Tag: driving

Day 15: Halifax and Giant Lobster

August 20, 2012
PEI2012

Day 15 and we were headed to Halifax before ending the day in Moncton. We parked at the ferry terminal in Dartmouth and took the passenger ferry across the harbour. It was cloudy and overcast, but no rain. A view of the Angus MacDonald bridge.

Claudia and Gillian on the ferry. The ferry is part of the Metro Halifax Transit system.

Pulling into Halifax.

We walked the Historic Properties.

They are saving the building facades on this building, so all that is standing is the walls while they work around it.

There has been some discussion in the news about how much the federal government has spent on the War of 1812 anniversary hype. Especially in light of all the recent cuts at Parks Canada.

The skies were still a little gloomy.

Angela and a buddy.

Gillian and her friend.

We did the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. In honour of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titantic, there were extra Titanic focused exhibits. Most notably was how the Cable Ships of Halifax helped in the body recovery in the days afterwards.

A pair of shoes from one of the young victims. Most items were burned to avoid people trying to scavenge souvenirs, but the one police officer couldn’t bear to throw these in the fire, so he kept them in his desk drawer until he retired and then it got passed down through the family, eventually ending up at the museum.

There was a Swan on board the RMS Titanic who did not survive.

An interesting piece, Ideal the board game company released a game called The Sinking of the Titanic, you had to move around the board picking up survivors. After some outcry, the board game was removed from store shelves, and re-released as Abandon Ship. You can still pick up the original on eBay for $10.00 + shipping.

Angela getting attacked by an octopus.

Part of the admission fee allowed you to go on the CSS Acadia that is docked.

Thomas the tugboat out in the harbour.

The CSS Acadia bell.

The girls steering the ship.

You could climb up and down the decks.

Angela relaxing on board the Titanic.

He she is in the grand foyer.

Taking the MacDonald bridge up to the 102 and Moncton.

We headed to Shediac for dinner, not lobster dinner, but we would see the world’s largest lobster.

The girls with the lobster fisherman.

Claudia helping Angela and Gillian escape from the giant claw.

Some of the tourist shops at the lobster.

Lobsterheads.

Day 14: Lighthouse Route

August 19, 2012
PEI2012

This morning we headed out thinking it may be the first day that we have to contend with the rain. Our first stop was Lunenburg and it was raining off and on along highway 103 all the way there. We pulled into town and found a parking spot and almost as soon as we got out of the car the skies parted and the sun appeared. The houses in Lunenburg are very colourful.

We started off down on the piers.

Looking out into the harbour.

Looking back towards town.

We went back up to the car to ditch our jackets.

The Bluenose II was in dry dock and not in the water.

Even the boats are colourful.

One of the ships in port.

Buildings on King Street.

The Lunenburg Academy, built in 1895 for a cost of $30,000. I remember this place as the place where I first had sauerkraut on a hot dog. In 1976 (?) we came to Lunenburg to visit Auntie Patricia and we came here for some event and had lunch.

We took the scenic drive along highway 3 from Lunenburg to Peggys Cove, in Bayswater there is a memorial for the 1998 SwissAir crash.

On the Bayswater Beach.

Again we went through patches of rain on our drive, but when we got to Peggys Cove the sun was out.

Angela on the rocks.

When we got there the sun was out and it was clear.

We had a bite to eat and when we came out the fog had rolled in.

Even though there were lots of people around, if you waited long enough you could get a shot to make it look like you were the only ones there.

Claudia holding up the lighthouse.

Angela holding it up like a salt shaker.

The girls and I.

The girls fooling around for Gillian’s photo.

The lighthouse is in pretty bad shape. I read an article recently, that there is a group that would like to paint it, but they cannot get approval from the Government to do it. There is still some question as to the future of the lighthouse.

 

Through a lobster trap.

Peggys Cove has a lot of colour to it as well.

The same shot as the picture near the beginning.

We found a pirate cutout.

There are lots of floats hanging and laying around.

Day 13: So Long PEI, Hello Tidal Bore

August 18, 2012
PEI2012

It was finally time to say so long to our cottage on PEI. The girls and I were up early and down on the beach at 6:30 am to beach comb one last time. After we had the car packed we gathered for our new blog photo (see left).

Some photos of the cottage, the kitchen.

The living room. There was no air conditioning, but with all the windows open and the breezes coming through, it wasn’t necessary. The fans gave the extra relief when needed.

The stairway up to the bedrooms, there was one bedroom on the main floor and two upstairs.

Another view of the kitchen.

From the kitchen looking into the living room and front hallway.

Looking down from the stairs to the back deck.

We have extra business cards if anyone is looking for a place to vacation. Special thanks to Rob, who works at the City with Susan, for the recommendation.

Paying our way off the island, it cost $44.25/car in order to leave, it is free to cross onto the island.

We drove through Amherst, Nova Scotia, looking for a Subway. Amherst has a lot of old building, this is the First Baptist Church.

The old Bank of Montreal building. It was built in 1904.

The old Amherst Post Office building built between 1884-86.

After picking up up subs we headed to the Maccan Tidal Wetlands Park to have lunch.

The park is an excellent spot to watch the incoming tidal bore. I read about it on the internet and how there was a gentleman who lived nearby that came down everyday to see it, and give a little info to tourists. Sure enough he was there today, pulling out pictures of what we should expect and answering any questions.

Here is the tidal bore in action, it is travelling at a good rate of speed, and it is loud and it sloshes on the river banks.

Some video of the tidal bore.

It only takes a couple of minutes to pass by. I had seen one a few years ago on the Shubenacadie River a little further south. There were 5 other tourists there to see the tidal bore.

Once the bore passes it takes about one and half hours for the river to fill in to it’s max, it changes with the size of the tide and the moon phases.

The gentleman is Gordon Boss, who posts the times and the type of tidal bore.

Here is a before and after photo of the river upstream. Before the Tidal Bore.

After the Tidal Bore.

That is Gordon Boss in the blue coat.

It was onto our destination for the next couple of days, we are staying in Dartmouth, across from Halifax.

Our route today. It was 351 km and it took us 6 hours with our stops.

After dinner tonight we headed out to Cole Harbour, NS, which is about a 10 minute drive from our hotel. They have a “Home of Sidney Crosby” sign as you enter the town. One of Gillian’s friends is a big Crosby fan, so I thought Gillian could say she has been to Crosby’s hometown. In the background is a closed Zellers store that will be converted to a Wal-Mart.

Afterwards we picked up some hot fudge sundaes from McDonald’s and brought them back to the hotel to enjoy.

Day 6: PEI At Last

August 11, 2012
PEI2012

Our week on PEI starts today, we did the drive back to New Brunswick and the Confederation Bridge.

One of the bridges on highway 105 on Cape Breton.

We were getting the rain that went through Toronto, it rained off and on through most of the day.

It was foggy for most of the drive across the bridge. On the PEI side we stopped at the Welcome Centre where they had a smaller version of one of the bridge supports.

Behind the pottery store.

The Confederation Bridge.

The view from our bedroom in the cottage.

Looking out at the Northhumberland Straight.

Day 5: The Cabot Trail

August 10, 2012
PEI2012

Today we were touring the Cabot Trail. We approached the Trail from the east side and went counter-clockwise so we were driving on the outside lane most of the way.

Claudia at the first Lookoff, the first of many we would stop at through the day.

Once we entered into the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, we stopped at the Keltic Lodge to do the Middle Head trail. The map said it was approximately 3.8 km.

Along the trail.

The trail provided some great views.

Coming through a meadow.

The trail ends at a headland.

There were a couple of bald eagles on a rock outcrop.

There were also a lot of seabirds.

The scenery doesn’t get old.

Big sea gulls.

Some kayakers on our way back.

Next stop was Lakies Head.

Looking north.

Angela at Lakies Head.

Susan.

Angela hanging on for dear life.

Gillian climbing back over the top.

Claudia taking her turn.

Nothing like exploring over the rocks.

Around the bend from Lakies Head was Green Cove.

The scenery there was just as spectacular.

The weather held out for most of the day, while we were driving and getting in and out of the car we had overcast or the odd time sun. The only time it rained hard was when we were driving back to the hotel.

Claudia and Angela looking for bugs or sea creatures.

Gillian at Green Cove.

Angela and Claudia running from the waves at Black Brook Beach.

Watching the wave just about to break.

Claudia in her element.

Lunch was in Pleasant Bay at the Rusty Anchor. Susan and I had the lobster.

The girls in front of the restaurant.

Looking down towards the Rusty Anchor where we had lunch.

Looking south from the Veterans Memorial Lookoff.

The last stop of the day was at La Bloc Beach, it was a rock beach with lots of flat stones.

The girls walking the beach.

Final photo of the day at La Bloc Beach.

It was a full day on the Cabot Trail, the guide books say it takes 3-4 hours to drive the trail and you need 1-4 days to experience it. Having spent close to 10 hours, it is easy to see how you could spend a few days.

Day 4: Cape Breton and the Big Fiddle

August 9, 2012
PEI2012

Day 4 continued our road trip from Fredericton to Sydney, NS.

Our first stop of the day was the Nova Scotia Welcome Center on Highway 2.

Angela raising the Nova Scotia flag.

Another good day of weather, after a lunch stop in Truro, it was on to Cape Breton.

Crossing the Canso Causeway from the Nova Scotia peninsula to Cape Breton.

The word “Canso” is believed to be derived from the Mi’kmaq word kamsok, which means “opposite the lofty cliffs.” The swing bridge allows ship traffic to get through and keeps Cape Breton a true island.

It was a scenic drive along the 104 and highway 4 to Sydney.

After dinner we headed down to the waterfront to see the big fiddle. It is located at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion.

The girls holding up The Big Céilidh Fiddle.

Next they plucked a few strings.

A close-up of the fiddle and bow.

The girls on the wharf.

Still dancing after a couple of days in the car.

Tonight was the start of the Rock the Dock 2012 festival at the Sydney Marine Terminal Grounds. Among the groups playing tonight were Signal hill, Matt Anderson and Walk off The Earth. Also playing this weekend are the Trews, April Wine, Myles Goodwin and the Privateers.

One last shot of the fiddle at night.

The girls with a memorial to immigrants to Cape Breton.

Looking back over the Cruise Pavilion.

We were able to catch a Cape Breton sunset.

When we got back to the hotel we Skyped with g-ma, g-pa and Chloe.

Our route today was 637km and took us 8 hours with stops. Tomorrow we are driving the Cabot Trail.

Day 3: Entering Atlantic Canada

August 8, 2012
PEI2012

Day 3 took us from Lévis, Quebec to Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Our first stop of the day was at the New Brunswick Visitor Centre on Highway 2. There was no sign that said New Brunswick, but there was a replica of the ship on their licence plates.

We stopped in Grand Falls, NB for lunch at the information centre in town next to the falls. Here is Angela photo bombing Claudia’s picture with the big indian.

The falls weren’t living up to their name, they had most of the water blocked off as they were working on the raised dam. It did provide a good view of the gorge below.

Along highway 2 heading towards Fredericton. Again we had another great day for driving.

After dinner we headed to the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge. The bridge consists of 9 spans crossing a distance of 581 metres (1,906 ft) over the Saint John River and was constructed in 1936. The final freight train crossed the bridge in March 1996.

It is a shared bridge, so you have to watch for bikes.

Looking towards the Princess Margaret Bridge.

The girls all standing on different levels and angles.

Looking up at one of the spans.

It was a lot busier than this photos shows.

On the way back we were able to catch the sunset over Fredericton.

Today was a 570 km drive and 7 hours with stops. We also lost an hour with the time zone change. Tomorrow it is off to Sydney, Nova Scotia on Cape Breton island. We’ll be back to explore New Brunswick on the way back.

Day 1: On the road

August 6, 2012
PEI2012

After an early start to the day we arrived in Lévis, QC this afternoon. The weather was good and we managed to avoid construction until we were about an hour outside of Quebec City.

We made three stops en route, here are the girls after lunch at one of the Quebec rest stops along Highway 20.

Day One complete, 823 km, 9 hours with stops and road construction. Tomorrow we explore the old city.

Vacation Amnesia

July 15, 2012
Rainwater

We have pretty much figured out our vacation for this summer. In August we are doing a road trip down to the east coast. We have a cottage booked on Prince Edward Island for a week, we also are planning to visit, Quebec City, the Cabot Trail, Halifax, Moncton and to work our way back through the states. We’re hoping to visit the LL Bean flagship store (open 24 hrs), the Maine beaches, and catch a New Hampshire Fisher Cats baseball game in Manchester. Hoping to have some vacation amnesia by the time we get back.

Saskatchewan Tour

July 14, 2012
Work Posts

I spent the week in Saskatchewan for work. I flew into Saskatoon (YXE) on Monday morning.

From Saskatoon we drove to Buffalo Narrows, about a 6.5 hour drive. I was staying at the Waterfront Inn on Churchill Lake.

Buffalo Narrows sits between Churchill and Peter Pond Lakes. It is located at 55° north.

Tuesday was spent in the bush just south of the town. Temperatures reached 32°C, not much of a break from southern Ontario temperatures. We were trying to find a location for a new monitoring site. As is often the case, people in the north like to use access roads off the highway as target practice and

dumping grounds.

An old abandoned cabin.

Bark.

Looking up.

Wednesday it was off to Cluff Lake Mine. In the fall of 2010 we had installed one of our precipitation monitoring sites at the decommissioned Uranium mine owned by Areva Resources. The site ran for a few months before they informed us they could no longer support our program with the recent cuts they had undergone. Fast forward a couple of years and word came down that we would have to get our equipment out of there before this fall. We co-ordinated with Sask Environment who also had some equipment running there and went up together in one of their vehicles. Cluff Lake is about 75km south of Lake Athabasca. It is located at 58° N.

We spent the night at the camp. This is Cluff Lake.

Some lichen along the shore.

The water felt pretty warm, they had also gone through a heat wave, temperatures reached 35° C the day before we arrived.

One of the open pits that has since been flooded. The mine was operational for 22 years during which time they produced over 62 million pounds (28,122,700 kgs) of yellowcake. Yellowcake is used in the preparation of uranium fuel for nuclear reactors.

Thursday morning it was time to head back south. We were back to Buffalo Narrows to pick up our rental vehicle and then down to Meadow Lake for the night. It was approximately 600km. There are a couple of water bombers stationed at the Buffalo Narrows airport.

Long desolate stretches of highway 155.

Our stop for the night was in Meadow Lake.

On Friday we departed from Meadow Lake for our site south of Regina to drop off our equipment. Along  Highway 16 there is a sign for the town of Richard, SK. Here I am standing next to the sign. You can see a RCMP cruiser passing to the left. When we stop to take the picture, he slowed down to see if everything was alright.

Saturday morning it was back to our site before flying out of Regina. After a week of heat and sun it was a relief having some cloud cover and showers off and on.

Some wheat in the adjoining fields.

The more typical Saskatchewan roads, when you get further north in the province, the terrain is a little more interesting, not quite as flat.

On the other side of the road were some canola fields.

A canola plant.

The flight back from Regina (YQR) was through Winnipeg, there was a 30 minute delay in the flight leaving Winnipeg (YWG). Probably 75% of the flight was making a connection in Toronto (YYZ). When we landed, a quick look at the departure screen showed a lot of delayed flights, most of them waiting for passengers on our flight.

It was a long week of travel, our tour of Saskatchewan was 2073 km’s of driving. In that distance you could drive from Mississauga to New Orleans, LA or from Rossland, BC to Las Vegas, NV. Of course we did all that without leaving the province. The weather was good, a little hot, and we had a doozy of a lightening/thunderstorm in Buffalo Narrows the first night. The wildlife was abundant on this trip, I saw 3 black bears, 1 wolf, a rabbit, pelicans, hawks,sandhill cranes and 3 deer. I drove the Trans-Canada highway, the Yellowhead highway, the Semchuk Trail, the Lois Riel Trail and the Canam Highway. Below is the route A.Saskatoon, B.Buffalo Narrows, C. Cluff Lake, D. Meadow Lake, E. Bratt’s Lake, F. Regina.