The US and Canada

A 174-day adventure by Blue Brute Adventures Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Share

Newest first

Footprints
Photos

The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 113
Friday, August 1, 2025
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 19 m
Canada 49.787215, -57.8756649°47’14” N 57°52’32” W
Impressive National Park
August 1 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Our first major objective on the island is the West Coast and the World Heritage Gros Morne National Park. The scenery is breathtaking-taking with rugged shorelines, fjords and the unique desert-like tablelands area of the national park which is one of the (very) few places where you can walk on the earth’s mantle. Light houses, fishing villages, churches and cemeteries are plentiful (I think this will be a common theme on the island)Read more
TravelerYou made the ferry! Yay!
8/26/25Reply
TravelerBeautiful place
8/27/25Reply
5 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 115
Sunday, August 3, 2025
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Canada Back Harbour 49.647746, -54.76548249°38’52” N 54°45’56” W
Tough Fishing Towns
August 3 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
After the West Coast, we head to the centre of the island and its northern coast. They see ice bergs here in spring (unfortunately, we were a little late in the season), and it’s not hard to imagine the tough life carved out by fishermen over the past four centuries. The towns have a rough beauty about them and we were blessed by great wether (which, we were frequently told, is very, very, rare)Read more
TravelerI love the array of bright colours in the town.
9/8/25Reply
4 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 117
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Canada Elliston 48.621041, -53.01518648°37’16” N 53°0’55” W
1 1
Our First Puffins
August 5 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
We continue across the North Coast of the island. Small cove (and fishing village) one after another. It’s beautiful, but easy to appreciate how tough life must have been. We go on a few coastal walks with wonderful views and, at last, we come across a Puffin colony.Read more
Traveler Incredible photo
9/7/25Reply
TravelerNow THAT is a Parish Hall.
9/8/25Reply
Traveler beautiful shot
9/15/25Reply
6 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 121
Saturday, August 9, 2025
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 52 m
Canada St. John's 47.567381, -52.70623147°34’3” N 52°42’22” W
St John’s
August 9 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
We arrive in the Provincial capital, St John’s, under beautiful weather but increasing wild fire threats. The wind is helping on the coast, but the skies are becoming increasingly smoky. We enjoy our time in the city, where the majority of the island’s population lives and works. It’s a great natural habour that has supported fishing for over 500 years. Downtown is lively in the evenings, and you don’t have to look far to see the strong Irish influence.Read more
4 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 123
Monday, August 11, 2025
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 117 m
Canada 46.668693, -53.54751746°40’7” N 53°32’51” W
Tough Country
August 11 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
After St John’s, we have a couple of days before we need to catch the ferry back to the mainland. This gives us time to look at the far East and South coasts of the island. First stop is Cape Spear, the most Easterly point of Canada (and North America). This completes our geographical quad - the most Easterly, Westerly and Northern points accessible by road in North America, after getting to the most southerly road accessible point in South America a couple of years ago. After about an hour of driving the population dwindles. The weather here is dominated by thick fogs and fierce winds. The few villages are spread out and life looks very tough. Light houses (which also have very, very loud horns - because you can’t see the light through the fog) are plentiful.Read more
6 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 126
Thursday, August 14, 2025
🌧 19 °C
Altitude: 28 m
Canada Gaspé 48.854962, -64.21814648°51’18” N 64°13’5” W
A New Deadline
August 14 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
Our return to the mainland coincides with advice (finally) from the shipping company of the date to drop the Troopy off in Montreal. We’ve got nine days! So, we go the long way (which, admittedly, was the original plan) - 2,000km following the shoreline of the St Lawrence, and allowing for a few days in Quebec City and a full day to prep the Troopy. It’s a fair bit of driving each day, but the scenery is great. Still plenty of churches, cemeteries and lighthouses and we don’t have to travel far to encounter great views across the river/bay.Read more
7 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 131
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 56 m
Canada Quebec 46.811552, -71.20444746°48’42” N 71°12’16” W
1 1
Quebec City
August 19 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We find a good campground on the outskirts of Quebec City and spend a full day preparing the Troopy and ourselves for the move across the Atlantic. With this sorted, we then have a couple of days to explore the city. It’s been about 22 years since we last visited. The history is fascinating and the city is vibrant. You’re never left wondering about their French heritage.Read more
Traveler Love it.
9/13/25Reply
Traveler ❤️
9/13/25Reply
7 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 136
Sunday, August 24, 2025
🌧 25 °C
Altitude: 59 m
Canada Montreal 45.509254, -73.56823345°30’33” N 73°34’6” W
1 2
Success!!
August 24 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
We get the Troopy to Montreal with only one minor problem - the handbrake is playing up. At this point it shouldn’t be a problem. We give instructions not to use it (shouldn’t be required) and we hand it over. We have a couple of hours to kill before we move to our Air BnB downtown so we visit the bowling alley next door for a bit of fun. We then have a few days before our flight to the US, so we about exploring Montreal by foot. The last time we were here it was about -20, so it’s a completely different experience this time. With the pressure of getting the truck shipped off our shoulders, we really enjoy our time in the city.Read more
Traveler Nice one, Hottie and Kev.
9/13/25Reply
TravelerMontreal is on my bucket list - looks lovely
9/15/25Reply
Traveler Great shots - the city looks so varied, interesting and clean
9/17/25Reply
Traveler How fun!
9/19/25Reply
6 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 140
Thursday, August 28, 2025
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 21 m
United States New York 40.736627, -74.00183140°44’12” N 74°0’7” W
New York, New York
August 28 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
We have about three weeks to fill in while we wait for the Troopy to clear customs in the UK. Our first stop is New York. While we’ve been here on numerous occasions, the city never fails to fascinate us. But while the sights keep us amused, the highlight and purpose of the trip was to see the lovely Cheryl (unfortunately, Paul was in Australia).Read more
5 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 143
Sunday, August 31, 2025
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 2 m
Finland Helsinki 60.167999, 24.95417760°10’5” N 24°57’15” E
A New Continent
August 31 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
We arrive in Europe with our flight from New York to Helsinki. We’ve been here before and we only have a day and a half, but it’s enough to re-familiarise ourselves with the city. We do a city walk and enjoy some seafood in the stalls along the waterfront. The UN says it’s the happiest country in the world. It does seem very pleasant, although, they can keep their weather.Read more
TravelerWelcome to Europe!
9/15/25Reply
TravelerGreat architecture
9/17/25Reply
6 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 146
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 22 m
Malta Valletta 35.900579, 14.51517335°54’2” N 14°30’55” E
Valletta - Part 1
September 3 in Malta ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
It’s going to take a couple more weeks before we can pick up the Troopy, so we toss around a number of options. We come up with a great solution - Malta! We’ve not been there before (it becomes the 82nd country we’ve visited), and the weather (and costs) look far more attractive than the UK. First stop is Valletta, the nation’s capital, and it doesn’t disappoint. The broader capital region covers a number of heavily populated peninsulas. The people are friendly, the water and air are (very) warm, and the history of the place is fantastic.Read more
Travelerfriends from the club went to Malta this summer - planning move there with their 3 kids next year! Looks fabulous!
9/19/25Reply
TravelerWhat is the most common language in Malta? What an adventure!
9/22/25Reply
TravelerEnglish and Maltese
9/30/25Reply
7 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 149
Saturday, September 6, 2025
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 24 m
Malta Sliema 35.909945, 14.50192835°54’36” N 14°30’7” E
1
Valletta - Part 2
September 6 in Malta ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
We’re enjoying Malta so much, and a check of British weather confirms our suspicions, that we decide to extend our time in Malta by a couple of days (and still get to Southampton in time for the Troopy’s arrival). There is plenty to keep us occupied in Valletta. We have daily swims in the warm Mediterranean water and exploring Malta’s fascinating history and vibrant daily life.Read more
Traveler 😁
9/26/25Reply
4 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 152
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 89 m
Malta Victoria 36.042898, 14.24206636°2’34” N 14°14’31” E
Gozo
September 9 in Malta ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Having spent a week in the capital, we get a hire car and head to Malta’s “second” island, Gozo. It takes over an hour to travel the 50kms to the ferry, which only takes about 30 minutes to travel the 15km to Gozo. It’s less populated, but feels very similar to the main island. Great architecture and history, friendly people and clear, blue water (nothing like a paucity of rainfall to keep the ocean clear). There are forts and churches everywhere, and we have no problems filling in our few days on the island. The roads are…….. interesting, designed more for a horse and carriage rather than two-way traffic.Read more
TravelerThis is quite beautiful and lately photos of Italy and Spain have been so crowded. This looks much nicer
9/26/25Reply
TravelerOutside of Valletta the crowds haven’t been too bad. Put Malta on your list.
9/26/25Reply
5 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 155
Friday, September 12, 2025
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Malta Birżebbuġa 35.826296, 14.52706535°49’35” N 14°31’37” E
The Rest of Malta
September 12 in Malta ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Our last few days in Malta are spent exploring the main island. Rabat (and the Mdina Fortress) are up there with the best ancient cities in Europe (our view), and the churches, coastline and towns don’t disappoint.Read more
TravelerMalta…what a great choice! I need to learn more about it. The history must be fascinating
9/29/25Reply
4 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 159
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 17 m
England Portsmouth 50.804151, -1.08922750°48’15” N 1°5’21” W
Worked out as planned
September 16 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We depart Malta with the news that the Troopy has arrived in the UK and has been cleared by customs. Fantastic! But we’ve still got a few days to kill before we can pick it up. Fortunately, this period coincides with Mark and Jo visiting London, so we get the opportunity to have a day with them. The rest of the time is spent in the Southampton/Portsmouth area. Apart from a flat battery, the Troopy is in good condition. We pick it up and head for the (next) ferry in North-West Wales.Read more
TravelerWhen you are in Southern Germany make sure to let us know and come by. Would be great to meet!
9/27/25Reply
4 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 163
Saturday, September 20, 2025
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Wales Holyhead 53.310229, -4.60307553°18’37” N 4°36’11” W
No New Flag
September 20 in Wales ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
We managed to get the faulty handbrake inspected in Portsmouth, but unfortunately, it couldn’t be fixed. We need a new cable, which we’ll have to bring back with us on the next trip. So we head (somewhat) cautiously towards the ferry in Northern Wales. For most of the way the weather was atrocious, so only a few stops (the photos were all taken the morning of the ferry trip when the weather cleared, but it was only about 6 degrees). To fill in time while driving in the rain, there was much discussion over the whether or not the Troopy should receive a Welsh flag. Lisa was a firm no, based on the lack of formal nation status, whereas my “yes” argument was based on Wales having an international rugby team and the flag having a dragon on it. I lost.Read more
3 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 166
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 38 m
Ireland Dublin 53.34789, -6.26243553°20’52” N 6°15’45” W
A Glimpse of Ireland
September 23 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
The ferry crossing to Ireland is smooth (a good thing without a handbrake) and we arrive at Dublin port in the late afternoon and make our way to the campground on the Western side of the city. We only have three days, and the focus is on preparing the Troopy for storage and ourselves for the return home. But we do manage to spend a little time looking round the city (and probably a disproportionate amount of time in the Guinness factory). The highlight is the unplanned catch up with Nick and Suzy. We add a new flag to the Troopy to put it to bed an hour North of the city. It’s now going to take a week to get home.Read more
4 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 169
Friday, September 26, 2025
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 2 m
Finland Helsinki 60.168062, 24.95411360°10’5” N 24°57’15” E
Ist Stop-over
September 26 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
It’s back to Helsinki (again) for our first stop-over on the way home. It’s a bit colder than when we were here a few weeks ago. But it is a lovely city. We stayed in a converted jail!
5 likes
The US and Canada Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 172
Monday, September 29, 2025
🌧 31 °C
Altitude: 19 m
Thailand Bangkok 13.751157, 100.49236313°45’4” N 100°29’33” E
2nd Stop-over
September 29 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 31 °C
An 11 hour flight from Helsinki gets us to our second stop-over location - Bangkok. We only have 48 hours in the city - not enough to get over the jet lag, but we do have a good walk around Chinatown and the older parts of the city. The Thais are lovely people and the food is great.Read more
3 likes
Trip end
October 1, 2025