Montreal, QC to Brampton, ON = 579 km

Slept in at Montreal, didn't do Notre Dame, just wanted to get home. On a holiday Monday, this attempt was a stupid move. After breakfast, and a late start, I proceeded home. My first turn to get onto the highway had me a sitting duck, with other sitting ducks on an on ramp. A half hour later we (every car on the planet) finally crawled to 20, because there were road exit closures along the one lucky ramp I tried to take. Traffic picked up until Belleville, and then I was stuck going 20-40km/h until Cobourg. I gave up on the 401 at Brock Road and took the 407 for the rest of the journey home. I plan to more throughly update each blog with more pics and better information, as I would like to keep this as a record for myself as much as I do enjoy sharing my journey with anyone else willing to read. This concludes my solo drive of the Maritimes. I'm very proud and happy of my accomplishment. I could sit here and wait for time to tick on by, waiting for the right set of circumstances to make this trip happen. Or I could just say who cares and get up and go. I chose the latter. You only have one life to live. Make the best of it in your own way. Total trip distance: 5108 km Total seat time (actual moving): 58 hours, 21 minutes, over the course of 8 days. Total experience level: Legendary

Summerside, PE to Montreal, QC = 1134 km

The hotel in Montreal had internet, but because it was not included, I was not about to update my blog, hence my late post. Following a couple birthday drinks the night before I felt that I deserved to sleep in a little bit. Thus a later start than usual, which actually bit me in the end, big surprise. A tall ship called the Peacemaker was docked outside the resort.

Unfortunately it did not have the full sails up, which I'm sure would have been a beautiful sight, but it was still quite striking to see in person.

They were giving tours but unfortunately I could not stick around to enjoy one. I proceeded to the Confederation Bridge to make my 10 minute drive across to New Brunswick. They don't charge you a dime to get in to PEI, but they certainly getcha when you leave. $44.25 for 2 axels to drive across the ocean. It got foggy while leaving PEI, but midway through it began to clear. In a car, the sides of the bridge are up so high that you can't really see the ocean at all. Only at one point did the bridge slightly curve and I could see the profile as I was driving. Once back on land, I pulled into the visitor centre to grab some pictures.


 Ended up talking to a guy from Georgetown (Ontario), Jonathan, who was taking pictures of the bridge. We got to talking about motorcycles and rides....a little longer than I would have liked. I had to leave and excused myself and off I went. The rest of the drive was uneventful. I originally wanted to go up the east coast portion to Miramichi, up to Rimouski and then thru to Quebec City. That idea was scrapped when I took a turn to Edmundston (as lady GPS navigated me). I thought before I started this leg I was still heading up on Highway 11, but ended up on the west road of highway 2. Lady GPS routed me instead to take 2 and then go up highway 17 instead to get Rimouski. Once I figured out what happened, and my plan foiled, I re-routed my course to Montreal. By doing so, what would have originally been back to back 14 hour drives, was now only 10, but I didn't end up doing what I wanted to do. I could only hope by pushing on to Montreal that the last stretch home from Montreal would be a bit easier. A wall of water greated me just as I passed Quebec City. The downpour was just incredible, and cleaned the bugs off the front of my car somewhat. The rain continued to fall when I reached the hotel in Montreal. I promptly unloaded the car, found my room and went to bed. Time permitting in the morning I'd like to make the effort to see Notre Dame, but chances will be slim.

Margaree Forks, NS to Summerside, PE = 627 km

I will make this post brief and will properly update later. For my birthday of 29 again this year, I drove from Cape Breton to Summerside, PEI. Boarded the ferry and crossed over to PEI, thus securing a resort on the island for the evening as a bday treat for myself. Truth be told, being a long weekend I didnt have a choice but to splurge because most accomodations didnt have vacancy. Upon arriving at Charlottetown, I took a 45 min horse drawn carriage ride by Mick,a Belgian, and Max, a black Percheron. Learned about the history of our founders and about the historic houses. I proceeded to the north coast, with very few stops along the way.

Walked on a red beach and made it to North Cape,

before beelining it back south to the resort. This island, while small, takes a long time to drive. I was actually quite disappointed with the scenic drive signage. Had to drive the old fashioned way of looking at signs to guide me around as lady GPS was taking the most direct route everywhere. She did not like me straying from her commands today. I drove 14 hours today, and clearly needed a beer or 4 as a reward. The pub downstairs was still open and I had a late dinner. The remaining patrons sang me Happy Birthday and I got a beer purchased by a guy at the bar. Had a great sleep and am now figuring the penultimate leg for my drive home.

Louisbourg, NS to Margaree Forks, NS = 309 km

I had a fantastic sleep and wonderful experience at The Spinning Wheel. I spoke to the home owner during breakfast, she is one busy lady. She also has a kennel she runs, and works 2 waitressing jobs to make ends meet before the tourism season is over in October. I cannot compliment the B&B enough. Its worth the drive to her place, even if it is practically in the middle of nowhere, however ideally located near the Fortress. I got to the Fortress and boarded the bus. Due to security reasons apparently, you can't just drive up to it. First visit the admin building and then shuttled off to the Fortress. I caught up with the walking tour a little bit late but it was worth it. Learned things about the Fortress I would have never otherwise have known. After our walking tour it was time to take in a little demonstration of soldiers firing real muskets, and firing a cannon. Awesome to see and hear! The French soldiers were playing their flutes and drums. It's a Fortress, not a Fort. A Fortress is a walled town. This was a walled town at one point. Mother nature is reclaiming her landscape. There are many ruins, many left untouched for over 200 years, which I took at 45 minute walk to see. The trail lead me close to the waters edge and I put my hand officially into the Atlantic Ocean. Just about lost my footing and put my whole body in, but I did it! Prolly not smart of me walk down a rocky ledge all by my lonesome...but again, I can be dumb sometimes. My whole fortress experience was rushed. They aren't kidding when they recommend taking a full day to see everything. I'm so happy I did at least have a half day there. But my schedule keeps pressing on and by early afternoon I was on the bus back to the parking lot. I made my way up to Sydney via 22, and over to Englishtown to jump on a quick ferry. Apparently it saved me a half hour of driving. I promptly jumped onto the Cabot Trail from there.

The start of the trail was fabulous. Reminded me exactly of my trip to the Tail of the Dragon on the motorcycle, except this was on the side of a cliff by the ocean. There were a few nice parts along the trail that were quick switchback like, but for the most part, big long sweepers, and hilly. I stopped for lunch at Main Street Restaurant in Ingonish and had fish and chips and a cold Corona while sitting on the patio. The time on my watch already was alluding for quittin' time, but I was nowhere near my end destination. I had 2 hikes I very desperately wanted to do. The Mcintosh Brook (which was ok.....small waterfall, almost not worth bothering to hike in for), and the Skyline hike. I was running so low on time and daylight, but I had to try to do the Skyline trail. If I could make it there and back before sunset (estimated to complete the loop - 2-3 hours) I'd be extremely pleased. I walked in on my own after asking a group of girls about the trail. I eventually caught up with a private tour, so at least I wasn't the only one on the trail. There were several people still leaving as well. I stopped at a small lookout and thought about turning around because I knew daylight was wasting away. I pressed on a little further and was incredibly rewarded. A huge boardwalk opened up and went down along the side the cliff. The view was magnificent, the wind fierce. I did indeed catch the sunset. I must have stuck around there for easily a half hour. Its not a place one can easily leave, which I'm getting nearly overcome with at a few spots on this trip. Still no meece. The group caught back up with me. They mentioned they saw one, actually a young one on the slope near where I was standing. But my view point was such that moosey was invisible to me. They don't exist. I'm certain. I walked back to the car and got in. Had to turn the headlights on so it was officially dark o'clock. Finished driving the remaining part of the Cabot Trail, pretty much just north of Cheticamp south to Margaree where I now sit at the Margaree Riverview Inn. The drive here, while a little dark, was so amazing. I could see lighthouses, small towns lit up, a full moon reflecting on the water. Just another magical way to see Nova Scotia. Could barely find this Inn, and its a little rough. It has everything for minimum basic needs. Good thing I'm not sticking around long. Another gruelling day tomorrow onward to PEI. I skipped the Fiddle Concert and Square Dance, its 15 minutes out of town and I barely have anything left in my tank. Tomorrow is another day and I bet they will have fiddles elsewhere on my journey.

Amherst, NS to Louisbourg, NS = 487 km

Breakfast was an early start for or me, rightly so because I had a long way to go today. After gassing up, I made my way to Pugwash via Highway 6. I don't think folks around here know how lucky they truly are to have the beauty I'm witnessing on the landscapes.

Unfortunately, pictures thus far have not done New Brunswick and Nova Scotia proper justice. I needed to stop for bathroom break at Tatamagouche. The visitor centre was still closed for another half hour, so I went across the street to a Railway Inn. Pulling up to it I started to laugh. This train and the store were featured on a show a couple years back called "The Week the Women Went". Immediately recognizable to me. I asked to use the washroom, to which I was pointed to a train coach. I couldn't believe my luck. Had the visitor centre been closed, I would have missed this. I LOVE trains. This was an OLD train, updated as necessary but for the most part kept as original as possible. They even have rooms here to stay in, and full dining. Had to pick up some souveniers from here. I continued along the coast thru River John to Pictou and New Glagow all the while stunned by the water, the trees, how green it is. Apparently they have had just as dry of a summer as we have had in Ontario. Certainly doesnt look like its been rough on the grass. Off I continued to Antigonish via Highway 104, where I stopped for lunch at McD's. I did a quick walk around Willow, my valiant steed, and something wasn't quite right with one of her legs. Her shoe was a little lower to the ground than I would have liked, and then I cursed outloud that I had a flat tire. I went in to take another bathroom break, coffee tends to do that, and pondered my next move. The tire had enough air in it that I could make it to get it patched. I was certain the screw I took outta there weeks ago was the culprit. Musta turned into a slow leak and all these miles musta done it in. I spooked a local sitting in his pickup truck, putting on the best damsel in distress guise I could muster for the best overall pity factor. He told me where a local shop was to get my tire patched and that a service station with air would be along the way. "No more than a km", he said. Off I went.....1 km was up, no gas station or shop yet seen. Outta the corner of my eye I noticed a different service shop and pulled in. I quickly grabbed the attention of a mechanic at Tim's Service Center, who said he couldn't patch it (would prefer it be taken off and patched on the inside and not plugged), but would put some air in it, enough to get me to another shop around the corner. He was not willing to take a dime from me. I thanked him and was on my way. I assume it was Tim who sent me to Andy's Tire Depot, just a left, left, and a right he said. Sure enough, I showed up, pulled another damsel in distress move and they said pull the car in and they'll take a look. Tire was off and inspected. Some small square piece of plastic lodged itself in between my tread. He had it pulled out and plugged faster than I would be able to tie my shoes. Tire was back on and I was back at Mcd's for lunch in less than 45 mins. Andy also did not accept a dime. Said the paperwork was more than the plug. Thanks Andy in Antigonish. Without much more of an delay of an extra long lunch break, off I went on the 104 to Port Hastings, across a great causeway. I stopped off at the Visitor Centre. The assistance there was fantastic! I would not have had enough time to enjoy the Fortress, so instead I re-routed to Baddeck via 105 instead of my original plan of taking 4 to get to Louisbourg. What's in Baddeck? The Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site of Canada of course! I had no idea Bell was a man of so many talents. He was more than the inventor of the telephone. He was involved in aeronautics, agriculture, genetics, marine engineering, medical science and worked with the hearing impaired. I had no idea and found the whole museum very interesting. I also did some arts and crafts and made a tetrahedron kite! I'll test out the flying capabilities when I'm back home. I do not expect much for a couple wooden dowels and packing paper. Headed over to Louisbourg for my B&B night. A slight mix up with reservation info from the visitor centre had me directed to the wrong B&B. Got it all sorted out and I ended up at the right one without issue. The Spinning Wheel B&B is where I'm currently sitting, typing out my blog.

There is a light breeze coming in with some falling rain and I can hear the tone of a nearby lighthouse sending out warning pulses. Tomorrow's schedule includes breakfast here before heading to the Fortress of Louisbourg, another National Historic Site of Canada. I plan to take in a walking tour to get the most bang for the buck for my time. Then its off to the Cabot Trail, and to my other B&B at Margaree, where I hear there is a fiddle concert taking place at The Barn. I plan to attend. Dunno how many drinks I'll need to test my dancing shoes to fiddle music, but I will let you know how it pans out. Usually doesn't take any alcohol to make me make a fool outta myself!

Saint John, NB to Amherst, NS = 367 km

Since I did not sleep well the night before, and since there was chance of rain for Saint John by 100%, needless to say I was not motivated to get up to do a thing. The only motivation I had was that breakfast would be closed at 9am. Up I got to grab some food. Pointless because I needed to stop at McD's anyway for a proper coffee. Oh, and I could have spent another hour in bed, breakfast closed at 10am. Lesson learned #4...listen for start and end times for breakfast. I originally wanted to do a bus tour in Saint John, but based on the walking trek I did last night, didn't wanna do that in the pouring rain to get downtown. I also felt there was no need to rush, maybe that's an East Coast thing trickling in. I had one place to be at a certain time, so I finally got my ass in gear and left the hotel. 100 metres away stopped for gas. 100 metres away got my coffee......20 mins and still no headway! I noticed even Willow was a little grumbly this morning, and she was hungry. There was remnants of what I thought was a bird by the headlight. Closer inspection proved that it was merely a giant bug with massive wings. The rain did ease up as I left Saint John on my way to St. Martins via 111. In fact, the further away from Saint Johns, the roads were dry. With coffee kicking in I had a spirited drive to my next destination.

Naturally Hopewell Rocks was the ultimate sightseeing stop today, however I opted to take the long way to get there. The visitor centre at St. Martins was incredibly helpful and they told me the must see Fundy Trail and helped me figure out the best time to walk on the ocean floor. They were based in a lighthouse....finally I got to go in and up one! There is one road to get in and out of the 16 km long Fundy Trail Parkway and roughly 1.5 hours to go to the end and back including brief stops along the way at scenic lookouts. The visitor centre folks highlighted a few outlooks I should focus my time on and I followed their recommendations. Stops 1, 4, 8 and 11 were my targets. With a cloudy but dry sky I stopped first at Fox Rock for my first breathtaking view of the Bay of Fundy. Merely 2 mins spent taking pictures and I was off to the next stop. I for the most part was alone at every stop.....the world for me to take in all by myself. Refreshing really. Sorta like a show mother nature is putting on just for me, and a true priviledge to bear witness. Stop 4 Pangburn Beach had a really cool waterfall tucked into the woods. A quick stair climb down...the oddest stairs I've ever set foot on, a suspended sort going steeply down to a platform. Fuller Falls were very pretty to see. If I had time, I'd prefer to hike this whole trial instead of take a car....if there was a bicycle rental I'd SO do that. Drive along again to stop 8. A suspension foot bridge this time....again all on my own. In the middle of this huge bridge...little me! Quick trek back to the car off to the last stop 11. Had time to get out and snap some photos of the red beach at Long Beach Lookout. I could start to see the rain coming in off the Bay. In minutes the view was gone....and it would be gone for the remainder of the day. I was incredibly lucky to make it to the end of the trail and see the visible wonders. I made my way out of the trail onto highway 114 to Fundy National Park. If I was thinking correctly, and if weather cooperated, I would have been better off to take Highway 1 straight to Moncton and south to Hopewell....but dumb me ;) and I'm stubborn and wanted to say I drove through that park! Nothing notable on 114 and after what felt like forever, I arrived at Hopewell Rocks. I'm not sure what I expected when I would see the rocks but when I returned to my car 2 hours later, I was beside myself with awe. I paid for a shuttle and waited in the drizzling rain to take me to these magic rocks. Its a 4 min drive or 15 min walk. To save time, and because I've seen enough rain today, I opted for shuttle. There is a quick walk down to the ocean floor. I walked around with my runners, and brought my flip flops just in case. So there are rock formations...its raining, yet I'm delighted. I am one of few on this "beach" and perhaps thats what makes this experience so great. I'm getting soaked by rain that is constant but I dont even have the hood of my jacket up most of the time. Perhaps I just have a new appreciation for rain. The "upper portion" of this beach is rocky....as the water recedes a softer side is shown.....red...mud. I decided to venture out a little further because I really wanted to touch the waters edge...... I heard a teenager grumbling about losing his sandals. I promptly changed from my runners to flip flops, rolled up my pants and in I went. First step nearly put me on the ground. I did not expect the ground to be slippery or muddy, I expected sand texture. Flip flops covered. I took em off, and continued to the edge of the water, that seemed to tease me, since it kept getting further away from me....making me walk more in the mud. Fun game mother nature! I was able to rinse my flip flops, put them and my runners on a rock and take in the water and the Bay. Then it hit me. I don't want to leave. It was very peaceful, no one around me, and really I was at the mercy of the elements. The mud that was sucking me in, at times nearly up to my knees (oops), the drizzling rain that soaked my face, hair, jacket, pants, oh and little crabs walking around....i swear I stepped accidently on some living things (sorry). If I could have had a chair, I would have sat there and slept till the tide came in, and likely every once in a while walking further to the water as it would leave my feet. What a highlight of my trip. Now what to do with these feet! I managed to find a big rock that had "fresh" water around it where I rinsed my feet off enough to put my sandals back on. Before reluctantly leaving I did a panoramic view.....i was the only one there within a kilometre in every direction. The isolation was peaceful and calming. I have never had so much fun in the rain before. I will treasure Hopewell Rocks and New Brunswick forever in my memory. After hosing off I got back into the car to continue on. I stopped in Amherst so that I am that much closer for a better start time tomorrow and because New Glasgow is 2 more hours away and I couldn't make it before dark o'clock. Lesson learned #5...leave earlier in the morning so you can goof off at places throughout the day, and maybe make it a little bit further with distance. These last two days have been baby drives compared to my monster one the first day. I fear tomorrow will be long. Cape Breton here I come.

Edmundston, NB to Saint John, NB = 478 km

I apologize for the delay of posting Tuesday's drive. Technical difficulties at the hotel last night. But I digress.... let's get to some fun stuff! I started off rather rough, as I barely slept.  I had a headache yesterday that accompanied me throughout my long 12 hour trek.  Took some Advil in the middle of the night and finally it went away.  I kept hearing car doors slamming, people talking, etc. seemingly right inside my hotel room.  I can be incredibly dumb sometimes. Closing the window in my room may have helped! Lesson learned #1 (first thing I do now is check the windows when I get in the room). Another incredibly smart move - forgetting the wish list of things you wanna see and do at home! Thanks Paul for finding my chicken scratch notes and emailing them to me! Lesson learned #2.

Charlie accompanied me to breakfast.

After reviewing my list, I was off to Grand Falls Gorge. Instead of taking Highway 2, I jumped on River Valley Drive on a whim....shown on road signs as a little plant sprout.  I have to say the sprout is one of the happiest things to see sometimes when you are off the beaten path and Lady GPS wants to keep routing you to the highway. Note all those little dots on the map above, yeah, I had to re-correct Google Maps multiple times to keep me on the spout as well.

Found this church along the way and had to get out to snap a pic.

There are, much to my surprise, "mountains" here. At times, the drive reminds me of Banff, Alberta, and at others just like Vancouver Island. Can't just pull over to take pics though....so I take opportunities like this church to grab some shots.





"Sprout road" got me to the Gorge and ran parallel to 2, just about the same speed and more scenic. According to my handy dandy CAA book, apparently these falls are considered the largest east of Niagara Falls. I dunnnnoooo about that....what do you guys think?

So....glad I didn't burn alot of time there. This hydroelectric plant provides power to the provincial grid. Let's hope there is more water than what I saw or electricity might be an issue!

















I briefly dashed into the Visitor Centre there and found a real Lobster - don't worry Charlie, he won't be replacing you.





I could have apparently taken the little sprout to Saint John but a sign pointed me in the opposite direction when I reached Perth-Andover,
something just didn't seem right to go that direction.  (see little sprout - bottom right - super noticable right? I thought I better just get back on 2.  The speed was decent at 110 km/h and I could make up some time. 

The Hartland Covered Bridge was my next stop, and I was excited to see my first real cool thing on this trip!

I definitely went through it slowly observing the wood frame construction....holding up traffic. :) It is the world's longest covered bridge at 1282 feet (391 metres). The bridge was completed in 1922. I had to cross back over to find a geocache, and again drove slow. So cool...did I say that already? Alas, my Nuvi GPS would not take me near the vicinity of the cache via the "walk" feature. A little frustrated I left...knowing I'd be in NB for a while to still have an opportunity to get one.



Off I went to Kings Landing. Had my first real meal since Friday, slow service and as much as I may have needed a break, it was just a smidge too long....is this the East Coast already trying to train me?  Great visitor centre here, so great in fact that I bought a huge horse picture to put up in my house when I get back. So purdy.....  One real positive when travelling via car is that I could pack as much as I want and buy as much as I want without worry about how I'll get it home.  Certainly I could not have bought this canvas and strapped it onto my motorcycle in midst of travelling.

Staff at the visitor centre encouraged me to take some time out of my driving schedule and spend some in Saint Andrews....I wanted to go there and not to Fredericton initially, so I'm glad that they agreed with my original decision. Never know if a place is a dive before you get there, as I already experienced earlier today.  I would later learn it would be a place I would happily return to.

Jumped on Highway 3 to get there, fabulous road. Decent speed limit and nice turns, a couple choppy bits but I was the only soul around for the most part...made me really miss my motorcycle.

The lure of feeding seals brought me to Fundy Discovery Aquarium.  However, they have a pair of seals that they feed.... to my dismay visitors could not, so it was not terribly exciting.

I surprisingly spent 1.5 hours at the aquarium, had to get my $14 worth!







Charlie had a great time.

Picking up the ladies:

And here are Charlie's buddies.

I found myself however getting up enough courage to pet a Little Skate. Felt like wet sandpaper in freezing water. They had a tank full of them, some were "dancing" near the surface of the water....felt like it was gonna jump out and bite me....btw the underside is suuuuper soft. Also home to massive Sturgeon, easily the length of my pair of car doors.....couldn't believe the size. Just dinosaurs, hangin' out in a tank. There are also 3 large lobsters, some world record holders at some point in time. 10kg enough?

The weather was so hot, I parked in the shade to figure out my next move.

I ventured downtown St. Andrews. Free parking everywhere. 4 historical sites - the whole town is a National Historic District founded in 1783. I decided to walk down the long pier by Market Wharf. The wind certainly cooled me down and I had the chance to see the Bay for the first time.
I also made the trek to Pendlebury Lighthouse, waaaay over there......

Built in 1833 and operated until 1938. While there was no access inside, it was still cool to be near one (albeit restored). I had the whole area to myself. Even my cell phone died when I got there. I walked down to the red beach, with only waves and birds making the only sounds around me and stuck both feet in the water. I have officially touched the Atlantic Ocean!

The Pacific Ocean was touched 3 years prior. Also so close, yet so far for the Arctic Ocean 4 years ago. Maybe next time! I did not leave until I successfully skipped a rock with at least 3 skips. Took a while, cause I couldn't find decently flat ones (the BEST for skipping). I walked back to the car via downtown, lots of little shops, didn't buy anything tho.

Started my drive to Saint John along Highway 1. Pretty much no view. I was apparently on the Lighthouse Scenic Drive....didn't see any though.

After grabbing my hotel room, thank you Holiday Inn Express, (view outside, with Willow getting a good nights sleep below).

I tucked her in and promised she'd get a proper wash when we got home.

I needed food and beer, so I walked the Harbour Passage, a red paved trail for pedestrian/bicycles only to an underground pathway system (pedway). Was a little concerned mid way through my walk, when I realized this could get sketchy...but hey, I'm from the city.....recall earlier "I can be dumb sometimes" comment.






Headed to a little place called Saint John Ale House (SJAH) where I think I had the most expensive dinner in my life: lobster roll - 1.5 lbs of lobster meat on a sourdough bun - with sweet potato fries, and 2 pints of Picaroons (Summer Ale and Simeon Jones) which I very much enjoyed.

Loved the napkins

Meandered back to the hotel successfully... I had to head to the big set of lights over yonder.  Walking back felt more sketchy, especially after being full of food and beer, however I made it back just fine.

Realized I'm dumb with deciding not to bring my phone wall charger. Lesson learned #3. Off I went to the car to juice up my phone a bit.....and promptly fell asleep in the driver's seat. Once I awoke, I showered and crawled into bed for a well deserved sleep. Short drive today, but exciting nonetheless.