Today, Mon. we faced the big bridge connecting PEI to New Brunswick. It's 8 miles long, 2 lanes, concrete barriers on each side but no cables or upper support. Bill has some mental issues with bridges, especially high ones, so this will be a challenge. But, we made it, no problems, just a bit breezy up there. Our destination was planned to be up in northeast NB, but most of the side roads in eastern Canada are in pretty poor condition. It's tough to drive and continue to beat up the truck, house and us. So we changed plans and stopped short, along the coast. Then we can get the trans-Canada highway all the way to Houlton, ME. The trans-Canadas are the freeway and usually very good. We wanted to drive the Acadian cape and will do some our second day in Shediac.
Most of NB from the northeast to the border is peaty or blueberries. Apparently some good salmon fishing too, but smaller, poorer roads so we will skip those. We liked the provinces we did get to, Nova Scotia was wilder and more wooded, loved riding the tidal bore. PEI is called the gentle isle and is pretty peaceful. NB has the Fundy coast and some spectacular coastline.
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| Motoring around the lake, |
We liked all we saw in Canada. The scenery was beautiful, the weather delightful most of the time. We didn't get any of the heat from the U.S. The people were very friendly and helpful and wanted us to like Canada. We saw some different sides of the Atlantic Canada, Scottish heritage and Acadian (French). At times, it was almost like being in Europe with the immersion possible in the cultures. We learned to speak more Canadian (meter, kilometer, lookoff, eh, from away (not from there), Tronno (Toronto) and ran across some things that should never be, like those pictured below. We made some very nice friends, share the road and blogs now and will meet again some day. We really met nice people all around.
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| Taste just like ketchup. |
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| Didn't try |
We probably won't complain about the price of milk, gas, beef, chicken, eggs and certainly not taxes anymore. 8 even 9% is way better than 15% sales tax!
We will be back in Maine soon and will head for NH and Vermont. Canada was a great summer trip and we would do it again. We have to because we missed NFLD. Look for more blogs from down the road
Fantastic. When you get to Houlton you will be within an hour of my home town of Presque Isle, The name is indian for almost an island. The Trans Canada is okay but watch out for hole that are the result of Spring Frost heaves. It is two+ hours to Bangor from Houlton. As you move South through the state of Maine you will see the socio-economic standards rise. Portland is very cosmopolitain. Last Fall we drove from Portland to Lake Winnipesaukee on the two lane roads. It was great with a Subaru Outback wagon but with a truck/trailer... not so much. Be safe and have fun.
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