Friday July 28, 2017

Breakfast at Camp

We just have to say that Canadian Campers are much quieter than American ones. We are at a National Park Campground and our neighbors left this morning before we got out of our tent. They had a large set up and we did not even realize they had packed up. It is now almost 0800 and it is still very quiet. Much different than our Joshua Tree National Park experience in March. We have a relaxing breakfast with coffee after we packed up our tent. It rained last night on and off but is dry at the moment. After breakfast, we fish packing up and fill our camelbaks with water for this morning’s hike. We are going to hike the Jack Pine Trail and part of the Coastal Trail this morning and attempt the Mica Hill Trail later.

Living on the Edge

We drive to the Trail Head and start on our way. The Jack Pine Forest is unique to this area. There were many interpretive signs along the way informing us on the plants in the area. The reindeer lichen absorbs water like a sponge up to 35 times its size. This helps it survive drier periods. As we continue our hike, we approach the coast. One spot has a cool but perilous looking overhang above the water below. I of course want to see if it will support my weight. Carol is not amused by the idea, but I just have to test it. I slide onto the overhang and notice fissure points in the rock. Carol reluctantly takes photos and watches as I boot scoot boogie away from the edge onto safer ground. Having defied a plunge once again, we continue on. We soon come to an intersection with the Coastal Trail and take it along the coast. It is beautiful here and so much different than our southwestern home. We sometimes end up going in land a bit through stunted forest and then emerge back on the coastal rock again.

Lobster Man

We round a bend and I notice a lobster trap that has washed up on a very rocky cove. We go down to check it out. I want to take it home but it is extremely heavy. Apparently they use some sought of cement blocks they build in to weigh them down. Just as well as we have no room for it in the vehicle. The rocks here are polished round by the surf. On the way back, Carol asks me what the sound is that she is hearing and I tell her it is the rocks being moved by the waves. Pretty impressive as these are very big and heavy rocks. We continue on about another half mile and then it starts to rain. We decide to turn around and the return trip is a very wet one. Our pants are soaked when we get to the RAV and so are our rain jackets. We know from experience that they will both dry fast so we are not concerned.

McNeils Harbor

We decide to drive to the Mica Hill Trail Head, eat lunch there and see if the rain lets up. This is not to be as we run into a road detour. It seems that the section of road where the trail head lies is closed for construction. The detour takes us past McNeils Harbor and the small town of Dingwall. Back on the Main road, we hit several more construction areas before turning into the Lone Shieling Trail Parking Lot. During the detour the rain has let up and we even see some patches of blue in the distance.

Scottish Crofters Hut

We get out and hike the short .5 mile loop. It goes past a replica of an old Scottish Cottage. It was used as a shelter for both man and beasts. From there, we continue through a 350 year old grove of Maples. The Canopy they provide is beautiful and the hike was very pleasant. We drive a little further to the MacIntosh Falls Trail where there are some picnic tables by the Trail Head. We have lunch and then do the trail to MacIntosh Falls. Another beautiful walk in the forest to the small falls at the end. Completing the hike, we make the short drive to the village of Pleasant Bay. Doesn’t it sound lovely? There is a note at our BNB saying check in is at four and since it is only 3:30, we park and take a short walk. A small general store has ice cream. They have a raspberry caramel donut flavor so we taste it and each get a small cone. It is very good. We walk back to the BNB enjoying our cones along the way. Once there, we share a beer waiting for them to show which they do at 3:55.

Lobster Too Apparently

The rest of the evening involves showers, relaxing, and going out to dinner. We eat at the Rusty Anchor, the only place I town, and share our meals. We get Fish Cakes with beans and cornbread and pan Fried Haddock with a baked Potato. Both are very good. The fish cakes and beans is a local meal which is why we had to try it. It way exceeded what we were expecting. Another good meal even though we forgot to take pictures. That is all for today.

Expenses                                                                                                                                             Dinner at Rusty Anchor 41 CAD                                                                                         Poplar BNB 97.75 CAD                                                                                                              4.75 Miles Hiked