August 10, 2007

 Coincidences …

Three nights ago we pulled out of the Digby campground and drove about 50k up the road to a place coincidentally called “Parker’s Cove”  It’s a protypical Maritimes fishing village overlooking the Bay of Fundy.

Airstreas Caravan parked.

When we got to the entrance to the campground we were interested in checking out, I looked down into it and saw that it was completely packed … with about 30 Airstreams.  This after having seen only one in our first four days of travelling.  So, we excitedly pulled in hoping they’d have space for us and they did – only two left, one of which was right on the edge of the Bay where we see huge tidal fluxes twice a day.  So, we decided to settle in for about 4 days and relax a bit.

Boats at low tide in Parker's Cove.

We quickly learned all about the Wally Byam Caravan Club, basically Airstream’s version of a retirement community.  They were in the midst of a two month caravan from New England, through New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Islands.  They were on us like pigs on slop – trying to convince us of the merits of joining their club.  We figured that it was some kind of ponzi scheme, until we read the some of the membership materials they gave us and realized there’s a prize for the retiree who converts, I mean recruits, the most members – a whopping $250.  Anyway, they were all very helpful, especially when our jack busted and we didn’t have the tool to manually crank it.  Frank and Colet, from the Alabama contingent, across the way from us, gave us an extra manual crank tool they had on hand.  And they gave us all kinds of advice about  the airstream in general, some of which would have been useful before we had made our first handful of mistakes.  

The first day was spent very close by exploring the rocks and tidal pools that are exposed a low tide.  And walking down by the wharf to see the fishing boats settled onto stretchers on the Bay bottom, exposed by the low tide and awaiting the rushing water to be lifted back up to the top of the wharf, which is about 50 feet high!

Dinner at sunset in Parker's Cove.

We went into “town”, Annapolis Royal, and explored Fort Anne, originally built by the French in the early 1700s and then occupied by the British – which featured amazing “earth works” around the fort to protect it from oncoming attackers.  Kell was fascinated by the nearly vertical earthen walls, which he managed to scamper up with his limber little body.

Kell exploring the tidal pools at Parker's Cove.

That night, there was a big rain/wind storm – which unfortunately blew over our satellite dish and busted it.  But at least we got the awnings in before they blew off too.  The waves were wild and it’s been blessedly cool since the storm passed.

Yesterday, Miles finally settled into doing some work, and while he did that, Kell and I went up to Kejimekujik National Park – an inland wilderness park.  Of course, saying that something is “inland” here is really a misnomer.  It seems like everything here is connected by some waterway, large or small, to the Bay and the Ocean.  In fact, the Natives who once lived here, the Mi’cmaq, were said to have traveled in birch bark canoes from the Bay of Fundy, up through several rivers and lakes, through “Keji” as they call it, clear through to the Atlantic Ocean.  Anyway, we kayaked on the main river through Keji and up to the main lake, spying small signs of life, including a Blandings turlle, an endangered species that only lives near Keji.  We also hiked around Mills Falls until I had to drag Kell away from his incessant games of “Pooh” sticks (thanks Auntie Linda!).  

We’re still working on adjusting to being in such close quarters together and figuring out who’s responsible for what.  Read – I’m still having a hard time being a full-time housefrau and mother.  I really enjoy not working, but I don’t’ enjoy feeling like nothing gets done “at home” unless I do it or ask for it to be done.  I’ve realized that I need breaks, even small ones, from being with Kell 24/7, which has been fun but also trying.  He’s been really testing my limits and finding out how easy it is to interrupt my otherwise calm demeanor (not!).  He’s also a good negotiator, just now, I was asking him not to use the office chair as a toy, spinning it and spinning it, and he said, “Can I spin it this much?” (fingers held an inch apart).  He elaborated, “That’s not even a turn.”  Ughhh.

As I write, the last of the 30 airstreams has pulled out of the campsite – on their way to the next destination in their caravan, and leaving our lone aistream on this patch of grass on the Bay … we’ll have to be the spokesmen in their absence I guess.

Miles and Kell working on satellite configuration.

Sunset at Parker's Cove.