Sunday, July 9 - Home again!! Nineteen hours of driving...1,800 kms. That's what it takes to get from Cape Breton Highlands National Park to Picton. Just so you know, in case you're thinking of doing the trip. The park is a beautiful area, so heavily recommend you put the park on your bucket list if you've never been there.

We broke the drive up somewhat, as we left on Friday afternoon, just to get a start. The kids were keen to do a hike that morning, so we joined them for an 8 k hike up the nearest trail, which has a vertical elevation change of 1,200 feet. (Gail accuses me of getting some of my numbers wrong in these missives, so you can check me if you like. Look up the Acadian Trail on the park website. I dare ya!) It wasn't all up, as like everything else, most ups have a down, so half of the hike was coming back down, which is sometimes more tiring than the climb up. Great views of the surrounding area and the ocean, so well worth the effort.

When done we finished transferring everything, our stuff to their Dodge wagon, their stuff to the r.v., and with some farewell hugs, off we went. We took a different route to get to the Canso Causeway, a winding but good road on the west side of the island. Then it was on the TCH to Truro, where we stopped for the night. We'd hoped to see the tidal bore next morning, but the timing was totally off, as it came in shortly after midnight, then again in later afternoon. So as has happened before when we've been in Truro, not much luck with being bored.

Next day I clearly did not do as I say, but did as I did. Meaning? I'd told the kids to take their time coming to Cape Breton, relax and enjoy the drive. You're tired, so don't push it. They made the 1,800 k's in two full days, which meant a couple of 10 hour days on the road. A bit much in my opinion. So what did we do? Eleven hours on the road the second day. But there was some excuse for it, as once you get past Quebec City towards Montreal, it's really hard to find a motel. First of all, there aren't many towns of any size near route 20. And where there are, the motels were full. We finally decided to push on to Drummondville, thinking surely a town of that size would have a place for two tired old people. No way!! All motels were full, as there was a convention going on, as well as some sports tournament.

By now we were only 90 kms from Montreal, and didn't want to get into the metro mess looking for a place to stay. Fortunately, our very friendly server at dinner in Drummondvillle told us of a motel she thought might have room, about 20 k down the road. After another 'no room in the inn' (we started to think of ourselves as Joe and Mary), we lucked out at the place our nice server had recommended. Got the second last room in the Laliberte Motel. Could have been a stable, and we wouldn't have cared.

I only mention this in such detail to advise you, with verified experience, that if you plan to stay in the summer in a motel in Quebec on your way to or from the Atlantic Provinces, it would be wise to do some research and book a room in advance. Not something we freewheelers often do, but we learned our lesson.

Some folks say the drive through New Brunswick is boring...nothing but trees and more trees. But really, the route from Riviere du Loup to Fredericton is quite fine, as you go through a series of valleys and hills, following the wonderful St. John's river, a broad and beautiful flow. Trees there are, in abundance, but also there are lots of fine vistas, and some interesting towns along the way. Stop for a few bags of potato chips at the Covered Bridge factory, among the best I've tasted. Find the world's longest covered bridge nearby, and also the world's shortest. Or find the world's largest ax. There's always a new experience. There's even a zip line across the falls at Grand Falls. So please don't knock NB. NB: it's A-okay

Anyway, we are now home, and delighted to be here for a few days, before we head off to Calgary on Friday. Jimmy Stewart deserves much praise for keeping our grass cut. and for doing some plant watering. We can't believe how high the water is in the bay. Still really unaccessible for kayaking. Not much time for that anyway, as we have only three days to catch up on quite a lot of work around the place. Such is the price one pays for wandering.

I think I'll just keep this blog going, as we will have some things to see and share in Alberta. So if you feel like hanging in with us, there will be more later. Stay tuned.