Riviere' du Loop, in Quebec province, will be our last stop along the St. Lawrence Seaway. The "Camping Du Quai" campground was a good spot to catch up on housekeeping and relax a few days. Still in hardcore french speaking territory, but were having fun learning new words. We turn southeast toward the Atlantic coast of New Brunswick. The drive is easy, taking our time on two lane blacktop roads through agricultural communities. Our first look at coastal Canada is the drive from Campbellton to Bathurst, then on to the Acadian Peninsula. In the Bathurst Walmart parking lot we met a couple who showed us the local fresh seafood market with lobster. Lobster! Our first of the trip, and we weren't disappointed. With the economic slowdown the price is down. Shipments to the USA were 3 times a week in previous years, now only once a month. Lobster territory, beautiful coastal towns, fishing villages and farming right up to the water. The shoreline is gorgeous. A few beaches, miles of rocky bluffs and cliffs. Our drive along the weathered roads with little traffic gives us time to sight see and enjoy. We wander down the coastline through Moncton and on to the Confederation Bridge. The worlds longest bridge over ice covered water, 12.9km(8miles) although the water is not frozen now. The longest bridge is the shortest route to Prince Edward Island. No toll to drive on, Just to leave the island!
From the time we rolled off the bridge you could tell there is something extraordinary about the island. They spoke English. The rolling hills, green fields, well kept homes and small private farms make a beautiful island. Fishing and agriculture are the major industries. There is hardly a flat area anywhere. Every hill and valley is cultivated, all the bays, inlets, and coves are farmed for mussels. No tall timber, but medium growth hardwood forest. All the large trees were used century's ago for shipbuilding. Small fishing villages are at almost every inlet. The view from every hilltop is a picture. All very neat and clean.
Bayside RV Campground At Oyster Bay Bridge is at the center of the island on the north shore. Owner Leonard and his sister Donna were great hosts. So much to see, we stayed five nights and went a different way each day. It's hard to say what's more outstanding, the coastal scenery or the manicured farms. All crops are planted but still to early for most produce. Only new potatoes and strawberries are in the stores. In the harbors there are seafood restaurants at most docks along with local tourist junk. We'll try to drive from "tip to tip".*
Beautiful weather on this part of the trip. A good day at "west end tip", where the Canadian wind power research center is. An education center with a surprise restaurant and great dinners. Another good day at "east end tip" with a working lighthouse tour. Another day on the docks when the lobster boats came in, we bought four 2 pounders right off the boat. The early lobster season is drawing to an end for Prince Edward Island, and some of the boats are already pulling their traps. We'll move on and follow the lobster to Nova Scotia, its hard to say goodbye to this beautiful island. We'll drive our rigs on the ferry to Nova Scotia. The savings in bridge tolls, fuel, and 140 miles of driving to to reach Pictou Harbor,NS. make it a no brainier.
