Day 68: Fundy to Halifax NS

 Dear Gilles, 

We travelled 345 km today. 

We were able to pack up with wind, but not rain. Everything is very damp though. 

We had breakfast near Magnetic Hill. So we had to try it. Luc didn't think it was spectacular. But we were able to do it twice. It's an illusion that you seem to be driving to the bottom of a paved road. But once you get there, put your car into neutral, it starts rolling backwards and picks up speed back to the starting point. Kinda cool. 

Then we headed in to Moncton and visited City Hall. We were able to get a pin from there. They have a deer statue with a fountain in front of their offices. 

Based on the best knowledge I had for Halifax weather over the next few days - I was not willing to sleep in single digits temperatures again. There have also been frost warnings issued. I booked us a hotel to dry out, sleep warm and generally re-organize the truck. PEI weather in the future is also calling for rain and more rain. 

It seemed like it was a long driving day today. I need to remember to not do too much and to slow down and there is no race to see 'everything'. The boys have been great and haven't complained about any of my ideas to do stuff, they're truely along for the ride. 

Day 67: St. John NB

 Dear Gilles, 

Another wet and rainy day. 

We headed to St.John (130km) to observe the Reversing Falls and the Irving Nature Park. Both of these were on my 'must do' list. 

We parked the truck at one side of the bridge, and "John aka Wolf" noticed our plates as he was walking by. So we asked him, as a local, about the falls. He was a GIS guy for the municipal government for 42 years, so he was very happy to tell us all the inside local information. 

Walking over the bridge was dizzying. It's amazing how much power is in the St.John river. 

Also on the banks was an Irving toilet paper manufacturing facility. There are Irving gas stations all over the place too. Irving is truely the main industrial employer of St.John. Their name is on all sorts of community infrastructure. 

We then went to the Nature preserve. Walked a short trail - then got in the truck, out of the wind and rain, and drove the 8km loop. Then we went back to the falls to see if there was any change in current flow. We found a different look out point to spend some time at. We parked at Wolastoq park which included a larger than life chainsaw carvings of historical figures. In the centre of the park was J.D.Irving. 

We've definitely observed tides in action - And this was the place to do it. 

It was still raining, and so we looked for a laundrymat in St.John. We tried three locations and they were either closed or scuzzy - so we headed to Sussex in search of one. Success in Sussex. I think we'll even drive 20km out of our way tomorrow to throw our sleeping bags into the dryer after all this moisture. 

Back at the park for 7pm. It's the Monday night of the long weekend, so everyone has gone home. There's a closed in pavillion available with minimal heat, shower house and wifi. We're the only ones here - enjoying warmth, dryness and just generally having some creature comforts not normally available while camping. 

Day 66: Hopewell Rocks and Moncton

 Dear Gilles, 

It rained. 

We woke up and got in the truck for Hopewell Rocks. It's a 48km drive. We arrived at the park just before it opened. Paid the admittance fee and hiked (<1km) down to the ocean floor. We had our gumboots on and were able to explore the silty, muddy beach anywhere we liked. It was entertaining to watch other tourists come down with brand new shiny shoes. Waring rubber boots ensured we had an enjoyable time. The tide was on its way down and Luc spent a lot of the time right at the waters edge. 

After the rocks, we drove up to Moncton to check out the Tidal Bore. No photos of this one. That day, it was scheduled for 2:40, so we went for a filling breakfast at the Homestead Restaurant. Patric had a BLT, Luc a cheeseburger and I had a full hot turkey sandwhich meal - that included a scoop of turnips. I made the boys try them. It makes me want to request a single planting of rutabaga. I know you enjoy it, and perhaps I can get more appreciative of the flavour. 

We parked the truck at the amphitheatre, and there about 20 others, in hooded rain-jackets - also waiting for the bore. Once we saw that the 'crowd' was getting excited we got out of the truck and in to the rain to watch the event. It was 15 minutes earlier than the website predicted. 

Fun to see. Once. 

We stopped off at the Moncton Mall - which was super busy for a Sunday of the long weekend. I picked up a more functional rain jacket - I've always wanted a yellow one - but not one of those stiff plastic fisherman ones. I just want to look like a fisherman. 

We then headed back to Hopewell rocks and took some photos of the Trump scarecrow we had noticed on the way in to town. We arrived with just 45 minutes until park close (and high tide) to take a few quick photos and head back to Fundy National Park. 

Luc got a fire going for us, with predominantly wet wood, and green wood. We had a green salad and tortellini for supper. 

Day 65: Fundy National Park

 Dear Gilles, 

Today it is not expected to rain. The next two days it is. It's plus 12C and cloudy. So we planned a zero day today - and the next two days will be day trips out of the park. 

We got our bikes out and tested the pump track at the park. It was the first time any of us had been on a pump track. 

It was fun. Until Patric fell and skinned his knee. 

We went back to the campsite. I set up a tarp in the trees behind our tent - in case we need extra shelter. We threw the big black tarp onto the tent - just in case - as well. Photo is pre-tarp set up. 

Then we got in the truck and went to the visitor centre and gift shop to find out about tides. The Bay of Fundy, specifically the town of Alma - is known for having the highest tides in the world. 

We walked down to Wolfe Point Beach and were there as the tide was coming in. The boys built a dam in a fresh water stream making its way to the salt water. They stood on rocks, until they had to get off or they would have a booter. They played with snails. We stayed until they chose that they had had enough time. 

Then we went into the town of Alma for gas - and for a lobster roll. Which is a $21 lobster-salad sandwhich. But it's the season and a must-try for everyone. The lobster in front of the shop was wood - chainsaw-carved style. 

Dinner tonight is tortellini. 

Luc has been great for fire-building and kindling-making. Firewood is plentiful and free at this park (you pay for a mandatory fire permit per night of stay). Some of the wood is very green still, which is annoying but can't be helped. 

I'm able to update this letter to you from a covered pavillion near the pump track. There's power, wifi and two wood stoves to keep it cozy. 

Day 64: New Brunswick - Fundy National Park

 Dear Gilles, 

We started out a little later, as the campground had super clean washrooms - so we all had showers. 

Our first New Brunswick stop was in Grand Falls. They were pretty impressive. The visitor centre had a model of directing the water using marbles - which I thought was pretty cool - as it made the water flow as giant particles. 

Then we plugged the gps system with the Hartland Covered Bridge. The longest covered bridge in the WORLD.  It was unfortunately closed to vehicle traffic - but the construction guys said we could walk across it. So we did. 

Along the highway, we saw a bill board for Covered Bridge Potatoe Chips. So we went looking for that too. Their gift shop was open, so we each chose two flavours of chips to take with us to Fundy National Park. Purely Canadian Brand.  Their factory had burnt down, and they are currently contracting out the kettle-cooking small batch flavours. But the new factory will be open later this year. 

We stopped in Sussex to pick up groceries - and headed to Fundy National Park for the next few days. 

Day 63: Cornwall ON to St-Alexandre-de-Kamouraska PQ

 Dear Gilles, 

We left the campground at 8:45 am and it was already 19C out. At one rest stop it was 28C.  We drove 569 km today and ended up at Rayon de Solieil Campground. Unserviced site fee was $37.50.

Ontario has ONRoute reststops that include fast food places with their washrooms and a gas station. Quebec has very nice washroom and picnic area rest stops. 

It was just off the highway. It was 5:00, my truck alarmed low fuel with 80km DTE and I was mentally prepared to stop. 

It also looked like a rain storm was ahead of us. So, my logic was that I wouldn't regret if we stopped and there was no rain. But I would have regretted NOT stopping and having to set up in the rain. 

Day 62: Toronto to Cornwall

 Dear Gilles, 

We made it from Toronto to almost Cornwall ON. 

We stayed in Farran Park Campground for the night. A grassy spot beside the Upper Canada Village - right on the St. Lawrence River. 

We stopped in at the Village and asked, if we could take a quick tour through the grounds - since there was only a half hour left until closing. They declined allowing us. The boys weren't too heart broken. From the pamphlet map and what we could see from the gate - it was comparable to Barkerville. A town-like site rather than a fort. 

They did allow us to shop. So we bought a loaf of bakery made bread. It was super heavy and dense - probably around 2 lb - for $7. 

We wandered through the pioneer cemetery. Pretty awesome stones. Instead of allowing them to all fall down and become weathered - they were set into a brick wall and preserved. 

Overall, a smooth ride for the first day.