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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Jacques the Mechanic

Jacques did a fabulous job making the repairs. Merci!

Gaspe Views

A few more pictures from the Gaspe Peninsula: the town of Perce.

The Rock of Perce

Looking past a quaint house to the Rock of Perce, which has a wave-sculpted arch. Can you barely see it on the horizon?

Scenic Gaspe Bay

Another eat-your-heart-out waterfront scene from the scenic Gaspe Peninsula.

Harley Riders

Everywhere there are Harleys. These "Hells Angels of Quebec" were near Carleton, Que., on the Gaspe.

Jeff Making Dinner

Making dinner in Matilda on a rainy night near Carleton, Que. She's cozy and has everything we need!

Poutine

What Jeff prefers to eat: poutine, a Quebec specialty consisting of French fries covered in sauce (BBQ or gravy), with cheese curds!

The Adirondacks

Back in upstate New York: a archetypical Adirondacks lake scene, complete with an Adirondack chair.

Adirondacks Hosts

Todd and Hilary, friends from Shelly's college maritime studies program, popped the cork on a bottle of wine labeled "Hero's Journey." Appropriate and good.

Dutch Tub Fire

At their home in Saranac Lake, N.Y., we had the "Dutch Tub experience," starting with cooking our dinner over the fire basket that heated the water coils...

Dutch Tub Experience

...then hopping in the European-designed hot-tub for a starlight soak and a champagne toast! Lovely. PHOTO COURTESY OF TODD SMITH

Todd's Canoe & Studio

We borrowed Todd and Hilary's canoe and walked it from its storage shed to Todd's soon-to-be-open furniture shop and studio--the small building past the train depot at far right.

Paddling on Moose Lake

We took the canoe to Moose Lake and paddled all the way around it, stopping for a swim. So glad we got to go paddling in the Adirondacks!

Matilda Asleep

Todd shot this photo of Matilda's night lights aglow from the second story of their house in Saranac Lake. Such a calm, peaceful scene. We were about to go to sleep...and with that, we'll bid you adieu. PHOTO BY TODD SMITH

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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