2026 JULY (PART II)- East Coast - The Canadian Coddiwomplers*

 *Coddiwomple: “to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination."

On Friday morning we arose early - 5 a.m. Yikes.  We needed to pack up camp and get to Work and Play by 7:30 a.m. so there was time to unhitch the trailer before they were ready to fix the spring.  We overestimated how soon we had to be there, of course.  It was already a hot day.  Once they took Miss Adventure into the bay to inspect the axle and the other springs, we were invited to wait in their air conditioned waiting area - Mia too.  Mia received a lot of attention but she didn't behave well for a visitor.  Jerry took her back to the truck that was parked in the shade.

The technicians advised us to replace all four springs; however, they did not have them in stock and had to send someone to go and get the parts.  Consequently, the truck wouldn't be ready until noon so it was suggested that we go and find something to do.  We'd already done/seen everything that they suggested so we went shopping instead.  First stop was Costco for new pillows for me (Elizabeth).  For some reason the pillow marked as my trailer pillow was wrong - it was a most hated pillow that never should have been packed.  Then we went grocery shopping and by the time we returned to Work and Play, Clifford was ready to go.  We just had to pay the bill.

I have been wanting to tell you how good Mia has been travelling with us.  She settles down quite soon and tries to sleep on the console.  She also hasn't tried to get out of the trailer since Peterborough.  That is until this fateful Friday.  After being in the truck from 5 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. she was pretty hyper.  As we were setting up the trailer, I saw her fly out of the back door of the truck over Jerry's head - at least it looked like she jumped over his head.  She made a beeline for the bush at the back of our site and was gone in a flash.  The little orange menace.

We spent the rest of the daylight calling for her and enticing her to come back with treats and food.  I even left a dish of her favourite thin slices in gravy on the steps.  The bush was so dense that we couldn't go looking for her.  It got dark and we were certain she was gone for good.  She certainly wouldn't last the night with the wild creatures around.  We were very upset.  We sat in the trailer with the door open so we could see if she or anyone else came to eat the food.

Just as we'd decided to go to bed, Jerry heard a meow and she jumped up the steps into the trailer.  We were so happy she came back - for food and to use her litter box!  She came back without her collar and her rabies tag - thank goodness it was a breakaway collar - and her harness (yes she was still wearing the harness) around her belly instead of her neck and shoulders.  Her paws were stained with some kind of tar like substance.  Who knows what she got up to or who she met on her bush adventure.  We're so grateful that she came back.

We will be extra cautious when opening any doors from now on.

She slept the entire day on Saturday.

Our site at Wild Nature Campground.  Mia explored the bush to the left.

Our back yard to the right.

Saturday was a scorcher.  We took things easy but did go for a swim in the lake here at the campground.  It's a small spring fed lake that initially felt as warm as a bathtub.  Jerry liked that.  However, while swimming around I found the springs and boy was that water cold.  I liked that.  We also took the time to decide where we want to go and what we want to do while in the Shubenacadie area.  There was lots to do and we can't do it all.  We tried though.

The first thing we booked was tidal bore rafting on Sunday afternoon.  It was a medium tide day so apparently, the waves would not be really big.  I'd been looking forward to this activity for several months and concerned if I could actually take part.  We were assured that having some mobility issues wouldn't be a problem as the walk to the boats was only about 200 meters - they lied.  It was a bit of a struggle but I managed to climb down to the beach.

We rented a GoPro camera to record our trip.  You can see a clip below.  So the best waves happened at the beginning of the trip when we were too excited and concentrating on hanging onto the ropes so unfortunately, we forgot to turn on the camera.  You can get an idea of the fun but the clips really don't capture the experience.

Geared Up and ready to go.

Unfortunately the videos were from a rented Go-Pro and we're not pro's.  Many great shots were missed while trying to hang on!  Also too high a definition to upload conveniently so you'll have to take our word for it, it was fun.

We visited Springhill, Anne Murray's hometown.  She helped to establish an Anne Murray Centre that celebrates her life and career.  The profits from the centre are used to create employment in the town.  It was very interesting.  On display were lots of family pictures, items from her youth - including baby clothes and a prom dress.  There were numerous videos to watch of Anne's performances and interviews and of course recordings playing all the time.

Her father was the town doctor and her mom a nurse.  She grew up with four brothers and was it seems a tomboy.  After finishing school she taught physical education in PEI.  She auditioned for the Sing-a-Long Jubilee and wasn't cast the first time!  She did get accepted though the next year and it was the start of her success.

Anne Murray has won so many awards - Junos and Grammys and others I've never heard about before.  One room showed the trophies and the gold and platinum records and albums.  It was amazing to see them all.  Of course we left the place with a few ear worms "You needed me ..." and (Click here:) Can I Have This Dance

We heard there was a big blueberry in Oxford (the Wild Blueberry Capital of Canada) and just had to go out of our way to see it.  After all, we've seen lots of "big" stuff on our adventures - perogy, pistachio, coffee pot, beaver - I can't remember them all at the moment.  We needed a fruit in the collection. This berry was a little disappointing.  

The poor blueberry was stuck in the corner of an old gas station.  There wasn't even a sign.  No blueberries for sale either - of course, as Jerry pointed out, it wasn't blueberry season.

We noticed that Oxford celebrates their graduates by hanging banners from the hydro poles.  Each banner was sponsored by a different business or family and friends.

Next blog we visit Truro and the Grand-Pre National Historic Site.

Take care all.

Love from,

Jerry, Elizabeth, Mia (the orange menace), the Guys,

Miss Adventure Too and 

Clifford the Big Red Truck