Ingonish (day 3)

We relaxed most of the day yesterday. We have one more hike we want to complete, but it has a few viewpoints and it was foggy and drizzly all day yesterday so we are going to do it this morning.

But we still did a short one yesterday just to get out and do something. The Freshwater Lake Trail is only 1.7 kms  (1.1 miles) and is a wheelchair accessible loop that partly follows the shore of a lake for a bit. Nothing special, but good enough for a short walk. A separate path takes you up to a viewpoint overlooking the lake.

There is a nice beach on Freshwater lake

But you're not allowed to have any fun there! No beach balls...? We have far too many rules in this country.

Ruth and Whiskey on the path.

A nice view of the lake

So yesterday we drove over to the campground to use the dump station. There was only one tent set up in the whole campground, but of course camping in the park is a rip off, so we're not surprised. Drove all around the campground, and no dump station. There is another park campground nearby that is larger, but it doesn't open until June 23. That is where the dump station is located. So we drive over to the visitors centre and I go in and ask why it's closed. "Budget cuts" is the stupid answer I get. I ask why they don't have just a few sites open on a self serve basis, and the guy says they would have vandalism if they did that. I say, well the smaller campground is open on a self serve basis. He sits there silently. He then asks if I wish to fill out a comment form. I ask if it will do any good. He says that he types out my comments and they get sent to head office in Ottawa. And there lies the problem! All decisions are made by some bureaucrat in Ottawa! I decline on the comment card, but feel better for having voiced my opinion.

Strangely enough, despite the "budget cuts" we think there are more employees working here than there are visitors to the park! We watched three National Parks Service work trucks yesterday afternoon parked up with the employees just talking to one another through their windows. They sat there at least an hour, and no, it wasn't at lunch time.

Anyhow, we did find a water tap, so have filled up the fresh water. Our tanks are not yet full, we could probably go another 3 or 4 days. After our hike this morning, we are doing a three hour drive to Louisbourg and staying at a town run campground there for $13 a night, so we will be able to empty the tanks there.

Off to do our last hike, and then go collect our prize for doing the 75 kms of hiking! It's probably a coffee mug...