View 2013 Travels for Blog in a larger map
We left you with pictures of our new refrigerator being installed right before we headed for Canada. We left Bethel, ME, immediately and drove across the state to Calais, Maine. (That's not pronounced like Calais, France, but like "callous").
On Thursday morning, we crossed the border at St Stephen's, stopped to get some Canadian money and drove straight to Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, for the 42nd Annual Nova Scotia Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival. It's the oldest continuing bluegrass festival in Canada. The Maritimes seem to have lots of bluegrass and folk music festivals. Everyone was very friendly - many have been coming to this festival for years. A lot of people go to several festivals each summer!
Tom played at the open mic session on Thursday night. The crowd enjoyed his originals (Pretty Package and The Better Half). He also played Slewfoot and Friend of the Devil. One young player sent his dad to get details on Slewfoot, so Tom might have introduced a new song to someone's set!
 |
| Tom playing on the hay wagon at the Downeast Bluegrass festival |
The rest of the weekend, we relaxed and enjoyed the music - with one quick drive down to Halifax and a successful quest to see the famous bore tide visible in several places along the Bay of Fundy.
 |
| Bridge in Halifax in the fog |
A bore tide happens when there is a large tide coming into a shallow, constricted area. The surface tension of the water on the sand flats holds back the tide and the water builds up till the pressure is enough to overcome the surface tension. You can get bore tides from 3" to 18" or more in rivers off the Bay of Fundy. There are even outfitters that will arrange for you to surf the tide for miles!
 |
| View of bore tide at Truro, NS |
We spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs near Amherst. It was fascinating! They have a 30 minute tour that gives a good orientation, then warn you when to come back to avoid getting caught by the tides. From there you can continue exploring as you please, though climbing on the cliffs is not allowed.
 |
| Interpreted tour guide next to a fossil tree stump |
 |
| View of the beach at low tide - not the person in the upper right of the picture |
Next stop was Quebec city - after a long and eventful drive through New Brunswick and Quebec. It's pretty countryside. The road signs are all in French, which takes some getting used to, but is easier than I thought. Of course, I wasn't driving....
We only had one minor mishap. At a gas stop, the RV steps didn't retract completely and scraped a small curb next to the gas pump. They were so bent that they then couldn't retract. Tom had to unscrew one of the support arms and force it back up. Bungee cords to the rescue!
We stayed across the St Laurence River from the city and took a ferry across for a quick visit to the old city and the fortifications. That meant a LOT of walking or actually climbing. The ferry lands in the old town Quebec at water level and then you climb up a big hill to the main square and a promenade. And then you climb more up to the old fort. It's a gorgeous spot and Sally wants to go back and spend more time.
 |
| View from upper Quebec - we climbed from where the boats are docked to this vantage point |
 |
| Guard at the Quebec Citadel |
 |
| View of Old Quebec City from the ferry |
The next morning, we left Quebec and drove towards Ottawa. Fortunately, we didn't hit town at rush hour! After a quiet night in Middle of Nowhere, Ontario, we drove the rest of the way to Sault Ste Marie the next day and crossed into Michigan in the rain and fog.
 |
| Leaving Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, and arriving in Sault Ste Marie, MI |
