Cycling the 9km out of the park I saw a deer, a porcupine (not roadkill for once) and two big turtles. On the main road the landscape remained pretty much the same as yesterday: forest. There weren't too many hills, but there was a headwind that slowed me down and forced me to work hard. Fortunately, I seemed to have good energy this morning. I stopped near Liverpool for lunch at Tim Horton's and hopped over to the Sobey's next to it and picked up a couple of groceries. The cashier was nice.

From that point I skipped onto The Lighthouse Route, which intially was a small, winding road dotted with houses. This road offered some glimpses (and the smell) of the sea. Nice. But the going was tough because, no matter what direction the road took, the wind was always against me. Although my energy seemed to be adequate, after a while my leg muscles were beginning to ache. Since they usually don't, I didn't see it as a good sign. I began counting down the kilometres to the campground. I passed by some nice views of the ocean along the way.

My campground of choice was Rissers Beach Provincial Park, and I was a little nervous about getting a campsite since it was the weekend. I cycled up to the gate and inquired. Yup, they had some left. At the gate I spoke briefly with a nice man from Vermont. I eventually found my campsite, and then headed for the showers by the canteen. When I got there, I discovered they were pay showers. My quarters, as usual, were back at the site. Not willing to walk all the way back, instead I walked all the way to the Northern section of the campground on the other side of the highway. Free showers. Walked back.

As the name of the park implies, there's a very nice beach here: much like Sandbanks on Lake Ontario, only saltier. There are also quite a few people around, especially girls and guys my age. After setting up camp I walked all the way back to the canteen because, quite frankly, I didn't want to cook. When I got there I found most of the people had left. I ordered some fish and chips and coleslaw, just about the healthiest thing on the menu. I liked it. I'm looking forward to my seafood blowout, which will likely be in Halifax. (Like I don't spend enough money on food!)

I scoff at danger. Scoff.

I've been seriously thinking of making a break for PEI after my stay in Halifax to meet Gill. After that, if I still want to, I may be able to Hover-Ferry from PEI to the Magdelan Islands to Cheticamp in Cape Breton. I won't have seen everything I wanted to see, but I suppose this trip was more about meeting people than seeing things. I've met people, but they've been brief encounters. I suppose I'm partly to blame: I'm not trying extraordinarily hard. But I guess it's in my character to be shy. It was, however, a lot easier meeting people in Europe, despite my shyness. I suspect in this case (weekend campers) it's more about a matter of priorites: people come here to be with their friends, family, etc. and have fun, relax, etc. They're not really travelling, and not seeking human encounters.

The sound of the waves crashing onto the shore is relaxing.

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