Subject: 240/10 A Trilogy--Part III
How to Fit 240 Hours Into 10 Days-A Trilogy
Part III
Fall Colors In Cape Chignecto
Relishing the opportunity to go to bed Thursday night without having to
get up early was really taken advantage of by sleeping in Friday until
8:00am.
Coffee, walk the dog, read the paper, pack my gear (got down to 31
pounds, no stove, gas, or pots) deciding to go with pre-cooked stuff as a
test.
Early afternoon and I'm off, having hiked the Trail a couple times in the
past springs, looking forward to a fall hike. I was to meet Dipper and
Sean Gaultais at Cape D'Or where we would spend the night just hanging out
in the area. I arrived around 4:00pm, no one there. ?????????? They left
before me. Found out they called my house after I had left and received
information that I was going to the campground, where they went.
I sat, ALONE, watching the Fundy Tides go in and go out, set up my bag at
the look off, wondering what happened to my buddies. I found out later
they were haveing sing songs around a big roaring campfire at the
Chignecto Trail Head with IMAX, Gordon Young, his daughter Becky, and
Jacquie Deguyer. Hope they had fun.
Saturday morning at the trail head, after moving 4 vehicles 10 km up the
dirt road to Eatonville, we were ready to set out on the 45 km hike at
9:15am.
All 12 were now here and included; the Sungod, Dipper, Sean, Imax,
PackItIn/PackItOut, Dudley, Dr. Young, daughter Becky, Recumbent Dave,
Jacquie, Ian Blair and our only K9, Frosty.
The weather forcast was cloudy, with rain in the afternoon, high winds,
clearing over night, and sunny on Sunday.--very accurate.
With packs hoisted (from 31 pounds to Imax's 45) away we went UP the
trail from the parking lot. The air was heavy but there was a chance of no
rain--no such luck. By the time we were climbing out of Mill Brook
Ravine, after a tough hike down and up from MacGinchy Ravine and a tough
hike down to Mill Brook it was pouring and we were soaked--main thing is
to keep the gear dry. After getting to the flatter land we came upon the
Mill Brook bunkhouse--locked but with an open window-after a dry down, hot
tea, lunch, etc. it was time to move on--it had basically stopped raining
but was blowing a storm-Maybe Mr. Hornstein was right this time.
Next was the sharp hike down to Refugee Cove and then UP again. These
climbs are 15 to 20 minutes long and steep-especially with full packs. We
were now at about 12 kms, 10 more to go that day. After getting out of
Mill Cove the going was much flatter for 5 km and then we turned 90* NE
along the Fundy Coast looking at New Brunswick. Some tough downs/ups, down
on single track trail, rocks, roots, mud, etc.
We arrived at Big Bald Campsite (22kms) around 5:15pm, it was starting to
get dark in the woods, and we started to make tent/tarp city, when Wayne
realized his little buddy (with his tent) was among the missing--good
local story to be told around a camp fire at another time.
We were cooking the goodies, and just socializing. Dipper, Ian, Sean, and
Sungod went down to the beach to see a display of ocean fury I have never
seen before. From the highwinds of the past 24 hours, the Bay of Fundy was
being funnelled into the small cove, at least 20 feet high, compressed,
and crashing onto the sands. SCARY!
It was at this time someone realized it was past 7:00pm and everyone
started to scramble for their bags. It was basically quiet time by 7:30
and there was no noise, other than the crashing surf and the wind, from
then on.
Trail time in the morning was to be 8:00am and you could hear the rustle
and bustle of zippers zipping, and stoves hissing around 6:30. Some were
packed and ready (IMAX among them) at 7:50 and they were off to the beach
where we all rendevoused at 8:00-----We were off, up/down, up/down, ravine
after ravine, packs seemed just as heavy with food gone, absolutely
gorgeaous views as we were always overlooking magnificent vistas.
Layed on the Beach at Seal Cove for lunch, tea, sandwiches, and hot
dogs. Where's the sun spray?
This is definitely a hike that has to be done at least every second
year.
There was lots of moaning on the ups and then lots of ohs, and ahs at the
top.
Finally we turned inland and hiked through the woods for the remaining 4
kms to the road where our cars were shuffled to. Finished around 3:00pm
(13km day)
We were off for a planned rendevous at Wendy's in Truro. When I got
there I noticed 2 chartered buses outside and a bunch of pr-teen female
soccer players wondering all over the place.
I learned many years ago you didn't go into a 'fast food' place that had
chartered buses outside--I probably missed some scintilating conversations
but it was on the road, with a Timmies in my hand and Queen screaming on
my CD player.
I wanted to get home.
I wanted to go to bed and not have to get up the next day.
I didn't want to do anything, at least for a few days.
This is why I'm retired isn't it??
Cheers
THE Sungod
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