Helen's Home World: July 2024

Sunday, July 28, 2024

East Coast RPod Adventure

This summer's big camping trip was a month-long journey to Nova Scotia and back. We started out on 10 Jun and arrived back home on 12 Jul, staying at 4 commercial campgrounds and nine provincial parks. We added a one-night stop at one of the St Lawrence parks to make the drive to Levis, Qc just a bit shorter. I arrived at Glengarry before my sister and brother-in-law, so I tried to back in my trailer onto the site. Do you think I could get it straight? No, I couldn't so I decided to park it across the site which lined it up better for the electrical outlet anyway.

Glengarry Campground

We were off to Levis, Qc the next day for a two night stay so we could go over to Old Quebec City. We camped at a campground called Camping Transit. From Levis, you can take a ferry over to Old Quebec and the ferry is dog friendly.

Camping Transit

Old Quebec

We spent a nice afternoon walking around the lower part of Old Quebec having a few drinks and snacks. There is a funiculaire up to the top that is dog friendly but we decided that it costed to much to make it worthwhile going up.

Next stop was a one night stop in Edmundston, NB at the Republique Provincial Park. If you ever go here, there's botanical garden next door that is really quite nice. The next stop was Mactaquac Provincial Park, near Fredericton, NB. We stayed here three nights so we could replenish our groceries and so I could have a chance to visit some friends. Mactaquac PP has a golf course with a restaurant, as it was calling for rain the night we arrived we took advantage of the restaurant.

Republique Provincial Park

Mactaquac Provincial Park

Ribs for dinner

Our next and last stop in New Brunswick on the journey to Nova Scotia was at New River Beach. While the rest of the province was in a heat wave, we were in a misty cold area but subject to the provincial fire ban.

New River Beach

While at New River Beach, we went to St Andrews By the Sea. We walked around the town a bit, went to a dog friendly brewery and restaurant. We also walked one of the trails in the park. And the fire ban did get lifted while we were there so we did have a campfire at least some of the time.

The next stop was one night at Five Islands Provincial Park in Nova Scotia, then it was on to Valleyview Provincial Park.

Sunset at Five Islands

Five Islands Provincial Park

Five Islands Campsite

In Valleyview, our nephew joined us and we visited Fort Anne and a cousin who is posted to the military base in Greenwood.

Valleyview Provincial Park

In Valleyview, we again had a fire ban but were able to use the fire bowl I had purchased just before the trip. We found another very dog friendly brewery in Annapolis Royal. Dogs weren't just allowed on the patio but inside the brewery too.

Fort Anne National Historic Site

Annapolis Brewing Company

The next stop was Digby, Nova Scotia, our principal destination. We wanted to see the sites , of course, but the main reason for going here was to visit with our mother's youngest brother and his family. We stayed at the Digby Campground, a commercial campground right in town and very close to where our uncle lives. He surprised us by walking down after he saw our posts on FaceBook. While in Digby we enjoyed fresh seafood meals including a great scallop supper with our aunt and uncle, walked around Digby, went to the Admiral Digby Museum, drove out Bear River, NS, took a drive out to the Point Prim lighthouse and the various locations celebrating Maude Lewis.

Communal campfire pit

Maud Lewis grave

Bear River Winery

Lazy Bear Brewery

Admiral Digby Museum

Digby Harbour

Haddock, Scallops and chips

Point Prim Lighthouse

Maud Lewis Replica House

After Digby, we were off to Elm River campground then to Amherst Shore Provincial Park. We had a nice evening at Elm River but had rain most of the next morning so we opted to go to the Masstown Market for breakfast. While we were there we ran into our sister and her husband from PEI, who were just heading home from a trip to Halifax, NS.

Elm River Campsite

Elm River

While at Amherst Shore, we visited Pugwash and the Thinker's Lodge. The Thinker's Lodge wasn't open so we were only able to view it from the outside. I also got to take the dogs to the beach. Not the beach in our park as it was a one kilometer walk to get there but one just down the highway.

Amherst Shores

Jost Winery

Thinker's Lodge

Then it was back to New Brunswick and Parlee Beach Provincial Park in Shediac. Another sister and her husband were camping fairly close by in Caisse Cape so we were able to see them and their grandsons while we were in Shediac as well we visited with our brother who lives in Moncton.

Parlee Beach Provincial Park

The Big Lobster, Shediac, NB

Visiting my parents grave site

Pumphouse Brewery

Pioneer Museum

Caisse Cape

Point du chene wharf

The last leg of the journey had three stops, a three night stay in Sugarloaf Provincial Park in Campbelltown, NB and two one night stops in Quebec, at Rayon Soleil in Riviere de Loup and in Drummondville. In Campbelltown, we went to the Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site and walked the esplanade in town.

Sugarloaf Provincial Park

The Restigouche National Historic Site

Sugarloaf Mountain

Range Light Campbelltown

Restigouche Sam

Dalhousie Big Chair

Then it was on to our last two stops before heading home. Luckily at Rayon Soleil we were towards the back and we were there during the week not a weekend or I think that campground would have been Teddy's worst nightmare. It seemed like every other seasonal trailer had a golf cart parked out front. Teddy hates those things. Camping des Voltigeurs was a nice provincial park in Drumondville. If you wanted to explore Drummondville it would be a good base. There's even a paved multiuse trail right beside the campground.

Rayon Soleil

Seasonal camper's site

Another seasonal site

Camping des Voltigeurs

Last Campfire

It was a good trip but it was nice to get home. Podrick is back at his winter home so that I have the driveway to park in and so he can get some work done. There were issues with the converter on this trip but luckily with a little fist bump now and again , the refrigerator and lights kept working. I hope to take him back out for a short trip in Sep.

Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother