Castle3

6-10-14 Our morning began with French toast on the stove and bacon from the grill. Both were delicious! After a bit of tidy up in the coach, and putting away some laundry (imagine a washer/drier in the coach), we headed Lucy back to Halifax. First stop was the Spring Garden. Ruth and I took a 45 minute stroll and loved every part of it. I added some pics if the WiFi lets them through. Melvin posed for a few selfies. In the afternoon we visited the Nova Scotia archives to do some research. Found a couple names, but didn't learn anything new. On our way back to the campsite we hit some rain and decided to eat out. We both had Fish & chips from a small restaurant. Then back to KOA. Tomorrow we're off to Berwick to meet some distant relatives.

6-9-14 Staying at a KOA near Halifax. Free WiFi, you get what you pay for. It's slower than a modem and works when it feels like it. I see last nights blog never uploaded. Here it is again. Today started off with another blue sky. Later in the day it got a bit cloudy, but no rain. After our Blueberry muffin breakfast we. Headed for Halifax. After driving by St. Mary's, to get the times for Mass, we headed for the Maritime Museum. Many displays of Canada's naval history, the story of the 1912 explosion, and a few Titanic artifacts. A trip to the gift shop yielded Melvin's next wardrobe just in case the Mounties drum him out. St. Mary's was rebuilt in 1912 after having all the stained glass windows blown out by the explosion of a munitions ship. We were also told by the Deacon, it has the highest all granite spire in North America. I didn't understand until I looked at it again and realized there are no shingles or tin used all the way to the highest point. Low maintenance, but it must have been quite a construction project. Evening Mass was short, but made up for a few we missed recently. While traveling about we saw a beautiful public garden in full bloom on Spring Garden Street. We'll be visiting tomorrow.

Woke up to blue sky today. After a review of points of interest on Garmin we decided to head for the water front. Melvin has been good, so we took him along in Lucy. The pier was bustling with activity. Musicians, brake dancers, and vendors in the beautiful 70 degree weather with a gentle breeze. When we stopped to enjoy a solo bag piper,Melvin had a spiritual moment. As amazing grace was played, he decided to join the RCMP. IN NO TIME AT ALL HE WAS IN FULL UNIFORM! To celebrate the occasion we drove to Peggy's' cove. What a terrific choice. The skies were all blue, the ocean was calm, and we could see at least 20 miles. After a trip to the gift shop to buy a Christmas ornament (a lobster trap) we took a few photos of this magical place and headed back to the campground. Tonight was our 1st cookout. Salad, baked potatoes, steak tips and a small pecan pie for desert. We also had cheese and crackers while waiting for the potatoes to cook and drank 2 lt. of wine. We should sleep well tonight.

6-7-14 Today started off by wakeing up to partly cloudy skies. Ruth and I had breakfast and set about securing everything for our next leg to Halifax. I learned you can't put the front side in if one of they storage doors are open. 5 minutes of panic before I figured it out. Hooked up Lucy and off we went. Today's driving lessen was all about strong cross winds and very bumpy roads. I did a bit of zigzagging before I got use to it. Ruth however had a tough time. Her brake peddle did not work and she kept closing her eyes. We drove about 170 miles with two stops to calm her nerves. And we caught up with the rain that had left Moncton! Took me about 10 minutes after our arrival at KOA to pry her fingers from the grab bar next to her seat. Melvin spent the whole trip on the couch and never said a word. Although we did have to change his pants.......Twice !!! Halifax was a bit breezey when we arrived and drizzling rain. After set up we fired up Lucy and went off to get some groceries. Yikes! $140 for about 3 days. Wages must be very good here. I do gain 9 cents on a dollar. Stopped for pizza on the way back, should have kept going, it sucked. We are looking forward to a pleasent day seeing Halifax tomorrow.

6-6-14 Woke up to another day of rain and news they caught the cop killer. Moncton is open for business again. Ruthie and I were getting cabin fever, so we left Melvin on the sofa as I unhitched Lucy and we took off for Alma NB ... Sweet little fishing village...about 80 miles away. Many wonderful views and vistas of the bay of fundy along the way. At the end of Rt 114 (the road to our home has the same #) we had lunch at the Parkland Village Inn, Ruth had a lobstah roll and a bowl of seafood chowdah . . Himself had pulled pork while we both watched the highest tide change in the world! On our way back to Moncton we found the road to Cape Enrage light house. Gates to light house closed as we pulled up, but view was still worth it. Tomorrow we're off to Halifax and sunny skies.

6-4-14 Up early and watch the news while I set up new GPS. Sorry Jenn I took the one from the burb. Use Waze on your phone. After coffee and a raisin bagel we went for a walk about. Then I mounted our plates "Castle3". Kind of a dreary day, so we'll watch a movie after lunch. First cooked meal in the Castle was spaghetti, yum yum. 6-5-14 No WiFi in Maine and cell service was intermittent so my version hot spot only worked for one up date. Today we got underway at 11 AM after a fillup of propane and giving away all our fruits and veggies. We were told we couldn't enter Canada with them. 5 minutes to hook up the VW, love that system. Stopped for a seanic view along the way and snapped a few pics of Melvin. Not long after saw a young moose and a very large bald eagle just sitting at the edge of a wooded area along the road. Mamma and a gaggle of chicks tried to cross interstate in front of us. Hope they made it. I saw most of them in rear view mirror. It was close, but not worth crashing over. Got in the wrong lane at the Canadian border (trucks only) saw the RV lane when it was too late. Once I took my tounge lashing, we were asked our destination, only to find parts of Moncton was partially shut down for a manhunt. Last night 3 Mounties were killed and they were still looking for the shooter. Lucky our campsite was on the other side of town. Rained most of the way. Stopped about 4:30 to adjust wiper (of course it had to be the drivers side). Got to Moncton site @ 7:30 (1 hour time change) Still raining &$;/)@"!? Hooked up and settled for the night. More rain scheduled for tomorrow.:( PS phones are shut off due to extreme roaming charges. We'll check Email nightly.

6-4-14 Up early and watch the news while I set up new GPS. Sorry Jenn I took the one from the burb. Use Waze on your phone. After coffee and a raisin bagel we went for a walk about. Then I mounted our plates "Castle3". Kind of a dreary day, so we'll watch a movie after lunch. First cooked meal in the Castle was spaghetti, yum yum. 6-5-14 No WiFi in Maine and cell service was intermittent so my version hot spot only worked for one up date. Today we got underway at 11 AM after a fillup of propane and giving away all our fruits and veggies. We were told we couldn't enter Canada with them. 5 minutes to hook up the VW, love that system. Stopped for a seanic view along the way and snapped a few pics of Melvin. Not long after saw a young moose and a very large bald eagle just sitting at the edge of a wooded area along the road. Mamma and a gaggle of chicks tried to cross interstate in front of us. Hope they made it. I saw most of them in rear view mirror. It was close, but not worth crashing over. Got in the wrong lane at the Canadian border (trucks only) saw the RV lane when it was too late. Once I took my tounge lashing, we were asked our destination, only to find parts of Moncton was partially shut down for a manhunt. Last night 3 Mounties were killed and they were still looking for the shooter. Lucky our campsite was on the other side of town. Rained most of the way. Stopped about 4:30 to adjust wiper (of course it had to be the drivers side). Got to Moncton site @ 7:30 (1 hour time change) Still raining &$;/)@"!? Hooked up and settled for the night. More rain scheduled for tomorrow.:(

6-3-14 Down the driveway and parked to hookup Lucy @ 11AM. 2 hours behind schedule. The first leg took us to campers world in Chichester. Dropped a few hundred on had to haves and a bit more on want to's. Next leg took us to a rest stop near Wells ME. Had an nice sandwich from the fridge and stretched our legs. Also picked up a slew of travel flyers. Best selection I've ever seen. Now it gets interesting! Rush hour traffic and everyone wanted our space. Got past exits every 2 miles and all of a sudden traffic everywhere. After 3 miles of bumper to bumper, I see the problem. Some nut is actually moving a small house on the interstate. He must have bought it on Uncle Henry's! I was chicken to pass for almost 30 miles. No gaps in traffic and TT's were either on the grass or kissing guardrail. Arrived in Bangor @ 6:30. 20 minutes to set up and time for a Mike's ice from the fridge.Life is good. Early to bed tonight.

After many frantic phone calls this AM we did find an inspection place. All is well. No problems found and new sticker on windshield. Also got two new front tires. Old ones had 12 years on them and still looked great. Even the inside was inspected very closely. Oh we'll, peace on mind as we take off for Canada.

I scheduled 2weeks ago for inspection. Found out this AM they can't do rigs with air brakes. Guess I need to be very specific when I ask if they can do trucks and motor homes. Now I'm calling all over central nh and everyone is booked this week. Looks like our trip will be delayed and shortened by a week as I need to be back by June 30.

Tomorrow we need to test a few more systems including dumping the tanks. Where's my long rubber gloves?

Today we worked on our Toad (78 VW Convertible) Installed tow bracket, brake system, and lights