Salty Fog Riders Rally 2014: The Report

[tourunigo]

Welcome to the Salty Fog Riders Rally 2014 RIDE REPORT! Again we welcomed a very fine assembly of riders and visitors to our annual "rolling rally" This year the weather gods showed a wee bit of mercy and our stay in picturesque Larry's River (The Birthplace of the Salty Fog Riders Rally) and the subsequent three nights of camping on beautiful Cape Breton Island were excellent.

Food and relaxation remained a central theme for the stay at our home in Larry's River. This year camping was confined to in-house and barn (The Artist Loft) accommodations. With visitors from Mass., Ill., Ont., NS, PEI .... and England, a great time was had by all.

Now, on with the show!

Arrivals begin to settle in and then greet our youngest member, Willow (she even has her own Salty Fog Riders shirt).

The Artist Loft

With all accommodations in place, food emerged. Over the two days in Larry's River, copious quantities of Chicken Soup, Lasagna, Ham, Potato Salad, eggs, pancakes, sausages and an assortment of complimenting delights were provided. Did I mention soup? ... John....Bud...?

As Ron slips away with another bowl of excellent, always on the stove, chicken soup, it remains that food is never just sandwiches and soup! However, the 'Three Bowl John' memorial came under attack as Bud sucks back a number four. This is currently under scrutiny by Three Bowl John. (read report 2012 for some insight into that drama!).

The Memorial:

<img src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/tourunigo/Salty%20Fog%20Riders%20Rally%202011/th_DSC05420-1.jpg" border="0" alt="DSC05420 photo DSC05420-1.jpg" style="width: 160px;">

Bud The Challenger

A few more food and Salty Fog Cake pics...

This was Tom's official Fifth Year attending. An enthusiastic supporter of our little rally from day one!! A ceremonial poster of Mary's /5 painting, with appropriate lettering, was presented (I'm looking for that picture and will squeeze it in here when I find it) Found our production copy but I know that we had one of Tom holding it up. However, this is the award poster (18X24 I think). :

That means that he has to cut the cake...

And one more food picture before we go fishing tomorrow...Bud holds a piece of cake with a fallen bike showing? Just sayin'

Now, let's go fishing on the 'high seas'

 

[Bud]

Great start! Looking forward to the next installment.

 

[tourunigo]

A tradition at our rally is a group visit to John, owner of the Larry's River Village Grocery. It's tiny and worn but I am convinced that if you just ask, John has what you want ....... somewhere. Across the street from his store is his fallen hand made sign... a sad reminder of the plight of diminishing rural villages.

Crossing the footbridge (in front of the SFR Base Camp) we hoof it to visit John.

(archives photo of store; 2011 Salty Fog Riders Rally; John with SFR Alumni Penn Bob)

Now, off we go to throw out some hooks and witness the inevitable competition that emerges.... right Bud? right Mary?

Aye now Billy, 'ave ya ever bin t' sea? Well, we did again this year but a little further outside the bay where the swells make standing an interesting onboard two-step for some. Taking advantage of the services of Damien Delorey's lobster boat tours for relaxing, exploring and fishing for mackerel, we set forth on an overcast Monday.

and then.....

 

[Bud]

What you talkn bout Willis????

 

[tourunigo]

What you talkn bout Willis????

dang! ya'll know how this story goes eh Bud? hoho the saga unfolds tomorrow. - Bob

 

[tourunigo]

Out to sea on the Get Kraken...

Mo, Mary, Quinn and Bud calmly heading to rougher waters

Ship's captain, Damien, and son Kyle in the wheelhouse.

Mary and Bud 'sternly' jigging for mackerel. A sense of competition begins to emerge.

I think that the final tally is Mary 31 and Bud 26. They may have been the only folks counting, although my own count was a tease worthy 0. Damien's son Jayden was a great help in securing the catch as needed while Kyle chased down the loose ones sliding around on the deck. Lots of laughs for all.

Damien, Quinn and Paul relax during the sail back to port. But who's at the helm?

Six year old Kyle takes us into port... almost to the wharf. Dad yells out "do a donut!" so Kyle powers on with a tight turn to the left. A perfect donut in the bay.

Back to BBQ some fish and prepare to move on into the ride to Cape Breton Island

 

[Bud]

She cheated, she is a fishermans daughter!!!!!

 

[tourunigo]

After a bit of BBQ mackerel, soup (!), supper, a good night's sleep and a substantial but not excessive breakfast, we are ready to ride. This is the 500 mile/800km route:

Each year we ride around to the other side of the river, park in front of the 120 year old church and walk across to the 'painted rocks' to view and take some group pictures. These painted rocks portray the history of the Acadian expulsion by the British and the subsequent return of many to Nova Scotia.

This year we were fortunate to meet the artist, Monika, who was working on site to refurbish one of the paintings

Bud and Quinn do their own reenactment of one of the paintings

... time to ride

 

[tourunigo]

After a one hour ride we are ready to leave the mainland, cross the causeway, cross the Canso Canal bridge (which allows ships to move between the Northumberland Strait to the NW and Chedabucto Bay to the SE) and ride along the Trans Canada 105. Our first destination is to turn on route 223, just past Whycocomagh, and ride the cable ferry to Little Narrows.

 

[tourunigo]

One short cable ferry ride

Following route 223 to Iona and crossing the bridge through Grand Narrow, we take 216 through Eskasoni to a little road called Chapel Road. Chapel road winds down onto a thin strip of land which crosses a narrow section of the Bras d'Or Lake. This brings us up to route 4 and, turning right for about ten minutes, we arrive at Rita's Tea Room. ( www.ritamacneil.com and www.ritamacneil.com/pages/ritas-tea-room )

....Onward to first camp night in Louisbourg. Great food at the Lobster Kettle and fine musical theater at the Louisbourg Playhouse.

 

[Bud]

Tea? Did someone mention tea?

IIRC we had scrumptious deserts!

 

[Bud]

Looking forward to more.

 

[tourunigo]

..... sigh..... coming by weekend..... stuck behind a 'project eight ball'. Looking to start the 2015 info forthwith thereafter. - Bob

 

[Bud]

Thanks.

Ya have to do the work before you can play!!!!!!

 

[tourunigo]

Back on the road and heading for Louisbourg. Backtracking east on #4 we connect with 125 and then #22 down across Albert Bridge to Louisbourg, we quickly dispense with the 40mi (64km). The Louisbourg Motor Home Park has a sign out for our annual camping.

One air mattress left in Larry's River but liberating cushions from the 'hospitality room' allowed some relief...

After a short walk to the Lobster Kettle (http://www.lobsterkettle.com/ ) for supper (and just prior to our visit to the Louisbourg Playhouse ( http://louisbourgplayhouse.ca/), the 'food-fest' begins.

Was it something Bud said or just playing to Paul's camera?

After a fine supper, some of the boys went out for a game of pool

Next it's off to live theater at the Louisbourg Playhouse...

 

[Bud]

Thanks Bob.

If you look behind the campground, you can see the Salty Fog!

Good memories of a wonderful trip.

 

[tourunigo]

Quinn and Bud during audition session .... I think...

They didn't make the cut this year but the show moved forward for yet another fun evening. Each year has a different musical performance and it has become a permanent fixture in our yearly journey to showcase the extraordinary talent of Cape Breton Island.

... following the oatcakes and tea break, the show continues and then it's a short walk to camp. Tomorrow we head out for the KOA at the foot of Kelly's Mountain.... and cabins The group divides for choices of the amazing Fortress Louisbourg and the tour of the coal mine in Glace Bay. We will all meet at the KOA

 

[tourunigo]

Thanks Bob.

If you look behind the campground, you can see the Salty Fog!

Good memories of a wonderful trip.

Salty Fog is good for the skin eh?

 

[Bud]

Salty Fog is good for the skin eh?

It's good for the soul!

 

[chasman]

I have to go to this event!!! Thanks for posting the thread.