Canadian Maritimes: 9: NS to NL (9/20-9/21)

Because our Cape Breton campground was in a beautiful spot, it was near nowhere, so we went exploring to North Sydney and Sydney Mines (never heard of them? me, neither). Both towns are small but bustling, somehow. Did some grocery shopping. We can tell we're getting farther out; prices are climbing.

Back to camp for an beautiful early evening walk and loved this riverfront (well, oceanfront, really) lake hut. Steak campfire cookout followed.

Somewhat unfortunate name choice.....

Morning brought a hurry-up-and-out, as I neglected to recall we had to be at the ferry to Newfoundland two hours before departure until I reviewed our ticket confirmation. No showers or anything...we just ran!

At the ferry, we were impressed by a number of things. So many fellow passengers were hunters and anglers from all over the U.S., headed to NFLD with coolers for their bears and fish. And many tractor trailers were pulled onto the ferry by a tractor of some kind, rather than under their own power, then chained to the deck. Seasick bags were prominently displayed, although we had a beautiful day and a gentle crossing. And for $59, we got a window cabin for the trip, welcome, as the only entertainment on board was food lounges. At least Allen got to learn the (losing) results of the UNC football game on our cabin's TV. We both got good naps.

After a six-hour crossing, welcome to Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador! Just like we see in our friends' photos, it's cloudy, misty, rainy. But it's dry and sunny in our overnight town, the hotel is comfy, and there's a Subway. A quick driving tour of the town shows us it's modest, perhaps a bit poor, but has a huge indoor sports center and a branch of the College of the North Atlantic.

Allen has discovered the joys of Tim Hortons on this trip, the ubiquitous Canadian version of Dunkin' Donuts, but with a bit more class. He gets the $.69 espresso, a wonder in his book, and sometimes a bad, bad pastry of some kind to go with it.

Newfoundland and a small part of Labrador are 1/2 hour ahead of the Atlantic Time Zone. When the province attempted to join the western provinces in being on the hour in the early 1960's, the public outcry was such that the attempts was abandoned, so we remain 1.5 hours ahead of Frederick.