maritimes 1

another update

one brief social comment on Quebec - as a redneck Albertan it is a little annoying to have to have everything in 2 official languages eventhough I can probably count on one hand the # of Albertans who speak/read French but don't speak/read French. then I get to Quebec and there is no English on the signs. We generally understand the meaning but in particular when they are warning me of something (ATTENTIONEMENT!) it would be nice to know what the hell they are talking about. That said, everyone we met was pretty nice. I always tried to speak to them in French, they always smiled at me like I was an idiot and replied in English.

Anyway, we are now in the Maritimes. The scenery, campgrounds and food are amazing. We are going through relatively quickly, plan is to spend more time here on our return way through.

First stop in New Brunswick was at Charlo. Nice campground just over the St. Lawrence. We went for a bike ride and found a great trail that was recently opened between a number of towns. Really nice.

Next day was a slow drive down the cost, went out to Miscou Island and then on to a campground just outside Miramichi. Driving is a lot different here than in NW Ontario. There is a new little community around pretty much every corner, and each seems kind of unique and interesting. Instead of elevators (like Saskatchewan), every town has a Catholic church. The Quebecois must be better Catholics than the Maritimers because their churches looked nicer.

Anyway, when I went to pay the campground guy at Miramichi, he had just sat down for a beer. Said my timing was great as he now had enough money for another dozen.

Next day we continued down the northeast end of NB. Stopped at Kouchibouguac National Park for a 2 hour bike ride. Neat place with one of the few Canadian "keys" - some small islands that protect a saltwater lagoon.

Made our way to Moncton, where we "camped" at Walmart. All Walmarts in North Amercia allow overnight camping and we have been using almost every 2nd night. Price is good (free) and it also allows us to stay in a city, as most campgrounds are generally out of town. There are always a few campers in the parking lot with us.

Another leisurely driving/touring day and we were in Nova Scotia (another province down - that is 8 if anyone other than me is counting). Camped at an amazing provincial campground just outside Pictou, our site backed onto a cliff from which there was a walkway down to the beach. Across the water we could see PEI. Pictures are above but probably don't do it justice.

next day was more driving/touring. Stopped in Pictou, where the first Scots landed/settled in North America. They had a museum there but I doubt it does well as there isn't a Scotchman in the world who would pay $7 to see a wee bit of old Scottich crap. the streetlights in Pictou each have a tartan on them, saw the Hay, Macleod, etc...

on the food front, we have done fish and chips (halibut and haddock), mussels (twice, we prepared), seafood chowder, salmon (BBQ with maple syrup) and a lobster dinner out (the Green House in Shediac, NS - fantastic!). Tonite we are cooking fresh scallops with recipe from an Atlantic Seafood cookbook we bought. Have not been able to find Cheech'N'Chong crab anywhere though.

and now we are in Baddeck, NS. it is the long weekend so we were advised to actually plan and reserve campsites so we are here for 2 nights, then to the Sydney Walmart prior to boarding the ferry for Newfoundland Monday morning. Baddeck is in the middle of Cape Breton and we will tour from here the next 2 days and see what we can find.

All continues to go well except Aneeda/Monique is not reacting well to the east coast bugs, and the bites are swollen and itchy. She read somewhere that a meat tenderizer mixed with water rub will help the itching so she is trying that. Says it is helping and she smells delicious.

By the way, today marks 5 weeks since we left - the time is flying.

Miss you all and hope all goes well!