#225 Prince Edward Island

“Pastoral as a picture book, with tiny towns set among rolling green hills, Prince Edward Island (PEI) is surrounded by the cold North Atlantic and crisscrossed by red dirt roads…

PEI’s bucolic lifestyle was nurtured by isolation, and even now – with the island connected to the mainland by the 8-mile Confederation Bridge – the feel is more cow pasture than rat race.

Blue Heron Drive is probably the most traveled (and most commercial) route, as it passes through the north shore’s PEI National Park, which includes the home of L.M. Montgomery and her novel Anne of Green Gables.”

Another day, another downpour of rain. We actually lucked out a little here and while it rained off and on all day we did get well-timed breaks in the down p our at the Green Gables house.   

#224 Bay of Fundy

"Fundy is a place of absolute wonder where the world's highest tides rise as much as 48 feet in six hours - more than twenty-two times greater than the average in open seas. Fundy National Park, established in 1948, protects 80 square miles of the land along the bay's west coast. ...Visitors can walk nearly three-quarters of a mile across the tidal flats to the water's edge - then kayak that whole distance a few hours later, when the 100 billion tons of water have rushed back in."

I had two excursions scheduled for Bay of Fundy, the first in New Brunswick which are the first three sets of pictures, and the second on the Nova Scotia side. The weather was raining both days, but was atrocious in Nova Scotia. Like, downpour, fully soaked, miserable, atrocious. It was also the day we were supposed to "walk the ocean floor". Sounds like fun, right? It started with the tour guide telling us we needed to sign a waiver because nobody was liable for any injury. Ok. The

 he talked and talked and talked and talked some more about how dangerous the stairs would be, especially in this weather. How slippery they are and on and on. So, when we got there and it was still a downpour, I decided I would not be risking life and limb that day.

As folks came back on the bus talking about how glorious it was and how it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and how I would surely regret it if I didn't go down there, well, I couldn't take it anymore. I kindly(?, less than kindly?) explained that I was so happy they got to have a once in a lifetime experience, and I would hate it if they had regrets. I however, do not view this as once in a lifetime experience. I will be back during better weather, where I can stay in these cottages (right next door) and sit in a hot tub while watching the tides come in and go out. And that the only thing I would regret, is breaking my femur on those fucking stairs. Here is where I mention that someone on the tour actually fell three times out there. 

#223 Lake Massawippi

"Ten-mile-long Lake Massawippi sits in the southeastern part of the Townships, less than a half hour's drive from the US border, and is its most desirable resort area, especially around the northern end's North Hatley. ... Hovey Manor is one of these. Built in 1899 by Henry Atkinson, an Atlanta electricity baron who arrived every summer accompanied by eighteen servants and ten horses, it was designed in the style of George Washington's Mount Vernon, with a broad, white-columned veranda. Outside, its 25 hillside acres feature English-style gardens sloping down to two small lake beaches. ... The inn's award winning restaurant delight."

I also took advantage of the "half hour's drive" back to the US to order a much-needed rain jacket. Crossing the US the border agent was weirdly intent on discovering any limes that might be in my possession, and on the way back the Canadian border agent just wanted to make sure I was gonna take the jacket home with me when I left. Border control is wild, y'all.

"In the Eastern Townships' Brome Missisquoi district, the landscape is not just for viewing, it's for savoring. This lovely area of rolling hills and valleys serves as the breadbasket of Quebec, and more than 60 winemakers, farmers, maple syrup producers, beekeepers, cheese makers, cider brewers, and other producers of fresh local food products open their properties to visitors."

I only took one photo, it appears of this part of the district, but I did a bunch of driving area and can vouch for it being a lovely area. It was also rainy (so much of my time in Canada had just the worst weather) so I didn't stop everywhere I'd planned, but where I did stop I had a lovely time. The lady at this ciderie did not speak any English, and of course, my French is non-existent, but with Google translate and a lot of laughing and nodding we made a tasting and purchase happen.

#222 Mont Tremblant Resort

“…Fairmont Mont Tremblant, located on a crest above the village [is] pleasantly scaled, homey, and harmoniously integrated into its natural setting, the hotel has a feel of a country inn, its north woods decor drawing from the tradition of Quebec’s 19th century Provencal style residences and its lobby warmed by the requisite huge stone fireplace.”

This was a quick one-night stop and it happened to be the day when there was a race the next day (10k, marathon, who knows?) and most of the roads were going to be closed for until noon and some of the roads were closing the night before. I'd had a really long driving day to get there and had just planned to eat dinner at the resort and hang out. As I was checking in the reception desk clerk reminded me that my "welcome" snack package" was waiting in my room. Some days, past Jalaire really comes through in the crunch and makes sure I'm gonna have snacks to watch a movie and relax after a long drive.

I headed down to Le Comptoir for dinner and beat the rush enough to be able to chat with the waitress a little bit. I also belong to the Accor loyalty program and you get a free drink coupon with every stay. I'd been lazy and not changed the guests from 2 to 1 and they'd given me 2 drink tickets. The waitress was lovely enough to let me use both. So, I had a delicious pear cocktail to start with the gnocchi primavera and focaccia and the limoncello and pistachio cream with a glass of ice wine for dessert. Delicious!

After dinner, I walked around the resort a little bit, but honestly it was raining. A very, very common experience during the entire time I was in Canada. So, I took a few pictures and went back to my room to eat my snacks and watch a movie. 

In the morning, I ordered room service (it was fine, nothing spectacular) pocketed the mini jams and condiments for future use, and by that time I was headed out.