Our Chalet Truck Camper

Our Chalet Truck Camper

Monday, September 13, 2010

Nova Scotia - Annapolis Royal to Brier Island

Nova Scotia September 11, 2010

Three more TCs rolled into St. Andrews, New Brunswick after a trek up from MA. I think they were a bit surprised at Route 9 known as the Airline out of Bangor. That is the beginning of the Great North Woods and an immense space of trees, lakes, wildlife and loggers.

We timed the drive up to Digby so that we were in plenty of time for the ferry. Here's the rather impressive line up of TCs waiting to get on the ferry. At the end of the line is a pop-up from Ohio who was rather amazed to see that many rigs in one place. Lots of fun to see the stares and interest in the campers and we gave tours and handed out business cards of places to buy campers.



The ferry was much larger than I had anticipated and actually still had room for vehicles. Our group has many retired Navy and Coast Guardsmen but they didn't need their sea legs as the crossing was smooth as glass. We spent much time up on the decks watching the approach of Nova Scotia.


We were greeted at the landing by truck camper friends Farctic Ox (Ted and Cheryl) who were taking those arrival photos cruise passengers usually cringe about. After the obligatory grocery and fuel stop we caravan over to Dunromin Campground next to Annapolis Royal, NS.


Tomorrow we'll all split and head to craft fairs, a tidal power station exhibit, to roam through historic gardens and view restored town buildings. Our hosts, Jerry and Paula, have arranged a dinner of local Nova Scotia foods for a welcome gathering.

September 12 -13

Quite a few of us walked into Annapolis Royal from the campground - about a 3 mile round trip. Along the way is a tidal power plant with very interesting exhibits and a Nova Scotian who explained how the tide is used for power and what is in the future for such use.



The town is a historic settlement that goes back into the 1600s. Joe and Chuck must have done something wrong as they ended up here:


You can see from the buildings in the background that this is an old town! From Annapolis Royal we travelled to Bear River to feast on fresh baked pasteries and to stock up on Nova Scotia's version of lasagna and shepard's pie. Since we had a long day ahead, figured just warming up something would be all we could handle.

On to travel by ferries to both Long Island and Brier Island, two remote and beautiful islands that jut out into the Atlantic. At the tip of Long Island we parked on a wharf to await the ferry. Of course since truck campers travel well, we feasted on fresh Digby scallops, fish and chowders while waiting.


It took a while to ferry all of us over but the ride was only about a half mile. Small boat so we didn't all fit on at one time. The current runs 10-12 knots which for you landlubbers is FAST. The ferry gets pushed with the tide and only the experience of the captain gets it to dock without a bump.


Joe and I wended our way on Brier Island out to the southeast tip and walked a long time through the grasses, headlands and by the lighthouse. Some of our TCs went to the northern tip to watch the seals and enjoy the warm sun. Others walked the beach and relaxed by the jetty watching the fishing boats go by.



Tonight we are back across both ferries in a small campground called Whale Cove. We've seen many fire rings made out of washing maching tubs but have you ever seen a portable one?? These are all over the campground - tubs on the chassis of an old lawn mower.



Tomorrow we head to Rissers Beach Provincial Park to camp right on the sands of the North Atlantic Ocean. A-Boondocking we go!

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