This cache has been archived.

Keats94: Sorting out some of my low traffic caches by archiving them. Freeing up more space for those who wish to contribute to the game.

Cheers,

Keats

GC8535R ▼

A cache by Keats94 Message this owner

Hidden : 3/21/2019

Difficulty:

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Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

One of my favourite things about geocaching is being able to travel, and see new places. I have had a deep thirst to see the other side of this beautiful country. Perhaps it had to do with my interest in maritime fiddle tunes, or simply taking in the aroma of fresh Atlantic air.

Every cache you will find in this series is authentically Nova Scotian, with the exception of some logbook receptacles. Whether it be pieces of my Christmas tree from Lunenburg County, a pill container I found on the shores of the Bay of Fundy, and a little surprise camouflage at the final, this series is truly east coast.

There was something about Nova Scotia that sparked my curiosity from a young age. I didn't exactly know why, but I needed to answer Nova Scotia's call.

I booked my plane tickets, and organized my trip to Cape Breton Island in 2017. My goodness was I excited. Not only because I was going to Cape Breton, but this was in October, the season of the Celtic Colours International Festival. A music fest of fiddles, pipes, and an island with vibrant fall colours.

The furthest east I had traveled at that point was Montreal, so seeing the maritimes, and the Atlantic ocean almost felt like travelling to Mars.

When I landed in Nova Scotia for the first time, it felt awesome. It was a remarkable feeling, because I finally made it to the place I have been so curious about.

This series pays tribute to the call I've felt, and tells some of the memorable experiences of the two trips I made to Nova Scotia. The first to Cape Breton in 2017, and a road trip which circled the province in July of 2018.

To figure out the final, read my stories, and answer some of the questions on the final cache page.

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The Story:

As dawn broke over the autumn-graced hills of Cape Breton, I woke up with excitement. Today was the first day I would do some serious exploring of the island. The day prior, I checked out Glace Bay, and Sydney, but today I would head out to see some real small town Nova Scotia. I got in my rental car, and headed south west, along the shores of Bras d'or Lake, (pronounced "bra-dore"). This lake was huge, well actually, it's an inland sea. One of the largest inland seas in the world. There is a small opening that connects it with the Atlantic at St. Peters, on the south end of the island.

Highway 4 starts near one of the many inlets on the lake, and it eventually becomes a huge body of water. At some viewpoints, you can't see the opposite shore. It being October, the hills were glowing with orange, yellow, and red. Along with the music festival, the fall colours is another major draw for those autumn enthusiasts, seeking the Celtic call.

I was on the road to attend one of those music festival events in a tiny town called "Big Pond." Casually driving along the two lane highway past small groupings of houses for hundreds of kilometers really made me appreciate the small town life, and recognize the intense cultural differences compared to life in a big city.

The road sign for Big Pond beckoned, and I quickly pulled into a parking lot at a lovely restaurant with the words "Rita's Tea Room" on a sign. Curious, and hungry, I decided to head in and see what this place had to offer.

I walk inside, and I was blown away by the dedication, and love that was put into the establishment's namesake. An homage to singer/songwriter Rita MacNeil. Big Pond was where Rita MacNeil was born and raised. She was known for many songs such as "Working Man", and "Flying on Your Own". In 1990, she was the bestselling artist in Canada, and was inducted into the Canadian music hall of fame. She was also the only female singer ever to have three separate albums chart in the same year in Australia.

This restaurant was effectively a museum recognizing her accomplishments as an artist, with ECMA awards, Juno awards, copies of albums on the wall, and her music playing in the background.

I can't say that I'm a Rita MacNeil fan, but my eyes watered at the pride this little town had for one of their own stars. It was moving to see such love put into one building. Rita MacNeil passed away in 2013, but this place sure had kept her musical spirit immortalized. Sadly, this tea room closed for good this year. It was a pleasure to visit it, and hopefully all those artifacts recognizing her musical success, will live on in another museum in Big Pond.

I had a lobster roll, and chatted with some friendly folks from British Columbia. It was great to talk to some west coasters!

The one thing I really take from my adventures, is meeting the people along the way. Had I not seen that cache on the map, or had not seen that sign, perhaps this geocache listing would not exist. There was something about Rita's Tea Room that compelled me to put it in a story. Perhaps it was seeing the dedication put into the recognition of one artist. Or admiring the pride of a small east coast town, from a west coast, big city point of view. Regardless, it was a memory that I will take with me through life.

I headed over to my music festival event, and had an excellent time listening to some Cape Breton musicians. It was a day I will never forget.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Fghzcrq? Vg terj va Yharaohet Pbhagl.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)