Nova Scotia Day 7

Day 7
Thursday August 23, 2007



I woke up at 4:43am and snapped this photo. Then I went promptly back into my tent until 6 to sleep some more and man was it chilly. I got up, made some coffee and some oatmeal. I hung up a clothes line and hung my tent fly over it to dry. I made a fire since it was pretty chilly and plopped myself down in my Kermit chair and enjoyed my coffee.

I started packing up around 8 and by 9 I was on the road. Of course 5 miles down the road I remembered I left my clothes line hanging up and I left my camp towel on it too. Boo!!!

I made my way along the lighthouse route again. I didn't really have any set destinations in mind except Cape Sable Island and Yarmouth to catch the ferry.
I came upon this lighthouse on the way.


I arrived at Cape Sable Island which is the most southern point in Nova Scotia and I thought it was cool that I went to both the northernmost point and the southernmost point.


Its nice having two saddlebags and clean clothes again!





This hill is a lot higher than it looks about 20 ft and I found it odd that it had grass growing on top.


Here's my I was there photo.


The Cape Sable Island lighthouse. Its the tallest lighthouse in Nova Scotia.


McLobster?


I finished up on the island then it was onto the final push toward Yarmouth to await the ferry. I was hoping to check things out around town. I got into Yarmouth around 1 and I decided to head out to the lighthouse at Cape Forchu. The original Lighthouse built in 1840, was replaced by the current structure in the 1960's. Rising 23 meters above the ground, the lighthouse's two-million candlepower beam can be seen over 30 nautical miles out to sea. Its the only "apple core" style lighthouse in Nova Scotia.


I walked around the cape and took in the sights.


Then I was getting hungry to I decided to see if I could get something to eat before getting on the ferry since that wouldn't be underway until 4. I found they had a tea room that served food right in the lighthouse museum. I stopped in at the
Mug Up Tea Room.

I ordered the Lobster sandwich and a coffee.


Even though I am not a huge lobster fan it was quite good. The coffee was really good and the waitress was very good about refilling my cup often. I also got the bread pudding with caramel sauce for dessert. That was quite good. If you are ever there I would highly recommend lunch at the Mug Up Tea Room.


Then it was time to go catch the ferry. I got in line with all the other motorcycles.


This guy had ridden all the way from Florida!


I talked to one guy that had ridden across Nova Scotia to Halifax on his bicycle from Yarmouth. He left his car in Portland ME. After loading a bunch of cars they finally let the motorcycles on. It was kind of sketchy riding up the steel decked ramp onto the ferry. I just kept a steady speed and no front brake. Everyone made it on without any moments.


I went upstairs to look around. Here are some cars coming up on the aforementioned steel deck ramp.


Here is the rear lounge,


The front panoramic windows,


and the casino which isn't open until we are out to sea.


and we are off!


On the way out the harbor here is the lighthouse again.


Once out to sea it was time to kick in those 4 9500 horsepower diesel engines! Awesome wakes! They are probably 20 ft high or more!


We arrived in Portland about 8:45pm eastern time. The trip took about 45 minutes longer than normal because of a storm out at sea. They had to go slower than normal. I talked to a number of BMW riders on board and they were all very nice. One couple were on a pair of GSs and they were up at the "Rock." There was a few guys onboard doing the Iron Butt Rally as well. It took a while to get through customs but it was fine and painless.

On days 8-10 I went and stayed with friends. I didn't really do any riding I just chilled out and didn't even take pictures. On Sunday when I was supposed to head home I got a late start. Then when I was finally ready to leave my battery was dead. Ugh. After screwing around trying to get it running I decided it was best to let the battery trickle charge over night and head out early the next morning.
I arrived home around 4 on Monday morning 10 days later. What a trip. My wrists and hands were killing me. As I sit here typing this 4 days later, they still hurt. Hopefully they will get better soon since I will be heading out for the Green Mountain Rally.


Check out that top speed! HA!!!

In the next day or so I will tally up receipts to give an idea of the costs involved in the trip. Thanks for coming on my journey.