New Brunswick and Nova Scotia

Well, we made it to Canada! Here we are at the border, about to go through Customs. I had looked online and we followed all instructions about what we could and could not bring into Canada. We threw out unmarked fruits and veggies. We made sure everything was in it's original package, including medications etc. We followed all the rules. I cleaned and made sure everything was easy to get to so when they looked inside they could easily see things in the fridge etc. So, we drive up to the border and stop at the window. The guy said:

Where are you from? "We travel full time but legally live in South Dakota."
Where are you going? "Eventually to Newfoundland for the summer."
Do you have any guns or weapons? "No."
Do you have any alcohol or cigarettes? "No cigarettes. One bottle of beer, a pint of ...."
The guy cut us off and said to go on through.
THAT WAS IT!! Wow! We must appear very innocent. Our trailer could have been full of .... well, use your imagination!

As we drove on through Customs, there were 5-6 cars pulled over being thoroughly searched! And I do mean thoroughly!

We're in CANADA!! We are living the dream we have had for years! We are finally going to the places we dreamed of!

Cruise ship in the harbor of St. John, New Brunswick.

Our first campground was in St. Martins, New Brunswick, called Century Farm Family Campground. We picked a beauty!!! Right on the Atlantic Ocean. Views from all our windows of the Bay of Fundy, with it's famous high and low tides. Beautiful water views!! We could hear the waves crashing in and what a beautiful sound! We couldn't have picked a better spot!

Only about 3 other campers here while we were here. Still cool/cold and early in their season.

We found this phone booth at the campground, and it worked! I haven't seen one of these in a very long time!!
By the way, those trailers in the background  are seasonal. They keep them here all year but only "live" in them
during the summer months or on weekends!

High tides and low tides come and go every 6 hours. In this area of the Bay of Fundy, it only rises and falls 28 feet each time. Further into the bay, it rises and falls up to 54 feet.

Low tide 

High tide. Several boats are gone, out on the water.

I stood on a beach and within 1 minute, the waves had come up over 8 inches!! It was crazy how fast it was! The following are photos of low tide with caves that you can walk into and explore. Then high tide, the entrance is full of water.

Low tide

High tide

That's our Honalee!! On the left.

Elmo enjoying the beach with the caves in the background.

It rained and was overcast one day we were there. We did get out and explore the Fundy Trail Parkway which was so beautiful!! Waterfalls, hiking trails and no tourists!!

Fuller Falls

Big Salmon Beach-low tide.

Long Beach-low tide

The second morning we woke up to the sounds of children!? It had rained most of the night and it was still misting, gloomy, chilly and overcast. I looked out the window and there were 5 kids ranging in age from about 6 to 12. They were in their pajamas!! Playing and laughing on the beach! The waves crashed and they would run away from the wave. A couple of them had coats or jackets on. They all had shoes on. I ate and got dressed and went outside and they were still there! Having so much fun!! It was still misty and wet outside but they didn't notice. They were up in the campground by then, and each had a paper cup full of yummy looking Hot Chocolate. I said hello! They were talkative. One girl told me they had been looking for sea glass and tiny shells. She said she was going to glue them to a picture frame for her mother. Another began describing the waves coming in. Another wanted to explain to me how the waves brought the sea glass and shells to the beach. I loved this interaction!! I miss being around kids! Their parents had rented the tiny cabins not far away and were outside on the porch drinking something hot and watching them. This is what kids should be doing. Outside exploring, even when it's cold and wet!! As they were leaving they shouted, "Nice to talk with you!" (how polite!) and a little boy around 8 turned around and looked at me with big eyes and whispered, "I love your truck!" and ran off!

We hated to leave this beautiful place!! But we did. It was foggy and drizzling as we drove 3 hours to our next campground in Nova Scotia.

NOVA SCOTIA

We were exhausted when we arrived so we quickly hooked up sewer, water and electric and promptly came in and took a nap. It was still overcast and sprinkling.

It's an "okay" campground. We just need a place for two nights.

The next day we did a little exploring. We drove south, following the Bay of Fundy. The Bay of Fundy is wedged between New Brunswick on the west side and Nova Scotia on the east side.

Around here, they grow Dandelions on purpose!! I always wondered why we (in the USA) are obsessed with killing out all Dandelions... why? They are so beautiful. Some people here have fields and fields of them for commercial use. Others let them grow in their yards because they are so pretty. They are everywhere! No one tries to kill them and they are beautiful! On the side of the road and everywhere you look!

That's the Bay of Fundy in the back.

We did some grocery shopping, got some diesel and tried to find new hiking boots/shoes for me. We went into one sports store. Online it said they had several womens brands. When we got there they had a huge inventory of men's and women's shoes.... and one entire wall of men's hiking boots/shoes. I asked where the women's hiking boots/shoes were. The salesperson said they only carry men's hiking boots/shoes. I asked if only men hiked around here. He said he didn't know but they don't sell well so they stopped carrying them. WHAT!!!???

We found a great little cafe to eat a delicious lunch in the little town of Truro. We ate outside! It was such a beautiful day with really great food!

We then traveled north to Cape Breton Island! As we always do, we stopped at he Welcome Center. Again, as we usually to, we met a great couple there! They moved to Cape Breton from Alberta a couple years ago. They love it! They told us about all the music festivals on the island in the fall, especially a fiddle festival. They also offered to host us on their property as we travel back in the fall! Nice nice people here!!

After driving south to north through Cape Breton, we saw beautiful countryside and vowed to return in the fall!

We arrived at our campground, Arm of Gold near Sydney Cape Breton. It was blocked off with a sign that said "Closed". We had to stop in the street with no where to turn around. A man came over as I got out and nicely said they are not open for the season yet. I told him we had a reservation. He said, "Oh, your the ones! My wife told me she okay'd a reservation. Come on in." He moved the blockage over for us to go through. Beautiful campground!!!

Soon after we arrived, another Class C pulled in. We got to know this couple over the next few days and they said they just pulled around the "Closed" barricade and talked with the owner. They have stayed here before and were welcomed back! Within the next few days, they allowed several others to come in also!!

These owners are the nicest people ever!! The vast amount of land is beautifully manicured and clean. Most sites have a wonderful view of the inlet here. This family that owns it, has owned this property for 7 generations. We were delighted to hear lots of stories from this friendly owner!!

They also have a trailer that they sell hamburgers and Fish and Chips out of. This has been going on for 3 generations! People come from miles around to get this yummy food!! The parking area is always completely full, all day long! While waiting for your food, there are picnic tables and game to play including mini golf and Connect Four!

Here are some views from our windows and outside Honalee.

Empty campground!!

Our views!

Sunset

Elmo loves being outside!

Yes! I'm loosing weight and getting smaller!!

Since we will be getting on the ferry for our 7 hour crossing to Newfoundland soon, Elmo needed a hat to keep him warm and a life-jacket. So, here he is, ready to go!

And, away we go!!! This trip to Newfoundland has been a dream for years. This was one of the main reasons we decided to travel full time. We desperately wanted to go to Newfoundland. I remember sitting at my desk at work, boring Dany (my office mate) to death about our dreams to kayak with icebergs, explore the seas for whales and see Puffins. I made him look at all the photos I could find about Newfoundland. Well, HERE WE ARE!!!

I really think I (and most people) get stuck in what IS instead of deciding what you want life to be and going after it. I know for years we just lived the life that presented itself to us, as we raised kids and worked in our chosen careers. Now we can live the life that we plan for ourselves and go in directions we want to go.