Maritimes Road Trip - Days 5 & 6

---

Day 5: Late start from Houlton, ME as we were only expecting about a 4 hr drive. When we stopped on the way out of the campground to dump the holding tanks, I found that the top wouldn't go up more than about 2 inches at a time - - even with the truck running at a high idle. Did manage to get it up high enough to get the sewer hose out of its storage place and dump the tank. Went straight to the grocery store to provision and then to Walmart for a new battery. Sure, enough when we put it on the Battery tester, it had at least one bad cell. So about $75 later, we had a new battery installed and it seems to be working correctly. Finally got on the road about 11 AM, promptly lost an hour when we crossed the border. The border agent was very courteous and got us through quickly. There was a visitors info center just past the border crossing, so we stopped. They told us about the world's longest covered bridge which was just 20 milles north of where we were going to turn south. Had to see it - - it was worth the stop. Pictures are below. Driving through New Brunswick was a little like driving through primeval forest - - saw very few buildings, no towns, just LOTS OF WOODS.

We drove as far as Moncton, New Brunswick before we needed fuel. As it turned out, we stopped at the last gas station before the Confrontation Bridge (8 miles long). Paid $5.09/gal. The bridge is an engineering marvel. Most of it appeared to be about 50' above the water with a much taller section in the middle for ship traffic to go under. We got to Crystal Beach CG about 5:45. Charlie & Kerry were already there and set up. The site is right next to Malpeque Bay, a shallow estuary like bay on the north side of Prince Edward Island. Kerry grilled steaks, so we ate like kings.

Day 6: Got up by 8 and Kerry fried up a bunch of bacon, Charlie made pancakes w/ Gena provided wild blue berries. Again we were eating really well!!! We piled into Kerry's truck and took a ride to the NW end of the Island where we saw the PEI Wind Power Institute, with its 30+ windmills, some capable of 3000 Kilowatts. Photos attached. Stopped at the ONLY fast food place we saw all day, a KFC. Kerry didn't get the bacon he ordered on his sandwich, so he complained. They gave him a bunch of bacon and the girl, who I think was the manager, brought each of us a slice of strawberry cheese cake. We asked the young lady about the Canadian Potato Museum. She allowed as how she had never been in the place, but told how to find it. True to her directions, we found it with its giant potato out front (Photo attached). The entry fee was $8/person, so the doors remained closed! Lots of laughs about how the young lady pronounced potato. Charlie left a pork loin & BBQ sauce simmering in her crock pot while we toured - - eating good again tonight!! Tomorrow the other end of the island.

---

Photos

World's Longest Covered Bridge
Located in Heartland New Brunswick, Canada

Confederation Bridge
8 Miles long from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island

Light House on PEI
This one is west of the Confederation Bridge

Another Lighthouse
West of the bridge but further north of the last one

Bob & Gena
In front of the Canadian Potato Museum

North Cape Lighthouse
Located at North Western-most point of PEI

Wind Mill Blade
Bob standing in front of a wind mill blade at the PEI Wind Power Institute