Home Again in Kitchener

 The two pictures are both from the furthest east point on the trip, at Cape Spear.  We arrived back home in Kitchener on Monday, August 18th.  I was not able to get around to finishing up the blog because I had a few things with higher priority.

The Burgman finished the trip with the usual excellent fuel economy, 3.4 litres per 100 km.  But on this trip, I was worried about the Burgman much more than on the last trip. After the trip out west, we needed to replace the rear drive bearings on the Burgman, which was one reason for concern on the eastern trip where the roads were rougher.  Also, the speed limits in the maritimes are sometimes very high considering the condition of the roads.  On the trip west, we rarely had cars and trucks following us trying to get by.  But this year, it seemed like there was always traffic trying to pass us.

The Last Night: Gananoque Ont

We chose the Comfort Inn, in the central part of town, so we could walk around town easily.

The day started cool and foggy, but now it's not as cold, and the sun peeks through the clouds once in a while.

Waterloo QC

We are not home yet, but staying at the Motel des Deux Lacs, 2 km from the Quebec town of Waterloo. It rained most of the day, but we stayed warm and dry in our rain suits.

I took no pictures because of the rain, but I wish I had one of the main street in Thetford Mines, where we stopped at Chez Mes Roses for lunch. The street was closed for a festival and a band was playing, but nobody was there except us in our space suits.

Montmagny QC

We stopped here at the Wigwam Motel, a short walk from the old centre of town. There are lots of narrow winding roads, murals, and endless historical plaques for Mary Ann to read. Next we went to Cafe du Coin du Monde. We chose it because it was busy and was centrally located. I got a picture (below), of Mary Ann and the bottle of cider she ordered.

Grand Falls NB

When we woke up this morning, I was hoping for a nice boring ride through New Brunswick. That did not happen. Mary Ann's childhood dream, apparently, was to drive along the St John river, and today was the day that dream had to come true. Never mind that it was raining all day long. Regardless of the bumpy, wet roads. Despite the advice of a local resident, and the surprise 37 km detour just at the end of the day.

We arrived at the Leo Motel in Grand Falls  looking very wet, at the rainiest part of the day. The lady at the desk took pity on us and lent us the motel owner's Toyota Corolla to drive into town for supper.

Picture: Mary Ann calls dibs on driving The Corolla home to the motel, whose motto is: "You're only a stranger once". So true.

Leaving Newfoundland

We have a cabin for the overnight ferry ride to Nova Scotia. It has its own bathroom with a shower, two bunk beds, a porthole, writing desk and chair, pillows, towels, soap, lots of lights, curtains, and two card-keys for the door. The only irritant is that all three AC outlets in the room are dead. To recharge the smartphone, I have to sit in the bar or the lounge, where it's still tricky to find a good spot even at 3 AM.

Speaking of good and bad, this is where you would normally reflect on the trip itself. This trip, more than any other motorcycle trip I've been on, had forced me to rethink motorcycle trips. And not just because Mary Ann often wears a T-shirt that says RETHINK. In the end, I have a new appreciation of why I like  motorcycling, and of the difficulties (or, as they say, challenges) of motorcycling.

On this trip, we had lots of rain and fog. The most scenic roads were littered with dangerous potholes. We needed to pre book the ferry and wait for the booking date, even though normally motorcycles can fit anywhere. I also had some age related health issues, on my first trip as a senior citizen.

But despite the downside, and defying logic, I think the motorcycles still made the trip worthwhile. Because of the motorcycle and scooter, we met some very interesting  people, and have more stories and memories that I could not imagine having with a car. 

So to summarize without all the details, the more difficult, or unusual the mode of transport, the more interesting the trip. Not everyone will understand, but after this trip, I think I might be getting there.

Before I forget, last night we were in the bar lounge talking to some other travellers, including Michael, who was the singer (as I mentioned before, this is more like a cruise than a ferry ride). Michael plays the guitar, sings local folk songs, tells a few stories, and generally provides the entertainment. He gave Mary Ann a mention during his performance, which is maybe the event that just got me thinking about what this trip means to her, and not just what it means to me. It came clearer as I watched her lead all the other motorcycles onto the boat, and then saw her strapping Burgie down for the boat trip. Its not just a cruise, it's an accomplishment. Trips don't all have to be about being  pampered. Just ask the people why they ride bicycles across Canada, or why they walk or run. It also helps you understand what Terry Fox did.

Sussex NB

This town reminds us of western towns. Really wide streets. Yesterday visited Hopewell Rocks which are on the Bay of Fundy. Also, Moncton was a nice looking city, that was a surprise for me.

Picture: our cabin on the ferry from Newfoundland.

Quality Inn, St John's

Because our ferry  leaves Monday, we found a nice hotel to hide from the rain for 3 nights. It's near downtown, has a 36" TV, and free parking underground. Mary Ann saved $20 per night by getting us a room without a view of the harbour. I said What am I going to look at all day. She said There's some chairs in the lobby where you can see the harbour for free. Or, you could stay in the room and look at me, but I'll have to charge you $20 a night.  Plus tax.

So we ended up watching The Big Bang Theory on TV, instead of arguing whether tax is applicable between the two of us.

Tomorrow we will visit the St John's Farmers Market. I already told her Newfoundland doesn't have any farmers but she wants to go anyway. She will quiz them about how they grow their produce, to screen out the fakes. That's how she caught the mushroom "farmer" at the Kitchener farmer's market, who said he grew the mushrooms in a greenhouse. It should be entertaining.

Picture: the guide at Cupid's archaeology site two days ago, carrying three umbrellas. Cupid's is the oldest English colony in North America.

Harbour Grace

Technically, we are not staying in Harbour Grace, we are still at Fong's Motel in Carbonear. But it is very close and we did spend the day in Harbour Grace. Right behind the tourist information hut is the wreck of the SS Kyle. In 1949, it was used as a ferry between Newfoundland and Cape Breton. On the other side is a statute of Amelia Earhart, because she took off from Harbour Grace in 1932, on a solo transatlantic flight. Nearby is an old DC3 on a pedestal. At the other end of the street is a nice Museum at the site where Peter Easton set up a fort.

Easton is referred to as a pirate, but from what I can make out, he was more like an unpaid, independent admiral of the Royal Navy, trying to defend and govern  Newfoundland, and make a buck or two on the side. We need to learn about these people in History, even though they don't fall into neat categories like Blackbeard, or Drake.

Pics: me in front of Newfoundland train that no longer runs. Mary Ann and Amelia, a model of the SS Kyle.

Carbonear

I first heard of Carbonear on the ferry, they were playing Newfoundland music, and one started

I met a girl from Carbonear who said she liked to dance, and if I knew just what to do then maybe I'd have a chance.

Since then I heard other songs about this girl. BTW Carbonear rhymes with over 30 one syllable words, may have contributed to her popularity.

Last night I was unable to post my blog from Heart's Content, it was the first  dead zone I came across  for my smartphone. Ironic, isn't it, that Heart's Content was the very first place  in the New World to receive electronic signals from Europe.

Here's another turnaround. Usually I'm sitting in Kitchener watching Newfoundland get pounded by bad weather on TV. Yesterday in the restaurant, the TV was on showing some unlucky place up to their hubcaps in rain. Yes, it was Kitchener.

Heart's Content, NL

According to Google maps there are four ways to enter Carbonear from the south. Carbonear is a place in Newfoundland we passed through on the way to the Winterton wooden boat museum. So to help out any adventuresome travelers following our footsteps, this hint. Main street dead ends on the wrong side of the bay. Another road must traverse a pile of rocks washed up by the sea like a sandbar. Another narrowed to one lane, then was blocked by a parked pickup truck. The last became a driveway into a house which I actually drove in to, marvelling at how the road had improved. This last way was the best, as the proprietor was just leaving to go shopping at the Carbonear mall, so he told me to follow. Google maps can also take note.

Leaving Carbonear going north, I made one last effort at adventure riding and found one of the best roads I have ever seen. It is Freshwater Road. Too bad I didn't get a picture.

Winterton is a nice little place that used to be called Scilly Cove, until residents got fed up with the jokes and changed the name. It seems like the residents of Dildo, South Dildo, and Witless Bay are thicker skinned.

Pic: the boat museum.

The Point Furthest East

Mary Ann had to drive Burgie to Cape Spear today because it's the furthest east point in North America. Now we go West again.

After Cape Spear we needed to go shopping in St John's, and it was still busy. We grabbed a Java at Grabba Java. The girl at the counter asked Mary Ann if she wanted butter on her scone, but Mary ann could not understand butter, because of her accent. I was curious because it did not sound Newfy-like. I asked Are you English?
No.
Just Newfoundland then?
No.
I was ready for another guess when she stopped me.
South African.
Then she asked Were you just going to go through all the accents until you got the right one? 

Pictures Me, Mary Ann, Gilles and Josee at Cape Spear. It's the third time we have met by chance. Also they saw us riding the scooter yesterday, but we didn't see them.

Witless Bay

Yesterday we got a room for two nights under the Irish Loop Cafe. We also went on a Gatheralls boat tour, then went for the evening to George Street in St John's.
Everyone says you should not drive at night in Newfoundland, but we did anyway, and arrived back at our room at 11:30 PM. This is why. We started out for town at 6:30 because we both fell asleep after the boat tour. Then we had trouble finding the Sundance Saloon because Google maps mislocated it at Queen and Water, also Queen has no street sign at Water. Then we found out there was a festival going on, and it cost $30 per person to enter George St., which we paid. Then, we walked the length of the street to get our money's worth which is slow because it's packed with people, and Dr Hook hasn't even started playing yet. We ordered wings and nachos, but could only order a Labatt beer because of the festival.

Just a side note. Newfoundland seems to have a lot of rules that only make sense to Newfoundlanders, like you need to have a reservation to go standby. So when I'm told a new rule I don't ask for further clarification, it just gets worse.

Now back to the beer. I order a Lime-a-rita because I see a giant picture on the wall, but in real life, the can is like a Puffin, WAY smaller than you ever imagined.

It was dark by the time we finished and Dr Hook was playing and now George St was packed solid. You can't fall down, you can hardly move. But Mary Ann plows ahead slowly but steadily. We could go on another street, but we paid for George St. It seems impossible, but by 10:45 we are past the worst of it. (Or best if you like that sort of intimacy with strange women)

Finally, a dark ride home is made brighter by the off road lights of a monster truck tailgating all the way home.