Turbo Bike, the PEI Ferry, and Wonderful Canadians!

Saturday, June 22, 2013

We made a quick drive into Halifax yesterday morning from Porter's Lake Provincial Park to pick up my bike. We arrived early, before Cyclesmith opened. Yes, yours truly was actually early for something! Of course all I had to do was roll out of the bunk, put on some clothes and grab some breakfast to eat while Greg drove. The traffic wasn't bad and we made our way back over the A. Murray MacKay Bridge. This is the third time we have driven across it. Every time we have been charged a different toll, $2.50, $1.75, and $1.00. Actually, once we didn't pay. The toll collector took our $5 bill and gave us loonies ($1 coins) back. The bar went up and we drove through while I counted out our change, 5 loonies! Apparently we were supposed to toss a loonie in the bin, but the toll collector was so busy flirting with a guy visiting her booth, that she raised the bar without looking to see if we paid! Yesterday, thinking it would be a loonie, we tossed one in the bin and the bar didn't raise. The operator told us we needed another 75 cents. ????? Okay, a sign listing tolls would be helpful...

Porter Lake synchronized swimming by baby ducks

We found a parking spot in the residential neighborhood a few blocks from the bike shop. As we were leaving the rig a group of women on bikes asked if we were visiting their house and offered us the use of their facilities (they were having a pee break!) We told them we had our own, but thanks! Cyclesmith opened and I reclaimed my old mountain bike, 80's vintage, with a shiny new electric assist motor! I have now gone turbo! Greg and I both took it out for a spin and had a nice conversation with Paul, the owner of the shop. We have enjoyed working with him; helpful, friendly and very informed about the motors. He originally came from London, Ontario, which is near Tavistock where Greg's grandfather was from. His staff was great as well, and we really liked the Quinpool Road area of Halifax. We had a great lunch in a local Greek restaurant the last time we were there, while we discussed whether to buy a new bike or retro-fit mine. In fact, we really like Halifax, and for Greg to agree to that sentiment is major, considering that he doesn't like cities.

Bike Shop

Adjusting the fiddly bits

When we took the bike back to the rig to mount it on the hitch, we were greeted from the balcony above by a couple and their dog. We had a delightful conversation with Brian and Julia, who wound up coming down to the street for a tour of the rig. He consults with aquaculture and she is a former nurse who now works at the medical school as a “faux patient” for the students to train on. Sorry, I forgot the official name for the job. They had a cute dog that reminded me of a Bichon Fris, but is a Havanese. As fate would have it, they have been discussing doing what we are doing, before retirement, and we had a lively discussion about our lifestyle, the unusual weather, careers, re-habbing houses, Nova Scotia, Key West and fish farms! They had work to get done on their house, and we had a ferry to catch, so we said goodbye and drove out of the city. Perhaps our paths will cross again someday on the road!



As we drove north and then east, the clouds began to build and just as we got in line to drive on the ferry, we had a downpour! There was no problem getting on the 2:45 pm ferry to Prince Edward Island without a reservation. Summer doesn't start up here until July 1, which is Canada Day, even though yesterday was the summer solstice. (Happy Half-Birthday Kaylin!!! No internet to call or message you, sorry...) The rain fell just long enough to greet the cars getting off to rainy Nova Scotia! Interestingly, the clouds didn't part until we arrived at the dock on Prince Edward Island, where the sun was shining! Then the thunderstorms rolled in.

Getting on the ferry

PEI

While leaning on the deck railing, we had a talk with another Canadian couple who live fifteen minutes from the ferry on the Nova Scotian side. They were going over on the ferry to spend the weekend at his sister's place. They had recently been to Georgia to visit his sister who lives in Macon. We had another interesting conversation about Nova Scotia and PEI, real estate on the island, restaurants, good beaches, the weather (always the weather!), dogs, Alaska, and Savannah, Georgia! They wished us well as we hurried back to the bottom deck to drive our RV off the ferry.



Leaving the ferry we stopped at a visitor center, and then headed due north for about 20 minutes to the Brudenell River and the Brudenell River Provincial Park. They had a site for us for two nights, so we set up in a light rain and dodged black flies. According to Julia, June is the end of black fly season, but then the mosquitoes start. The campground is fairly full for the weekend. The weather is good, and summer is starting, so we are seeing families, after seven months of being the youngest guests in many campgrounds.

Visitors center with thunderstorms approaching

This morning Greg got up early and hopped on his bike to explore the Confederation rail trails near here. He took two spurs to Montague and Georgetown. After lunch, I joined him on the spur back to Georgetown and the harbor. Summer is finally here, and it was so nice to ride in the woods and enjoy the temperature in the 70's. I had half a charge left on my new battery and was afraid I wouldn't have enough charge to help me on the way back, so I didn't use it much. Turned out I had plenty. I wish I had used it more, I need it until I get in better shape, so next time I'll know better. Greg took it out after we got back and put it on scooter mode to run down the battery so we could re-charge it for the first time. Tomorrow we are moving over to the Prince Edward Island National Park on the north shore where there are a lot of trails and roads to bike on.

PEI Bike rack

Georgetown Harbor

Kathleen with Enhanced bike

Georgetown Inn

Confederation Trail

This morning while Greg was biking I stayed behind and straightened up and wrote. I watched the antics of the local ravens out the window. Two campsites down is a group of three moms, and nine or ten kids, with four cars and two tents and lots of chairs, coolers and other stuff strewn about the campsite. They all went to the pool and left behind a picnic table full of food and drinks. One raven discovered it and called three more friends and they spent some time pulling apart bags and boxes and sipping from styrofoam cups. Ravens are very crafty and intelligent and worked diligently at the job while flying off with bits of cereal.

Raven checking out the goods

This evening they all left again and we looked out the window and saw a raccoon sneaking up between their cars. They have three coolers on the ground, and that is easy picking for a raccoon, so Greg went out twice to scare it off. The second time it sauntered across the road and up a tree and watched him at eye level. I went out with the camera. Greg growled at it and it growled back! It was not too happy with my flash, but didn't want to leave. Finally it went slinking off, and the campers next door returned shortly after that. I wasn't feeling too sorry for our neighbors. They are locals and should be wise to the antics of the ravens, if not the raccoon.

Let me at those coolers!

We are both tired tonight. It has been over a month since we have been on our bikes. We have had maybe six days without rain since we arrived in Canada a month ago. Random raindrops hit the windshield when we are driving, even if it is mostly clear, and I have developed my live imitation of the painting, “The Silent Scream” when I see them! No photo, you'll have to use your imagination!