Peg and Steve's Retirement Adventure: August 2012

Sunday, August 26, 2012

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

We relaxed today and did some laundry, put away things and getting ready to move in the morning. We walked into St. Andrews and had brunch at the Harbor Front Restaurant. We sat out on the patio. The weather is so beautiful here. The food was okay. Enjoyed the Red Herring Pub and Eatery much more.

Stopped at the grocery store for some fruit and just had to go to the Dollar Store and walk around.

We will be leaving in the morning and driving to Fundy National Park. Wi-Fi there will not be as convenient as here in St.Andrews, so will post when I can.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2012

This morning we went to Minister’s Island. You can only get to the island during low tide. Today we could cross on the road at 10:00 a.m. and had to return by 3:30 p.m. or the road would be covered with water and you would have to wait six more hours to return. It was very cool driving out in Steve's truck.

There was a caretaker riding around on the island making sure all was well and we talked with him about the cabin (see picture on side) that is crumbling down. He said up until 10 years ago it was still in good shape. The government chose not to spend any money for its upkeep.

We hiked the perimeter of the island which was about 5.5 miles. It was beautiful. We saw only one other couple for the three hours we were hiking. There was one place where you could get down to the water and walk on the rocks.

On the last stretch of the hike we saw a white tail deer. She moved a little deeper into the woods and then stopped and watched us watching her. We took pictures and she posed for us.

Check out this website for more information. http://www.ministersisland.net/

FRIDAY, WHALE WATCHING, AUGUST 24, 2012

Friday was an exciting day! We walked down to the wharf for our Zodiac Whale watching tour. As you will see by the pictures we had to wear orange suits, which act as life vest and also keep us warm. Steve and I got to sit in the front of the boat. We were very lucky to see a bald eagle, gray seals, lots of birds and fin back whales. These whales are 50-60 feet long and weigh about 60 ton. You listen for their blow and then you can watch them partially come out of the water and then dive back down. They feed on herring. We saw 3 or 4 of them at different times. It was so amazing to see them and one was coming towards our boat. The trip took a total of two hours.

When we got back we were hungry and stopped at the Red Herring Pub and Eatery for lunch. I had fish (haddock) and chips, and Steve had scallops. We also drank some Mooselight beer. It was cold and delicious.

We went to check out the sunset and this time we went to Pendlebury Lighthouse. This was a perfect sunset. A couple of other whale watching companies were coming in from their 6 o’clock trip. I took a great picture of a tall ship coming in at sunset.

THURSDAY EVENING AUGUST 23, 2012

Thursday night we went to the wharf to watch the sunset. When we arrived the sun was down below the clouds, which were very dark. We stayed for quite a while because there was a patch on the horizon that was pinkish. After about 20 minutes there was lightning and then you could hear thunder in the distance. Steve thought we should head back to the campground (we were walking) before it got to us. The storm moved very quickly and we ran/power walked home. We got inside the camper just as it began to downpour. I guess we will try another night for the sunset. Rain was badly needed.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

St. Andrews New Brunswick

We entered New Brunswick at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday August 22, 2012, We crossed the border at Millhorn International Border Crossing. We followed in 3 girls pushing their car across the bridge and I was hoping we didn't have to push our truck and camper across! The crossing was uneventful and was very quick. We took Canada Route 1 to route 127 and into St. Andrews.

The Kiwanis Ocean Front Campground is all location, location, location. You can google it and see the satellite picture. We are 100 yards from the Passamaquoddy Bay. The air was cool and I had to put on a fleece. It felt good as we have been in really warm weather since April.

Today, Thursday, we walked to the St. Andews Farmers Market. Before we could buy anything, we went to the Bank of Nova Scotia, and got Canadian money from the ATM. We bought a loaf of homemade bread, chocolate cherry cookies, a bunch of carrots, and a bag of vegetables (potatoes, green and wax beans). We also visited the Wood Fired Pizza stand and had a wonderful vegetarian pizza. It was delicious!

We walked on the wharf and the tide was OUT! People were commenting how low the tide was. The little boats and rafts were on the ocean floor. It was amazing!

This afternoon we took a bike ride and enjoyed the area. We stopped at the Blockhouse where the Americans and North American British fought the War of 1812. Then on to see our first lighthouse of this trip. The Pendlebury Lighthouse which was renovated in 2010.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Here is Myrle B. Smith at 98 years old.

Here we are at Wild Duck Campground in Scarborough, Maine. It is an Adult Community. How quiet!

Here we are sitting in Scarborough, Maine, the night before we leave for New Brunswick, Canada. We have been visiting relatives in New Hampshire and Maine and have had great conversations, food, and drink.

We enjoyed seeing our grandson, Everett Gray, and his parents. Ev is a beautiful little boy who is always smiling. Melissa and Ben brought us great clams and I had my first oyster on the half shell!! That was an experience!

Lily, Teddy, and Kate opened their campground for us. The weather was very hot; however, the company was awesome. We had some rousing games of Rummy. I believe Steve and I lost all the games. Lily and Teddy are too smart for their ages!

While we were at Kate's we went to the Windham Trail which use to be the railroad tracks going through Windham. We walked and I rode my bike. It was beautiful!

We visited Jeremiah and Annie at their house in Saco, and were amazed at the decorating they have done since December. We went to Kettle Cove State Park and walked on the rocks and then ate at Ken's Restaurant. The food was delicious.

It was wonderful to see Myrle, Steve's 98 year old father. He is doing well. Keeps his house very warm and you have to speak really loud. It was fun listening to all his stories. Myrle also likes to recite poetry that he has memorized years and years ago. Amazing!!! We had a nice visit with Deanie in Newport, NH. What a neat little town.

We also attend my 45th high class reunion at Spring Hill, South Berwick, Maine. I graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, NH, in June of 1967.

For this trip Steve has purchased three seasons of DUE SOUTH on DVD which we are going to start watching nightly. A little of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Police...