Last Camping Trip of the 2012 Season

Oct. 7/12 was the last provincial campground camping weekend for the 2012 camping season and It wasn't my weekend with my little boy and most of my Rv'ing camping friends had either put their campers away or were finished for the season. I wanted to get one more camping weekend in as well as to get away from the city even if that mean't camping by myself. So I decided that I didn't want to stay at a provincial campground as I would be kinda isolated as well as dependent on my generator for power. This is usually not a huge deal during the summer

months when it's warmer but when the weather is colder and you want to use an electric heater instead of all your propane plus battery power, it becomes a bigger deal plus the fact you can only run generators from 10am in the morning until 8pm at night in NS provincial campgrounds. I decided that a campground near a town with two or three way hookups would be the way to go for this camping trip. I have always been fond of Lunenburg and their artistic community and galleries. I made a quick decision that Lunenburg would be a great spot as my trailer resides in Chester and the drive from Chester to Lunenburg is not that far. However finding a campground close by and with the proper amenities might be a bit of a challenge. Of course Google played a huge part in finding a campground almost in the town of Lunenburg called; The Lunenburg Board of Trade Campground (http://www.lunenburgns.com/the-lunenburg-board-of-trade-campground.html) and it's literally a 5 min. walk to downtown Lunenburg. I have been RV'ing or camping for about 11 years now and I have never heard of this campground. Making reservations was pretty easy as it was off-season. I arrive about 3pm on a Thurs. and have everything setup by about 5:30pm. I will say that this is NOT the “ hard core “ campers campground as there is very little wilderness and it is next door to a nursing home PLUS no campfires allowed due to it being in the town. I really didn't care as this was perfect for my agenda this weekend. I am usually pretty tired after picking my trailer up in Chester and getting it hooked on and then the drive ( which really wasn't too far) and then to disconnect and have everything set up to perfection. Next on the itinerary was food and a sociable. I head downtown Lunenburg ( by foot of course ) and before I get my fix of edibles, I decide to walk along the waterfront part of the town and take a few pics. with my Iphone. It's dusk and not a lot of people around being that it is off-season but the quiet and serenity of this small town is perfect. I ended up finding a bar and grill called the Grand Banker(http://www.grandbanker.com) with a great menu, nice wait staff and looked over the water and Lunenburg Golf course ( which you can barely see now as it it's dark ). After Dinner and the walk back to the campground, I call it a day.

I never sleep in but I slept until 9am Friday morning so my day had a late start and I had made arrangements with a pastor friend of mine to have coffee for 10am at Kate's Sweet Indulgence Catering and Cafe  (http://www.sweetindulgence.ca). Steve Hiltz and I haven't seen each other in 25 years and I think we could have talked all day but just stayed the hour or so and then Steve took me to Blue Rocks where both him and I got our photography gear out. It was not the best time of day ( Cloudy ) but we snapped a few being “ Photog "   guys. SteveH. had to leave due other commitments and I drove to another scenic place in and around Lunenburg called Stonehurst.

Believe it or not I have not been to Blue Rocks or Stonehurst before and they are commonly photographed scenic places in and around the Lunenburg area. Mid afternoon I make it back to the trailer for a bite, rest and then head out to see some galleries in Lunenburg. This was one of the main reasons I came to Lunenburg, to take in some of their( besides getting away from the city ) galleries and artistic community, maybe even buy a painting. I went into 3 or 4 galleries and the one I liked the most was a gallery by the name of Peer Gallery, www.peer-gallery.com. A lot of abstract art with many oil on canvas paintings. One particular artist was working there by the name of Barbra Mclean and besides being a great person to talk with, she is a great artist. Check her site out at; www.barbaramclean-artist.com.  A contemporary artist who uses muted colors with strong dark details. I went to a few more galleries and one artist that really stood out was an artist by the name of Paul Kelly. I really thought his paintings were extraordinary and at first glance I thought they were a photograph; www.paulkelley.ca .

 Saturday was my last full day of camping and of course I got up late again. Weather was not the best again but I wanted some more photo opportunities. I decide to take a drive up to Petite Rivière where I photographed a wedding a few years back . From Lunenburg I took highway 332 into Bridgewater and then hooked up with the 331 (which is very scenic ) and then continued down past the Lahave Bakery ( http://lahavebakery.com/ ) and Rissers Beach until I got to Petite Rivière.

I stopped at a china/antique shop and the woman who was working was nice enough to let me take her picture while she carried on her duties. On the way back to the Lahave Ferry I stopped at Crescent Beach while wind and Kite surfers were tackling the elements.

As well they were kind enough to let me take their pictures while I invaded their space. By this time I am kinda tired and decide to call it a day. With Stops at Lahave Bakery, Crescent Beach and Rissers Beach and then the Lahave Ferry back to East Lahave, the whole trip was roughly 4 to 5 hours. Quick shower and a short walk and I am back to the Grand Banker for another fantastic meal with one or two sociables. My last camping trip for the season was incredibly relaxing and I was able to see some old friends, cousins and snap some scenic shots as well. In May 2013 it will be the beginning of camping season again and I am sure my/our opening camping excursion will take us either to The Lunenburg Board of Trade Campground or The Ovens Natural Park to kickoff camping 2013.www.stevejess.com