JOURNEY THROUGH THE UNEXPECTED

Aug 28, 2016
Today we left Quebec City and travelled through Montreal which was kind of exciting except the traffic was worse than Toronto and it was SUNDAY.  Check our this picture

 

Well we got through that with no problems and headed in to Ontario  We were so glad to be back in Ontario until we were reminded of the Thunder and Lightnening storms we had when we were here the first time   We drove into Ottawa and boom.  A very large storm with lightening and  rain that was so heavy we had the wipers on full speed and still could not see a thing.  Cars in front of us put on 4 way flashers and so did we because that was all you could see through the rain it was so heavy  Traffic slowed to 50K to 60K in a 90K  because it was so bad.  Check out the pics below.  The first is the wipers clearing the windshield but look in the bottom of the windshield. That's what we could see for the most part.   Check out the second pic  can you read that sign.   Anyway we are now in Sault St Marie and will be going into Michigan on Thursday and who knows when we will return!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

QUEBEC CITY - OU-LA-LA

Aug 26, 2016
Our first day in Quebec City we decided to get lost. We did not listen to the GPS "Mistake"  We did not realize the ferry went from Levis (where we were camped) to the heart of Old Quebec.  We thought we had to take the bridge and that was quite a bit further.  The ferry at peak times runs every 30 min and it took us from campsite to ferry 15 min for a 11 min ferry ride.   Kevin will relate to this because he helped us get lost in PEI   We eventually found our way to Old Quebec City and had an awesome dinner (starving after being lost for 1 1/2 hours)  at a French restaurant that specializes in Gluten Free and it was fantastic. Brian decided he needed to try Poutine as an appetizer as they did it Gluten Free.  Not something I thought I would ever like but it was awesome  Brian eyes were bugging out as he ate it.  Yum  Both of us had the Filet with different sauces and we both said it was one of  the best filets ever. 
This place was so good we went back the next day for lunch. This is Brian Very Very happy after a wonderful French GF Meal

This is the place in the daylight  Nice Building  Half Hotel and the Restaurant in the bottom right side with some tables outside. 

Aug 27, 2016
The next day we caught the ferry late morning and spent the entire afternoon (after we ate lunch at that fantastic GF restaurant) walking the city.  Wow it is quite impressive.  The Chateau Frontenac is the most amazing hotel I have ever seen   The original was built in 1893 and to date has 18 floors and 600 rooms.  It is so beautiful with many turrets and a courtyard for an entrance.  Stunning.

We got a lot of exercise as the streets are up and down hills.  The buildings and storefronts  are so cool with brightly painted trim and flower boxes etc.  Very Old Buildings that are restored and beautiful 

We walked a lot and were very tired by the end of the day but what an awesome experience to see Old Quebec City on a beautiful sunny day .  We so enjoyed this experience.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND - TEN DOWN HOME TO GO

Aug 17, 2016 
So our welcome to PEI was very heavy rain all day although to be honest it started in Nova Scotia but continued all day so we had to set up the RV in the pouring rain.  Luckily we had rain jackets with us but it was very wet
Well all is not lost because we woke up the next morning and the sun was shining.  We are staying in Cavendish which is approx. 35min from Charlottetown.
PEI is beautiful with rolling hills, red cliffs and tons of beaches (I'm Happy)  Water is everywhere and so many of the homes have ocean views and even a lot of the farm land (mostly potatoes) have ocean views.  The cliffs along the shoreline with the red rocks are so impressive. 

Aug 19, 2016
Kevin has joined us in PEI (Not because he missed us but because he has never been to PEI) and will stay with us for 5 days.   Kevin & his Daddy Bonding (pic below)

We have been driving Kevin to show him PEI National Park in Cavendish which has several very beautiful beaches.  The cliffs along the shoreline with the Red Rocks I cannot say enough about how incredible and impressive they are. .  And of Course Me and Beaches (enough said)

 

 

Aug 21,2016
Today we set off to explore Charlottetown and we were pleasantly surprised by the quaint seaside experience. There is a lot of history in Charlottetown which was founded in 1764 and became a city in 1855 plus PEI joined  Canada in 1873. It is also known as the birth place of confederation.    There are a lot of beautifully restored buildings and a great boardwalk along the waterfront with shops, restaurants and entrainment daily during the summer.  Had a wonderful dinner on the waterfront and of course that included lobster. 

Aug 22,2016       

      Today we drove to the east side of PEI and visited the INN AT BAY FORTUNE  which is a 5 star Inn owned by Chef Michael Smith and his wife Chastity.  We were greeted by Chastity and shown through the Dining area and she explained how they grow their own organic Vegetables and source out other organic products for their meals.  They cook over an open fire oven and they have it set up like a dining hall in 3 separate areas.  It was a beautiful Inn and fits extremely well into the culture of PEI  She also told us they are booked well in advance and have many people on waiting lists.  Brian was upset that Michael was not there at the time but his wife was so gracious and generous with her time showing us the dining area and talking to us.  The first pic is the front of the building and the 2nd pic is the of one of the wings of the building where the suites are located.  

 

   

 

                                       

                         

Aug 23, 2016   Today we left PEI and headed back to Moncton N.B. Took the Confederation Bridge to NB and WOW what a very Long and Awesome Bridge that is. 

 

Kevin Flies home tomorrow early evening from Moncton and We have all really enjoyed our time in PEI and our time together. 

ALSO NOTE:  If you have never had PEI new potatoes they are the most delicious potatoes ever.  Kevin & I are not big potatoes eaters but we cooked a big bunch and we ate them all.  Also had fries in Charlottetown made from PEI potatoes and the best fries ever

BACK IN NOVA SCOTIA - CABOT TRAIL

Aug 13, 2016
Our last morning in Newfoundland and we woke up to Frost.  Just a wee bit cold.  And of course the 6 hour boring Ferry ride.  Newfoundland was awesome so well worth it and we loved it.
We are staying in Nova Scotia for a few more days and today we did the Cabot Trail.  We were going to go yesterday but it rained all day and was forecast to rain again today but oh well we gotta go.  We actually lucked out as the weather was cloudy and rainy in some spots but just cloudy in other spots.
The Cabot Trail is "Breathtaking"  Honestly one of the most beautiful spots (there have been so many on this amazing trip)
We left North Sydney where we are staying at around 10 am and the whole of the Cabot Trail is approx. 5 hours without stopping.  We stopped at most of the lookout points (I took only apporx. 175 pics) and we also stopped at some of the gift shops along the way. 
We also stopped for lunch at a place called Harbour in a small town called Cheticamp.  Real good food and I won't tell you what we ate but it begins with the letter " L"    Anyway got back to the RV at 7:30 Long Day but so amazing
It is so hard to describe the beauty of this drive along cliffs so just check out the pics below for a peak at what an incredibly scenic drive this is.

 

And even though it was cloudy and at times raining we still found a Beach for Arlene

FOGO ISLAND - UNSPOILED BY TIME

Aug 4 2016
Today we took the 45 min ferry ride to Fogo Island although 45 min ride turned into a 6 1/2 hour day.  We arrived at the ferry at 12:30 and it had just left so we were waiting for the next one at 2:45 which left at 4 pm and one stop at another island got us to our campsite at 7pm. The positive is the cost is $20.35 Return for Truck & RV.   The campsite is a bit primitive but right on the ocean with an awesome view (pic below)and some incredible hiking trails next to the campsite.  I don't mind a bit primitive when I have a view like this. 

After dinner I decided to follow one of the hiking trails right beside the campsite.  I got about 1/2 way up and came back a bit to where I could see Brian in the campsite below and motioned for him to come up where I was at.  The hike was a fairly easy not very steep trail that I knew he could do and the end result was so worth it.  It took us up to the top of the rock heads and we could view the other side of the rock heads down into a beautiful cove.
Look a these pics  Beautiful

We toured around the island the next day and it is exactly what we hoped it would be and more.  Tiny fishing villages, old homes, rock cliffs.  All the homes are built to fit the land and that is straight ROCK  The tiny fishing villages are so quaint and are exactly what we had hoped to see in Newfoundland.

After our day (a bit of rain) touring the island I decided to try the other hiking trail by our campsite.  It is a series of very steep and narrow stairs up to the top of the Rock Head.  I wasn't sure if could do it or not but I got just over a third of the way up when my fear of heights won the round.  I physically could have made it (stopping occasionally to catch my breath) but the height did me in.  I got as high as the pic below then the stairs stopped and it was rock for a bit with a post and one chain for a rail and beyond that was cliff so yes chicken that I am  I was done. 

But I have to say even the part that I climbed the views were incredible.  I was able to take the pic below which is the town of Fogo behind and not visible from the campsite. 

We had planned to go to the Fogo Island Inn for dinner while there but they were fully booked and we were told they are booked several weeks in advance for both lunch and dinner and from what we heard it is almost impossible to book for dinner as priority is given to guests of the Inn and apparently it is fully book quite far in advance also.  Popular place
So because we had to cook our own dinner we went to the seafood plant and bought 1 lb of Scallops for $13  and 2 lbs of crab claws cooked with the cap off (easy) for $30 and had the most awesome seafood dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Yum

Fogo Island is exactly what we wanted to see in Newfoundland.  The history, the small villages, and the incredibly resilient and friendly people.  This is definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

We have loved Newfoundland and are so very glad we came here. 

NEWFOUNDLAND

July 31, 2016
The ferry to Newfoundland is long, 6 hours, and not a lot to see except water.  They load their ferries differently than in B.C. (very slow process 1 to 1/2 hrs just to load) and therefore the ferry left 1/2 hr late.  Arrived in Port aux Basque NFLD at 7 pm  Drove about 1/2 hr to our campsite in a little town called Codroy and honestly it is probably the nicest campsite I have ever been in.  Very large sites, green grass and not a pothole to be found anywhere.  Alice who runs the RV Park is so friendly and accommodating.  We plan on spending a couple of nights there before getting the ferry back to Nova Scotia. 
Newfoundland is very different that what we are used to but also very beautiful.    It is very unique and is like being in a different world.  It really is a land like no other.  The Newfies that we have met have been so friendly and helpful and we absolutely love their accent.  The people here have a way of life that it so simple compared to what we live,  and good on them. 

 

Went to Gros Morne National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Beautiful mountains but not rugged like we have in B.C.  They are for the most part flatter and rounder than what we are used to at home although there are some rugged mountains in the area as shown below. The trees here are so much smaller than we have in B.C. because of the harsh winds and weather.    It is a very diverse landscape and we so enjoyed the beautiful mountains and the small villages inside the park.  If mobility was not an issue we would have been able to do some hiking and seen a lot more of the park but Oh well we really enjoyed what we were able to see.  Newfoundland is very beautiful and we are loving our time here.

 

Aug 9, 2016    We decided not to do the drive to St John's as time is limited and we wanted to see small town Newfoundland not the cities and we have definitely done that.    We returned to Codroy Valley for a few nights before taking the ferry back to Nova Scotia and we are so glad we did. The first night here they had a local 3 piece band come into play for the guests and what fun that was.  They played NFLD folk music and they were quite good. 

We have also done some driving around the Codroy valley and it is an absolutely gorgeous area.  We also managed to find Arlene  another beach where the Codroy river empties into the gulf of St Lawrence.  And of Course we also bought more Scallops & Lobster.