CAVENDISH PEI TO A SCENIC OVERLOOK ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS JUST NORTH OF PORT HASTINGS NOVA SCOTIA

RED CHAIRS OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN ALONGSIDE PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND’S  CAVENDISH BEACH

It was 8:30 when we left our scenic parking lot spot overlooking the red ochre bluffs and long stretches of sand known as Cavendish Beach.   A memorable stop for us and I would liked to have seen it with blue skies overhead and big white puffy clouds floating along over the deep ocean colors below.  As it was skies were still cloudy but it was a brighter cloud, it wasn’t raining, and we saw a few small patches of blue beginning to appear.  Just before leaving we had a couple brief Sun splashes roll through and I was able to grab a few quick photos.

PHEEBS AND I SHADOWED IN THE MORNING SUN

THERE IS A LOT OF OCEAN OUT THERE

A LIGHTHOUSE CAN BE SEEN WAY OUT ON THE POINT

ONE SHADOW GUY AND ONE REAL DOGGY

WE THINK BOTH THESE RV’S HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON IN THAT THEY WERE BOTH MADE BY TRIPLE E IN WINKLER MANITOBA

Minutes later we were in Cavendish and drove into the parking lot at author Lucy Maude Montgomery’s home.  There was already a tour bus pulling in so I only had a couple minutes to at least grab a couple quick outside photos of the house and barn before everything filled up with people.  From there we drove west up the road to have a look at Avonlea Village which turned out to be a disappointment.  Looks like the site may have seen better days and it was tacky to see a big ‘Boomburger’ logo on the re-located church Lucy Maude Montgomery once attended.  Drove through the parking lot, took a few pics and we headed west on highway 6 out of Cavendish and the world of Anne of Green Gables.  I have it in mind to read the book now.

LUCY MAUDE MONTGOMERY’S HOME ON LEFT AND BARN ON RIGHT

THIS IS THE BIG MOSSMAGATOR BUILDING GOING UP RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE L.M. MONTGOMERY HOMESTEAD

THIS IS WHAT THE NEW BUILDING WILL LOOK LIKE

THAT IS THE RE-LOCATED LUCY MAUDE MONTGOMERY ATTENDED…..IT’S NOW A BURGER JOINT IN THE AVONLEA VILLAGE AND THAT BIG ROUND LOGO ON THE STEEPLES SAYS ‘BP’ MEANING ‘BOOM BURGER’ 

Clouds thickened up and the morning took on a gloomy look like it did Saturday morning before rains began.  We had intended to wander along the coast a bit west of Summerside but with a bit of fine drizzle on the windshield and not wanting to spend another dreary day on the Island we re-vamped our plans and made straight away for the Confederation Bridge, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.  We had also noticed the weather for the Cape Breton Highlands had changed as well with Monday looking like rain.  Figured we had better get ourselves on over there and at least catch us one good day which looked like Sunday.

TRAVELING FROM THE NORTH SHORE WE CUT ACROSS THE ISLAND TO THE SOUTH SHORE IN ABOUT AN  HOUR

I THINK IT WOULD BE A FUN PROJECT JUST TO PHOTOGRAPH ALL THE OLD CHURCHES ON THE ISLAND

WE FINALLY SPOT CONFEDERATION BRIDGE

PAID OUR $47.00 BRIDGE TOLL AND WE’RE ON THE BRIDGE HEADING FOR NEW BRUNSWICK

A PARTING GLANCE OUT MY WINDOW AT PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND…..THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES:))

LOOKING EAST ACROSS  NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT

AND HERE COMES NEW BRUNSWICK

On the New Brunswick side of the bridge we took a little detour East through a little nothing of a place called Bayfield.  Sure wasn’t much there.

AND THAT WAS ABOUT IT FOR BAYFIELD NEW BRUNSWICK

THEY SURE GOT EM JAMMED IN THERE

Back on highway 16 again we made our way down to Port Elgin and pulled into the same little rest area by the river where we had stopped at last Tuesday morning on our way to Prince Edward Island.

KELLY ATE HER BREAKFAST AT THIS VERY TABLE LAST TUESDAY MORNING

From Port Elgin we charted a course south still on highway 16 to a little place called Aulac whereupon we picked up the Trans Canada Highway and headed East.  What a treat it was to be on a 4 lane highway again with smooooooooooth pavement.  Many of the roads we travelled on Prince Edward Island were not in the best shape with a lot of bumpy pavement patches.  We had thought of taking the coastal road in Nova Scotia to Port Hastings (not Port Hawksbury) but with lite traffic and smooth sailing on the Trans Canada we just set the cruise control and let the Big E have her head and lead the way.  She likes to run.

NICE TO SEE SKIES TRYING TO CLEAR THEMSELVES BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT WASN’T TO BE

PHEEBS PATIENTLY WAITS FOR KELLY TO COME OF TIM HORTONS WITH MAYBE A TIM BIT FOR HER

We were soon into large rolling hills and partially clearing blue skies.  Some of the scenery reminded us of our beloved great American Southwest. 

 

AND A BAYFIELD NOVA SCOTIA AS WELL

It was about 3 o’clock Atlantic time when we reached Port Hastings, Nova Scotia’s gateway to the Cape Breton Highlands.  I had been through here 32 years ago but remembered nothing.  Not one thing looked familiar to me.  Decided to do the Cabot Trail from West to East or left to right.  About 20 minutes into the drive we spotted a scenic look-out on the left and pulled in for the night.  Unlike Ontario where it seems they don’t want you stopping anywhere overnight for anything, here in the Maritime Provinces it is the opposite.  Rest areas, scenic overlooks, Parks, etc welcome overnight travelers.  And especially at this time of year in the off season.  It was something I remembered from years ago when I once passed this way.

WE HAVE US A NICE OVERNIGHT SPOT AT A SCENIC LOOKOUT ALONG THE CABOT TRAIL

Glancing out our side window we noticed a narrow fiery glow on the horizon to the West.  We had caught us a rare Sunset which reminded me of the many Arizona and California sunsets we have seen over the last bunch of years.

Well, it’s been nearly two weeks since we left Bayfield so how are we doing?  How are we feeling?  Wished I could say we’re as excited and energetic as we ever were when first setting out on our Snow Bird travels in the Fall of 2006.  Have to be honest here and tell you we are already looking forward to being home again.  Wished it was the same as it was years ago but it isn’t.  The beautiful scenery hasn’t changed but I’m afraid we have and it’s difficult having to admit to some of those changes.  Difficult to accept them but the aging process marches on with little thought of waiting for any one.  Changes are afoot for us as we look ahead and try to plan for what’s left of the future……………..

OLD SOL APPEARS TO BE SQUISHED BETWEEN SKY AND THE EARTH

GROANER’S CORNER:(( Ron, an elderly man in Australia, had owned a large farm for several years. He had a large pond at the back.It was properly shaped for swimming, so he fixed it up nice with picnic tables, horseshoe courts, and some orange and lime trees. One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond, as he hadn't been there for a while, and look it over.He grabbed a five-gallon bucket to bring back some fruit. As he neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee. As he came closer, he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in his pond. He made the women aware of his presence, and they all went to the deep end.One of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!" Ron frowned, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or make you get out of the pond naked." Holding the bucket up Ron said, "I'm here to feed the Crocodile."

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Buckwheat of the Little Rascals fame grew up, became a Muslim, and changed his name. He then went by ‘Kareem of Wheat’.

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At a naval barracks the enlisted men were being given their shots prior to going overseas. One lad, having received his series of injections, asked for a glass of water."What's the matter, mate?" asked the sick-bay attendant. "Not feeling well?""No, just checking to see if I'm still watertight."

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