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Salty Fog Rally 2012: What A Trip!

On the way to the KOA, Mary and I stop for a quick bite and a reprieve from the rain at this Cape Breton landmark eatery and meet up with Three Bowl John (pictured) http://www.yelp.ca/biz/a-and-k-lick-a-chick-restaurant-bras-d-or (one site example)

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And, across the street (although we did not visit)...

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Life at the KOA begins to take form with cabins for all....except for Wayne applying the skills of a survivalist. And he stayed dry while surrounded by tiny lakes!

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A short ride across the Seal Island bridge to the only open restaurant - Fitzgerald's.

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Fixing Nick's 'wardrobe malfunction'...

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After that fine meal we hunker down in the group activity room at the KOA. Some adult beverages and animated conversation flowed as damp clothing and related gear spun in the dryers

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It is unlikely that Meat Cove will remain in the plan. A call to the owner suggests to us that the severe winds and rain will make the ride in a bit chancy and tenting clearly not advisable. We'll check this out again as we ride up the eastern side of the trail tomorrow. A 'Plan B' is in the works. On the plus side, this will be a unique opportunity to get close to severe ocean turbulence. A truly majestic sight. After a stop for breakfast at The Clucking Hen the fun will really start.:lurk
 
Those are my favourite kinds of conversations - with the right (small) crowd, and after a day of enjoying a favourite activity. :D
 
Next morning it's wrap up tight and roll up the east side of the Cabot Trail (BTW, an Italian explorer was an early arrival and, being a somewhat important figure in world history, this trail is named for him. Just Google it.) Onward! Into the "misty moisty morning".

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....and when you get that 'why me' feeling as you climb at a significant angle with the wind and rain ramping up the challenge, you can think about the ride endured by adventurers before you on the same track...

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Ok, let's go to breakfast at the Clucking Hen
 
Three to the edge of the earth

The mythical/mystical Meat Cove camping is not happening. The owner says huge wind and rain. No place for the Edge of the Earth Gathering this year. However, three adventurers on gs's (Frank, Kelly and Wayne) ventured in while the rest moved onward to a Pleasant Bay motel ( Plan B).

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Plan B......... as the sun starts to break through on the west side of the trail

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And now, as Van The Man sang..... the bright side of the road :twirl
 
WOW! What a difference 50km/30min makes....

I had no idea crossing the mountain would have such an impact on that areas weather. Aptly named Pleasant Bay!!!
Now that was a good call... Plan B. "B" was for better on that day; with an ending of a ride that turned out really great.

"travel'in" john salty fog 11/12
 
I had no idea crossing the mountain would have such an impact on that areas weather. Aptly named Pleasant Bay!!!
Now that was a good call... Plan B. "B" was for better on that day; with an ending of a ride that turned out really great.

"travel'in" john salty fog 11/12

.... and tomorrow, the rest of the story....barefoot riding, Three Bowl John loses his pants, Quinn serves up a killer brew and three guys light up stogies that would make the Rat Pack proud. And then, a glimpse of single malt whiskey lined up in $20,000 barrels.... and a few fortunate souls had the opportunity to taste directly from the barrel!
 
Now... I uh... can't speak for all of us...

But I personally have only two reasons:

1. Somebody's gotta be first

2. In celebration of dry ground & cold beer!


I seldom revel alone when both occur simultaneously. Usually big party with happy people, food & beverage & cigars!.... :brow

"three bowl" john
 
But I personally have only two reasons:

1. Somebody's gotta be first

2. In celebration of dry ground & cold beer!


I seldom revel alone when both occur simultaneously. Usually big party with happy people, food & beverage & cigars!.... :brow

"three bowl" john

... that special picture will lead the next installment this afternoon..... and tomorrow is a new year and a new year gets us thinking about Salty Fog 2013. Looks like we might get a chartered lobster boat .... docked in front of our Larry's River door..... for a fishing run in the bay for 2013. More on that later though. Today we finish the rest of the 2012 story. :lurk
 
So, about those pants. Sometimes rain gear does not come off as 'easily' as it went on. Such was the struggle experienced by Three Bowl John upon arrival at the Mountain View Motel and Restaurant in Pleasant Bay. An excellent and welcome post storm oasis http://www.themountainview.com/

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Like the cabins at the KOA, the very hospitable and creative management/staff assisted in providing very affordable accommodations for all (love that 'seniors discount'). The bright sun, group assembly on the tarmac, the crackling sound of beer cans popping as steam rose from equipment scattered about


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Of course she doesn't ride this way, this picture of a short turn around was so unique and seemed to express some of the festive mood of the moment...after her ride into a windy and wet Meat Cove, Kelly had plenty to celebrate!

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The restaurant now had a long assembly of tables set for us so let the feast begin.... :eat:eat:eat:eat:eat:eat etc
 
Jeeeeeze, Kelly, not a drop of mud on that bike after the Meat Cove Rd in the rain, and John didn't spill a drop of/on his can either. :laugh
 
Folks will wonder....

...and your correct Tom, about the bike! It had to be that Cape Saint Lawrence "rinse cycle" we rode through crossing Cape Breton
Highlands NP enroute to Pleasant Bay. Even her toes look clean! .:laugh
 
On to the the on-site restaurant: an excellent presentation and product! A short walk across the parking lot and.....

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After a very satisfying meal, a short yet slower walk back to our rooms and a plan to turn Mary and Bob's room into the Hospitality Suite
 
The last two items on the previously mentioned list is 1) Quinn's 'Killer Brew' and 2) Three stogies....

The Brew (does anyone attending remember the concoction recipe?)

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The Stogies:

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And general humor and conversation

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Tomorrow, the final day of the rally, some of the group will skip the tour of the single malt whiskey distillery and continue onward to homeward bound adventures while those remaining will get an unexpected special tour of the facilities and a peek at some things not on the usual tour plan.
 
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