Following the Cabot Trail

 We were limited in our trek across Nova Scotia (that leaves room for next time!) but knew we couldn't miss the Cabot Trail, after all, the cliffs and the sea were what my heart was craving after a year home in Southern Ontario.  The weather fluctuated a bit but it was mostly a sunny drive. 

 Serious driver face ... this was relieved when we crossed the bridge and settled into our campsite!

 We did love being sandwiched between the tall red cliff and the bay, and there was a mini-golf course and a microwave at the campground with very accessible (and cheap) laundry facilities that we found quite helpful  (Seal Island North Sydney KOA in case you're interested).  We stayed here both before and after our visit to NFLD. 

 Onwards and upwards!

 We took a break from the road and stopped for a picnic lunch at Ingonish Beach which has both rocks and sandy shore.  The entry into the ocean is very shallow with many sand banks just offshore, so it was perfect for the kiddos to have a play. 

 These photos make my heart sing!

 Oh yes, he came straight out of the ocean and laid down on the sand.  It meant quite a few minutes spent under the cold showers before getting changed and back into the van. 

 Onwards we traveled to Green Point; there are about 30 stops along the trail with scenic views or short hikes. 

 We always LOVE the danger signs ... beware the rogue waves! 

 Very cool rocks here with crystal lines in them and just perfect for scrambling and jumping over! 

Yes, it was a bit of a chilly wind, eh Jackson??

 There are many small fishing villages and tiny bays scattered along the shore. 

 One of the highest crossing points along the Cabot Trail.

 The famous view of the road hugging the cliffs and shoreline. 

 We travelled counter-clockwise along the trail so that the van was always on the ocean side for the best viewing of the passenger (aka moi).  Every so often I would shout at the kids to "Look UP!" and "Look at the view!".  They usually appease mommy and say "WOW!" and then go back to their reading or screens.  Yes, Mr. Pot, they finished their book reading challenge by the end of our trip (July 13th).  5000 km driving around the country gives lots of time for reading.  (This photo was actually from a different day as you'll see from the t-shirts; I wouldn't let them do this on the Cabot trail  I PROMISE!)

At this point in the trip we stopped to enjoy the view and there was a lovely Parks Canada employee with some whale artifacts.  

 This is baleen,  made of keratin, that baleen whales use to filter feed krill etc. 

 Whale vertebrae!  Xavier studied whales this year with his Grade 1 class, so having a connection was really neat for him.

 

We actually booked a whale watching boat trip this afternoon but it got cancelled due to the very high winds (quite a bonus for us as Jackson was feeling nauseous already due to a virus), so we carried on to Antigonish for the night, right near the University St. Francis Xavier. 

Doesn't he look duly impressed with seeing his NAME everywhere?  Really he just wanted to eat his apple ...

Next stop:  Gros Morne National Park Newfoundland!

In search of red dirt

 Somewhere on the coast of Maine, this was our first real glimpse of the seaside we have been searching for.  We left only days after the end of the school year on another road trek in our beloved mini-van.  We had planned a two week trip to see PEI, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, a tiny part of Newfoundland and a stopover in Quebec.  Yes, it was asking a lot of our little clan (and minivan!), but we were pretty desperate for the ocean and some elevation.

 We actually had some car troubles on the 3rd day of our trip and so we spent another night resting up at a cool campground in Maine before breaking back into Canada.  The bonfire on the beach was sooo huge! 

We were extraordinarily happy to reach the famous Confederation Bridge and make it to Charlottetown on time for Canada Day, July 1st. 

 The boys found the red dirt!

 The view from our campsite - who could resist?

The boys were also DELIGHTED to find that these jumping pillows have found their way into KOA campgrounds in Canada - just like NZ! 

Canada Day in Charlottetown 2014 started with a trip to Founder's Hall for the historical and cultural activities.

 You may notice that one child was happy to be photographed and the other one was NOT. 

 Sand sculpture of the signing of the Charlottetown Accord 150 years ago that started the formation of our country. 

 Recognize the woman in the centre of the photograph??  Yep!  We watched her film her report for the CTV news. 

 Then my brother-in-law's mother was also interviewed on TV ... she had come all the way from New Zealand to celebrate Canada Day here because her name is Charlotte Towne.  She was a regular celebrity for the day. 

 Again, one kid is being cooperative and photogenic and the other not so much! 

 We still bought him ice cream!

 Finished the day with another walk on the beach at low tide to search out the hermit crabs. 

 A scenic drive around the centre part of PEI took us to Cavendish and then over to Summerside and back to Charlottetown.  Love the lupins growing on the roadside! 

 Heaps of lobster traps! 

 Can't miss Anne of Green Gables!  We (well, I) made the boys listen to the book on cd as we journeyed for 3 days to get here, just so they could make the connection.  Really, I think the only part they'll remember was the story of Anne walking on the roof and falling off. 

 Lover's Lane 

 All the boys really want to do, rather than touring around historic sites across our great country ... walk across log bridges!

 PS we didn't buy any souvenirs on this trip - no room in the van!  So a photo will have to suffice. 

 AH!  The red cliffs ... no fences ... good thing Grandma wasn't here! 

 We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather - it was about 30 degrees while we were in PEI, so a dip at the Cavendish beach was just right.

 Or so we thought:  there was a large offshore breeze and we were pelted with blowing sand .... and the ocean was COLD ...  but it was scenic!

 Fresh Mussels for dinner courtesy of Charlotte Towne's gracious host were so yummy!

 Off on the ferry - here we come Nova Scotia - check out the wind!