Last Wednesday, I made the short, backroads drive down the Glooscap Trail from Truro to Five Islands, where there’s a nice provincial park right on the Bay of Fundy. And my site? Best view in the campground.
Every time I looked out my window or my door, I was a very happy camper. I watched the tides go in and out for five days and the view never, ever got old.
I went hiking down on the floor of the Bay at low tide, with Alto friends Kathy and Wayne. We met a painter in town for the Plein Air festival, and maybe we will be in her painting, as we had been climbing on the lower part of the rocks in the photo as she was preparing. How fast does the tide come in? She and her kids had to run with her painting supplies to get to shore after mistiming it!
Later that day, we took a short hike on the Red Head Trail. Odd name, but when you get to the other end, you understand why…
Sunday was a sad day. I had to leave Nova Scotia after only three weeks of exploring. I want to come back here, I could spend months exploring this place. Still, the goal is to get to Quebec in July, so move on I did. Three hours of driving got me to Prince Edward Island and this adorable little lighthouse.
Despite a rough beginning (hordes of mosquitoes the first day that have since mostly disappeared and a power outage to start the second day), I am camping in quite a beautiful place.
Given the events of the last few weeks, I want to put in a note that vagabonding is not all vacation and play time. Wherever you go, you still carry all your baggage with you. Rather than have you think I am on a permanent vacation where everything is coming up roses, I want to be more upfront about when I face lows and other challenges and how I deal with those times. Maybe this will help someone, maybe it won’t. But at least I will feel more honest about how the weeks pass, instead of painting a pretty picture and leaving out the messy bits. Life is messy. And so am I.
I’ve worked hard the last few years to unload some of my emotional baggage and figure out what works to keep me balanced and calm. I got away from those things a bit after the debacle of Tick Tuesday (see last week’s post) and a week later, I could tell I had started on a gradual downward slide. This time, though, I was able to look at what I had been doing – or more importantly, not doing – and change things. I made myself go for two long walks yesterday, and have a solid lunch and dinner and then I watched a movie on my laptop instead of working on my website. Today, I feel better. I am not out of the depression woods yet, but I am on the right path and I am paying attention to how I take care of myself.
And those walks? They started right here. This is the beach access that is a two minute walk from my campsite. Yes, I am back to the beach. Yay! (Also, beaches do NOT have ticks.)
The beach is a long, sandy stretch at anything other than high tide. Last evening’s walk was full of sun, clouds, and light, as well as the slightly incoming tide.
I’m on PEI till early next week, which seems like just enough time to realize I will want to come back here, too, in future.
I was talking about mosquitoes.
I’ve been taking Vitamin B6 lately and so far have only had a couple of bites. I applied Anbesol to them for immediate relief and healing. I also dab essential peppermint oil to my shoes and cuffs. So far, have been enjoying summer outside. Love the scenery.
Thanks for reading my post and leaving a comment, Sarah. I did enjoy Truro, especially the Tidal Bore, that is amazing! I also went to the Colchester Historeum because my mother’s side of the family came to the US from Truro, and some of them are buried in Robie Cemetery (founds some graves, not others). So it was interesting to drive around and imagine what Truro was like in the mid-1800s when they lived there and in Stewiacke.
I feel badly over your tick experience. I live in Truro but have never encountered a tick there (although they are becoming more plentiful). Our hospital is very nice but I hope you were able to enjoy some of the other things our town has to offer!
We can definitely compare strategies. Reading Robin’s book makes me appreciate your relationship all the more for having witnessed it in person this month. The movie? Molly’s Game. So far out of my experience and current setting that it was a total escape flick, with a twist of an ending that paid off.
Hi, Judy, I’m looking forward to meeting you as well! As I said in the other comment, but not sure you would get notified, “Tick Tuesday was in last week’s update, I may not have called it that at the time, but it loomed so large in my psyche it got that name over the next few days.” I hate ticks.
Tick Tuesday was in last week’s update, I may not have called it that at the time, but it loomed so large in my psyche it got that name over the next few days.
We hope you do come back to the Maritimes, we enjoyed your company and helping with your tour direction. So many great places that had to be skipped for lack of time!
Robin and I have certainly had our share of lows. We have been working hard at staying positive in the present, in spite of dark clouds in our past (or future). Next time we see you, maybe we can compare strategies.
Which movie did you watch?
Hi Annie,
I concur, no Tick Tuesday that I saw.
Nova Scotia and PEI are beautiful places and good for the soul. I so look forward to meeting you in Quebec.
A bientôt mon amie,
Judy
Annie, I’m not sure Tick Tuesday got posted–I don’t recall reading nor can I find it in my notifications. I used to encounter many ticks in the dune grasses at the beach, so do be careful about that. The honesty in your posts is appreciated. Camping can be exhausting…