Bluenoser's Log...trip down Kareoke Rd.

[leslie(nova scotia)]

From the land of the Bluenose....well we headed out early Saturday morning with Marie singing backup vocals to the song "On the Road Again" with Willie Nelson as I was plugging my ears and at least enjoying a Tim's which is quite the feat while driving and listening to them two!

After two and a half hours drive along the coast we ended up where Andy and I had been the previous week. Sure was a relief to get out of the car and turn the "Kareoke" machines off. Heading to the little lake that had been so productive I was immediately taken back.....by the wind which was blowing with gusto. After a mere 15 minutes I had to exit the water where the waves had jostled and knocked me about so bad that I thought I'd just gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson (minus the ear bite..that would come later). Did manages a kid's ring and half a dozen coins. So after another stop at Tim's to help me gain my senses it was back on to provincial highway #103 to Yarmouth and a resumption of Marie's rendtion of the top 1000 hits of all time.

Must say Goquickski was performing admirably, maybe too good as I prayed to the "Ford Maker " gods for a total meltdown of the stero system in the car to no avail. Of course my problem was minor compared to that of the local porcupines who were having one "b###h" of a day trying to cross the highway and ending up as roadside kill smorgus boards for the crows who were obviously enjoying the 20 , give or take a few, buffets between Shelburne and Yarmouth. Even skunks got into the act of charitable donations for the "Save the Starving Crows Fund."

A couple of side trips to new spots didn't pan out and we arrived in Yarmouth in time to dine at China Court (yuk is my review of the food) and found find a spot to bed down. This was a tad on the difficult side as most hotels were booked up and we finally found a motel on the out skirts called the El Rancho which was not bad in price and comfort till Marie bite my ear and turned it into the "El Rauncho." Hard for some bouys to get a moments piece after a hard day a swishing!

Spots in Yarmouth along the Milo and Darling Lakes were nonexsistant...so much for the "Doer's and Dreamer's " guide to Nova Scotia as they were either too deep or too muddy to swing. So it was with great haste that we departed Yarmouth and hit a park several miles away after missing the turnoff twice...da! Here's what made the journey worthwhile as it was just a great spot to dig. While Marie spread her towel, put her walkman on and sang the blues I entered heaven and dug for three hours straight. Great spot. Emptying my loot bag turned out to be entertainment for Marie who was sorting the retrieved items out and was beseiged by a group of young, inquisitive children who she quickly passed out a few kid's rings to. Man was I tired after all that digging.

The following day we were again on the road bright and early and about noon stopped to get Marie an ice cream. I make a habit of asking the store clerks about swimming spots and this one panned out as she directed us to a fishing and game lodge that is used by the public. Mr. Man thought I was in hillbilly land as when we arrived there a flea market and hootenanny were in full swing. Made me instantly appreciate Marie and her vocal talents as the air was filled with what sounded like a dying dog. Went inside the lodge and looked for the man in charge to ask permission although the lady at the ice cream store had indicated it was used by the public. So where was he? Of course logic dictated that the fellow behind the bar must be the main man and sure enough the nail was hit on the head. Permission was granted along with a free cup of coffee and an invite to join in on the music. The coffee I took declining the latter as I explained that every Sunday at St. John Vianney when I sang at mass they throw me out. The beach area was small but did yield a lot of coins which seemed reluctant to come out of the concrete bottom. Of course a lady from one of the trailers that border on the lodge approached me saying that a diamond ring was lost there last summer as she nearly tripped into the water spilling her most wonderful beverage...instantly memories of Mr. Bud Wiser flashed before me. No ring nor Bud was found and after an hour we hit the road again.

On a sad note I feel kind of bad in that I didn't notice till about a 100 kilometers down the road what had happened at the gas station where I filled up. Put $39 worth of gas into Goquickski and purchased two $2 crossword scratch tickets for Marie and gave the clerk a $50 bill as the total came to $43 dollars. Upon opening my wallet later in the day I found that the clerk had given me back $43 and not the $7 that I should have received. Well was too far to drive back and only hope that the clerk didn't lose it out of her pay.

Final dig on the way home was at one of my favourite lakes for digging . Warm, clear sunny day and no wind made for excellant conditions. Marie surprised me by taking over the helm and swishing for a half hour finding a loonie, dime and nickel. Goes to show you that anyone can partake in this hobby. As she was handing my gear back we had a visitor which my scoop quickly snatched up and deposited near the life guard stand. No supper couteousy of this bouy for that leech. Hit coins galore and also my best find of the trip. Fits nice on Marie's finger too boot. From there it was an hour trip home; arrived tired and satisfied. Of course she has the week off and I return to the grind tomorrow.

Totals for the trip include 237 coins@ $21.52, 2 dinkies, 4 silver rings, 68 dime, 3 kids rings (given away) and a gold 10k ring with an aquamarine stone flanked by two small diamonds with an 3 heart intertwined setting and 843 kilometers on the car.