Days 19 and 20: Westward Ho!!!

PEI was great. On Thursday morning, we began our journey west. After a short drive in PEI, we arrived at and crossed Confederation Bridge. What an amazing structure. We got off on the New Brunswick side to take some photos.

New Brunswick, unfortunately, we found pretty disappointing. So, we literally got through it as fast as possible. At its most northern point is Campbellton, a main crossing point over to Quebec. Driving across the Gaspe Peninsula, we finally made it to Rimouski and Route 132. This part of the drive was very enjoyable as this highway runs along the St-Lawrence Seaway and offers magnificent views. We continued on and stopped in Riviere du-Loup. We found a Days Inn and they had very few "rooms" left. We were given 301, but shortly, we discovered there was no third floor. Right beside the hotel, we about 10 small cabins, and we had one of them. For slightly more than a room, we had our own little cabin for the night. Below is a photo of Carrie on the balcony. The kids enjoyed the pool. Sam's swimming has really improved on this trip. He now jumps into the deep end and swims over the the shallow end. Jake is a fish as always. And Kate, with the aid of water wings, has also taken to the water. She is quite happy to jump into the deep end and swim on her own (with us nearby of course). She even had a go at the slide!


Friday was driving, driving, and more driving. We left Riviere du-Loup at about 9:45 EST. Roughly, it's 2 hours to Quebec City, another 2 hours to Montreal, 2 hours further to Ottawa, then a final 2 hours to Deep River. With breaks, we drove this leg in 9.5 hours. Needless to say, we were glad to pull into Deep River. Bob and Wynn are away for a visit in Bob's old neck of the woods, Noranda, Quebec, but they have graciously offered the Robertson homestead to us. We look forward to their return on Sunday!

Confederation Bridge

Back in New Brunswick
Lunch in Miramichi - I thought I was in Ireland!!!New Brunswick lighthouse
Back in Quebec

Beautiful Route 132 in Quebec

Our "room" at the Days Inn, Riviere du-Loup, Quebec
Kate on the slide
Kate the fish
Sam the fish

Days 17 and 18: Exploring the Emerald Isle

Days 17 and 18 were spent exploring Prince Edward Island. After such a great deal of driving to get to places, we have finally arrived at a place that, within 50-100 kilometres, you can be at your destination. Such was the case with Cavendish, northwest of Charlottetown, and setting for Lucy Maud Montgomery's Canadian Classic, Anne of Green Gables. It was a warm day and there were many tourists, especially Japanese. Apparently, Anne of Green Gables is actually part of the curriculum in Japanese schools, and 5% of visitors to the site are Japanese. The site we visited was turned into an 18-hole golf course after the farm was sold in the early 1900s, but was reconstructed and turned into a National Historic Site. Details were taken from photographs, journals, and the books themselves. The kids really enjoyed the visit. Jake has really surprised us. The spirit of the island has crept into his heart and he has purchased the book, Anne of Green Gables. Together with an audiobook on his iPod, he has already read most of the book, and is loving it. Way to go Jake! After visiting Green Gables, we went to Cavendish beach. It was nice, however, thousands of jelly fish had made their way near the beach, so we were all careful in the water. In the evening, we went into Charlottetown to buy tickets to Anne of Green Gables, the play. We also walked the streets and made our way down to the wharf where a free concert was taking place. We enjoyed the "Cows" ice cream and the maritime music.The next day, we visited Province House, PEI's legislative building, and site of the Charlottetown Conference of 1864, where Sir John A. MacDonald and the rest of the "Fathers of Confederation" met to start the process of Confederation. It was interesting to walk the same hallways and climb the same stairs these men did, and be in the same room where the early discussions of Canadian Confederation took place. At 2 p.m., we took in the play. The kids loved it. Kate actually met Anne! In the evening, we went for a drive along the southern shore and found a Provincial Park called Argyle Shores. The kids enjoyed the warm water and red sand, particularly Sam (see below). On our way back, we were treated to a beautiful sunset of Augustine Cove. What a wonderful way to conclude our stay in PEI. In the morning, we look forward to crossing Confederation Bridge, then making our way through New Brunswick, stopping in Quebec, then making it back to Deep River, Ontario, in a couple of days. We have a great deal of driving ahead of us :-)

Green Gables - Cavendish, PEI
Anne's Room
Kids have their picture taken in Anne's garden
Kids in the carriage
Mom, Dad, and Kate go for a carriage ride too!
Kate took this photo!!!
A PEI staple - potatoes
PEI's distinctive red soil
PEI ice cream - COWS
Cows ice cream bar
Kids sitting on the cow
Outdoor concert in Charlottetown
Province House - PEI Legislative Building and 1864 meeting place for the "Fathers of Confederation"
The Fathers of Confederation met around this table
Kate meets Anne Shirley - Kate was shy
Kate tries to look like Anne
Sam doesn't eat lobster, but he finds them very interesting
PEI Provincial Park - Argyle Shores



Sunset over Augustine Cove, PEI. Confederation Bridge is to the left.

Days 15 and 16: Cape Breton to the Peaceful Island

Days 15 and 16 were spent on beautiful Cape Breton Island, primarily Sydney. After getting in late from our day in Halifax, we did some local exploring on Sunday. In the morning, we went to Louisbourg, a French colony from the 1700s that was destroyed by the British then reconstructed by the Government of Canada. It was interesting to learn about the role of the French in our history. There were many characters roaming the streets and we had a period lunch of soup and bread (simple but good).

In the late afternoon, we travelled up the coast towards Glace Bay and the Mining Musuem. It was an interesting place because there is an old mine under the museum. We went on a very interesting tour of the abandoned mine. It was wet, cool, and VERY dark. It was just the right size for the kids to stand upright, but I had to bend over in order to walk in the tunnel. I couldn't imagine working down there! Shelldon, the tour guide and retired miner, knew his stuff!

Monday was dedicated to driving the Cabot Trail which circles the Cape Breton Highlands. It is a beautiful, scenic drive with many places to stop, look, and take photos. We stopped for lunch at the "Rusty Anchor" and decided this was the place we would order lobster (though none of us are real seafood lovers). We insisted that all the kids at least try a little piece. Jake took a piece and said it was OK. Kate needed about 15 minutes and a few threats :-) And Sam...was Sam. Dramatic as ever. After a half hour, we finally stuffed some lobster into a french fry and he ate that. My, the length we need to go sometimes! We continued and completed the Cabot Trail and made it to Pictou, Nova Scotia, where there is a ferry that runs to PEI It is run by Northumberland Ferry Lines (NFL), and is a 60 minute ride. PEI is beautiful. We've only been here a few hours, but I can tell already. We are looking forward to exploring the island over the next 3 days. Tomorrow we are heading to Cavendish, setting of Anne of Green Gables.