So, we left the Park to drive the 'circuit' in the hopes that the inclement weather was locally limited. Wrong!
Although we hoped with every mile that the skies would clear, the Gods were not smiling on us that day. For a good deal of the drive, we were shrouded in light to heavy fog. So, I cannot say that it was picturesque. I am convinced, though, that it was a good choice - some other time, maybe.
While on the drive, the weather forecast on the radio was calling for rain, showers and fog for the next two days. We decided to pack it in and head home a day early. True, with some research we probably could have done some inside stuff. But, I think we were probably burned out at that point of the trip.
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To return to the U.S., we had to start out by taking a car ferry from Digby to St. John, NB. We had made reservations (highly recommended) for July 1 and successfully changed them to June 30. The ferry cost for us was $86.00. The trip takes two and a half to three hours; the ship was very comfortable. I believe there are state rooms, but we found the extra cost for one unnecessary.
If there was a downside to this trip, it was having to take the ferry at 5:00 A.M. There were other times, but not until much later. Since we wanted to make Portsmouth, NH on our first leg home, leaving any later was not practical. We had to be at the ferry by 4:00 A.M. That meant getting up at 2:30 A.M. to break camp. (The drive from the campsite to the ferry took about twenty minutes.) The weatherman was right. It was pouring out. I mean pouring. Taking a campsite down in the rain is one of those events everyone should experience once. Right? God, we were soaked. Sitting in the Blaser for an hour waiting for the ferry in thoroughly soaked blue jeans was not exhilarating.
As I said above, our first stop on the return to Virginia was Portsmouth, NH. Since this trip report is not about Portsmouth, I'll say only that it's a neat town and definitely a place to tour. I will say that the motel we stayed in was excellent and convenient to downtown. The name is Port Motor Inn (800-282- 7678).
Except for the 4th of July holiday traffic, our trip home from Portsmouth was uneventful.
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IF WE HAD IT TO DO OVER AGAIN . . .
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Notwithstanding the inclement weather in Digby, it was anticlimactic. To us, Cape Breton was the highlight of the trip. We would do Digby first, PEI and then Cape Breton. On the way back, we'd consider camping at the Fundy National Park, NB. Did we take on too much? Yeah, probably. We missed out on a lot and didn't get to do as much hiking as planned. To do this trip, three weeks is better.
With only two weeks, take the ferry from Portland or Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, NS. But, leave the dog at home. This is too long a ferry ride for an animal. Take three or four days driving north up the east coast of NS to Cape Breton. Camp in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park on the east side and stay there. Drive the Cabot Trail and tour down to Sydney and Louisburg from there. If touring is not in the cards, but just relaxing and hiking are preferences, then stay on the west side at Cheticamp. Return to the U.S. via New Brunswick.
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Breakfasts and lunches were fine, but based on our route and when we were ready to eat, dinners were average or below. Actually, there just weren't that many restaurants. Don't expect much. But, I have to be honest. I do not like seafood. So, perhaps the problem was me and my 'meat and potato' expectations. One restaurant was the exception. It is called Coastal Waters Restaurant and is located just south of Ingonish on the Cabot Trail.
One last thing about restaurants. Two expressions used by the waiters and waitresses in Nova Scotia were really neat - 'Is your tea good yet?' and 'More hot?' The latter, of course, meant freshening our tea or coffee. One name of a restaurant got my attention - 'Lick-A-Chick.'
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TOURING INFORMATION AND MISCELLANEOUS
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PEI PARKS INFORMATION:
Canadian Parks Service
2 Palmer's Lane
Charlottetown, P.E.I.
CIA 5V6
902-566-7050
PEI TOURIST INFORMATION:
1-800-463-4734
Nova Scotia INFORMATION:
Department of Tourism and Culture
Box 130
Halifax, NS
B3J 2M7
1-800-341-6096
NS - NB CAR FERRY:
Marine Atlantic
Box 250
North Sydney, NS
B2A 3M3
902-794-5700
CAR INSURANCE CERTIFICATE:
Have insurance company provide a certificate of insurance. Customs probably will not ask for it, but if there is an accident, the certificate is essential.
ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE:
Get a certificate from vet. Again, Customs probably will not ask for it. But, if there is a problem with the animal and no certificate, the animal will be placed in quarantine.
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