Canadian Maritimes

[EM4]

Just an update fir those that may decide to do a similar trip. We booked our ferry reservations today for third week of July and found a few of our first choice dates already booked. One added note is we wanted, as we are doing the midnight crossing and seas can be a tad rough.. we splurged for a cabin. Sleep. As we will have been camping for five nights the room has its own shower! Yes. Worth the price for rest and shower. So if you plan it might be a good idea to think ahead.

Must add buckland that a cabin is worth it if you have a rough time with motion sickness. For me sleeping through bad waters works well. Enjoy your trip. Newfoundland is fascinating.

 

[buckland]

We have made our ferry reservations (wild that the boat is filling up so well in advance) and were able to get a cabin as we are doing the night crossing... so with a Bonine pill and a dark room I think we will survive!....my dog on the other hand might have a rough time in the truck back seat (platform).

 

[EM4]

We have made our ferry reservations (wild that the boat is filling up so well in advance) and were able to get a cabin as we are doing the night crossing... so with a Bonine pill and a dark room I think we will survive!....my dog on the other hand might have a rough time in the truck back seat (platform).

gottcha.....good luck to the pooch.

 

[Platano]

I've followed this thread for a bit. What a timely topic as we have been intend to do a trip up through the maritimes late summer / fall. We have not started the planning process in earnest but this is a great place to start. Most of the posts in this thread are focused on summertime travel. We would be coming from sw Colorado visiting friends in the midwest and then up to the maritimes to follow the fall southward through New England and on down the eastern seaboard. Any and all suggested routes would be appreciated. We lived for several years in New England (MA) and have friends still in ME, MA, RI and family in MD. Plans are to visit there, but we are completely unacquainted with the Canadian Province up there and are excited to visit. If any of you have insights we'd appreciate any and all. When is too late, what are the don't miss attractions etc. We prefer primitive camping with the FWC but are not opposed to provincial parks, campgrounds etc. As retired field ecologists, we are interested in good hiking, birding, "botanizing" and watersports (paddleboards, kayaks). We are open to any and all suggestions, thanks.

 

[buckland]

The Backroad Mapbooks are a great source of info. To any folks who have a copy or some other reference material.... if you were listing the must see or do, restaurants or "clam shacks" to not miss, hikes, parks and villages... do give a shout out. I am hoping to do a mini blog of the trip as driving gives me time to think and I find it relaxing at the end of the day to hammer out some experiences from the day. There are so many roads in Newfoundland that require a round trip and was hoping to avoid bad decisions.... even with three weeks it will be a challenge to avoid just wandering ... would like to spend more time at a few places rather than just drive for view.

 

[buckland]

As I did for the AK trip I started a blog. I enjoyed writing as a way to live the trip twice.
Though I just set it up with a post ...it is only the start. https://canadian-maritimes.blogspot.com

For those interested here is the AK-Yukon trip blog ....... This link brings one to the beginning of the trip. Blogs are set up so that you have to go backwards ....so to progress through just click the '"newer posts" button at the bottom of the post. Thereafter one needs to read from the bottom of the page up!

http://alaskan-yukon-roadtrip.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2017-06-02T17:27:00-07:00&max-results=7&start=35&by-date=false

 

[smlobx]

One of the many reasons Terri and I love to travel is to explore the culture of the communities we run across.
In Newfoundland and Labrador one of the important aspects of their culture is their story telling. If you think about it this makes perfect sense since the area is so remote.

The tourism board just sent me this collection of short audio stories and after listening to a few I thought I’d share them with you.
Enjoy...

https://talltrueandtangled.com/#whatsOnTheMenu

 

[buckland]

Ditto on that. My wife and I have lived and taught in a lot of countries and have had the fortunate experience of 20+ cultures in a classroom...so much learning going on. I usually respond to folks that ask “what was your favorite part of visiting Japan?” (Or any others country) and my response is “the Japanese”. I love stories and this is a wonderful way to be introduced to the uniqueness of the Maritimes. I will enjoy listening. Thanks so much for sharing. I’ve already past the link on to a few friends.

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." ― Mark Twain

 

[buckland]

Another source to tap is this book. Stories of the land and people of Newfoundland.

 

[buckland]

On the Cabot Trail. A few days into the trip to Newfoundland and Labrador. We have had three nights of great boondocks camp sites.
Can’t believe the luck. If interested check out the blog site listed in previous post. Warning I tend to “wander the thoughts”a bit. But one can just look at the photos too!

 

[buckland]

Presently up at Meat Cove, N tip of NS ...Best boondocks site ever...

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Cool site, and Kermit chairs to lounge in

 

[smlobx]

Presently up at Meat Cove, N tip of NS ...Best boondocks site ever...

IMG_8575.JPG

Hope you get to try the clam chowder while you’re at Meat Cove...

 

[kmcintyre]

We head that way soon! Keep the reports coming! Any "don't miss sights"?

 

[penner]

Hey Rob. Just read some of your blog and see your second guessing Labrador. We just returned yesterday and took the Labrador route home. Glad I did it but wouldn't bother doing it again. It sure was a driving experience. Someone asked me if I got my satellite phone and when I asked where they said "about 400 miles back". If I was you I would take more time in Nfld. So much more to see. Hoping to get back again. Enjoy your trip. PM me if you have any ????

 

[penner]

Just read your trip report on the TransLabrador highway Rob. Quite the stretch of road isn't it . We met 3 guys from Quebec that were doing it on mountain bikes when we were there. Now that would be a challenge!! Myself, I didn't find the driving that bad, just awful boring. Probably won't do the Labrador thing again but sure hope to get back to Nfld. Next time it would be the short ferry and spend our time mostly on the West side .

 

[buckland]

I liked the road not boring to me as moss lichen water and spruce kept me happy. We had a lot of rain making the gravel in progress road a 6” deep slog fo a long time. Pot holes too. I found the Campbell in Yukon less work. I do agree though that Newfoundland has a lot of exploration potential. We will go back and ferry both ways. Wish there was a greater selection of seafood ... I mean I love fish and chips but halibut can be so incredible a few other ways. Cod too.

 

[klahanie]

Have been following your blog also. Great stuff, thanks for the pics and write ups. Excited 'cause we're headed that way soon. Now you've got me wanting to drive the Trans Lab - even more ! The falls still look awesome. Another thing tho, we waited too long to see in their glory ...

I'm not going to to plan much for camp spots. We'll be in the maritimes mostly in Sept. so the park CGs should be quieter (or closed ) but I'm wondering what you think about finding "boondocking" sites on the fly ? Expect NL will be manageable, not sure about the rest.

Thanks.

 

[buckland]

There are many and the Newfoundlanders are still easy about it. Sad to see someone had abused that and left trash...we try to clean as we go but at times can't pick up everything left by others. One thing for sure there are a ton of gravel pits as that's how they made the roads every few miles it seems. Newfoundland is bigger than it seems due to the backtracking required to get up each peninsula. You will have a great time.

 

[penner]

Have been following your blog also. Great stuff, thanks for the pics and write ups. Excited 'cause we're headed that way soon. Now you've got me wanting to drive the Trans Lab - even more ! The falls still look awesome. Another thing tho, we waited too long to see in their glory ...

I'm not going to to plan much for camp spots. We'll be in the maritimes mostly in Sept. so the park CGs should be quieter (or closed ) but I'm wondering what you think about finding "boondocking" sites on the fly ? Expect NL will be manageable, not sure about the rest.

Thanks.

Your probably not home yet , but how did you find the drive through Labrador? Is all the construction completed? LOL!!!!