Hit the road!

Hi all,

still anxious about when the first pictures are coming online? I feel the tension building to make you guys really jealous with them :P
But first things first, another epic adventure, this time in the province nest to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick.
It all started out at that lousy Monday morning I wrote you about the lovely Salty Bears. When there was finally a car ready for me, the rental company arrived to pick me up. Full excitement I stepped in and went to their office, where I discovered the meaning of a credit crunch. As I already paid quite a bit with my credit card, there was not much credit left. Though, according to our friendly orange lion, who told me via the internet that it should be sufficient for a five day rent, the card failed. The solution to the problem was rather straight forward, yes banks of the world...this is the moment to start paying attention...just spend less. So, I ended up renting the car for only four days, which would still be sufficient to see the better part of New Brunswick. The car I rented, turned out to be a good fit as well, a nice sporty Chevy Cobalt, as red as a Ferrari ;) After a final check of the car and a large number of autographs, I started to feel like a celebrity, it was time to hit the road and head of the New Brunswick. However, not before picking up real good company, in the person of Lee. She was part of our Salty Bear travel group as well and in a need for a ride to Campbellton, from where she would continue to Quebec City. That we never ended up in Campbellton I will tell you in a bit.
Lee navigated us out of downtown Darmouth, straight on the highway to Montcon, New Brunswick. From there on we took the more scenic route, via Shediac, along the coast of the Northumberland Strait. As it became a really long driving day anyway, we decided to take the long, more scenic route towards Miramichi, via the Kouchibouguac National Park. That route was absolutely fabulous, for the nice sharp bends and splendid views over the Gulf of St. Lawrence and later on Miramichi Bay. In the city of Miramichi we took a long brake to see a bit of the city and to have a sunset diner, near the bridge over the Miramichi River. After diner, we drove for another hour through the darkness, carefully watching out for moose, to the town of Bathurst. There we ended up in a small motel, as they had the only affordable rooms left, as we found the honeymoon suite in the Comfort Inn a bit to expensive. How small the motel really was can best be described by the size of the bed, which was with it's 1.40m pretty small for standards around here. Anyway, I was to tired to really notice it and there was a nice day coming up as well.
The second day we headed straight to Mount Carleton Nation Park, as Lee had decided to keep me company for two other days :) The drive over was really nice, as the views widened, revealing to foots of the Appalachian Mountains. In the park we climbed Mount Sagamook, the most challenging and scenic summits in the area. The steep climb payed itself more then back with fantastic views over the nation park. Mount Sagamook's summit is a real memorable one, with views as wide as the strength of the wind, just fabulous. After the four hour hike, it was time to hit the road again, towards Hartland in the Saint John River Valley. This valley really reminded me of the Moessel River in Germany, the view over the water was marvelous with the sun's reflection all over it. Just before sunset we arrived at a motel in Hartland, were we enjoyed it from an old swing couch. After a quick shower it was time to find ourselves some food, which turned out to be harder then expected, as it was "already" nine o'clock. We ended up buying some really greasy supper in a snackbar, 4 miles down the road from the motel, though it did the job.
The next morning started out with a small strawl along Canada's longest covered bridge. From there on we followed the fiver further downstream towards Saint John, where we arrived early in the afternoon. The place we stayed in there was incredible, just google on Chipman Hill Suites. They rent out rooms in historical buildings, where the classical furniture is still in tact. It would take to many words to describe it, so I guess I've to show you all the video ;) The rest of the afternoon we spent hiking in Irving Nature Park, where the route took us around Seely Point, a small cape stretching out in the Bay of Fundy, sided by a stunning salt march swamp on the inland side. That evening we had our goodbye diner at the waterfront, sacrificing a nice bottle of wine. The next morning I would drop off Lee at the airport, so she could continue towards Quebec.
After a big hugg, I found myself lonely on the road again. This fourth and last day would be a long drive again. However, as it would be late anyway, I made a stop over in Fundy National Park, one of the most famous and beautiful and parks along Canada's eastern shore. Though I had only little time, I did two hikes. One half hour hike leaping around a small but lovely waterfall. The second one took we within the hour up and down the Salmon River, towards the point the path crosses the river. If I have the change to come back here one day, I'll definitely take i, but for now it was back on the road. The route towards Montcon lead me along the Chignecto and Shepody Bay. Both bays are connected with the Bay of Fundy and fall almost completely dry during low tides, leaving a weird but stunning brown wetland. From Montcon on it was just highway towards Darmouth, with only one stop over at Tim Hortons, to upgrade the blood in my caffeine.
Back in Darmouth, Sarah very kindly offered me a ride back home from the rental company, which saved me a long walk back. When I parked the car at the rental company there were 1680 kilometers more on the counter, a nice score for a four day rent. Luckily the kilometers were unlimited, otherwise that orange lion would have eaten me by now ;).
The last weekend of my holidays it was time to relax and spend some nice time with my sweet Cole Harbour friend Kathryn. On Saterday evening we went to see District 9, a really strange movie, with lots of humor in the small details, quite some action, but not really a must seen one, but we had fun anyway. The next morning I took a long sleep in, waking up just before midday. I stretched my brains then on Sjoerd his thesis report, though the weather was actually to good to stay inside. Kathryn and I ended up at the beach, late in the afternoon, just chilling out in the sand, listening to the rhythmic pounding of the waves, with a yellow turning sun...sweeeeeeeet :)
Next time I'll tell you all about my first days at work and the lovely people I'm staying with in Cole Harbour.

Bye bye,
Erik

Pictures @:
http://picasaweb.google.com/E.A.J.Vroegrijk/UploadWeek3?authkey=Gv1sRgCMqNn_zK7p6uRQ#