At 6 in the morning low clouds hung over the open field.   People were milling around; some anxiously waiting for their names to be called and others, including us, sipping coffee and waiting for something to happen.   Weather delay…rats.  A change in launch location…double rats.  We had gotten up early to watch the Atlantic Balloon Fiesta in Sussex NB but the weather was just not cooperating.  Between the low ceiling and nearly still wind conditions the whole thing was looking pretty iffy.  Finally the weather broke just enough to give the go ahead.  They sent part of the group to another field so they had a chance of reaching landing sites with the still nearly calm winds.  We stayed to watch about 14 lift off near us.

Baskets appear out of trailers and within minutes burners roar at the ready.  Bright strips of fabric stretch out across the dewy grass.  Fan motors roar and one by one the balloons begin to take shape as the light billowy fabric inflates.  Burners ignite and the now weightless orbs pop upright over their baskets straining to be free.  Riders climb aboard and tethers are released.  They are off.

There was an elephant balloon.  The pachyderm stands on one front leg is a perfect circus pose.  The pilot’s basket looks miniscule beneath it.

There was a colossal haunted house balloon with bats and ghosts and pumpkins.

They all hovered today so we had wonderful views as the patterns and colors slowly rotated above us.  I am sure it was a bit of a nightmare for the pilots as they jockeyed for space and to find some current to be on their way.  For the spectator though, it was pretty magical.  Well worth the early start to the day.

Strong, cool, ocean born winds pushed the waves up to crash on the seaweed strewn shore and rock outcroppings scattered across the bay.   The sun set and the outcroppings disappeared as the tide came in.  Throughout the night the ocean sounds continued just 20 feet or so outside our front door. Indian Harbour,NS.  This is a beautiful place King Neptune Campground.

King Neptune Campground, Indian Harbor NS

The plan, check out the far end of Cabot Trail toward Ingonish.  The drive included probably 15 overlooks to check out ocean shore views and deep wooded valleys.  We hiked to a look-off over a beautiful fresh water lake separated from the salty seas by a thin strand of beach.  Another walk took us out Middle Head for some rugged open ocean views.   The working harbors in Heidi Cove and Ingonish were filled with colorful lobster and fishing boats safely tucked behind mammoth stone seawalls.  With a couple hundred pictures and some tasty locally made pastry we headed home.

Just when you aren’t looking, the moose show up.  Four of them.

A cow, minding her own business along the wooded roadside near the Benji Lake trailhead (yes, the same lake where we came up mooseless days ago)

A bull moose, also along the roadside.   I don’t think he will get the ladies this year though.  His rack wasn’t much bigger than his ears.

A cow and calf.  We saw Mom first.  She looked a little antsy and soon we saw why.  Junior was back in the bushes a little further.  We had stopped along the roadside and she acted like she would come at us.  Ultimately though, she was more interested in urging the youngster off into the bush with her.

It was a good moose day!

Close the day out with a sunset over the ocean (from a roadside pull-off this time) and a bald eagle fly over.  It’s all ok by me.

Just a short hike from camp is a look-off (as they call it here) over the Shubenacadie River just a few miles upriver from Fundy.  The tidal bore gave a pretty good show here too.  There wasn’t a vertical wall of water just lots of foamy swirling current.  We watched about 20 zodiacs ride the tidal bore induced rapids swirling around each other like bumblebees as they each tried to maximize their time in the roughest water.  It’s a really popular thing…it did look like fun.