The "Unavoidables" En Route to Our Eastern Apex

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Cape Breton
August 22nd 2006

Published: August 22nd 2006

July 26 - August 20, 2006 Saranac Lake, N.Y. - Louisbourg, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia 16,409 miles to date 2,853 miles this leg Today, August 20, we crested the eastern-most point of our round-the-continent road trip: Louisbourg on the magical tip of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia—what we consider a little piece of Ireland that has washed up on North American shores. The official longitude: 59 degre... Read Full Entry

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Shelly & Jeff Randall

Waltzing Matilda

We are a writer/photographer and a land-use planner from Port Townsend, Wash., who quit our jobs to take a year-long "sabbatical" for the 12 months of 2006. Our travel vehicle was a Volkswagen Westfalia camper-van named Matilda, after the Australian phrase (and song) "Waltzing Matilda" -- meaning to hit the road with your possessions slung in a bag over your shoulder. We were glad not to be wandering on foot like those Aussie swagmen! We had a memorable trip waltzing around the U.S. and Canada, learning as much as we could about this vast and diverse continent we call home. So glad we di... full info

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Aisling with Bodhrans

Little Aisling is a budding percussionist, surrounded by her father's drumming kit.

Jeff & CJ

CJ accompanied Jeff's banjo with his beefy bodhran. We also witnessed him beat on a Guinness pint glass (full, of course, to be downed as the song goes on!).

P.E.I. Red Sands

Aisling and pooch on the red sand beach of Malpeque Bay, P.E.I., where her family has a beach cabin.

Irish Mossing

Irish Moss is harvested on P.E.I. for the carageenan used in ice cream, toothpaste, etc. The seaweed is harvested from the beaches, spread on the ground to dry, and scooped into dump trucks for transport, as pictured here. This is at North Cape, where there is an experimental wind farm.

Three-Hole Waste Receptacle

In P.E.I., everyone is required to separate their waste into garbage, compostables, and recyclables. This receptable is in downtown Charlottetown. So cool!

Flowerpot Rocks Hosts

This kind family let us park in their yard near the popular Flowerpot Rocks in New Brunswick when we couldn't find a camping spot. They were having a garage sale, which is why we approached them.

Flowerpot Rocks

In case you were wondering, this is what the Flowerpot Rocks look like. A Bay of Fundy attraction on the New Brunswick side.

Gaspe Kayaker

Another kayaker, this time on the north shore of the Gaspe Peninsula, along the St. Lawrence River.

Jeff & Shelly on St. Lawrence

The caption speaks for itself.

Blueberry Farm in St.-Jean-Port-Joli

Martin's uncle's blueberry farm on the St. Lawrence.

What We Picked

What wonderful blueberries we picked, and a big basket was on the house!

Dominique & Monique

The parents of Valerie, who hosted us in their home in La Pocatiere, Que.

La Pocatiere Farmhouse

The house Valerie grew up in was built behind the late-1700s farmhouse her dad grew up in. With a view of the St. Lawrence and fields behind.

St. Lawrence Barn

A typical barn and fields in the rich agricultural area along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec province.

Valerie & Martin

Valerie & Martin, our lovely hosts in Quebec City as well as the countryside to the east. In their city apartment with a local wood sculpture.

Old Quebec

Old-town Quebec City, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. Many narrow, steep, cobbled streets.

Old Quebec Streets

You see what I mean!

Gated City

One of the gates that allows entrance into the still-walled city of Quebec.

Jeff and Panorama

A panoramic view of Quebec City, from the Citadel that once guarded it all.

Quebec Skyline

And the glittering skyline at dusk, seen from the south side of the river, in Levis.

Canadian Tire Campsite

Levis is where we had a "delay day" to get Matilda's water pump replaced. We camped one night in the Canadian Tire parking lot, waiting our turn.

26th August 2006

Dad and Mom
non-member comment

Great write up and pictures.
Well, as usual, we really enjoyed the description and pictures. What an experience you two are having. We thought back to our visit to PEI and the visit to Anne of Green Gables birthplace. That was a neat time. Glad you picked that for your graduation trip. Keep the wheels rolling and making friends and music as you go. Love, Dad and Mom

27th August 2006

Dad and Mom
non-member comment

Second viewing
We took the time to look at the blog again on our new computer screen. We couldn't see all the photos on our old computer as it didn't want to load all of them but they poped right up on the new one. The pictures are fantastic right down to the final one of Matilda going to sleep for the night. Great job! Thanks for taking the time to put it all together. We send our love and wishes for a second half of the trip as great as the first. Love, Dad and Mom

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The "Unavoidables" En Route to Our Eastern Apex

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