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' To Canada's Maritime Provinces ... We're Heading East ! '
We've been prepared to leave for nearly a month now, but unresolved issues with our new homes' construction schedule delayed us somewhat.
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So, we're away again ... this time our focus is on Canada's Maritime Provinces ... don't know how far east we'll get, don't know how many provinces we'll see ... but, we'll probably be gone for a couple of months.
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ONTARIO to QUEBEC to NEW BRUNSWICK
A late departure, only about 250 kms this first day. We exited Highway 401 just east of Brockville, at Maitland, and traveled the very scenic St. Lawrence and Long Sault Parkways to Summerstown. There are several campgrounds along this route that have easy access to some great calm-water kayaking and canoeing, easy grade cycling and some marshland hiking ... we might just return this route in September and stay awhile!
Photo: We'll spend a night here at Charlotenburg Park CG and hopefully, make New Brunswick in two days. LOAF's not particularly fond of RV Parks, but this will do for tonight.
Day Two
Into Quebec today, 420 kms. Even though we stayed off the Trans-Canada Highway as much as possible and followed close to the St.Lawrence Seaway, traffic was quite heavy. The highways' surface quality, varied from ' recently paved to quite bumpy and very wavey '. The good news is we're camped at a quiet municipal campground called Rocher Panet in the tiny village of L'Islet with a waterfront site adjacent to the St. Lawrence River. We might see whales ...
Photo: Much of the shoreline throughout this area is rocky and marsh filled.
Day Three
' To Canada's Maritime Provinces ... We're Heading East ! '
We've been prepared to leave for nearly a month now, but unresolved issues with our new homes' construction schedule delayed us somewhat.
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LOAF's feeling quite prepared too ... he's been subjected to a few planned DIY modifications, a major upgrade and some expected repairs.
I've fabricated an air foil (to keep bug splatter and (possibly) fuel consumption down), extra body protection at a few camper locations (primarily to protect sensitive electrical and plumbing fittings), new and improved storage inside and outside (providing easier access to amenities, supplies, gear and tools). We've upgraded the tires to Load Range 129E; each is now capable of a maximum 4080 pound load (up from 3594 lbs, it's all about safety and drive-ability). The trucks backup alarms and rear camera have been relocated to the campers bumper. New exhaust manifolds complete the service; the OEM parts from FORD lasted a little more than 121,000 kms before cracking. Many Thanks to Shane (LOAF's lead mechanic) at Cannifton Garage in Belleville for much of this service.
I've fabricated an air foil (to keep bug splatter and (possibly) fuel consumption down), extra body protection at a few camper locations (primarily to protect sensitive electrical and plumbing fittings), new and improved storage inside and outside (providing easier access to amenities, supplies, gear and tools). We've upgraded the tires to Load Range 129E; each is now capable of a maximum 4080 pound load (up from 3594 lbs, it's all about safety and drive-ability). The trucks backup alarms and rear camera have been relocated to the campers bumper. New exhaust manifolds complete the service; the OEM parts from FORD lasted a little more than 121,000 kms before cracking. Many Thanks to Shane (LOAF's lead mechanic) at Cannifton Garage in Belleville for much of this service.
So, we're away again ... this time our focus is on Canada's Maritime Provinces ... don't know how far east we'll get, don't know how many provinces we'll see ... but, we'll probably be gone for a couple of months.
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ONTARIO to QUEBEC to NEW BRUNSWICK
Some basic driving details for a few days ...
Day One
Day One
Photo: We'll spend a night here at Charlotenburg Park CG and hopefully, make New Brunswick in two days. LOAF's not particularly fond of RV Parks, but this will do for tonight.
Day Two
Into Quebec today, 420 kms. Even though we stayed off the Trans-Canada Highway as much as possible and followed close to the St.Lawrence Seaway, traffic was quite heavy. The highways' surface quality, varied from ' recently paved to quite bumpy and very wavey '. The good news is we're camped at a quiet municipal campground called Rocher Panet in the tiny village of L'Islet with a waterfront site adjacent to the St. Lawrence River. We might see whales ...
Photo: Much of the shoreline throughout this area is rocky and marsh filled.
Day Three
We followed close to the south shore of the St. Lawrence; drove from L'Islet northeast to Riviere-du-Loup before heading south. We passed through several pretty roadside villages along the way; a variety of artisans, inns and cafes, craft cheeses markets. The highways are in poor condition in this part of Quebec; rough and uneven pavement continued until we got close to the New Brunswick border, most of it along the Trans-Canada.
Photo: Low tide on the St. Croix River, USA left / Canada right.
The Trans Canada through NB is in terrific shape; some of the secondary highways, not so much. We drove as far southwest as you can in the province, to St. Stephens. It's about 1.5 kms from here to Calais, Maine. St. Stephens also marks the beginning of the Fundy Coastal Trail. We' driven most of it on previous road trips but wanted to complete the route by driving this initial section east to St. John. We'll spend the night at nearby Oak Bay Campground.
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ST. ANDREWS ' By the Sea'
Our first significant stop; we'll spend several days in the area, weather permitting.
A 40 km drive from last nights camp east to this pretty village on the Bay of Fundy. We toured the International Historical Site St. Croix Island on the way, the Canadian Historical Site St. Andrews Blockhouse in town, walked the market and downtown streets, had a pleasant lunch at The Gallery Restaurant and then settled in at waterfront site 23 at the Oceanside Campground.
Some Photos, Some History ...
' ... Saint Croix Island (French: Île Sainte-Croix), long known to locals as Dochet Island, is a small uninhabited island in Maine near the mouth of the Saint Croix River that forms part of the Canada–United States border separating Maine from New Brunswick. The island was the site of an early attempt at French colonization by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons in 1604. In 1984 it was designated by the United States Congress as Saint Croix Island International Historic Site ... '
' ... built during the War of 1812, St. Andrews Blockhouse contains elements of the oldest blockhouse in New Brunswick. Situated on the Niger Reef on Passamaquoddy Bay, it provided an excellent vantage point for soldiers keeping a watchful eye. This was one of 12 such structures used to defend New Brunswick during the war between Britain and the United States ... '
St. Andrews 'By the Sea'
Site 23 on the Bay of Fundy
Click on any photo in the post to launch a slideshow gallery of all the photos.
Italicized content from Wikipedia or other sources.
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