Ceilidh Trail

The trail name is Gaelic, so pronounce it as quay-leigh (or phonetically kay-lee).

We actually finished the Sunshine trail this morning - having had a wonderful evening at the Victorian B&B last night. But we couldn't find the Havre Boucher light. We took the named exit, well, it turns out there are two of them, and wandered around for a while. Got close to the second light, then decided w/o a 4WD, that wasn't going to happen, so went back again. This time was a charm and we got both the front and the rear range lights.

The next stop would be on Cape Breton, so mom drove for a moment while I attempted to get organized. The bridge on the causeway opened, so there was a queue, and them mom was supposed to make a left turn into the spot where we could see the next light. We finally pulled off shortly later, and after 5 minutes the backlog went away, did a U-turn, and now a right turn was easy. That's Balache Point if you are following along (see http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Canada/NovaScotia.htm#NS75 is where we started).

We did a few more lights, and then had to stop at the Glennora Distillery. They follow Scotch traditions, but can't call it scotch as it's from Canada. Took the tour and it's much sweeter than I'm used to (instead of Sherry kegs, they use Jack Daniels kegs made of Apple wood), but good. Had lunch there, then Marnie drove (since I had a beer for lunch).

The country side here varies from upstate New York to California back country so quite varied. Mom got her exercise on that length. We then saw the Margaree range lights and on the way to the hotel, we stopped by Little Narrows.

Checked into the Inverary Resort and unloaded the car, bought some more beer, then I took a boat ride around the island to get those lights. So I got quite a few photos today. While I was on the boat ride, the local eagle nest was pointed out to me. Here she is:

Went to their casual dining room tonight and ate very well. So, life goes on.

Charles

Sunrise Trail

Near the end of day, I commented to Marnie that this trail is missed named. Not only didn't we see the sun rise, we didn't see the sun, in fact it never got bright enough to even dig out the sunglasses to conquer the glare.

Oh, well.

Today we visited the lights on the north shore. You can see them starting at http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Canada/NovaScotia.htm#NS76. You'll note I'm now attaching "new" flags to the lights that are new. Big "new"s are today, small ones are yesterday. We visited them in the opposite order of the web page.

Coldspring head went pretty well (we just got lost on the trails.) Pugwash was a no-show, couldn't find the light. When we got to Pictou Harbor, the instructions got serious. Cross the creek, follow the bank walk the beach. This is the creek I had cross (yes, Marnie stayed in the car with her book). I did get to the light, did get back, but it took about 20 minutes, and no, I didn't get excessively muddy, or wet. You can see on the web site that I got both the front range and the rear range photos.

We got a nice lunch downtown, then headed for the next light. Because of construction, it was a convoluted route, and when we got there, it turned out that rumors were correct, there's not much of interest at Pubnico bar anymore.

Oh, well ...

We then headed for our last light. An hours drive away. The rain picked up, the wind picked up, it was pretty nasty driving. But we got that photo, and a new one of Arsaig. I suspect it's a faux light, but authentically built in 2007.

We got to the Victoria Inn (a bed and breakfast) about 4:30, so it wasn't a bad day. Had 3 recommendations for supper, Numbers 1 & 2 were closed (Sunday) but number 3 was pretty good, so not a bad deal.

Dad

Glooscap Trail

Our first day in Nova Scotia has gone well. A little problem getting up (something about a time change), but otherwise it went well. As we headed south from the hotel on the Glooscap trail (the first of several planned lighthouse tours), the highway looked much like the back country in New York.

We managed to find a light that I hadn't been able to pin down - the Apple River light. (We did have to ask a local for help.) That was a significant step.

Then we got to the Cape d'Or (cape of Gold) and the scenery is just gorgeous. It took 2 tries to get the directions right, and then 4 1/2 km of very steep dirt roads to get there, but it was worth it.

We saw 4 more lights that you can see at http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Canada/NovaScotia.htm#NS17B (You'll note I've date stamped the ones we saw today.

We cut today short so we had time to get home and do some buying.

We went downtown for dinner and to see what we can find on the historic main street. The architecture of the buildings is neat, but the selection of restaurants is poor. We ate well where we went, but it was mostly good luck.

Charles

New Brunswick

We really did a quick trip through New Brunswick today (we'll do more after Nova Scotia). I had originally planned a 10 hour day, and we quickly decided we didn't like that idea. So, I cut out a bunch of stops. About mid-day, Mom was having lighthouse withdrawal, so we did 3 just before leaving New Brunswick. We are now at the Comfort Inn of Amherst NS, and will be here through tomorrow if you need to contact us ((902) 667-0404, room 208).

As we left Quebec, we stopped in Carleton as it was convenient to the highway. As I looked at the web site, I found I had two Carletons, and this picture was posted on the wrong one. So, I fixed that.


We then crossed over into New Brunswick and saw the Cambleton light, then had lunch and ran south. When we stopped for gas I noted the time and we are now on Atlantic time. Therefore we'll go to dinner soon and I'll update the web page later.

Dad

Gaspe peninsula

We are now around the Gaspe peninsula and will enter New Brunswick tomorrow. We're running behind, but could be behinder. When we got to the National Park where the Cap Gaspe light is located, the girl at the check in was nice enough to say we had a 5 km walk from the parking lot to the light. Since we were already late, we didn't add another 2 hours to our day and did a quick U-turn.

The area started out flat and coastline. It quickly got hilly, then mountainy, but still coast line. Beautiful scenery, but if you don't like to hike or climb, we wonder what you would do.



We are staying tonight in Chandler, cheapest motel of the trip. They are obviously rennovating, our door frame is 1/2 painted.

You can see the lights we've seen today at http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Canada/Quebec.htm#QE16. I am updating this as we speak, so how current that will be depends on how quickly you look at it after I post this note.

Montreal to Matane

We slept in this morning, didn't get on the road till 8:30 or so. First two lights were "no shows" and I began to get discouraged (but not unexpected). But then we found a group of range lights (large day mark, light at the top). (These start at http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Canada/Quebec.htm#QC2028.)

After we passed Quebec city, we had a long haul to run. Beautiful country, but lots of miles (or, up here, even more Km). But we finally got to Point au Pere and saw a non traditional Canadian lighthouse.

We did make it to Matane for dinner, are staying in an older motel (so I have to sit near the office to get Internet), had a wonderful dinner, and are ready for tomorrow. Our room is on the waterfront side, so nice place to stay. Updates will follow.

Dad

Montreal

I think I'm going to adjust my day. In the previous days, I got all the photos edited, loaded them up to Flickr, then did the web site, then wrote the blog.

Well, I haven't yet been able to load anything to Flickr, the web site is about 80% done, and it's time to close it for a day.

So, ... in the future (I know, promises, promises, ...) I intend to post this first. Then, as time allows, I'll catch up. So, it could be you'll read this, and later say "what? he's changed things on the blog". Yes I can do that, and will (or at least might).

Fairly easy start of the day, breakfast at Denny's, 2 hours on the road, changed drivers, and then we got to Montreal. Got new pictures of Dixie Rear Range (couldn't find the front range), and both Lachine lights (see http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Canada/Quebec.htm). Got lunch and went downtown.

That's where the fun began. We were told to exit the tunnel and take a left - couldn't find the road number. Delorme got very upset and told us to turn around at a no U-turn spot, then turn left at a no turn spot, ... We finally got where we wanted to go, but mostly by following the general context, not the specific directions. Parked and got a picture of Ile Ste.Helene (next on Quebec page).

Left town and followed the GPS, and this time it found 2 lights (for which I had poor directions, but geocoordinates I didn't trust) impecablly. (No, I don't trust this spelling checker either.) You can page down to see the Vercheres lights.

Leaving them, we got an ice cream, changed drivers and I started to find a place for the night. Marnie was following the GPS and said "were you intending us to take a ferry?" The correct answer was "no", but checking the GPS, it was right about the ferry (and wrong about how to get to it). Unlike Wolf Island, (a) we paid a fee ($7.50), drove right on (no wait), crossed smoothly and got off where we expected to be.

Found a Day's Inn at the expressway exit (we were looking for the Comfort Inn across the way), went downtown, got an excellent supper, and came back to find out there wasn't enough time to really finish this right.

So, ... updates will follow.

Dad

As the song goes - "Monday, Monday, how could you be this way?"

The day started well, breakfast at the Holiday Inn, a quick stop to get the geo coordinates on the [now renamed] Point Edward Rear Range, and on we went. Nothing dramatic till we got to Kingston.



There was a 45 minute wait for the ferry. When the ferry got in (late, but we'd been warned), the car wouldn't start. A short investigation proved that the lights (required in Ontario) were still on, but we missed that ferry till we could get a jump start. Mom persuaded me to not give in, so we took the next ferry after recharging the battery (and much worry each time we had to restart the car).




Took the ferry to Wolfe Island. Drove to the southern tip of Wolfe, and after two tries got the driveway for the ferry to Simcoe Island. Drove the full length of Simcoe Island, and there (ta da!) was Nine Mile Point lighthouse.


Got the 5:30 ferry back, got a room at the Day's Inn, found a restaurant , and now we are both ready to quit for the day.

Off to Nova Sotia (via Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick)

Mom and I left Midland a bit after 1, dropped Bonnie off and headed south (and east). Heavy traffic on I-75, but light on I-69 and the wait at the bridge wasn't long (just aggrevating as our line went about 1 car for 3 cars on both sides of us.)

We had intended to break into this lighthouse trip easy. No lights today (stop at Sarnia, don't do the Port Huron lights), only 1 light tomorrow (Kingston, God willing), 3 lights on Tuesday (west of Montreal and then downtown.)

But then, after dinner we went out to Point Edward (right under the bridge.) Got a nice picture of Fort Gratiot.

It looks like we found a new light range (as in undocumented, it looks like it's been here a while. I call this the Sarnia Range.


Oh, yes, we got some neat sunset pictures.

Things will pick up after this. Stay tuned.

Charles