Brampton, ON to Edmundston, NB = 1127 km.

Willow and I hit the road much later than expected today. Originally I was hoping for a 5 or 6am departure time. Turned into an 8:45am, still reasonable. All the blame is put on The Festival of Beer in Toronto last night (July 29, 2012). My fave band, Big Wreck, was playing and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see them, again this year. First time was in May, yet again they didn't disappoint. :)

I paid for it when I got home, and to make matters worse, I still hadn't packed a thing. This morning was throw stuff in a bag and be gone riteawayquik. 8:45am was the best I could do and after loading the hotel destination in Edmundston into the GPS, I was a little dismayed with the ETA of 8:30pm. Even taking the 407 ETR in the morning to get across the disaster of traffic that is the GTA wouldn't help me very much, but it's better than nothing.  12 hours......ouch.

I only did 2 fuel stops....one in Cornwall around 2 pm and L'islet, QC at 6:30pm. I did ensure that I got into the habit of cleaning the windshield at every stop and doing a quick walk around of my valiant steed.  Willow proudly displayed a 6.7 l/100km for me. Best I could do at home for city driving is 8.9. The drive really was rather uneventful. Plenty of scenery to go around, mostly flat, some big hills to see. I took very few breaks. The more breaks you take, the longer of a delay you have at the end and honestly, time was critical for me today.

There does seem to be construction every 20 km or so on the Trans Canada. The weather was hot and sunny the whole way.

Lady GPS steered me correctly through the meandering highways through Montreal....I can't believe I didn't make a wrong turn today. I was routed through 20, 40, 80S, 25 and back to 20....via the great tunnel.




Stretches of Ontario and Quebec are quite "boring".  Only so much field and road to really see.  I now introduce my trip mascot Charlie. Don't worry if he looks a little small here, I plan to have him in MANY pictures along my trip. I have been told however that he needs the most proper of introductions of how he came to be.

A close friend and work colleague, Corey, who actually specified for me to state how charming and handsome he is somewhere within this blog of mine, was working on a project at work.  I peered over his shoulder and commented that what he was working on looked to be "a lot like a lobster trap". Knowing I had an East Coast trip planned, he decided it would be perfect to cut and paste a little lobster into the so-called "trap" I mentioned. With a whole lotta inspiration and a beaming smile, he handed over a color printout of his creation shortly after my comment. Aside from the fail of discovering that the red, smiley faced cutie was a CRAB and not a LOBSTER, I knew immediately I had a mascot to accompany me on my travels.

I had only made 2 separate breaks for food, stretching, etc. at Mallorytown, ON and Ste. Anne Du Sault following the wide eyed driving thru Montreal. The last gas fill up involved a quick nap to rest my eyes. I quickly grasped how tired I was becoming, which was a bad sign since I was still a couple of hours away from my destination.  The only notable unscheduled stop I considered making was Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse. If only there was a spot to pull over and take a proper picture without completely blowing through this area. Might hit it on my way back, really pretty landscape, and close to Montmagny.

The New Brunswick border could not have come quick enough for me.

Light was already starting to dwindle.
I was in moose country. But, being in Canada all my life, I have only ever seen one moose in person in "the wild". Driving all across Canada...these mystic meese are missing. They must all be hiding from me. That's ok by me, I don't really want to encounter one on my drive. Happily pulled into Edmundston an hour early tonight! While my GPS adjusted for the time zone, I did not. What a fabulous surprise.
Vacancy available at the Quality Inn, 919 Chemin Canada, Edmundston, NB.
Hopefully a good nights rest. Have to plan out the adventure for tomorrow. I actually expect to do lots of sightseeing, and while Saint John is my goal to get to tomorrow, I have yet to map it out. 1127 km in the books and nearly 12 hours later, we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Last Prep

Since I was smart in booking up things to do the weekend before this trip, I haven't left alot of time to pack. Therefore, I seem to be doing some last minute scurrying around. I did end up getting my license sticker renewed (happy birthday to me), washed and waxed the front bumper and hood of poor Willow so the bugs might have a little mercy on me come washing time, and cleaned it out of excess junk I have no need to bring along. GPS is mounted ready to go. Most electronics are fully charged. Blonde moment of the day came when I realized I can listen to my walkman and have steering wheel/radio controls AND charge it at the same time if I just plug it direct into the USB instead of using the audio in, which I've been doing for months.....ok it's a blonde moment spanning months....not a day. One less thing to worry about. I also visited Chapters and purchased an audiobook (novels by Lee Child). I was unimpressed by the selection....nothing seemed to really grab my attention for what I would like to hear on this trip. I do enjoy reading books, I'm not sure how well I will take to direct narration. I have also selected a goal for my first day/leg of travel. The plan is to depart Brampton early Monday morning and drive straight to Edmundston, NB before the end of day. If by some miracle I can push it a little farther I will. According to my little Nuvi GPS, it will take me 11 hours, with 1118km as distance. I've been able to do 10 hours and 800km on my motorcycle. In comparison this should be a breeze. ;)

Testing plus preparation and other junk

Since I plan to blog my way through this upcoming trip, I better test a few things out first while I'm still home. Ensure the tablet I'm using functions correctly, and that I learn how to upload various pics along the way via this contraption. I'd rather sit here in frustration figuring it out the first time than in a hotel room swearing to myself. At least here, hubby and my two greyhounds (hence forth referred to as "the boys") have to put up with me. ;). It's currently a slow go......sigh. I really only have 3 full days before I start my adventure....and I've suddenly become excited and anxious at the same time. I also just returned from an oil change. Willow, my 2012 Kia Forte, received a fresh blood transfusion at 7386km on the odo. I didnt bother telling the stealership I'd be back in for another one in roughly 2 weeks. :)

I also need to figure out where I might find a few easy and awesome geocaches along the way, and be able to find and log those on the fly. I am sort of winging this trip, and by wing according to my definition is just enough detailed preparation I feel I need to get me there and back. I would be much more comfortable with a bit better of a set plan, but I know I also shouldnt plan every detail. In September 2009 (hubby and I just spent 5 minutes trying to recall the year - awesome memories we have!), we had the opportunity to drive from Vancouver Island to Ontario. We did it in 5 days, not because we wanted to, but because we had to due to time comstraints. I learned on that trip to just have a goal in mind to have somewhere to rest your head at the end of each day, preferably with a beer to help ease into dreamland. I do very much enjoy roadtripping, in a 4-wheeled cage and on a 2-wheeled machine, just the first time I'm solo. Ahhhh! The rest of Canada awaits!

The Rough Route

My Ambitious Plan:
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The solution to alot of vacation time....

A few weekends ago, while hanging out in my backyard a few beers in, an idea came to me. I was due for another week of vacation time, traditionally taken every year around my birthday, August 4. This year would be no different. However, I was not about to stick around for a staycation by myself for another week again in the same year. With hubby recently into a new job, vacation time is not up for grabs for him just yet. I have to figure out what to do with all of the time I have on my side. The answer: Solo Trippin'. I bounced some ideas and locations off in drunken conversation with hubby, who while very supportive, I think just threw suggestions out to see if I would really bite at the opportunity. My decision was made when he suggested to go out to the East Coast. He had been there before, on a group motorcycle ride nearly 10 years ago. Perfect! He's been there, I haven't, I have time, I have some money, and I have a brand new set of wheels that could get me there. PEI or bust. Details to follow as my trip comes to light.