Luci and I have observed that the trip back home is never as exciting as the trip out. Often the urge to get home is like turning the horse’s head toward the barn. We sometimes plan for special places or events along the trip home to alleviate the disappointment that the adventure is, or soon will be, over. But this time we did not.
Thursday, June 13, 2019 was sunny and breezy as we left J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park for the 10 mile trip to the ferry terminal in Port aux Basques. Marine Atlantic has two ferries on this run, alternating trips. This time we had the Highlander, which is larger and more luxurious. Since it is still early in the season, it was less than 1/2 full. We found seats in the front center of the lounge with excellent views over the bow. The first hour was a little rough, but then the wind moderated and the crossing was as smooth as the one going over. We arrived at North Sydney about 6PM and drove the 10 miles to Arm of Gold Campground. This is a nice commercial place that seems to cater mostly to ferries customers.
Friday, June 14, 2019 we packed up and head back down Cape Breton Island in much nicer weather than we had driving up the same road three weeks earlier. We were making good time when we decided to stop for lunch near Truro, NS. We stopped at an abandoned parking lot near the highway to make some sandwiches. Jim mentioned that when they closed up this morning the bathroom door would not shut, like to door frame was bent. I mentioned that I’d noticed that his trailer had a noticeable lean to the right going down the road. We investigated and found a broken right rear spring.
Luci and Google found a truck / trailer repair shop nearby. They dispatched a repair truck and three hours later we were on the road again.
We stopped for the night in Moncton, NB.
Saturday, June 15, 2019 we crossed the border without incident in Calais, ME. After re-fueling with the cheaper US gas and making sandwiches we headed southwest along the familiar roads (Route 9 & Route 1) to home. It was a wonderful trip and it seemed like we went a lot further than the 4400 miles we logged.
During the next two weeks we mowed the lawn (twice), played with Felix, went out to dinner with friends (three times), worked a little, cleared some more trees for the campsite at the river, did some maintenance on the trailer, and even rested a little.
Thursday, June 26, 2019 we hooked up the trailer again and trekked across Maine and NH to Essex Jct, VT. It was wonderful to see Dorothy and Carter and Stephie, Harrison, and Margot. The new deck is a great addition. Carter and I started it before we left for Newfoundland and Carter and his Dad finished it while we were gone.
Sunday, June 30, 2019 was Stephie’s 3rd Birthday! Mom and Dad had arranged a great party for her with about 10 little friends! WOW!
We are heading to Clayton, NY to celebrate Independence Day with the Taylor Clan (my cousins). On Saturday, July 6, we leave from there to begin our next adventure, a Wagon Train of four campers to Glacier National Park! Watch for the continuation of the blog then.
On the road
Rory and Luci
Westward Ho! 