getting out to check his location and then backing up a few inches.  When he thinks he is in the right spot, he emerges with his tool box, extracts a 3' level and uses it to test the "side to side" and "front to back" attitudes.  He may need to jockey back and forth some more, until it's perfect.  After this, he extracts a set of fluorescent chocks which he places with precision under the tires.  (I have yet to see an un-chocked trailer careening away at full speed - but oh, well.)  Now it's time for the service hook up.  He extracts a perfectly coiled white hose from his storage compartment and lays it out in the sun so it will warm up and be pliable by the time he's ready to attach it.  Next comes the sewer hose with it's fluorescent orange coupling ends and the little accordion folding track that supports it.  The track looks like a little roller coaster going downhill from the vehicle to the sewer opening in the ground.  After securely attaching both ends and making sure it is sitting perfectly on it's little pathway, he proceeds to the power.  Unlocking the little door, he extracts exactly the length of retractable electrical cord and if he's lucky, he'll have the right configuration of connectors.  If not, he will rummage through his tool box for the right adaptor.  Now with the water hose soft and ready, he attaches that to the tap and the vehicle. At some time along the way, he walks over to his neighbour's RV to see how he has managed all the above.  He may or may not stop for a 15 minute conversation about sewer hoses.   In the mean time, he is shouting at his wife to get the steps folded down, the mat out and make him a drink.  It takes him 15 minutes to re-lock all the little service doors and put away  his tools.  Having accomplished all these technical tasks, he now strides proudly around his vehicle and then disappears inside to watch TV for the duration of their stay.  Time allotted - just over an hour. (and that's if he dosn't open his awning - that's another hour, for sure)

Women tend to be much more practical.  She will pull into a site, look right and left and if her coffee cup isn't rolling off the dash, decides they are level enough.  She throws on the parking brake and knows they are not going anywhere.   In one quick trip down the business side of the RV, she can unlock the service doors, yank out the sewer and water hoses, pull out the power cord and have them all attached and operational within a minute and a half - start to finish.

Viva la Difference!

Senses of Nova Scotia

Looking back on the bests of the best of our visit to Nova Scotia this summer it all comes down to this:

Gamble Lake

Sounds of this summer in Nova Scotia:

• Bagpipes.
• Lapping waves.
• Scotty McCreery songs.
• Ann shouting "Cemetery!!!"
• A mellow voice singing along to a guitar in the campground.
• Crackling campfires.
• The swoosh a marshmallow makes when it goes up in flames.
• Happy birds and hawking crows that seemed to follow us through cemeteries.
• Gut splitting, glorious giggles.
• "I'm related to them."
• Cats sitting by the treat drawer, begging Ann for "just one more".
• Cameras clicking
• Bear poop with berries still in them.
• Thousands of dead porcupines on the roadside
• Ann, "I know where we are going - east, right? "  Marilyn, lifting her eyes to the sky,  "Dear, Lord - I'm glad I'm navigating!"
• Make a U turn! Make a U turn!  Drive 47 km and then make a U turn!

Charlie Bragg's Store

Sights of the summer:

• Photos of my grandmother as a young girl found in an obscure country museum.
• Castlereagh and Gamble Lake
• The old Loyalist Cemetery at North Wallace
• "Pavement ends" signs
• "Rough Road Ahead" signs
• The old church at Oxford Junction.
• Fox Harb'r Resort
• Tim Horton's for a cruller and ice cap.
• The red mud of the Bay of Fundy at low tide.
• The red roads made up of that mud!
• Lupins of every colour lining the highway.

Gambles one and all!

The Scents of Summer (sorry you missed most of them, Ann)

• Lavender - not a favourite!
• Unfortunately - the litter box sometimes.
• The sea
• Freshly mown grass
• Bacon cooking on a cold rainy morning.
• Finesse hair spray
• Bug Spray
• Suntan lotion spf 30

The People of the summer.

• Charlotte Bragg - We meet every summer in Nova Scotia and don't see each other out west.
• Mary Lee Bragg and Colin - for the tour, the tea and the books.
• John Bragg and Judy - for helping us maintain our connection to Nova Scotia
• Clarke Taylor - our labour coach
• Kim McCallum (our landlord in Truro)
• Kim McCallum's mother who is related to me and such a delight to talk to.
• Fonda Gamble Smyth for hooking me up with all the Gambles
• Clay Gamble - for the use of his pickup to visit Castlereagh
• Debbie Gamble Fulton - for her insight into the Gamble family
• The Mitchells who gave us a great taste of the Scottish side of life.
• Judy Lewis who is the backbone of the Bass River Heritage Centre
• Shirley - at the Cumberland County Museum and Archives
• Mary - at the Malagash Miner's Museum - who is related to me twice over.
• Carolyn - for staying in touch and "liking" my blog.
• And, of course, Ann!! Forever my best friend; my kindred spirit and laughing buddy - and step mother to my cats!

Bests and Worsts

Campgrounds:

Best: - Scotia Pines Campground at Hilden

Worst: - Seafoam Campground near Tatamagouche

Meals:

Best: Lobster at the Old Fish Factory at Lunenburg (or the Fox Harb'r fish chowder)
         Fish Cakes at Whirligigs in Wallace
         Fish and Chips at the Masstown Market

Worst: The Mushroom Soup at Grass Greener, Water Flowing in Tatamagouche

Scenery:

Best:  You can't beat the ocean, but if you could it would be the Stewiacke Valley.
           Pugwash Harbour
            Sunset over the Northumberland Strait

Worst:  Must be somewhere outside Nova Scotia

Wild Blueberries - Everywhere

The Prodigal Sun!

Entrance to Fox Harb'r

After waiting four days on a beach on the ocean for the warm weather and sun, it has finally appeared just as we are preparing to leave.  Go figure!  On the whole, our weather has been cooler that previous years proven by the fact that we have actually had to fill the propane tanks.  The furnace (and thank goodness for it!) has been on at some point most days.  However, it's a great way to travel - furnace, hot water tank and all the necessities to keep us warm and cozy when we need it..

You've gotta be kidding!

I need to make a comment about the speed limits in Nova Scotia.  Depending on the road it varies: 110 on divided highway, 100 on non divided and mostly 80 on the smaller routes.  Some of the roads are in great shape and some are not so much!  The road from Tatamagouche to River John is two lane, no shoulder and has not been maintained in 30 years.  Grass grows in the pot holes , the road slopes decidedly toward the ditch and yet they suggest you can go 80 in a loaded motor home!  I beg to differ!  These are the types of roads that require us to open our fridge very carefully when we arrive at our destination or everything comes sliding out to meet you.

Today is our last full day in Nova Scotia and we plan to visit our last cemeteries, our last museum and our favourite restaurant so far - Whirligigs in Wallace Bay.  Tonight we'll be in Amherst and then westward ho!

Summing up our visit this summer I'd say the highs all involved the people we've met.  To find my cousin, Fonda in Truro was a real gift and to spend some time with my Edmonton cousin, Charlotte was a treat.  We spent time with our Mitchell family from Saskatoon and we met some extraordinarily warm and helpful strangers along the way.  Yesterday, we had a lovely lunch with my cousins John and Judy at Fox Harb'r and heard more wonderful family stories that need to be added to our family history.

Malagash Salt Mine

One of the things we've particularly enjoyed have been the tiny museums we've found along the roadsides.  Each one has a theme and so yesterday we learned all about the mining of salt at Malagash.  From 1918 to 1959 they extracted more than 200 million tons of salt - mostly by hand.  There is still enough salt below the ground there to supply the world for the next 500 years.

The Wallace and Area Museum is dedicated to the United Empire Loyalists, the Bass River Heritage Museum tells the story of life along the Fundy Shore.  Each one has genealogical records and wonderful photos as well as displays so I've had a rich resource to draw from.

To be continued.......

You've Got Mail!

Get it?  Mail!

I couldn't resist this one!  Ann and I have some interesting conversations along the road and today, in discussing all the cat scratches she has, (she will insist on picking up my cats for a cuddle) suggested she needed to get herself a suit of chain mail.  Hence the little guy on the left and the title of today's blog.

Our location for today is Seafoam, Nova Scotia - just at the point where PEI is closest to the mainland.  We are again on the ocean but are experiencing a real nor' easter today.  Flags are flying straight out and we had to clean the sea spray from the motor home windows and mirrors.  So much for relaxing on a beach!

In the spirit of adventure, though, we decided to find something "indoorsy" to do and so we visited a local lavender farm and got a first hand tutorial on growing lavender and making all sorts of stuff with it.  It was an interesting tour - unfortunately mostly outside and we came away with goosebumps and some lavender air freshener.  Now the motor home smells like it's being driven by two little old ladies!  (Which, of course, we're not!!!!!)

Tomorrow is promising sunshine and we intend to do our final cemetery work at Malagash and by next week we should begin to slowly make our way west again.  This has been the shortest month ever but we look forward to a couple of weeks of serious adventure before getting home.

To be continued........

Up the Waugh's Zoo

Don't you just love people like the Waughs with a sense of humour?   I wonder how long it took to think that one up.

 We also passed a tow truck today owned by "Captain Hook".

We have moved our location to Tatamagouche and are preparing our final assault on the Cemeteries of Cumberland County.  Our campground is right on the shore of the Northumberland Strait and on a good day we should be able to see PEI from here.  UNFORTUNATELY, it isn't a great day - cloudy and threatening rain since early this morning.  Our neighbour is wearing his toque - and he's a Canadian!  However, we did have a chance to see the tide go out and now it's starting to come back in.  A treat for a prairie girl, for sure!

Anna Swan

Tomorrow we plan to see some of the sights here, including the heritage centre that features an exhibit about Anna Swan who was born in Nova Scotia in 1846 and grew to be 7' 6" by the age of 22.  We've also been seeing lobster traps everywhere, we're also thinking it may be that time again.  I've heard that the church lobster suppers in this area are a great bargain - and delicious!  Number one on the agenda in the morning!

This trip to Nova Scotia has a much different feel to it.  We've been, seen and done much of it in previous years and now it just feels like putting on your favourite old sweater.  It's familiar, warm and welcoming.  So far (touch wood) all systems are functioning as they should, the roads seem to have improved and people seem friendlier.

Unfortunately, Carolyn our impatiens plant died - one too many falls into the litter box - but the little container makes a nice holder for our Cobequid Planter Flag so all is not lost.

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

Guide to Cemeterying .... It's an Art!

Cemetery Sign                                                            

Digging up the dirt on your ancestors can be a very satisfying adventure, but experience has taught me some valuable lessons I'd like to share.







Preparation:

• Check the Internet - many cemeteries can be found with partial lists of the inhabitants.
• Some cemeteries are listed with GPS coordinates - a gift you can be sure.
• If your genealogy software can do it, make a list of who you think is in each cemetery.  Don't forget that many of your female ancestors were buried with their husband's families, so you would want to know the married name, as well.
• Speak to everyone you can find in the area - almost everyone we spoke to was very helpful.

View of the whole Cemetery                            

Tools and Supplies:

• Your camera and plenty of batteries are the first order of business. If it's a rechargeable - make sure it's fully charged before you set out. A backup camera would be ideal.
• Bug spray - the older the cemetery, the more bugs and they can spoil your fun pretty fast.
• A full spray bottle with a touch of vegetable based food colouring.  The food colouring is helpful in reading the white stones - and it washes right away with the next rain.
• A soft bristled battery operated toothbrush - easy on the stone but very effective for removing lichens and mosses that can obliterate the words.
• Flashlight - sometimes the lighting needs a little help.
• Binoculars - for checking out distant stones.
• Newsprint and charcoal or a soft pencil.  You want to use them for getting dates and names - not for copying the entire stone.
• Scissors to trim away grass and weeds from the base of the stone.
• Sturdy knife for cutting away thick moss.
• Water for drinking
• Pad and Pen for notes
• Whisk broom for clearing away grass clippings.

Some are easy to read.                                            

At the Cemetery:

• On arrival, take a photo of the sign at the entrance and a wide angle view of the whole cemetery.
• Plan your search by working row by row, but it you are searching for old graves, you may want to begin at that end of the area.
• Take one photo of the legible stones and at least two of the less clear ones.
• Check you list to make sure you are not missing anyone you know should be there.
• Leave no stone unturned.

Some - not so much!                               

Post Production:

• Create a folder for each cemetery
• Export photos from that cemetery into its folder
• Using a tool such as Picassa, enhance the photos as best you can and rename them.  I use a naming convention which is Surname, Firstname, death date.

 How many skeletons are in your closet?

Bibs and Bobs

The last few days we have been regrouping for our next adventure in Cumberland County so it's been a great time to reflect back on our impressions of Nova Scotia so far and to think about some of the extraordinary people we've met so far.

All the little Gambles

Wednesday I came upon an incredible cache of old family photos tucked away in a binder at the Bass River Heritage Centre.  It was a veritable treasure trove of images of my Grandma Bragg when she was a young girl; of her sisters; of her father and of various aunts, uncles and inlaw/outlaws.  There is one school picture from 1901 where every child in the school is named Gamble - and the teacher is a Grue (a relation).  The book also contained stories and obituaries - always a great source of information and stories about the residents up on Castlereagh Mountain.

Wednesday evening we were joined for dinner (I'm starting to sound like the old newspaper announcements I've been reading) by my cousin, Charlotte from Edmonton and one of my new found cousins, Fonda (Gamble).  We had a great evening sharing stories and finding out more about the indomitable Gamble Family.  Fonda has been so gracious in sharing her time and information and, I believe, is a true kindred spirit.



Yesterday, we napped!

Tree carving

Today, we spent time in Truro and both Ann and I have been blown away by how friendly people are here.  A couple of minutes after saying "hello" to someone, you know their whole story and they probably know yours.   Folks, on the whole seem happy, optimistic and they drive in an incredibly sane manner - compared to some of those maniacs in Saskatoon.  Such a treat.  But then, I'm sitting on two full propane tanks, a full gas tank and a tank of sewage, so I'm not one to mess with.

In the photo, you will see one of the hundreds of wooden carvings that were created after trees were decimated by Dutch Elm Disease.  They are quite remarkable, including the one of an RCAF Pilot from WWII that stands in front of the Air Force Association Building.

The owner of our campground is related to me through his mother and he brought her for a visit yesterday afternoon.  She's 85 and sharp as a tack.  She is really a keen genealogist and know things about the family, I did not know.  Such a joy to visit with her.

Scotia Pines Campground

Speaking of the campground - If you ever have the pleasure of camping in Nova Scotia, this is one place you do not want to miss.  The place is beautiful with ancient pine trees separating each campsite.  There's a pool and a playground, they have excellent wifi (free) and the place is spotless.  The owners make a point of doing a walking check of the place every hour or so - just to make sure everything is OK.  We're 2 minutes off the TransCanada Highway, 5 minutes in to Truro, an hour from Halifax and about the same from the shores of Northumberland.  That's SCOTIA PINES CAMPGROUND - best camping I've seen yet!

Properly set up campsite

We have created a challenge for ourselves to time how long it takes us to hook up the motor home once we arrive at a location.  So far, our best time is 1 minute, 32 seconds.  That includes hooking up the sewer hose, connecting both ends of the water line, plugging into the power and getting the steps out.  Yesterday, we watched some newbies take almost an hour to accomplish the same thing.  We're pretty proud of ourselves and are shooting for the 1 minute record.

So tomorrow it's back to the cemeteries of Cumberland County and lunch at the Whirligig in Wallace.

To be continued.....

Love Story - John Bragg and Julia Gamble

She was a lovely lass from the beautiful village of Castlereagh in Colchester County, Nova Scotia and he, a handsome son of a lumber merchant from Collingwood Corner in Cumberland County.  She was Julia West Gamble and he, John Thomas Bragg.

Julia West Gamble (left) and sister , Ruth.

Julia was the daughter of  John William Gamble and Flora Ann Campbell of Castlereagh and in 1904 she went to work as a cook at the Bass River Fossil Flour Company which had a plant near her home.  

Fossil Flour Plant - Castlereagh

Fossil Flour is another name for diatomaceous earth which was used in those days to make coverings for steam pipes and boilers.  It was also used as a polishing powder and in the manufacture of dynamite.  About 50 men worked at the plant, processing the flour to its finished condition before it was shipped by pole railway to the wharf at Bass River for shipment.

John Bragg  - Fossil  Flour
Plant - Castlereagh

One of these men was John Bragg who had returned from an adventure in what is now Alberta where, at the age of 16, travelled and homesteaded with his brother, Warren.  He returned to Nova Scotia in his early 20s and eventually ended up in Castlereagh.  Here, he became friends with John William Gamble, another man on the crew and soon became acquainted with the Gamble daughters, Julia and Hattie.

Julia Gamble (standing left in the door of the
boarding house) at the Fossil Flour Plant,
John William Gamble (left sitting on step), John
Thomas Bragg (next to him).

The story is told that one evening after dinner, John and Julia went up the mountain to pick blueberries and when they returned, announced that they were getting married!



John then moved back to Alberta, where he got a job as foreman of the Cold Storage Ranch near Rockyford and Julia followed by train a short time later.  It must have been a wonderful adventure for a girl from a tiny mountain village in Nova Scotia to make the trip but when she arrived at the nearest train station, Gleichen, found herself on her own since John, his brother and some friends were celebrating the coming nuptials at the local bar.

Bragg home - Rockyford, Alberta

Somehow they got that sorted; raised four wonderful boys, including my dad, Rusty and made a good life for themselves ranching at Rockyford.  Julia was known for her great cooking skills and they were both very active in local community happenings.  


John died, suddenly in 1943, after nearly 40 years of marriage and Julia followed him six years later.  My Dad always said she died of a broken heart.

Julia and John - Wedding Photo

Queens of the Road!

Yesterday we took a drive down to Antigonish to watch my great great nieces dance in the Canadian Finals for Highland Dancing.  My newly discovered Scottish heart  felt right at home among the tartan and surrounded by the sound of the Bagpipes. Isn't it great to visit with your Saskatoon family 3,000 miles from home? (Tomorrow, we're having dinner with my Edmonton cousin, Charlotte)   Katie got a 6th in the sword dance and she also got a 7th the reel. Their team also placed first in the Choreography division.  A very successful day for them and a fun one for us.

My sister, Suzanne sent me an article from the Oprah Magazine about a 
group of about 2000 women throughout Canada and the States, called "Sisters on the Fly" who travel together in vintage trailers and who's motto is "We have more fun than anyone!"   They go fly fishing, camping in the national parks and on beaches by the ocean.  Much of their travel has a western theme and they do look like they are having a blast!  And here we thought we were the only ones with this idea. 




The last few days have not been good ones for the little porcupines of Nova Scotia. (I'll spare you the photos)   We didn't count, but the roadsides were littered with their little carcasses.  Must be the time of year when the babys are venturing away from the mothers.  Also not a good time for tires - many, many dead ones along the road.  However, we learned a new term yesterday - Balefill.  It's a place were you can take your old tires and baled garbage for disposal.  Each day is a new adventure in learning!


This morning it's quite foggy out our way and since we'd planned a laundry, shopping, tidy up day anyway, it's nice to know we won't be on the road driving through this.  

Sunday in the restaurant where we enjoyed our lobster feast we encountered a very entertaining way to pass the time while our order was being cooked.  Outside our window, there was a ship moored at the dock in Lunenburg.  Take a look at the picture and see if you can see anything wrong.  Our bay window had mirrors on each side, so when you looked out you saw the ship, but if you leaned closer to the window, half the ship disappeared.  A very cool illusion and one, I'm afraid, took us far to long to get.


Tomorrow we're back to Bass River to do some serious photocopying and scanning at the Museum there and then a girl's night with my new found cousin, Fonda and with Charlotte.


To be continued.....

The Lunenburg Bump!

What do you get when you combine a beautiful sunny day by the sea; a two pound lobster and fit of giggles called Ann?  It's called a great day in Nova Scotia!

Mahone Bay

We got up early (relatively) this morning and hit the road for points south.  Our first stop - after Timmy's was Mahone Bay which is a beautiful village on the ocean.  It is known for the three churches whose spires reflect back from the calm, dark sea water.


After checking out the shops and having a latte, we continued on to Lunenburg - home of the Bluenose II and a world heritage site.  Every house in the town is required to meet very strict guidelines that make you feel you are stepping back into the 19th Century.  It is beautiful, if not a little distracting to maneuver a motorhome through.  The streets are pretty narrow and the hills are steep.

Lunenburg & the Bluenose II

We saw our old friend Bob - the horse that takes people on a carriage tour of the old town and who stops and looks both ways at stop signs.



We stopped at the Fish Factory and had the most delectable lobster dinner - our first of the trip.  We donned our Nova Scotia tartan lobster bibs and enjoyed a feast fit for a king.  We sat up in the restaurant overlooking the water as the little sailboats skimmed along the Bay.  It was a little windy so they were making great speed.

To be continued........