East Coast Rambles Summer 2018

Set out at 3:00 AM Thursday, July 19 to cross the top of Toronto. Little but truck traffic however with construction forcing everyone onto the collector lanes for most of the drive it proved worse than I’d expected. A double trailer driver nearly forced me off the road twice til I decided to speed up and get by him. Driving dark, ill-marked streets with frequent off ramps forcing lane changes was not fun. East of Toronto matters got quieter but truck traffic continued. I drove in a daze noticing streets signs I’d not paid attention to before and missing familiar ones.

Stopped in Napanee to gas up at Flying J and stop at Dennys to wait out sunrise as the route heads straight into the rising sun. Dennys there is no longer 24-hour and I waited out the 6 AM opening. The one waitress on duty seemed unnecessarily harried with only three customers to serve, not a happy camper. The coffee was fresh and rich flavoured, the philly cheesesteak omelet was heavy on overcooked meat with plenty of cheese. Coffee refill came grudgingly. Wi-Fi was painfully slow considering I was the only one using it. The remainder of the drive passed.

After 400 miles I did not feel like arguing with the person at the counter at Camping Aloutte about being upsold on a more expensive 3-service site in full sunlight I did not need. I do resent being lied to. The cheaper site was in full shade and available. I’d delayed my departure several days due to extreme heat among other challenges. Hot enough south of Montreal as it was. The HWY 30 bridge over the Saint Lawrence allowing a city bypass seems worth the $4.20 toll.

Set out around 9 Friday morning to avoid rush hour traffic. Heavy traffic between Quebec’s two major cities and major construction delays opposite Quebec City “Capital Region” in Levis. Got off the highway onto Route President Kennedy to get gas at Canadian Tire and a lunch at St. Hubert. A meal that passed straight through me, alas.

The mafia controls Quebec road construction and their highways are rough and crumbling soon after the equipment leaves the scene. Stopped for a few forgotten items and some beer at IGA Extra in Rivière-Du-Loup, then drove down to Camping Du Quai thankful I’d booked a site the previous evening as the campground was full. Christmas in July seems to be a thing with Canadian Campgrounds, the Pierre Noel Parade being the next day, Pierre Noel’s Chateau and gift shoppe is opposite. Restless evening though a stiff breeze carried cool salt air as the tide went out.

Got off at 7:00 Saturday morning and stopped at the New Brunswick border to visit the Tourist Centre and have breakfast losing an hour to Atlantic Daylight Saving Time. Stopped in Oromocto near the Fredericton Airport for fuel and joined HWY 7, a two-lane at 100 km/hr and made Rockwood Park, Saint John by 2:15 only fifteen minutes after my predicted arrival time. New Brunswick Drivers have a bad habit of passing and slowing down. Gaaaaaaah!

Cloudy to overcast here beside the Bay of Fundy. The young lady at the counter sent me to an occupied campsite. Got set up, placed levelling blocks and settled in thankful to stay in one place for an entire week.

Sunday morning met my friend Tom for a pick up for church at 10:00 am, grateful for someone who shows up on time. We had an hour before church time. A Presbyterian church named Grace the homily sang the praises of John Calvin the service beginning with a hymn written by Calvin. Only in Saint John would a corn boil be accompanied by mussels.

We went to Subway for a lobster sub. After I put Tom to sleep with a slide show of my US National Park Tour. Went for a walk about the park here visiting the Information centre where the seaquarium has been joined by a trio of large painted turtles who enjoy a private heat lamp and a ramp to pull out under it. They get fed commercial turtle pellets. Walked out to explore the Lily’s Cafe complex where canoes, kayaks and hydro cycles rent for average of $15/half hour. The pond has water lilies but is not all that large. Had a talk with the rental people.

Walked out to the point overlooking the Irving Railway Marshalling Yard to watch the fog eat the port and the rest of the city. It came in with the tide around 5:00. Rained overnight and into the morning.

Monday attended an organ demonstration at Trinity Anglican Cathedral. This is an electronic monster that utilizes recorded sounds. I was not impressed with the playing or the organ. I can listen to a recording at home. The sky cleared enough to let in some sun before the fog rolled in again.

Tuesday dawned foggy and remains overcast.