Spoon Boy

Mabou, NS – September 16, 2012 Our Current Location

Frank says he’s feeling a little sad, now that the journey out has ended and we are beginning our return to Orange Park.  Although the actual return is months away, I guess it’s the return to responsibilities, doctor’s appointments, and other necessary meetings that is causing the funk.  The bright spot in the funk though, is being able to spend time with our friends and neighbors again. There are still many adventures waiting to be discovered, so I guess we better get busy.

As we prepare to leave our waterfront site, we spotted something on the rocks of the jetties. Binoculars confirm it is a lone Bald Eagle. Would love to have a longer camera lens, but I think you can tell what it is. That should help Frank’s funk flee.

We’ve been hearing about the only single malt Scotch distillery in Canada, and since Frank appreciates a good single malt Scotch, we made sure our route goes by at the Glenora Inn and Distillery in Glenville, Nova Scotia.

Glen Breton Rare is their signature whiskey. The 8,10,15 and 17 year old whiskey is aged in American oak casks that previously aged Kentucky Bourbon. The tour was great and the sample at the end even greater.

Our Days End directory had indicated a good overnight camp spot at Mabou Bay, NS. A gravel lot located right on the water appeared to be the perfect spot. Their was even a potable water spigot where we could top off our fresh water tank.

We had yet to hear any live Celtic music and the Red Shoe Pub was ready to fill that void. We had read somewhere that the music started at 4 o’clock so we arrived a few minutes early only to find the place packed.  Apparently they had been starting earlier and everybody else knew it but us. Not to worry, we found a spot at the bar for the two of us and ordered dinner and drinks. 

When we arrived, there was an older gentleman playing up a storm with spoons right along with the fiddler and piano player.

Later he sat next to us and introduced himself as Jerry "Spoon Boy" Deveaux. Here’s a YouTube video of Jerry performing. He also tried to teach an admirer how to play the spoons.

As the night progressed and the crowd loosened up, they coaxed the bar tender to come try his had at the spoons. It was obvious he had done this before.

Then they talked one of the waitresses into doing a little step dance. Great food and entertainment.

That night, after the revelry ended, we wandered back to our quiet little boondock camp site only to find a full blown gale in progress.  The ole RV was doing a lot of rocking and rolling that night and it was all due to the wind.

Beannachd Leat, Nova Scotia. I thought it was only fitting to use the Scottish term for goodbye as we continue our journey back toward the US border. Check another one off the bucket list.

The route above includes Englishtown, Margaree Harbour and Mabou.