A Welcome Boondock – Chapter 2 August 31 – Sept 2

Looking for WallMart alternatives, we checked the Boondockers Welcome site for possibilities in the miles ahead.  Hearing that Lunenburg was a worthwhile area to see, we found a Boondock site very nearby and applied to stay.  Headed that way from Halifax, we took a short detour and checked out Graves Island Provincial Park for a short hike on the way.

Not set up for big RVs, we had a bit of a challenge getting on the island (the one lane bridge was a clue) and getting parked, but Rob’s pretty much mastered his craft and got us in safely.   The hike wasn’t much of a hike really.  It was more of a quick path around the campground.  But hike we did, thankful for the break from the road and the breath of fresh air. 

When I found a patch of berries along the way, I grabbed a handful and munched.  And then I found more.  And more!  We finished the loop and I grabbed a container and went berry picking!  I got another couple miles added on my hike total and had over a quart of fresh picked black raspberries to show for my effort!   

Less than an hour later we were pulling into the designated spot at our next Boondocker location waved in by smiling hostess Darby.  Darby and husband Mike have their own RV in the main drive and save the 2^nd drive for folks passing through.  We said our hellos and got settled and they headed out for a party they were due at while we got on our bikes for a ride down the trail to Lunenburg to see what it was all about.

11km down the rails to trails path, we found lovely Lunenburg.  A UNESCO Heritage site, it’s a lovely working waterfront town with picturesque homes on the hillside and quaint shops in abundance.  We enjoyed our wander through town along the waterfront and up the hillside.  We found the local brewery and tried their wares (so to speak), creating a more challenging bike ride the remaining 11KM back!

It was such a treat to return to our homey campsite for the night.  We pulled out our chairs and some apps and watched the sun set over the lovely town of Mahone Bay.  The setting sun over the lovely waterfront called our names and we decided to take a stroll around town. 

We didn’t expect to be out that night but wandered by the local pub just as the music was starting.  And that settled that!  After several pints and a bartender’s choice (Sex on the Beach … really?!) cocktail later, we found our way back for a peaceful night.

We found an invite for morning muffins on our door on our return so the next morning found us knocking on our hosts’ door bright and early.  Walking in to fresh baked chocolate raspberry scones, we got to know Mike and Darby over an amazing breakfast treat!

This is what RVers brag about all the time.  This community of fellow travelers are a pretty special bunch!  Mike and Darby invited us to stay another night with an offer to show us more of the area and before we knew it, we were all piling into their car for a trip to Oak Island. 

Any of you out there know about this buried treasure media hype of a place?  Well, we hadn’t ever heard of it!  For those of you like us, this location has been being excavated since the late 1700’s with the promise of buried treasure.  You wouldn’t have believed the number of “believers” on site!  Cameras poised and stories enthusiastically told, it was clearly “the thing”!  Hey, John Wayne and FDR were both on board over time – oh my.

With that under our belt, we joined forces for lunch on the Adirondack chairs before heading out to treat our hosts to their local homemade ice cream.   YUMM!!!  It was to be a day of indulgence for sure!  Being in the business for 30 years, we know good ice cream.  This was!  Three of us had Skoreo – a blend of English toffee and Oreo ice cream while Mike had the peach and no one was disappointed.

The afternoon was spent with more graciously offered sightseeing.  We went out to small fishing villages, special geologic rock formations and exquisite waterfront views.  We stopped at a little farm market on the roadside and scored some fresh veggies.  Mike and Darby were the most gracious and accommodating tour guides!  If so much as an “ah” was heard, the car would stop with windows rolled down for picture taking.

The night ended with happy hour on the side porch with lots of RV maintenance challenges discussed and favorite destinations shared before we parted ways having an early exit planned for the morning.  Having pulled into the drive barely 24 hours earlier, we headed back to our rig at days end having new friends added to the ever-growing list.  These boondocking stays were definitely going to be a favorite go to from now on!