Roads in BC

“Well the road can’t be that bad”. Bullshit. It can be.

After hitting a transport trailer mud flap in Quesnel – long story – we decided to head into Likely to go fishing. Karen had visited the area prior to us getting married and said how nice it was. So when we checked in at the tourism office in Quesnel she confirmed that there were two roads into Likely. Coming from the North you can turn off at McLease Lake and head south west to the lake or drive all the way down to 150 Mile House and head in from there. It might be a bit hilly though.

What she did not mention is that the road from McLease Lake to Likely – well most of the way – is gravel. Well-traveled by logging trucks, rutted, potholed and washboard for about 40 kilometers. And there is little or no road markings. And it passes through open range country so there are cattle everywhere especially on the road. So for about an hour and a half we traveled along the high plateau dodging cows, trying not to actually kill Rattletrap by shaking her to death and not knowing we were actually on the correct road. And it had grades in the 9% range for what seemed like miles at a time. When we finally found the paved road heading into town I just about cried. Half way through all I wanted to do was crawl into a ball and suck my thumb like a baby. We were that scared that we would finally kill Rattletrap. Fun times were had by all.

We did survive and ended up at a really nice community campground in Likely, population next to zero, with a campground host that I can only presume failed the “super host” program. Or is on parole.

It is a really nice place with a great history and if you visit – which you should – make sure you visit the museum and visitors center. There you can view a wonderful video on the history of the Bullion Pit Mine, how it was built, by whom and showing some of the amazing engineering employed to build it. To say that we could never replicate the same feat today is an understatement!

We are home now. Karen is recuperating her leg after re-injuring it fishing after we came home from the trip. I am back to work and Rufus is being a dufus. Rattletrap is parked in the front yard, 8,000 km more on the odometer and really no worse for wear from the trip.

So what did we learn from our adventure:

·        The North is vast and seemingly never ending. Especially when you are driving it day after day.

·        Get fuel wherever and whenever you can. Never pass a gas station “thinking” there is one down the road. It may not be there, have fuel, or the proprietor got drunk and did not show up for work.

·        Seeing a grizzly bear reminds you that you are not the top of the food chain.

·        Road trips can be tiring. Take a vacation from your adventure.

·        If you have any doubts about your relationship with your spouse go on a road trip. It will either erase them or enhance them. In our case I am glad my wife did not kill me in my sleep as I probably deserved it some time.

·        Stop and smell the flowers. Just don’t stop too close to wildlife. See food chain advice above.

·        Go and see the north before it is gone. Oil and gas expansion will change the north with more people and increased infrastructure. Fort Nelson will look like a mini Edmonton in 10 years.

So we thought all along that we were going to come home, sell Rattletrap and actually grow up and buy a new real motor-home. Well that was till we actually got home and started looking at maps – again.

So the adventure shall continue. Think “Viva Baja” in 2016 J

Kevan Karen & Rufus!!

Well here are some final pictures to chuckle at. Kevan is presently composing the final installment of Alaska/Yukon 2015.



 http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854270828-1442890420-47690/

Karen (with Rufus at her feet)

Miles upon miles..............

Miles upon miles upon miles……..

That is what it feels like sometimes. The never ending driving; in a barren landscape. Not flat and boring like Saskatchewan more like having to watch a boring PBS show or someone’s home movies. Over and over again.

That is driving from the Yukon back to lower BC. And lower BC means Prince George.

Give you an idea of what it is like; we left Liard Hot Springs at 8:30 am. Normal stops for lunch, wild life photos and 5 construction zones later we were in Fort Nelson at 3:30. Yes almost 6 hours of continual momentum to cover about 260 kms.  Did we mention the road construction and having to follow 3 pilot cars.

The north has two seasons: winter and road repair.

When we were here in 2009 the roads in northern BC were terrible. We had driven better road in Mexico than in northern BC. Well since that time someone got a boatload of money and is spending it as fast as possible on road improvements. So in a couple of years the road up here should be nice. But not now.

Complaining aside the views are magnificent and we are in beautiful fall colours. But after the first 1,000 km of viewing them, they start to blur after awhile. And there is nowhere to stop and take in some interesting sights, etc. because other than building the Alaskan Highway in the 1940’s the only other interesting thing up here is the current gas exploration boom. Not real interesting for a traveler but good for the local economy.

So we write this from a campground south of Dawson Creek. We have ended our trek upon the Alaskan Highway and are thankful for it. Rattletrap has survived up to this point – with some teething issues – but still on the road.  Karen has not killed Kevan – yet - and Roofus is still a doofus. All is well, albeit a little road weary.

Now we are in search of warmer weather and hopefully more interesting surroundings. Basically we are off to go fishing in the 100 mile house area for a couple of days then head back to the Island.

Cheers for now

Kevan, Karen and Roofus.

Dawson North

Here is a few photos :

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854287822-1441595144-18362

From the road Kevan, Karen and Rufus!!

Dawson

We ended up at the “Top of the World” and decided to head south. Well from here everything is south.

Due to Karen’s leg issues we have decided not to go into Alaska. The financial risk of re-injuring her calf muscle is too great even properly insured. Oh well, we decided to go up part of the “top of the World” highway to the viewpoint that overlooks the vast Dawson area. Pictures to follow when we get enough Internet bandwidth somewhere.

One of the great things about the Dawson area is that you can walk everywhere. So cane in hand Karen and I set about and did the normal sight seeing things. Two of the highlights were the Dredge #4 and a walking tour of the city.

The dredge is a National historic sight and it is HUGE. Built in 1913 it was designed and built partly in Wisconsin and Vancouver. One of the large gears is 14 feet in diameter and was too big to be shipped with the fir timbers from Vancouver. It came via sternwheeler up the Yukon River. Not only is it an engineering marvel for its time it was in use till the late 1950’s.

We did a guided walking tour of Dawson. It highlighted the strange stories and characters of the era along with access to some of the historic buildings like the Red Feather Saloon. If you ever visit Dawson make time for one of their great walking tours.

We are now heading south stopping for some fishing and an extended stay back in Whitehorse that will include dinner at the Klondike Rib and Salmon Barbecue. Can hardly wait.

On the road to Nowhere.

Kevan, Karen and Rufus.

Updated photo

Here are some updated photos. We struggle with file size and "high speed" so there at not a lot but they are good:


 http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854268756-1441147878-65669/


K, K & R

Too tired for dinner?

In Whitehorse and too tired to even go out for dinner. Karen cooked up bacon and pancakes while I fettled with Rattletrap’s ongoing transmission saga.

The transmission issue is rather simple. The overdrive cuts out over about 3,000 ft so coming up from Watson Lake we kept dropping into 3^rd gear and could not get it to shift up to overdrive. Same thing happened on the cross Canada trip but self-corrected when we came out of Calgary as the rest of Canada resides below 3,000 ft.

The solution is to find the altimeter used by the transmission computer and unplug it. Install a jumper cable between two of the terminals of the connector and viola we fool the computer into thinking we are always at sea level. According to the Internet forum it should work - maybe.

As for being tired it is because of the mileage we have put on. We have logged nearly 5,000 kms since leaving home with the only real stop in Nakusp for the HU event. So we have been getting up at 7:00 on the road by 8:30, stopping only long enough for coffee, gas and a sandwich made in a highway pull off somewhere. About 4:00 ish we start to look for a place to stay for the night so hopefully we can be set up and eating dinner by 6:00 ish.  Do dishes, walk the dog and off to bed to read. Sounds good the first day but by the end of the first week it gets a little tiring.

So when we got into Whitehorse we hit the Canadian Tire for a few things and then headed to the campground. Good thing as the parking lot of the Wal-Mart was absolutely packed with RVs – campers, trailer, motorhomes – all that you can imagine. And it was filthy with garbage falling out and strewn around the garbage cans, shit everywhere and in general not a good vibe. Sort of a real low rent stopping area for people too cheap to pay the $30 for the great campsite we are in.

We were so bummed out and tired instead of heading off to one of our favourite restaurants we headed to the campground. Had a “dispute” regarding my parking abilities and then realised that the real issue was that we were just tired and weary from all the driving.

So how to cure the tiredness? Firstly break up the routine.

Try to have more stops during the day but honestly this is hard to do in the area of the world. The natural beauty of the place is amazing but you cover vast terrain between anything of any real importance or interest. Hence you just drive and look a the trees, mountains and keep an eye open for suspension ruining pot holes the depth of a decent coal mine.

We are heading to Dawson City for a few days of fun and excitement. There we will park up then eat, drink, gamble, see the sights. At this point this sound like the best cure for being tired – have some fun.

Sometimes you have to take a vacation from your adventure.

On the road to Alaska

Kevan, Karen and Rufus.

Moose stalking in the North

Three years and nearly 30,000 kms for Karen to finally spot a wild moose. She has been looking for one since we left to cross Canada in August 2012. All we saw, all the way across Canada were 5 moose: 3 stuffed and 2 in the back of pickup trucks in Quebec.

Well, she finally spotted one on the side of the road on the Cassier highway while heading for Watson Lake, Yukon which is where we are.  She had been looking since we pulled onto the highway at 100 Mile House; camera in hand waiting for that classic travel picture with a moose in it. When she finally did see one it was a glance of a cow in a road side swamp while travelling at 90 kph. All that and she did not get a picture.

Along the way we have seen lots of wild life. We saw our first grizzly bear, a fox, a couple of black bears and about a billion chipmunks. To our wildlife loving friends – fear not the northern chipmunk is doing fine.

Since leaving the fires and heat in Nakusp we travelled north stopping to see old friends in Burns Lake. We only get to see them every few years, which is never enough, but a more welcome home we seldom visit. Ian and Heather we miss seeing you more!

Sorry for the slow update but WIFI and high speed internet are not synonymous here in the great White North. Due to the slow speed we will update photos later.

On the road to Alaska………..

Kevan, Karen and Rufus.

On the road to Alaska

“Head West young man, head West”

And so we are, well, slowly.

We spent a very busy four days with our friends at Horizons Unlimited in Nakusp. It was a very rewarding but simply very busy. Hence the slow posting of postings on this blog.

We are doing well. Rattletrap is doing ok. Rufus is doing great. Karen’s leg is slowly healing and she is getting around better by the day.

So here are some pictures for the time being with more to follow: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewthumb/11854277236-1440638526-14614/parm/page/1/15/

 

On the road to Alaska

Kevan, Karen and Rufus J

2015 and a new adventure

In 1962 Johnny Horton sang:

“North to Alaska
You go north, the rush is on
North to Alaska
I go North, the rush is on … “

And North we shall go again, this time we are heading for the North Pole. Not that North Pole - North Pole Alaska.

In 2009 Karen and I rode our motorcycles to the Arctic Circle on the famed Dempster Highway. That is the road north of Dawson City heading to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. We loved it so much we said we always wanted to go back and we are.

This time we are heading back to Dawson City. From there we will take the Top of the World Highway into Alaska heading north to North Pole, then past Fairbanks up to the Denali National Park to see the mighty Mount McKinley. We will head south the coastline of Alaska, hoping to hit Homer Alaska, and then trundle home.  Simple and according to Google Maps only about 10,000 kms.

With seven weeks off from our work it should give us ample time to see the historic sites, LOTS of wildlife and fly fish in some of the most majestic and scenic areas of North America. We can hardly wait.

This is the first trip to the North that we will be taking something other than motorcycles. My previous trip to Alaska with my good friend Mark in 2012 did not work out as planned ( we did not plan on me getting pneumonia, 17 days of rain, road wash outs, and mechanical breakdowns – who does ?).

This time our adventure continues in “Rattle Trap” our travel motorhome. Since coming home from our cross Canada adventure in 2013 “RT” has had numerous fishing adventures on Vancouver Island but is lusting for one last great adventure to see the rest of Canada. So with a quick tune up, some reconstructive interior work (rot repair) and a wash she has been pronounced ready for her next adventure.

Accompanying us this time is Rufus the wonder puppy. We will have had him just one year when we leave in Mid-August and we will see how he does on the big trip. He has travelled and camped with us since we got him so he is very used to RT but we will see how he adapts to life on the road.

Stay tuned for the adventure !

Kevan and Karen

 

Epilogue

Canadian Adventure Epilogue

Well it has been a couple of days home now and we are just started to feel “at home” again. The house feels big and there is a lot of stuff inside. It takes more than two steps to make coffee in the morning. The dog is wondering why we aren’t driving anywhere and where the hell are her Timbits at coffee time!!!

Of course we missed our children, family and friends but we are missing our life on the road, that bodes well for our next adventure. Talks have been started of what modifications are needed to Rattletrap to go south to Baja!! First of all we need Kevan to have surgery and heal (my thought was he could do that in the warm air) alas perhaps I should just go back to work to prepare the bank accounts again!!

Looking at a montage of pictures last night with the parents and realizing just how far we travelled was awesome! The symbols of our country from coast to coast such as Maple syrup, beavers, the maple leaf, hockey sticks and these are usually found on the side of buildings called gift shops!!

Things at the beginning of our journey that we made fun of such as KOA campgrounds, CBC radio, Canadian Tire (I’ll never have them work on my vehicle), & BC Ferries. They are now not so bad amazingly!!

So in the end for me 77 days on the road & Kevan had been gone 85 days.

We put on 19769 kms throughout our journey in total.

Only thirteen nights not in the motor home.

So adventure with best friend (Kevan) and man’s best friend (Ryanne)

PRICELESS!!!

Maple Ridge to Victoria

Kevan Takes Four Ladies to Dinner!!

After a great dinner with friends in Summerland the next morning we continued our trek down to the lower mainland to stay in Maple Ridge. Females surrounded poor Kevan for the evening after he bought Chinese food!! Kids and dogs oh my! (Ryanne visited her mother and sister). It was a beautiful sunny day and the traffic was minimal for a change. A nice picnic in Manning Park and still Rattletrap is an attention getter!

The next morning we set off through the ugly traffic towards the ferry!! Kevan hates Vancouver traffic to start with and we both are having mixed feelings about heading home. Don’t doubt our love for our family and friends but we are having a blast (I truly think a better time than either of us expected in some ways).   Through the heart of the beast and the weather is rolling in a thick fog (oh so much more fun in traffic). Trying for the 11:00 ferry to Victoria but probably will be on the 1:00. Alas the ferry is late and finally works in our favour for a change and little ole Rattletrap rolled on board!!

Our last official night away, and in the happy home our long-time friends the Bonkowski’s. Home-cooked meal, old stories of days gone past, plans for the future (they are soon to be first-time grandparents!!) final send-off breakfast and north to Nanaimo we go!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854228512-1382842623-62115/

The Travellers

Kevan, Karen, and Ryanne

Friends New and Old!!

We Are So Lucky!!

With our adventure coming to a close shortly (definitely not our last) we have been able to stay with both new and old friends on our journey from Alberta to BC. A wonderful stay in Airdrie Alberta with Don and Carol. Guest host of Zoe the dog. It was definitely different being the “hosties” vs. the hosts. A wonderful stay to be continued at our house at a later date!!!

Then off to Canmore, Alberta to stay with Nevil and Michelle. Garagiritias for the men in the man cave beside the four motorcycles sitting in lawn chairs!! A beautiful drive in the sun down to Summerland to stay with old friends and family for the night. Lots of fog down south which sounds similar to Nanaimo by the news.

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854298112-1382586033-93297/

Kevan, Karen and Ryanne

PS the Calgary Zoo is still fun even partially open!!

Regina to Lethbridge

Moose Jaw who knew??

Well finally out of Ontario, yay!!! Yet alas the thermostat is still high!!!! What can it be!!! Well the moral of the story is that trust your gut!! Kevan had suspected the thermometer from the beginning but had been told by two different technicians that it couldn’t possibly be this. So defer to the professionals (doctors, lawyer and mechanics) you say. So in the snow showers in the campground in the dark Kevan changed the damn thermostat ($5.00 piece) and lo and behold SHE IS CURED!!!!

HAPPY HAPPY KEVAN!!!!!

To Regina overnight in a hotel for a change and Chinese food for dinner. Went to the RCMP museum and then off to Moose Jaw.

So Moose Jaw is a great little town with lots to do. We went on an underground tour of the Capone era that was fascinating. Found a great little campground for the night.

Stayed with Kevan’s cousins’ daughter and her husband in Lethbridge the next night, which was great!! Three dogs in the house was fun. Beautiful clear cold night but no snow. It’s predicted for two nights later (will be headed out first).

Getting closer to BC we have to get through Alberta first!!!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854252997-1382581956-62768/

Kevan, Karen, Ryanne and a Healed Rattletrap!!

In Regina

Part of the Adventure they say!!??

Well luckily after the long weekend stay in Thunder Bay Rattletrap gained a new radiator after we walked around the “business district” of town for nearly two hours. Saw the abandoned rail cars, grain elevators, and a high concentration of rental properties (including guard dogs)!! So off we go trundling down Trans-Canada refreshed to find the elusive campground. Alas a lovely one found in Dryden owned by a German couple. Dinner in the sunshine and its midway through October what could go wrong you say!!!??

Early start due the time change, up and on the road, it’s another beautiful day. Thinking about coffee in Kenora but decided to go around on the bypass route. We met Adam, Amber and eventually Michelle. Ever so grateful to all and thank-yous will be sent!!

So there are  a few things that a wife will always jump at when your husband states emphatically, grab the fire extinguisher I’m pulling over fast I see smoke, and grab the dog!!! OK so this is a good reason to know where all safety supplies are kept (I did). Needless to say it was a fast exit luckily there was room on the roadside and not much traffic due to the early hour of 1000.

Thankfully there was no fire only smoke as we caught it in time, and found one of transmission hoses split beyond fixing and puking fluid everywhere!! So we are well prepared for most things except catastrophic failures and a hose we don’t have. So as Kevan was surveying the scene I did what any wife would do- held the dog and flagged down an OPP sergeant (Adam) whom was driving by. Thankfully he called THE ONLY TOWING COMPANY IN THE REGION on his cell because neither of ours worked in this spot!! Nice to know after the fact it’s a huge dead-zone.

So after a chilly wait for the tow as she (Amber) was towing cars from a huge drug raid going down we were off, not before another officer stopped as well.

 Small town, many mechanics and it took twelve calls of “sorry to busy to look” or they couldn’t bother with us, it started to look like we would be fixing her in a back alley, I was thinking I would be on the ground following Kevan directions as his shoulder is quite painful lately. At least it wasn’t snowing right? Alas Amber to the rescue at the local Canadian Tire (Michelle) and after some pleading we were in “sometime” today. Dropped at 1200ish out the door at 430 with the new @#(*&^  $3.00 hose attached!!!

Down the same road again, sigh of relief as we passed the puddle on the road.

Exhausted but wanting out of Kenora we made it to a sweet campground in Prawda Manitoba. GOOD BYE ONTARIO!!!

Things to note:

Always be nice to the police as they are handy!/Women tow-truck drivers’ rock!

Read the road signs to know where you are!/Don’t diss Canadian Tire some are great!

McD’s coffee in a pinch is good!/Always have AAA!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854233706-1382147971-58327/

Thanksgiving Weekend

Holy Wind Gusts!!!

If Rattletrap were a sailboat we would have been across the prairies already! Another sunny and really warm day today. Off to a slow start today as we were going to The Canadian Bush plane & Heritage centre for what is supposed to be an awesome experience. Museum? Well that’s just up our alley!!  Apparently “hands-on” displays- that’s always fun no matter what age you are. Arrive through the maze of one-way streets around the waterfront with some of the traffic lights not working to find the museum looking closed. Damn!! Kevan checked it out and finds that they too have no power but come right in and pay on the way out. So with the museum to ourselves we wander around the large amount of displays. Unfortunately, no power means no video display, no 3-D firefighter movie, & no flight simulator!!!

It ended up a short day landing in Wawa again in the same campground to rest-up, laundry and re-fuel with groceries. Nice roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy and fresh veggies. Got to eat right!!!

Landed in Thunder Bay the next night. Seems we may be here a couple days though. Rattletrap has been running warm and Kevan suspects the original radiator may be the culprit. So here we sit until the long weekend is over and businesses are open again. Rolled over 230000 on the odometer (I guess she deserves another radiator). Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854242465-1381708844-73254/

Kevan, Karen and Ryanne

 

Heading West

Heading West towards the Motherland!

 

Well it appears that we are heading homeward now as we have stayed in the same place twice. The lovely KOA in Sturgeon Falls. The owner remembered little Rattletrap and us when we were registering and wanted to hear of our adventures. It took half and hour at least before we set up camp (to busy talking).

Beautiful evening as we ate dinner outside in the sun (21C) and watched the sunset from the dock on the river.

While enjoying our drive west we had to stop and take the picture of the largest nickel in Sudbury of course, and ended up touring the museum. Another underground tour. This time of a copper and nickel mine.

Alas more road construction, which will end, I believe when we are home in our driveway. I will have bright orange sign flashbacks!! Friday of a long weekend with good weather bodes for lots of traffic towards cottage country so we are trying to make tracks this afternoon. Unfortunately we are a little tired today so when the next KOA sign arose from the side of the road out came the KOA bible (info book of all KOA’s in the land) and yes they are open until the 15^th!! So exit highway and into 74 acres of KOA-land. Which includes all human amenities (including Wifi) but caters to our four-legged pets. They have their own agility park (balls included), wash station, grooming station, private off leash park (KAMP K-9), and dog-walking services!!!! OMG!!!!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854276760-1381538000-95219/

Karen, Kevan and Ryanne

PS- She got the complimentary biscuit upon check-in again!!

Montmagny, Quebec

Snow Geese Festival in Montmagny, Quebec

After a day of driving from Fredericton we are in Montmagny, Quebec for the night. We had stayed the night before at a nearly deserted campground, ok there were about three units there overnight. Honestly tried to pay the camp fee both that night and in the morning unfortunately there was nobody home to take the fees. So with free hot showers this am after the torrential downpour once again we were off like a herd of turtles!!!

So Montmagny apparently loves geese due to the large number of signs, posters, duck carvings, and businesses with “geese” included in the name. So we are going to miss the annual snow goose festival, which is quite the shindig!! Not to worry though we were serenaded all night (I guess they don’t need to sleep) there were thousands of them on the beach next door!

Can really see the fall colours in the foliage past all the fast and furious road construction. Supposedly another week of sun and no rain albeit chilly at night now, frost warnings last two nights. Still wearing tank tops and short sleeves though in the day. Not bad for the second week of October. Nearly two months on the road!!!

So as we trundle back west the search for the almighty open campground is our daily mission. It’s either that or Wal-Mart camping. I wonder if there are casinos nearby?????

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854269832-1381449489-24138/

TTYL Karen, Kevan and Ryanne the wonder dog!

St John Nova Scotia

St John New Brunswick!!

Well time to twist Ryanne again with a motel for two nights!! Found a $60 a night joint on the side of the hill literally that appreciated Labradors (first choice didn’t)!! Aww now for a nice soft bed to stretch out in. Not!! Two nights later we remembered why we like Rattletrap. She is not stuffy and has a wonderful bed.

Kevan had found a shop with good reviews to have Rattletraps radiator serviced (she deserves the best you know). So as she was at the spa we toured the downtown heritage region looking at the many houses and buildings, some in many stages of restoration.   Found a couple of museums to check out. One was the city police department. So as I chatted with two retired police officers outside, while Ryanne gained her dose of affection, Kevan partook.

The first afternoon we went for a drive around town. No, that isn’t code for we got lost!!  We found not far away were the famous Reversing Falls. So from a vantage point across from the pulp mill you can watch the river out flowing then later in the day the reverse with the Fundy tide pushing against the river with a difference of 14 ft!! This creates rapids and whirlpools, which can be seen. Unfortunately the jet boat rides season was over.

So stocked with fresh groceries, tank full of gas, and a clear day ahead we are off to Fredericton as our next stop on the journey!!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854236263-1381448533-91703

Cheers from refreshed Rattletrap and the Gang!!

Digby

The Land of the Mighty Scallop!!

Tis true! They taste the best fresh from the fisherman. Managed to find the only campground open in the Digby region!! Almost started to look for a Wal-Mart!! A couple nights to recuperate and relax (code words for laundry). Rattletrap made the journey to one of the islands (Long Island) and no we didn’t have any ice tea! She had to cross on a small barge-like ferry at low tide- can you imagine the angle up and down with the wicked tide shifts out here?? It was fun watching the crew (while drinking a cup of coffee) say they put the “big rigs” in the centre of the boat. A wonderful meal was had at a local restaurant. Parked the “rig” in Beautiful Cove for a walk, cup of coffee, talked to one of the locals who explained lobster and herring fishing to us whilst we watched from the sidelines.

While waiting for our 4:00 sailing to St John NB we drove to the Annapolis Valley and to the first capital of Annapolis Royal. Great farmers market (German bakery- nuff said!!) beautiful houses and tons of B&B’s. Off to the great ship for the crossing. Well all we can say is DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT BCF’S!!! The ship appeared very old, she was, couldn’t tell whom was the crew (no uniforms or safety equipment). Three hours to pass and luckily we met a couple from Ontario to talk to. Felt a little peckish so off to the cafeteria, ok Kevan and I were the only patrons and figured out why when we ate our hamburgers (not so legendary)!!! Whew we made it to St John – now to find a motel in the dark!!

Pictures: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854276713-1381104010-30066/

The Adventure continues……

K&K&R