Canada 2011
 
 

Day 09

August 2

 
  
  
 Today Alain and I will set out to explore a little bit of PEI and see some lighthouses before we catch the ferry over to Nova Scotia. I'm up and packed and checked out and ready to see more of this lovely place. 
  
 PEI is a pretty place and it seems folks are just traveling at a slower pace here. I think so much of the world is just busy about being busy and doesn't stop to think about what they are actually doing. This morning all I have to do is follow Alain's taillights - which will be more of a 'challenge' than I now anticipate. 
  
 Also I didn't know that we would being going through Sherwood - the home of Robin Hood. Somehow I don't think we have ridden quite that far already! 
  
 Soon we are out in the country, running along the Points East Coastal Drive. 
  
 The various inlets and lakes remind me a little bit of Tennessee. 
  
 Then comes the ubiquitous construction zone - and this one is long and nasty.  
  
 We frequently pass lovely lakes like this as we head farther east. 
  
 And around each bend, there are more beautiful sights to behold. 
  
 One of things we want to do today is to check out some of the many lighthouses that are located on the island.  
  
 

When I see this church, a Scripture immediately comes to mind -

Matthew 5:14-16 -Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Those verses apply to churches as well as people.

 
  
 For some reason today, Alain's trusty GPS has decided to be less than cooperative as we search for the first lighthouse. The mischievous device decides that we need to hone our off-roading skills and sends us in a loop down some mucky gravel roads. I call this getting 'GPSed' and you can imagine the pronunciation ... 
  
 We sort out how to get back to 'terra firma', and at least have some nice views as a result of the recalcitrant electronic device.  
  
 I realize now that we are on the opposite side of the lake that we just passed and if my noodling is correct .... 
  
 we should be coming right pass the church that I saw in the distance.  
  
 This will not be the last time that the electronic fiend sends us on a bender, but at least the views are beautiful and the weather pleasant. 
  
 In our pursuit of the many lighthouses that are located on the island, we are directed down this muddy pig path to practice our off-roading again. Having a fond distrust of electronic devices (I've working in technology for over forty years), I wonder if this is just another clever ploy of the little devil. 
  
 The farther we go, the worse the road gets and I begin to wonder if we will hear banjos strumming before long. 
  
 But much to my surprise, there is a 'light at the end of the tunnel' - even though it is a small one.  
  
 We gingerly slip and slide our way back out to the pavement and I see this sign. I've seen a lot of flying objects in my life, but I wonder if this is some sort of extraterrestrial phenomenon.  
  
 We are fortunately not attacked by the flying stones, so we are able to make haste quickly. 
  
 I see another lighthouse sign, so I make the turn and capture this one. 
  
 But the GPS will not give up. It manages to direct us back through the same construction zone two more times. The last time I finally determine that I will get this shot since it is so pretty and I've seen it more than once today. 
  
 

Time is running out, so we decide we'd best head for the ferry. But the electronic fiend sends us on another out of the way trail. I tell Alain -

"I'm pretty sure where we need to go, so I'll just head that way".

We rush trying to make the 11 AM ferry, but as I do the calculations I realize we will have to violate several principles of physics to get there on time. So we decide we'll go for the 1 PM one instead. As we head toward the ferry, I spot a sign for the 'Point Prim Lighthouse' and make a quick turn down the road.

 
  
 As it turns out, it is a real dandy with some interesting history. It is the only round lighthouse on the island. Built in 1846, it is also the oldest lighthouse on the island.  
  
 But time is passing, so we head back out to the main highway to the ferry. 
  
 At last I see the ferry sign, so I feel a little better about my sense of direction. 
  
 We're early for the next boat, so we pull up to secure a spot and then do some exploration on foot.  
  
 There's a nearby souvenir shop that will work nicely for me to pick up some mementos for my lovely wife back home. 
  
 And it just so happens that they also purvey ice cream. Feeling a bit faint from our arduous travels so far, I partake of some necessary nourishment. It must be something in the salt air, as the ice cream evaporates rather rapidly before my very eyes. 
  
 There's also another lighthouse nearby, but we can't ride up to it.  
  
 

Soon it's boarding time and we and some other motorcyclists make our way on board. Having ridden seagoing ferries in Europe, this is old hat to me. Some of the other riders have not done it before, so I give them some pointers on how to secure their motorcycles and such. Some of them are talking about staying with their bikes, so I feel that I should warn them -

"From my ferry experience in Europe, most ferries of this size make all passengers go up to a lounge. So you might want to prepare for that just in case."

They are a bit skeptical at first, until the announcement comes for all passengers to leave the deck.

 
  
 I manage a great shot of the lighthouse on our way out of port.  
  
 It's a nice ferry and appears to be well maintained and up to date. 
  
 

Up on the top deck as I mill around, I see a couple and their lovely dog. I ask them -

"Would be all right to pet your pooch?"

"Oh certainly, she'll like that" they tell me.

Her name is Miss Mollie and she and I strike up a conversation.

"I can see that you are so poorly treated and not properly loved."

She nods her head knowingly, but we all laugh at that comment including Miss Mollie. She's a great girl and obviously well loved by her masters - or it could be well loved by her servants.

 
  
 This ferry also has a bit of entertainment by what I guess would be called a traveling minstrel. At least he has pretty much a captive audience to sing and play to. 
  
 We pass the returning ferry about half way across. 
  
 Soon landfall appears and I get to see Nova Scotia for the first time.  
  
 The pilot skillfully guides us into the harbor with little fanfare. I'm pretty sure this is not his first rodeo. 
  
 Once out of the yards, I snag my Nova Scotia sign and we are off to Baddeck. 
  
 Nova Scotia is a pretty land and it does remind me a bit of the original Scotland. 
  
 It too is a land of many lakes, or 'lochs' as they call them across the pond. 
  
 Soon it's time for a break, so we pull off and take it easy for a few minutes. 
  
 As we pass another old stately church building, I wonder what tales it could tell of the joys and trials of it's people.  
  
 The scenery is lovely and a real treat to behold as we motor along. 
  
 And when we see another lighthouse, we have to stop and get the obligatory picture since this is officially 'Lighthouse Day'. 
  
 And around another bend is another delightful church building - this one with rather an unusual steeple construction. 
  
 The sky begins to look a little less favorable but so far the liquid is staying suspended, and for that we are thankful. 
  
 

S we mosey down some backroads, we come across a young feller walking his dog. I stop and ask him,

"What's her name?"

He replies - "Aya. She's mostly beagle."

"Looks like a good rabbit dog to me" I tell him.

But the road waits for no one, so we bid him farewell and get back to it.

 
  
 Soon, the liquid above becomes the liquid below as the bottom falls out. Fortunately, we are close to a Dairy Queen and can pull in and get suited up before be are completely soaked.  
  
 And as usual, once I put my 'rain bag' on, we come out of the rain but I decide I'll just stay suited up as a 'preventative' measure.  
  
 As we near Baddeck, our destination for the next few days, we come across a nice causeway. 
  
 It's a pretty ride in as the water is our constant companion. 
  
 I believe I could enjoy living here if not for those dreadful winters that coming blowing in off the ocean. 
  
 Soon we arrive at the Trailsman Motel and get checked in. We have nice rooms on the lower level overlooking the water. 
   
 We decide to head on into Baddeck proper to get a bite to eat. 
  
 As we make a circuit down the main drag, the "Bell Buoy" sort of jumps out and grabs me so we decide we'll give her a try. 
  
 We are not disappointed as I have scallops and seafood chowder that just about makes my tongue lick the tops out of my boots. It's really good and really fresh - something I can seldom say about seafood back in Nashville where I'm from. When we get back to the motel, I have the pleasure of meeting some more STers that have arrived for NovaScotiaSToc - the 'official' title of this event.  
  
 It's been a great day but my stomach is full and my eyes are heavy, so I take an early leave and head to my room. It does not take me long to find that sweet land of slumber.