July 2002

We drove through Charlottetown on Sunday 7 July, all stores closed. Trying to fight Sunday Closing, half want it half want open. So we crossed back over bridge into New Brunswick and to Murray Beach camping, again. The centennial bridge bridge between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick was not good for rest areas, finding places to stop for coffee were few and far between.

We drove 121 miles nonstop to Mowhawk Camp. Three trailers had British flags, we asked if they were Brits or descendants. All were war brides, they were widows now and said there were quite a few more in the area. Next day after heavy rain, it was hot and humid we drove to Harvey, the site had small canteen we ate fish and chips and decided to stay another day as it was a pleasant spot, even locals came for meals.

11 July we drove south to small peninsula St Andrews camping was surrounded by water, very nice little town within walking distance. Was posted as oldest seaside town in Canada. It was more expensive then the usual, so we only stayed one night. Our next stop was a Passport America camping run by friendly family. We booked in for a week, to wait for Ken and Carol from Wisconsin.

The site faced the Bay of Fundy but when fog rolled in ocean was not to be seen. When sun shone it was ideal. We waited a week, the Kussows had telephoned and the son said we were not there, so they passed by and went to Sussex camping, got in touch with us through email. We arranged to meet them at Gateway Camping on border of Nova Scotia. For us it was a 166 mile drive.

Met up, and booked in for two nights. Young man working there was from Manchester UK. We had a pleasant day around upper peninsula in Kussows' truck. Saw where Marie Celeste was built, other than not a lot of interest. Arranged to meet Ken and Carol at next camping, west. We ate in pub in town of Pictou.

Next day we met up again in Visitors Centre by Causeway to book for Newfoundland ferry. Kenwas in rush so drove 100 miles to ferry in two hours, we said we would go three days later, as we wanted to go slowly around Cape Breton National Park one of the most picturesque sites of Nova Scotia.

Weather was good, we watched a moose close up, hair pin bends great views. We stayed in NP $18 no hookups.

Tuesday 23rd July - we took Newfoundland ferry 3pm for 5 1/2 hours crossing. Excellent, saw a school of whales alongside ship. Smooth crossing into Port Basque. We pulled into stopping mall for night. Beautiful run to first camping basic, but enough. Was told of beluga whale in Codroy Harbour near, so saw him next day, had been hanging around harbour for two months then, followed fishing boats in and out.

After leaving harbour, we traveled north, spied Ken and Carol going south, we had no place to stop. They had only been on Island 5 days. We had to break for a big moose, crossing road. We pulled into Barachois PP no electrics but showers.

Next day we traveled to Corner Brook shopping mall advertised motorhomes park overnight, so we did. Beautiful view of big valley.

Saturday 27th July we followed peninsula to Blow Me Down PP. Beautiful. Big sandy beach. We saw California RV towing helicopter, 2 canoes, 2 bikes. The ultimate in travel, we though. We spent pleasant few hours with ex Dane Karl and Sandy, they took us for run in their truck to Lark Harbour where we met Brit Ray Cooke who had bought fully furnished 3 bedroomed house, own dock and boat. He knew some people Dusty knew, we spent pleasant hour in his house drinking coffee.

Monday 29th - we went back to Corner Brook mall and met up with Karl and Sandy again.

We felt we needed electric hookups to booked in to Spirity Park for one night then traveled north through National Park. It was beautiful, but wet and foggy so we traveled through quickly, stayed one night at Arches PP like Blackhall rocks caves. We thought of going to Labrador and enquired at ferry, but expensive for only few miles of road.

Stayed on beach overnight, saw little roped off areas where locals grew vegetables. We went to St Anthonys and stayed one night on shopping mall. Temp was about 20' colder then west side. It was a little warmer in Pistolet Bay where we visited Viking Settlement Museum. Then back to only road south on west coast again. We parked overnight in Irving Garage beside a bear trap, but no bears came. Passing through national park again, weather was bad, after electric hookups again in Spirity Park. We drove east through Deer Lake, stayed on basic municipal park, by salmon fishing lake. Then on to Gander and Walmart carpark. Saw some vans with children that had been there quite a while. We took peninsula drive east and stayed on Raggedly Harbour, after some fishermen said people often did stay overnight. Saw most amazing sunset, even the water was red. Through Gambo no place to park so went to municipal park. Beautiful.