Rambling North America

A 182-day adventure by Rambling Bears Read more

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Rambling North America Rambling Bears
Island Hopping
November 13, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C
Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day! Rugged up we headed down to the Freight Shed, where we had the great meal last night, to have a great breakfast this morning. Not open. Back up to the Main Street. None of the small handful of cafes that were supposedly open were! We had a lovely walk along the lake in the crisp morning air so not all was lost.
Plan B - breakfast at Tim Horton’s, the only option, then hit the road. Today’s journey took us along the Sunrise Trail to Pictou where we had a very late lunch/early dinner before getting the ferry across to PEI (Prince Edward Island).
The Sunrise Trail travels more coastline. This coastline is lined with farmlands - beautiful farmhouses right on the coast with stunning views in all directions.
The 75 minute ferry crossing had us arrive in Wood Islands after 6pm with a further 45 minute drive to Charlottetown.Read more
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A Sleety Day in Charlottetown
November 14, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C
3º was the maximum today with a feels like of -2. Needless to say we were rugged right up in jumpers, big jackets scarf for me, buff for Neil and gloves for our walk around Charlottetown. We followed the historical walk, the unbroken red line that took us around the town down to the harbour and through the old neighbourhoods. Before the end of the walk it was snowing, or sleeting or sprinkling ice or all of the above.
We dined at Terre Rouge - lentil and beetroot burgers for both of us. We had our choice of tables as we were the only punters. We were there late in the afternoon but I doubt that they are ever rushed off their feet during the down season. Or perhaps today everyone was hiding inside out of the wind and sleet. Only the tourists were out walking in it.
We have extended our stay another two nights after tonight as Charlottetown is basically in the middle of the island and we can strike out from here for the next two days.Read more
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All About Anne
November 15, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C
Today I travelled back to my childhood and dragged Neil along for the ride (well he is the designated driver so he had to come along). One of my favourite books as a young girl was Anne of Green Gables. The farmstead and surrounding woods that were the inspiration for the setting are now a heritage place in The Prince Edward Island National Park. And the Anne books were the inspiration that urged me to see this island.
We followed the Green Gables Coastal Drive along the Central North Coastline then looped back to Charlottetown. At Malapeque Bay we spotted a fox at the side of the road about to head into the woods. When we slowed he turned and came back towards us and sat down while Neil did his fox whispering through the window. He was magnificent not at all mangy like the ones I have seen at home.’
On our return we walked downtown for dinner. Whilst looking for somewhere Neil spied The Socceroos on a TV screen through a window of The Churchill Pub. Of course we wandered in as it gave us a chance to catch last night’s winning game that put us through to the World Cup. Luck also had it that they had two for one curry night on tonight. Dinner sorted. The deal started at 5pm and within 15 minutes the joint was packed to overflowing. Had a great evening and met some lovely locals. The curry was good.Read more
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Points East Coastal Drive
November 16, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 4 °C
Our last day on PEI and another drive through the beautiful countryside past spud farm after spud farm, along the northern coast past Red Head Harbour to East Point Lighthouse. From there down to Cardigan and a loop back to Charlottetown.Read more
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Looping Back
November 17, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C
Left PEI across the Confederation Bridge. Some stats to activate the grey cells, or who knows, one day answer a trivia question - The confederation Bridge is the longest bridge in the world across ice waters (no ice in the waters today though, but won’t be long. The ice is on its way) and it is 12.9kms long. It’s long and mostly straight. Pity about the weather as it would make some special photos but in the rain .... not so good.
The bridge took us to New Brunswick and the road lead back to Nova Scotia.
We followed the Glooscap Trail along the coast of the Bay of Fundy (home of highest tidal range in the world) to Canning where we are now in our comfortable room at the Farmhouse Inn. Dinner was on route in Windsor - another pub meal as pubs are generally open and they almost always have meals. At this time of year the options in these country areas are not extensive. The butternut squash ravioli did the job quite nicely.Read more
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The Evangeline Trail
November 18, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C
Today we travelled Canning to Paradise on the main road then picked up the Evangeline Trail. With stops at Annapolis Royal and Digby we continued on to our overnighter on the outskirts of Yarmouth.
After a chilly walk around Fort Royal we wandered down into the village of Annapolis Royal for a light lunch and an escape out of the cold. Digby was our next stop further along the trail. As we were driving down into the village and I spied the fishing fleet and remembered reading that Digby had the biggest scallop fleet in the world. Love scallops and we hadn’t eaten any while here in Nova Scotia. Despite not having long ago finished eating lunch we decided to search for a nice seafood restaurant to taste their scallops.
The chosen restaurant overlooked the picturesque harbour and the scallops were yum. A winner all round.
We definitely did not need to look anywhere for dinner.Read more
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Last Road Stop - Lunenburg
November 19, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Our last day on the road -last day of an amazing road journey.
Yesterday the weather was windy, cold but sunny. Today - early rain and wind cleared marginally to bleak skies, occasional showers and lots of wind. Oh well, what to do with the weather?
Today’s trail was The LIghthouse Trail. The road meandered in and out of gorgeous coves and picturesque villages. Although the distance as the crow flies to Lunenburg was not significant , the meandering coastal road was slow and time was moving on so we opted to get back on the main road so we could explore tie UNESCO Historic Village of Lunenburg.
We booked into our beautiful old inn, The Mariner King Inn, and the skies opened up, the rain flogged down. No exploring for us today. Luckily the rain cleared off in the evening for us to go to the Salt Shaker for dinner. I have so enjoyed the small restaurant/bars that we have had the opportunity to eat at during this journey. They have usually been local watering holes and eateries and have had a warm and inviting ambience. The Salt Shaker did not break the mould - nice!Read more
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Finish the Loop
November 20, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C
Breakfast was a reasonable cold buffet in the quaint dining room of our inn, one of the heritage buildings in Lunenburg. A quick pack and as it was no longer raining we had a quick walk around the village before needing to hit the road back to Halifax. No not raining, just flee snow! Light and quite biting tiny bits of snow - too light to settle on the ground in the bracing winds.
It’s a shame we did not have the time to give the village justice but we saw what we could before hitting the road, Jack.
Another quick stop in Mahone Bay, another beautiful little village, and we were back on the main road to Halifax to return our vehicle.
With all the formalities of returning the vehicle done and dusted we had a Freshii lunch and headed outside to catch the bus out to the airport and a short shuttle to our airport hotel for the night.
Soup for dinner.Read more
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Final Step - The Far, Far East
November 21, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 2 °C
Our final step in Canada - a flight to St John’s in Newfoundland. We have made it! West to East across Canada - two and a half months to this point.
Our flight was in gentleman’s hours so it was not an early start and a rush to the airport which is nice when you can arrange it.
Porter airlines flight and in the early afternoon we arrived at our final destination in Canadia.
St John’s, the little San Francisco, jelly bean houses in rows marching up the hill from the harbour, the furthest east township in this vast and amazing country.This final destination at first inspection is not about to disappoint. Our apartment hasn’t either. On the third floor we have views up to the town and down to the harbour. The weather, however, ...... another story- gale force winds and COLD!Read more
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St John's In Sunshine
November 22, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C
We woke this morning to sunny skies - not a cloud in the sky. The gale force winds of last night had abated to a strong breeze and so it was time to explore St. John’s.
Along Duckworth Street, down George (party street - more pubs in this street per capita than anywhere else in North America - what an accolade!), back on Water and out to Signal Hill to investigate the colourful houses perched above the harbour on the Upper, Middle and Outer Battery Roads. We continued out along the headland track when the sun began to set and we decided it was probably wise to head back before the light failed.
Great day.
These photos were taken from our apartment and along our downtown walk before heading out along the Battery.Read more
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St John's in Sunshine - The Battery
November 22, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C
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A Stunning Working Harbour
November 22, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C
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Wet and Blustery
November 23, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C
One beautiful day and then today. The wind was gusting up to 80kms an hour, the rain was blowing sideways and it was a miserable day. So ........ a designated down day, rest and recuperate.
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The Rooms
November 24, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
It was a far better day today. The wind was still around but no where near as bad as yesterday and the sun trying it’s hardest to shine through.
Today we walked to the top of the hill overlooking the town to visit The Rooms, a modern building overlooking the town that houses the Museum, Art Gallery and Town Archives.
Spent perhaps four hours exploring the museum and art gallery, and having lunch in their restaurant on the top floor with ceiling to floor windows peering down on the town - magnificent views.Read more
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A Spectacular Hike
November 25, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
Not a cloud in the sky when we set out. Little to no wind and 5 degrees so we even forewent our big coats as we were going to be some serious walking.
Around the Battery, up over Signal Hill, down the other side to the village of Quidi Vidi, a spot of lunch at Mallard Cottage, along the shoreline of Quidi Vidi Lake and back to the apartment.Read more
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Quidi Vidi
November 25, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
Quidi Vidi, a small fishing village surrounded by the town of St John”s
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A Day to Rest
November 26, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C
This morning it was leave our lovely St John’s apartment and head out to our airport hotel in preparation for our early flight tomorrow. I was a little disappointed that we were unable to store our bags anywhere in order to see the Santa Parade. As it turned out the event was cancelled due to the strong winds so nothing lost.
We were able to check in early which was good and so we had a day of rest. We probably needed it too!Read more
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Happy Birthday - We're off to Boston
November 27, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C
Happy Birthday Neil we are going to Boston. Or perhaps not.
Up at 3.30 so we could get the shuttle to the airport at 4.30. Check in went smoothly. Flight departure time came and went. The flight will be delayed was announced three or four times, each time the delay getting longer. I accused Neil of being a glass half empty person when he stated that he doubted that we were going anywhere as he had heard bad rumours about Air Canada. He was right again. We were going nowhere - the flight was cancelled — bags were on the carousel for us to collect then wait and wait to see what happens. In the end we received an email with new flights for tomorrow. I tried to change the flights to later ones today to no avail so tomorrow it is.
I inquired about accommodation and Air Canada put us up in the Holiday Inn Express and a shuttle was organised to take us there. We were also given a food voucher covering breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not princely sums but as the airline had already given us a food voucher at the airport that covered breakfast and we skipped lunch the hotel combined the amounts for a dinner voucher. As the hotel didn’t serve dinner we were shuttled to a Pizza joint to spend the voucher.
Generally I don’t do pizza but that restaurant was our only choice or pay for it ourselves elsewhere. Being of good Scottish blood in my not too distant ancestry i opted we go for pizza. Well I was pleasantly surprised, not only did our Mediterranean Veggie pizza not kill me, I enjoyed it.
Although we were not impressed that the flight had been cancelled Air Canada looked after us and although we have lost a day in Boston we are not out of pocket for the ordeal.
Happy Birthday Neil!Read more
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Better Late Than Never But ............
November 28, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 2 °C
The flight today was at gentleman’s hours so thankfully we didn’t need to get up early. We checked in and hoped for the best. And you can always be lucky! Those yesterday who were going straight to Halifax without a connector were put on a 1.30 flight yesterday afternoon and that flight was also cancelled - plane trouble again. Apparently tempers were a little frayed. Glass half full - it wasn’t us. Fingers and toes were crossed in silent prayer that all would be well today.
The plane was delayed a little but we did get away and our connector flight in Halifax was on time. We arrived in Boston, collected our bags and were in a taxi on our way to our apartment in not time.
The glass emptied completely however when we arrived at our apartment. I almost tripped over a broom and dustpan in the dark. Things did not auger well. The furniture was all pushed back on the walls, rugs were rolled and shoved under the furniture, dust covered many surfaces. The smell of fresh silicone or grout wafted through the apartment. I walked into the bathroom. A bag of new fixtures lay on the ground. I opened the shower recess - no shower rose or taps. Great! What now? We were tired and didn’t need this.
To cut a long story short Domio came good with a few messages back and forth and responded to our needs quickly. If it was a private rental this would not have happened. The owner would have been on top of what was happening in his own apartment but this one was obviously agent run. Domio had another apartment available just around the corner a minute’s walk away.
Unlike the original, the new apartment was not in the basement. Looking up. It was up another flight of stairs but beggars can’t be choosers. The replacement is a better option, more room, windows and a washing machine!
Shower, cup of tea and bed!Read more
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Day 1 Boston
November 29, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
It is always good when you arrive too late somewhere to get some tucker in for the next day and beyond. Or perhaps not. Woke up starving. We have got a Keurig Coffee Maker though and there are some pods in the cupboard. Although they are decaffeinated when that is all there is to be had who am I to hold back or be picky.
With a coffee under our belts we set out to find a supermarket.
We are in a great part of town, the North End or Little Italy. Extremely narrow streets - some too narrow for cars. Just around the corner we head into Italian restaurant heaven. One after the other - two streets of them then across a main drag and we are downtown. Very central.
Across the main drag we came to the public marketplace - an organic and artisan market. We had two pastry puffy things for breakfast. Mine was cheesy and I thought it was delicious. Neil”s cinnamon and he was not at all impressed. Can’t please everyone!
The city is a mixture of very old and ultra modern, the historic, the not too distant past and looking to the future I guess. All the downtown area is on relatively narrow streets, some of which are cobbled. Nice! The whole area is abuzz with the locals gearing up for Christmas and putting up decorations ready for the official turning on of the various big Christmas trees. The lighting up of the lights are staggered over the next couple of nights.
Groceries bought and stowed back in the apartment we were hitting the pavement again to find the tourist office for a map I can see and some literature on the sights. And of course a bit of a wander to get our bearings.
Found the Quincy Markets on the way back - a hall with a wide variety of snack and light meal treats. Smelt amazing - will definitely be back there.
Dinner completed and this dealt with so it is off to bed for this sleepy head. I am pooped!Read more
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The Freedom Trail
November 30, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C
Today we hit the trail, The Freedom Trail, a 4 km path through downtown Boston that passes by 16 locations significant to the history of the United States. Follow the yellow brick road - not quite. Follow the red brick line as it winds between Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. Stops along the trail include simple explanatory ground markers such as the site of the first public school, graveyards, notable churches and buildings, and a historic naval frigate, the USS Constitution.
Some of the sites we saw yesterday but we followed the path religiously starting at the Tourist Centre, through the down town area. Into Little Italy and across the Charles River into Charlestown - and what a lovely Charlestown - a bit classier than ours! Along the way we read our little guide book so we understood the significance of each site and of course we read all the plaques that gave us a more in depth explanation of many of the sites. You could pick all the tourists. They’d be the ones walking the line, guidebooks in one hand and a camera in the other.
Was a great day.Read more
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Along The Freedom Trail
November 30, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C
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Walking the Waterfront and a Tea Party
December 1, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
No brilliant sunshine does not equate to warm. Brilliant sunshine today and a bucket load of wind = quite chilly.
However, who can resist a walk along the waterfront of any city when the sun is shining regardless of an icy wind. And the waterfront of Boston is beautiful.
Our walk eventually led us to the Boston Tea Party Museum and bit of a tea party for us as well. In the tea rooms you are able to taste a variety of teas that would have been relatively common fare in the late 1700’s. One I tried was a smoked tea. I’d have to say that it would probably take an acquired taste. Didn’t mind it but it left a strong smokey after taste. Had to drink a bucketful fo green tea to drown the flavour!
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest in Boston, Massachusetts, in December 1773. The demonstrators, some disguised as Native Americans, in defiance of the Tea Act of May 10, 1773, destroyed a shipment of tea sent by the East India Company. They boarded the ships and threw the chests of tea into Boston Harbor. The British government weren’t impressed and were harsh in their retaliation. The protest escalated into the American Revolution. The Tea Party became an iconic event of American history.
From the waterfront we located the post office to send off a postcard back home. Glad to see that is not only our post offices back home that are frustrating. For one simple international postcard stamp I waited half an hour. Patience is a virtue!
From there we swung up through Chinatown and a zig zag path back to North End.Read more
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Boston's Answer to 5th Avenue
December 2, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C
Boston is such a walkable city. Today, up through the town, across Boston Common, along Newbury Street (Boston’s answer to 5th Avenue) and more exploring through the streets on our way bank to Quincy Quincy Market for a bit of entertainment, a christmas tree light show and dinner in the market.
Newbury Street is a very pleasant window shopping experience. Beautifully renovate old brownstone buildings have retail stores in the basement and ground floor levels and are described as being shabby chic to elegant, affordable to exclusive. The exclusive and perhaps bohemian style shops are at the end closest to the Boston Gardens.
It was a great shame that we arrived a little late for the great band that was playing outside the Quincy Market. We caught the final songs. They were very high energy and had the whole crowd rocking.
We caught a few more Christmas lights on our wall home.Read more
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Sowa Winter Festival & Christmas Markets
December 3, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C
When hundreds if not thousands of people have the same good idea it tends not to be such a great idea. I had one of those today.
Let’s go to the Sowa Winter Festival! It was a looooong walk on a very cold day but we got there eventually without getting lost. The line up into the craft markets wound out of the markets themselves down the street and around the corner. I don’t think so. If we had been after presents for Chrissie we may have stuck it out but since we were only going to be browsing we didn’t need the wait.
Instead we browsed the art galleries in the old warehouses and headed into the food tents outside for some warm mulled wine. My heart fell. All gone! What is a Christmas market in cold climate without warm mulled wine to warm the cockles of the heart. 💔
We did see some very cool ice sculptures.Read more
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