Mileage

Final mileage for the trip is 2,029.

mission complete

This morning was another foggy day, a wet and misty fog with skies that don’t look too friendly.  Got all the rain gear on, packed the bike and headed for the border. About an hour and a half I get to the border, hand over my passport and rental papers, answer a couple of questions and she says “you can go.” Almost like a dare which was strange because less than a half mile away the Maine State Police came flying up behind me.  I have no idea why but he followed me for about 30 miles which stunk cuz my teeth were floating; from the border you can go about 60-70 miles and there is nothing! Once I got to Bangor ME it was rt 95 time, I hate highways. I remember when this road used to be free but now it cost me a total of $5.00. At least I was going in the right direction; the northbound lane was bumper to bumper all through Maine and New Hampshire! It wasn’t long before I was turning the bike over and the trip was done, seems like just yesterday I was getting the bike. It was agreat ride with great scenery and met some interesting people. Only got cut off once, believe it or not it was old people with FLORIDA plates!

Saint John NB, Canada

Well rain or no rain the ride goes on, over the Confederate Bridge away from PEI and off to Saint John New Brunswick.  The rain wasn’t bad but enough to change my route so I missed out on Fundy National Park and Point Wolfe River Gorge. Make it to the Holiday Inn Express and pull in right in front of the doors under the overhang. After checking in the guy says just back you bike up a little in front of the window and we’ll watch your bike.  Usually I ask to park up front but he offered it up right away. When I get to my room I find a welcome package of sorts (see pic). I think Holiday Inn is trying real hard for repeat customers. Tomorrow it’s back to Manchester NH to return the bike. What a quick trip!

Into Each Ride Some Rain Must Fall

Always on the last day of the planned ride.

Wha

Confused?

Prince Edward Island

Sunrise from the room this AM; weather looks good from the picture but the fog that rolled in about an hour later was real thick.  It was going to be a slow but direct ride to Prince Edward Island; got there in about 3 hours. Rode over to Port-La-Joye-Fort Amherst National Historic, see http://www.law.ualberta.ca/centres/ccs/issues/legrandderangement.php . From there it was to Charlottetown and for some reason the Garmin starts acting up so I get to see a lot of town to include a Harley Dealership called Red Rocks; this dealership isn’t even in the HD 2013 map book. Check out the pics of the front room of this dealership…not Harley’s. Seems the HD dealership is working on a petition because the province wants to institute noise laws only for motorcycles. I’ve seen thousands of bikes (a lot of Can-Ams) and very few have modified exhaust. The sales clerk says the requirement for db level is so low some stock HD’s won’t pass. They are also thinking of instituting a requirement of having to buy a new helmet every three years. Wow! They gonna slap an inspection sticker on your helmet?  Well I found my way to the north shore, up to PEI National Park, beautiful coastline with dunes covered with grass. If it was white sand it would’ve looked like Okaloosa island pre-Opal. There’s a small are called Richards wharf where there is deep sea fishing, small restaurants and gift shop. Next stop the beach; anybody for a swim?  Ran the coastline for a while then headed inland and to the motel. After checking in the owner actually gave me a couple of old towels, said I need them to wipe down the bike in the AM. I figured he was a real smart guy, he knew I would need to wipe the bike down so he gave me old towels so I wouldn’t use his room towels. He did recommend a place to eat and it was a good suggestion. Sharky’s Seafood had clams, real clams with the bellies and it had lobster so ordering was simple. The clams were incredible, lightly battered and delicious. The lobster was cold, that’s how they serve lobster here, not right out of the pot. It was lobster so it was good too.

To Miramichi

Heading to Miramichi New Brunswick and didn’t factor in the time change so I lost an hour before I started. The weather was mausey (a Newfie term from last year) but I got off to an early start, since I couldn’t seem to trust Garmin or Google with travel times. I got to Bathurst and stopped for gas and was looking  at a map to get a better ideas how far I had gone in 3 hours. I had made three maps leaving Bathurst, so I could decide which route I would take depending on time. While looking at the map I was immediately asked if I needed help (this happened every time I was stopped and was looking at the map or Garmin). He told me if I take either route it would be a minimum of 7 more hours and he believed there was rain in that area. As soon as he left a Goldwing rider pulled up and chatting with him confirmed the rain, he just came from there. Even taking a more direct route still took 4 hours but, as soon as I checked in the rain came so it all worked out good

Perce Rock

In Perce Quebec you will find the Gaspé's most celebrated landmark - the majestic Rocher Percé. The rock, 1,420 feet long and 290 feet high, rises from the water at land's end. Predating the creation of North America, it stood as one piece with two arches until the night of June 17, 1845, when the townspeople of Percé heard a thundering crash. In a geological event that still defies explanation; the rock split where the second, lesser arch crumbled and now forms an obelisk. At low tide you can walk out to the big rock that has been a navigational aid to sailors coming from Europe since the 1500s, and a tourist magnet for motorcyclists since 1903. Unfortunately it was at very high tide when I was there.

Lighthouses

A couple of Lighthouses first one in La Martre, Quebec (the bike in the picture is my rental).  The second one is the Sainte-Madeleine-de-la-rivière-Madeleine lighthouse, one of three in the Haute Gaspésie region that visitors can ascend.

To Caplan

A beautiful day for riding and before long I’m hugging the coast along the gulf of St Lawrence; love riding by water to the point of target fixation. Before long there are hills, turns, twists and everything you ride for. One thing I have come to realize is that Google maps and my Garmin lies. They aren’t even close to estimating the times for these trips.  Since time was moving faster than me I had to skip the loop I planned though the Forillon National Park so I could be pulling into the hotel at a reasonable time. Turned out to be a good plan, after starting at 0800 this morning I pulled in at 1730 with only 271 miles ridden; but more important, it started to rain just as I pulled in. A few left handed pics:

 

 

Made it to the hotel, was a long ride with the detours and RV's! here's a view from the back door.

Wha??

I have no idea what this house is all about...

to St Anne

Had another amazing breakfast at the BB then headed out to Sainte Anne-des-Monts. It was a beautiful day for riding; I could do this every day! The first part of the ride out of Quebec City was like riding through any farming area USA. Just when I was to start the coastal riding there was a detour that took me inland. So that, along with the fact that I don’t have cruise control on this rental, any picture taking while riding will have to be done left handed. So there really isn’t a lot of pics; here are a few.

Suppah

After walking many more miles through the city it’s time to eat. I had walked all the way over to the Place du Marche (market place) which was supposed to be a farmer’s market type of place where you could experience much of the local cuisine only to find out they just closed. But, across the street was the Moss Bistro Belge. What you see is pork medallions with three prunes in it. I happen to like prunes and the flavor they added was delicious. After eating I realized I have been walking since 1000 and it is now 1700, my dogs are barking…especially like I said earlier, everything is uphill. It’s been fun to try and remember my French and talk to the locals, which I haven’t done too bad. I have noticed if you try to speak French they really appreciate it and take their time and help work you through it. It’s a great city with great people and a lot of history. Tomorrow it’s on to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, QC.

Citadel

Next top is a tour of the Citadel is the largest British fortress built in North America. A unique location, it is an active military garrison, some of whose walls enclose 300 years of military history in Quebec City spanning the French, British and Canadian periods. It was constructed between 1820 and 1831 based on the defense system designed by a French engineer named Vauban. First occupied by British troops and the Canadian artillery, it has been the official residence of the Royal 22e Régiment, the only Francophone infantry regiment in the CF Regular Force. It is shaped like a polygon with four angles representing a star and covers 37 acres.

The picture of the single cannon is one that took 11 people to man and had a range of 5 kilometers, almost 7 miles; not bad for a cannon! The cross for Vimy Ridge, http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/vimy/index_e.shtml is an outdoor salute area. I added the picture of mess des officers just to show at least some military’s maintain tradition; don’t see them changing it to “dining facility”! Great tour.

Lunch

Trying to find a place to eat here isn’t easy; I think they eat 24 hours a day. Every restaurant, café and bistro is always full.  I was walking by Les Voutes du Cavour and the greeter by the door starts talking to me about the food there as I pass. She mentioned the buffet which has seafood so what the heck, there are seats available.  I got some “linguini avec fruit du mer.” Spaghetti with fruits of the sea? It was awesome; spaghetti with scallops, fish and shrimp but the best part was the next tray had mussels. They were the best mussels I’ve ever had. I had to go back for round two and when the server saw my plate he went and got a big bowl for my shell…they just took up too much room on my plate.  Great lunch!

Around town

It seems everywhere I walk it’s uphill, reminds me of Newfoundland.  I love walking in the city though and I walked all over Quebec. Here are some shots of around town. It's almost like a French Boston, much history, similar architecture, cobblestone streets, brick sidewalks and street performers etc. Great city. (Even saw Pats and Red Sox hats, didn't expect to see Bruins!) 

cars

Some nice cars here too, saw a 57 ford but it was too far away to see if it was a retractable.