High Tides, Low Notes

The Bay of Fundy and a didgeridoo jam session. If that doesn’t get someone to click on this link I might as well just give up.

 

Monday, September 18th

I got an early start and did a bit more work by my wifi window before taking off. I had another big decision to make this morning. There is a legendary motorcycle ride called the Cabot Trail on the NE corner of Nova Scotia. If you ride a motorcycle to the province you have to ride it.

After two delays in getting my new tire, I was becoming increasingly worried about the amount of tread I had remaining. Taking the ride would add a little over 500  miles to my route. Would a third delay be costly? I was not going to find out. As I’ve said often…Next trip.

There were some other Hank Snow related stops I would have liked to make, but I was beginning to feel a bit pressed for time. I only made one stop on my was out: A place called Cosby’s, which was highly recommended by Vernon the previous day.

The same sculptor who made the Hank Snow statue has a garden center where you can walk right in and see his creations. These sculptures are actually concrete, a unique medium.

I thought it was very good art. The figures are artistically haphazard, but they are true to form and proportion.

Not the last jam session in this post. 🙂

The day was mostly uninspiring, save for a free coffee at McDonald’s in Tantallon. I was wanting to make some progress, so I did not stop often.

I was feeling “experience saturated.” So much had happened in the past week. I was still trying to process and document my Schefferville experience, then the Hank Snow museum happened….All great things, but I was feeling like I could not write as quickly as I could experience.

Accordingly, I resolved myself to having a quiet night filled with mundane actions and an ample number of words typed.

Boy…did I pick the wrong campsite.

I’ve referenced the website freecampsites.org earlier in this account, but that website is where I learned about “The Shire.” A free campsite with tons of good reviews. I’m in!

Traffic was really slow through Moncton, but I eventually turned and headed south along the Bay of Fundy.

The sign for The Shire said to inquire about availability across the street at a residence.

As I pulled up, it almost looked like I was expected. First to greet me was a big yellow lab named Sally. She barked, more out of compunction than conviction, still uttering some muffled “wuffs” as she lowered her head for some petting. Don was also sitting outside, beneath a lean to connected to the house. I heard him say something about how Sally doesn’t bite as I pulled out my first ear plug.

We small talked very briefly before my trip became part of the conversation. He smiled brightly then showed me his belt buckle, which read, “Johnny Cash: I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.”

Quick side note: “I’ve Been Everywhere” is a difficult song to live out, but it is probably a more prudent choice than “Folsom Prison Blues.”  🙂

He also introduced my to a version of the song by a Canadian artist called Stompin’ Tom (a member of the nicknames hall of fame, no doubt). It is a strange mix of similar and different. He was actually born just up the road in New Brunswick.

Don was really interested in my story and we had a good time chatting.

The story of my Hank Snow museum performance somehow came up and he seemed excited that I could play. He asked me to come over and play a bit after I got all set up. As we talked, Nick, who lives in the house in the summer, drove up. He was a musician too.

Uh oh. This isn’t going to be an uneventful evening.

As I was setting up, I met my neighbors for the night. Two Mainers…umm….Mainonites?….Maine-iacs?….they were from Maine…., Jeff and Max. (though Jeff now lives in Florida)

I hit it off right away with those guys too. They were both men with adventurous spirits, so we had lots to talk about. Their current venture was a kayaking trip up the coast. We talked for a little bit and I told them what was going to happen over at the house.

Nick was already strumming away when I walked over to the little lean to garage beside the house. I told him that as far as guitars go, I MUCH prefer a classic stringed. (How those steel string abominations became the standard I will never know) Like magic, Don went in the house and brought me one.

I began with “I’ve Been Everywhere”, not nearly as good as at the museum. Nick responded with another Hank Snow song, “Miller’s Cave.” I played the other Snow song I know “I’m Movin’ On.” Nick has an awesome voice and could follow my playing well. He played some complicated songs, but I tried to accompany as best as I could.

Don was on the phone a few times, inviting over friends and neighbors to his little lean to. More people came and more instruments came out of the house. A lady named Betty played a song about the Bay of Fundy that her father had written. Eventually, there were about 10 of us sitting around. Someone would lead a song and others would join in, then we’d stop and chat a bit, laugh, pet Sally, etc..; before the next song would begin.

It was so natural, so efortless and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I never even got out my phone to take a picture, wanting to be immersed in these special moments.

Somewhere in the line of conversation, it came up that Max could play the didgeridoo. Almost nonchalantly Don said, “Oh yeah, I’ve got a couple of those.” Into the house went Don and out came a couple of didgeridoos. It was fun hearing Max talk about the technique involved with playing one. Learning to circular breathe is a requirement, an impressive skill.

Being a former all-state tuba player, I figured I would at least give it a shot.

We figured out that Max’s “didge” was in the key of C. Did Nick know a song in the key of C? Of course. Did Nick know a song in the key of C about Australia?……

OK. I have to get my camera. Otherwise no one will believe this story.

What a fun night! I think it was 10pm before I finally got to eat some noodles, but it was well worth it.

 

Tuesday, September 19th

A pretty lazy day. Rain was falling when I awoke, so I was in no hurry to depart my maroon cocoon. (How have I not used that phrase yet!)

Jeff and Max shared some French press coffee as well as some oatmeal. We got to talking again and continued for some time. The previous night, Max had been adamant that I should be marketing my journey more intentionally. He used the word “inspiring” to describe it. Maybe I’ve heard that word before, but the way he said it really made me believe it.

Our discussions were great. We limited the conversation to simple topics like God and quantum computing. They were both really sharp guys.

We finally exchanged info and parted ways. Jeff invited me to come on a kayaking trip once I get to Florida (that is his job). He said that work would be slow with the hurricane(s), so he would have time to take me out. I’m looking forward to it!

Has there ever been a picture of three guys more likely to utilize a free campsite?

Before riding away, I went to thank Don, my gracious host. His campground really is free (though, be warned, you will feel compelled to leave a donation). The only thing he requires is that you must sign his guestbook: Draw a picture, tell a joke, write down your website. 🙂 He wants to remember his guests. I think he really enjoys hearing all of the stories.

I asked him about the history of the place, how he ended up being the proprietor of a free campground. Part of it was wanting to give tourists another option, as most lodging/camping in the area is really expensive. But what he said next really resonated with me. (I’m reproducing the quote the best I can remember):

“You know, there’s a lot of hate and evil in the world; but if we can all just help each other out a little bit, I think the world will be much better place.”

I don’t know what the path to world peace is, but it might just run through this little patch of land in New Brunswick. Hey, stranger things have happened. 🙂

 

Max, Jeff and I actually had the same destination next: The Hopewell Rocks. This is an area that has one of the biggest changes of tides in the world (up to 50 feet!). At Hopewell Rocks, you can actually walk on the ocean floor.

I arrived around noon, right at high tide.

 

I sat and worked while I waited for the moon to lose its grip a bit. The beach was open around 3:30. I tried to get a picture at the exact same spot. How did I do?

It was a nice stop.

Time to head out. To where? To home, in a sense. I set a goal of crossing back into the US by days end.

The ride on country roads was nice. Less so once I got on the freeway, but I was starting to get a bit concerned about my remaining daylight. The rest of New Brunswick passed without incident.

I crossed the border at…..I have no idea what time it was. I’ve been in way too many time zones. I just knew that I was probably not going to get set up in the daylight. The border guard was really nice and did not take the lone apple that I was carrying.

I headed for a spot called Reversing Falls park. The free camping website said that camping was “neither encouraged nor discouraged.” Might as well put out a welcome mat for me!

This looks legit:

I got set up on some inclined lumpy ground. Less than perfect, but it was nice to be “home.” I can’t begin to explain what a benefit it is to have access to mobile internet when on a trip like this. Being able to pull up weather radar and forecasts, accurate satellite maps, videos of cats being weird….it really is a great benefit!

Thanks for reading!

BA

 

Realtime update: In a library in Watertown, NY. I have decided to head across New York state, solely to check off Buffalo. It is out of the way, but will allow the rest of this loop to take an efficient path.

I’m still struggling a bit with my mentality and enthusiasm. I’ve been on the road for nearly four months and I can feel it wearing on me. I think being behind in my recording of this trip might be part of it, so I’m planning a few low mileage days to hopefully catch up. Thanks again for all of the prayers and support!