Saturday, September 3, 2016
So Friday night we ended up – without a reservation – at the
Stonehurst Golf Course and Family Campgrounds outside Moncton, NB. Yes, they had a spot for us for one night –
but it would be closes to the family reunion group from St. Martins. No problem, said we – just one night. And it wasn’t a problem. But you haven’t seen so many pop-up/pop-open
campers in your life. And all with golf
bags. To play golf. On the golf course upon which they were also
camping. We got to see some of the
opening shots, but didn’t stick around to get hit. But let me take a step back.
Friday morning we got up and said – what the hell, we can
always boondock in a Walmart parking lot.
Let’s head north to Cape Breton like we want to. So, we headed out of St. Andrews and needed
to stop in St. John up the road about 103 km (64 miles). Rick needed some more tee shirts because the
weather was different than he anticipated.
We’d try the Target store there.
And we needed a bit more fresh fruit and vegetables (remember – we have
a VERY TINY refrigerator and can’t carry much more than a couple of days’ worth
of perishables). So…
We got off the multi-lane and went to the Target – which was no longer a Target. ALL GONE. But, we saw a Costco. YIPPEE. Here’s a picture of Rick’s idea of sightseeing and eating lunch at a local restaurant:
NO TEE SHIRTS – seems that people in New Brunswick are
getting ready for winter.
So, let’s find a place to get tee shirts. Nothing but a Walmart (YUCK for shopping –
good for boondocking). They had the tee
shirts, and a LOT OF CRAZY NOISE. Seems
there was some kind of back-to-school contests going on. Dona almost lost it in Walmart – which is one
of the main reasons she (that’s me) doesn’t shop there. I tend to use the shopping cart as a battering
ram. Needless-to-say, we left there in a
hurry before I could be arrested for felonious assault with shopping cart.
Back into the sanctuary (that’s Goldie) we head up the road,
find the exit for Stonehurst (we had found it in the Woodall/AAA book) and
hoped for the best. Thank you, Nancy, at
Stonehurst for letting us stay for the night.
A 255 km (158 mile) journey that should have taken only 2.5 hours ended
up with us on the road (and all the stopping) for six hours. Stonehurst was a welcome oasis.
This morning (Saturday) we turned on the heat (yes, it got
cold last night), ate some oatmeal, and continued our journey. We decided to try for an overnight spot in
Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Again, less
than 3 hours (about 175 miles). We’re
headed to Whidden Park Campground and Cottages in the middle of
Antigonish. But first we have to stop
for food – remember we were trying to do that yesterday. Success – we found Sobey’s. A wonderful grocery store with lots of
locally-grown produce, a great selection of healthy packaged foods, and all the
normal we-shouldn’t-eat-that-but-one-can’t-live-on-healthy-alone nasty stuff
that just once-in-awhile needs to feed our craving. So, resupplied and tanked up, we head on the
TransCan hoping there may be a spot for us in Antigonish.
The drive was spectacular.
Cloud formations reminded us of Montana.
So with Cat Stevens blaring on the cd player (Goldie does have lots of
modern entertainment conveniences) we TransCan’d it north. Here’s some pics from the road.
OK – back to trekking to Antigonish (no, we don’t know why
it’s called that nor the derivation of the name – we’re leaving that task up to
you, gentle reader). At Sobey’s, Sharon
the cashier said “OH – you HAVE to stop at Masstown. You can’t miss it. It’s before the ‘Y’. And then you’ll come back and thank me.” ?????
OK. We thanked Sharon the cashier
for the travel tip. And, while driving,
mused what in the world Masstown was and where the ‘Y” would be, etc. And sure enough, as we got closer to the
TranCan ‘Y’ which sends drivers either north towards Cape Breton or south to
Halifax, there were a few signs for Masstown – next exit. Hmmmm.
Not ones to pass up tips from overly-zealous travel mavens (remember
Jessica the National Park Ranger?), we took the turn-off and headed to
Masstown. And what we found was a combination
of Wall Drug and a huge produce/plant/gift/bakery/grocery store. Bins of fresh produce in one area, bakery
goods in another, household gadgets in yet another section, along with gifts
and trinkets. And IT WAS PACKED. We guess the prices must have been good. “HOLY CRAP – the fresh haddock’s only $5 a
pound” we overheard one man say as he came in the store. That’s when we were leaving. Remember the Walmart debacle described above
– didn’t want a repeat. So mentally we
cursed Sharon the Sobey cashier and it probably would be best for U.S.-Canadian
relations for us not to see her again.
Here’s a pic of the sign outside – don’t want to scare you with the
thundering herd of shoppers inside:
 |
| My favorite memory of Masstown -- the sign as we were leaving |
When we registered at the office, no one told us it was
Christmas in September at Whidden Park Campground and Cottages.
And no one told us that this was the type of place that families have been coming to for years, so that everyone knows everybody and their parents and grandparents and kids and grandkids.
We were given a spot way in the back by a creek – which is pleasantly gurgling as I type this up.
Fortunately – even though we could be up to
our axles in mud in the morning if it rains much more. Fortunately – because there aren’t many
families and extended families and teenagers back here. And fortunately – because we got to enjoy all
the wild, crazy comradery that happens when people are crowded in together, but
they know each other (or think they know each other) and everyone wants to have
a good time. And fortunately – because
we got to see Santa Clause and about a zillion little kids follow him around
this HUGE campground shouting and having such a great time.
So – tomorrow we will spend however much time it takes us to
go the 65 miles to the KOA off the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton (we DO have a
reservation for a few days). And then,
gentle reader, we’ll find out if Yanks are really invited to move there to
escape the “impending doom” predicted as the result of our elections – whoever
wins.
And no one told us that this was the type of place that families have been coming to for years, so that everyone knows everybody and their parents and grandparents and kids and grandkids.
We were given a spot way in the back by a creek – which is pleasantly gurgling as I type this up.
Enjoy the
journey…Dona and Rick
