Fill Them Boots!!!

Beautiful Ainslie Lake on Cape Breton

We have had a record 36 hours without rain or fog and have enjoyed every moment.  Tonight we sit in the “Crow’s Nest” (campsite #1) at the McKinnon Family Campground, overlooking Ainslie Lake.  Our contented and very wet Golden snoozes at our side.  Life is good. 

It is a beautiful setting.  This site is, literally, the only one nestled in the trees.  A stiff wind blows off the water.  For the first time on this adventure, we are considering donning sweatshirts to ward off the dampness.

We have had a splendid day.  We have spent it enjoying the people and culture on this stretch of the Cape.  Unbeknownst to us, this area is rich with Celtic heritage.  The folks here still even speak with a bit of Scottish bróg.  

The town of Judique was having a festival and their Saturday Farmer’s Market when we arrived.  With an offer of free coffee, we stopped to see what else they might share.  We ventured into their community center and found the walls lined with the tartans of local families.  Although the market didn’t open until ten, the vendors were happy to chat and display their wares. 

Judique Farmer's Market

What we found were stories.  Perhaps it is the writer in me, but I love to hear people’s stories.  This portion of the Cape has offered me that precious gift.

So what were the stories?  We met a delightful lady who crochets pot scrubbies from tule to help make ends meet after the death of her husband.  Next to her booth was Clare Pothier, a contemplative photographer with exceptional work who taught me much in so few words. 

Rebecca Perkins, the young woman next to Clare, was on a mission and asked if we would draw on two prayer flags that she plans to fly on September 22. 

Why prayer flags?  This part of the world, too, has its issues and concerns.  Rebecca told us that “big business” has discovered oil under Ainslie Lake and wants to drill directional wells to tap into it.  We had already noticed signs “stop the fracking madness.”  Now they all made sense.

Ainslie Lake is the largest fresh water lake on the Cape.  Known for its pristine water, the lake is a water resource for the surrounding communities and a recreational site for many to fish, ski, and camp along.  Of course, the fear is that the drilling will destroy the lake… and after BP’s carelessness in last year’s Gulf catastrophe, who could blame them?  (For more information, go to http://www.facebook.com/protectlakeainslie.)

Rebecca lamented that folks have said that she doesn’t have a hope or a prayer against “big business.”  As far as she is concerned, a hope and a prayer is all that she needs.  And she intends to fly those prayer flags next September 22^nd.

Three ladies… three very different stories… each impacting the world in a different way. 

We ended our conversations back with Clare, the photographer.  Clare offered several places to visit on our route.  She also asked many questions about our travels.  We told Clare that we were on a three-month odyssey, hoping to travel as far north as Labrador, taking the gravel road all the way into Quebec.

Clare told us that there was a local saying that fit us.  “Fill them boots!” she exclaimed. 

It is an old Scottish saying that means if you want an adventure, then put on your boots and start walking.  It is the perfect saying for us… and now we have the perfect saying for it. 

I have just finished and now David is reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, by Donald Miller.  It is a fantastic book, full of challenges to each of us about the stories we are living (or have chosen not to live).  The insights are incredible.  The concept is not only oddly funny but potentially life changing.  Neither David nor I will be able to look at life the same after this read.  Because of this book, we are redefining our individual and joint stories. 

I encourage each of you to read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years for yourself.  Afterwards, I guarantee that you, too, will want to “Fill them boots!”

And, as the lover of other people’s stories, I can’t wait to hear what yours will be!!!