Lunenberg, Nova Scotia
A visit with Mike Orchard
August 25, 2005


A quiet morning in the
harbor at Lunenberg









Another gorgeous day in the maritime provinces. Our 'campground' here is the Exposition Centre, which translates to the asphalt covered area between the swimming pool and the skateboard park. Think chlorine, Clearasil, and a county roadway. The rest of Lunenberg is flawless however, in particular the Magnolia Grill (twice recommended by the NY Times and very reasonable) and the gallery of renowned artist, Cluny Mather.



The "Bluenose II"


















The guard dog on duty, two doors
from the Magnolia Grill.













My favorite painting of
Cluny Mather, "Night Crossing"





I can afford the Magnolia, but for Cluny we may have to mortgage the farm.

Our caravan visited the Museum of the Fisheries which was followed by a delightful luncheon overlooking the harbor. Fish. Done right.




Like old-time caravanning,
umbilical water and electric on
a parade ground.







In the evening after a cleansing rainfall, we took the time to visit nearby Mahone Bay, six miles away, at dusk.




The four churches in Mahone Bay,
too awesome to describe.







The non-postcard feature of this stop was a visit with Mike Orchard, club member #32083 from Bridgewater, NS. If you are familiar with the British fascination for 'train-spotting', the hobby of documenting every engine and railroad car you may have seen, then Mike is the penultimate Airstream spotter. Since the age of six, he has kept a detailed account of every numbered A/S and accurately compiled cross-indicies by (hold on to your Thetford) state, license number, unit and where he saw each trailer. It is a passion so thorough that it now comprises four large notebooks. He IS an A/S encyclopedia and a very pleasant young man, too. Hopefully his lifetime of work will someday be published. To date, he is over 13,000 and still counting. Chances are, if you have numbers on your trailer, he has been stalking you in a non-perverse way.

Mike Orchard, # 32083,
a confessed airstream addict.





The object of his research and affection
proudly displayed.
An incredible documentary.







Next stop, Halifax.