This week I am camping (maybe glamping to some) on and off at Murray Beach………just me and the dog. It’s an ideal spot for summer exploring, although I am seeking mostly relaxation and a few beautiful sunsets.
When I arrived, the familiar white sail signage was still there. But a brand new sign, now including a Mi’kmaq greeting and begging for landscaping stood behind it.
When the girls were young, we used to camp all summer long……I grew up doing the same with my parents, visiting much of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Maine. We had our favourite campgrounds for the quick weekends away, packing up the trailer on a Friday afternoon to escape for a couple of nights. Murray Beach was one of those favourites!
Now that the girls are independent and busy with their own lives, and dear husband busy at work, I decided to make the campground my home base for the week! I have all the essentials……….kitchen with running water, toilet, shower and queen size bed.
The dog and I arrived with a few groceries on a cold, drizzly, and windy evening…….the heater was necessary to take the chill out. But the next morning I was anxious to get out and explore the campground and surrounding area.
For the most part, the campground is the same………….one of the reasons we love it here are the large open sites. It is usually windy, which can be beneficial in June (mosquito season!) For the most part, the sites have 50 amp electrical service, and water taps nearby, although I noticed sites with sewer service, which was not available when we camped ten years ago.
There are a large number of unserviced tent sites, both wooded and open, with clean washrooms and showers available. Although the campground appeared to be quite full with trailers, there weren’t a lot of people around. I am assuming the weekend will see the trailers filled with families who keep their sites seasonally.
Our memories of Murray Beach would not be complete without thinking about the playground. That was always our first stop upon arrival…….and it made me nostalgic to see young children running with parents in tow to play on the equipment. The old wooden equipment has been replaced by large modern structures, but from my perspective it seems like it’s still a draw for families.
There is walking trail surrounding the campground, perfect for an after dinner walk, but remember the bug spray! The beach is the highlight…….spend the day lounging on the sand, swimming in the warm waters (I didn’t test the water temperature yet…….but this area is known to have “the warmest waters north of the Carolinas”), or strolling when the tide is out.
There are also some rustic cabins available to rent if you like to camp without the tent. I peeked inside, and the set up is pretty much the same as the O’Tentik we rented in Cape Breton…….4 bunks and a picnic table inside, and a small deck outside.
A short drive up the coast, in Cap Pele, I found a a number of walking/biking trails, restaurants and a couple of bakeries. Later this week I’m going to visit Cape Jourimain, 15kms from the campground at the base of Confederation Bridge.
I will end the week with my husband coming for the last night (before we move up the coast to Kouchibouquac for the Canada Day weekend!) As much as I enjoy the solitary peace of coming and going as I please, he’s my boy scout, and can build a fire (which I failed at last evening!)