Walk Through her Green Fields, Go Down to the Sea

The pictures we took absolutely do not do the beautiful views justice!

We got up bright and early the next day to head to Cape Breton Island. The kids were still sleeping but I was determined that the World’s Largest Lobster was in this town and we were going to see it before we left. Thanks to all who assured me that yes, it’s in Shediac. When you are trying to conserve your data, you miss being able to Google these things. The kids missed out seeing the lobster, but we got the picture! What a great claim to fame! Onward to Cape Breton!  

We made it to the island and our campsite without any issue - it was another great day weather-wise. We drove to North Sydney to get some groceries. I was trying to remember when my kids last had a piece of fruit, but then I remembered that we had orange juice. Perfect. Maybe some fruit at the grocery store would be a good idea though.

It's maybe hard to believe but I tend to bug Keith about going too fast in Maje or taking the corners on 2 wheels. This afternoon was my time to hear about my driving skills. Maje’s water tank was full of water and I think it’s neat to watch the water fly out of Maje when we turn a corner. I guess I took the corner too fast and things and people shifted in the motorhome, oops! Then we drove down to where the ferry leaves for Newfoundland and I was deep in thought. My mom had told me that when she was little they would travel to Newfoundland every summer to visit family. They would take the train to North Sydney from Toronto, then the ferry to Port aux Basques and then another train to Lewisporte and finally a boat to Moreton’s Harbour. What a trip that would be! Unfortunately, deep in thought, I missed a stop sign and slammed on the breaks almost in the middle of the intersection. Everything in Maje came out of cupboards and our very large water jug flew to the front of the motorhome and emptied all over my feet. I apologized and explained to my family what I had been thinking about – they didn’t think that was a legitimate excuse. Later, in the grocery store, I overheard Abby asking Keith if he was driving back to the campsite. Traitor! I'm the one keeping her safe from scurvy! In a huff, I finished the grocery shopping and went next door to the liquor store to stock up. Keith drove back to the KOA.

Later that night, we mapped out our drive the next day. I had done some research about the best way to see the Cabot Trail and we had some advice from people who had done it before. There are some who say that the best views are seen by driving clockwise around the trail, but just as many people suggest counterclock wise. We decided because we were on the side of the island close to St Ann’s, we’d start there and go counterclock wise on day one. It was a great choice. There are 2 choices on this side of the trail. You can take the Englishtown Ferry for a nominal fee and a short 2 minute ferry ride. Or you can take the longer route through St Ann’s. 

We opted to take the ferry and we stopped for breakfast at the Clucking Hen Café and Bakery. A great choice. Full from breakfast and stocked up with cinnamon buns, tea biscuits and brownies, we made our way up Cape Smokey, the first climb of the day. The sky was a brilliant blue and the views were better with every turn. My research had told me that Black Brook Beach was a good stop for the swimming and good views. As well, there is a fresh waterfall at the one end of the beach. 

Keith had pinkie promised Abby that he would go swimming and in our family, you can’t break a pinkie promise, so bathing suits were donned by 2 family members and we headed down to the beach. It wasn’t a hot day so I opted out of swimming but was enjoying the water at the edge. The waves were huge. I rolled up my leggings and continued on. A few steps down the beach I saw a familiar face coming toward me. What are the chances that you meet a teaching partner on a random beach on Cape Breton Island? Pretty good apparently. It most definitely is a small small world! 

After visiting for a bit, Abby still hadn’t forgotten Keith’s pinkie promise and in they went. We explored the beach some more and the waterfall. All the sand from the waves needed to be washed off before we headed back on the trail. Abby and Keith both had showers in Maje – the joys of travelling in your home!

I’m dedicating this blog post to all the embarrassing (and proud of it) moms out there. My poor kids. A little further down the road, we stopped in a gift shop. Still in my leggings from the beach, I was feeling a little itchy. I had rolled them up when they got wet. When I lifted them to scratch the itch, a pile of sand (literally a pile) fell out onto the floor! Now some people would just move on, but not me. And, it was actually too much sand to ignore. So in an embarrassing mom way, I exclaim: 'Oh, I’ve got sand in my pants!' Of course this was in the front of the entrance and the sales lady. She didn’t seem to mind and went to get her broom (yes, a broom was required). Many apologies and giggles as I try to explain that I had been at the beach and didn’t realize how sandy those waves were! Of course we had to buy something seeing as I just made her sweep her entrance. It was time to leave only after one more apology. I wonder if I was the funny story at that lady’s dinner table that night? It was definitely one of the stories at our lobster supper in Baddeck.

I've Got Sunshine!

We left Tadoussac in the pouring rain. It poured for the entire day and it just so happened that this was our big travel day. We felt very lucky that the good weather was continuing. It might as well rain if you have to drive all day. We needed to take the ferry from Saint Simeon to Riviere du Loup so we left early to make it on the 9:30 ferry rather than having to wait until midday. Some people take this ferry to see whales but that wasn’t going to happen on this trip. The fog was so thick you could barely see a few feet beyond the boat. 

Once in Riviere du Loup we connected to the TransCanada highway and headed into New Brunswick. Keith was tired of driving so I took over and plugged in my audio book for 5 hours of hard core driving. It was the BEST. My mother likes to watch the weather network when we travel and texted to inform us that there were tornado warnings in central New Brunswick. We drove through a few bad thunderstorms but no tornado sightings.

We pulled into Parlee Beach Provincial Park about dinner time and the rain was still coming down. Our campsite had turned into a lake and we decided sinking into a bog was not a good idea so we requested a different site. The new site, while surrounded by water, had a high area where Maje could sit. We spent the night inside, unwilling to brave the weather. The next morning, I opened my eyes and saw blue sky. We definitely have lucked out in the weather department. We came here for a beach day and it looked like that was going to work out for us. We decided to head into the town of Shediac on our bikes to see what we could see and get some groceries. I knew the world’s largest lobster was in town so that was on my to-do list. We didn’t end up find the largest lobster but we did find a pretty large chicken.

Not the World's Largest Lobster, but a pretty big chicken

Maybe I was mistaken?? As well, we found a great farmers market and a grocery store. Back at the campsite we packed up for the beach. When I go to the beach, it’s a whole day event. On our bikes, we had 4 folding chairs, an umbrella, 4 beach towels, water and snacks. We must’ve looked pretty special biking with all that gear, but who wants to drive 2 minutes to the beach and pay $13? Not the Desormeaux family! We drag our bikes and gear through the sand, set up camp.

Just as I’m happily thinking I could watch the waves forever, Keith looks at me with a look I’ve grown accustomed to, which means he’s bored. For real?? We just moved ½ of the motorhome contents to the beach for an hour! Keith bolts and the kids and I stay longer. Parker decides he needs to tan his white skin. Do I fight the sunscreen fight today? This is how sunscreen and parenting goes: there’s a time when you get the best sunscreen money can buy and apply it liberally and make your children wait the appropriate amount of time before they head into water. Then, you relent and purchase spray sunscreen but you still apply it and the waiting process is the same. Then, you allow them to spray themselves or each other. I’ve done the speeches and the cajoling and today I take a back seat to see how my parenting has fared. Parker proceeds to spray himself with a puff of sunscreen and falls asleep on his back. This was going to be goooood. I know this lesson is going to end in my favour. I close my eyes and listen to the sound of the surf. Abby found a hermit crab she named, Gary. She and Parker tried to convince me to let them keep him, but I was pretty sure that going to be a hard no from Keith. I convince them that Gary needs to remain a part of the ecosystem and back into the ocean Gary goes. We finally decide that we’ve had enough of the beach and Parker wants to know what we think of his ‘tan’. When you turn red on the beach you know it’s going to be a good burn. Parker’s plume of sunscreen means he is now striped like a candy cane. Awesome.

Later, during our seafood meal of salmon and cod, Parker informed us that the basketball family we saw in Quebec City was in our campground again. What are the chances??

After dinner, we got comfy to watch our favourite camping show, ‘Watch the Married Couples Back up Trailers into Campsites'. It’s our favourite. We are sure we’ve seen a few marriages dissolve this past week. Backing up a trailer can’t be done without something bad happening. I challenge you to back up a 30ft trailer with your significant other and see if I’m right or if I’m wrong. After the show was over (one couple gave up trying to get into their spot and went to a different site) we had a few games of cards and it was time for bed again. Next stop – Nova Scotia!