Another spin of the wheels

Monday and Tuesday carried us back toward North Carolina. We enjoyed several notable stops on the way. Monday we lunched at the famous Rein's Jewish deli in CT. 

From there we beat the path to West Virginia. Stopping for a quick rest in Pennsylvania. 

We were welcomed again to the home of Clowe and Ball where we shared a new culinary experience, the kinish. A potato stuffed pastry picked up a Rein's. Thanks again for the place to stay. 

Tuesday back on the road for what goes to be the final push. We had just enough time to pull out the bikes and enjoy the Virginia Creeper trail for an hour. 

Swannanoa fell shy of the 4 thousand miles we had anticipated.

 Thanks to Larissa for planning a great trip.

Back in the USA

Spent the night in the primitive campground in Fundy near wolf lake. Our site had no suitable trees for the hammocks and the mosquitos seemed robust to stretch out on the ground. We found this lovely spot behind an old building on the grounds. It was a bit chilly all the way up in Canada hanging in a tree. 

 Again so many wildflowers, everywhere. Makes me want to take my bees on vacation to eastern Canada. It is so fresh and natural all the places we have visited you can sight see by sent as well as the usual sight and sound. 

The moss in the Atlantic northeast is like icing on a cake. It makes everything brighter and prettier. 

This spider made her home in a woodpecker hole. As you looked at it from different perspectives you could see the depth and multidimensional nature of the funnel. 

Lakes dot the landscape throughout the park. Lots of leopard frogs seen on the mossy bank but could not find the sun dew or pitcher plants. 

Beaver dam seen from above on a park Boardwalk. 

Kinder egg chocolate surprise imported from Canada. 

We made it to Chelmsford MA where we were warmly welcomed, fed and rested in the home of Chris's cousin Paul and wife Heather. Here is their cat, Nick who we last met 10 years ago. I discovered Heather grew up in the same neighborhood as me. Her parents and my mom still live there. She, as a good southern chef has Duke's mayonnaise imported for her tomato sandwiches. We had a lovely dinner and overnight. 

The tide waits for no man

We left PEI for 1490 mile drive home. Travel in Canada has been like tumbling back into the 1990s. We had to use maps, road signs and the position of the sun to make our way south. We only got lost 3 times and turned around once. 

This is a photo of the 8 mile, 1.6 billion dollar bridge linking PEI to the main land. It actually snakes into the distance and out of focus. 

Next stop was a day exploring the Bay of Fundy boasting one of the most dramatic daily changes in water levels with the tide cycles in the world. 

Destination nap was required for our worn out traveler upon arrival at Hopewell rocks. 

Hopewell rocks is formed wearing away of the shore line by the intense tidal changes. 

Above is about a 2 hour difference in the tides. 

The rapid water level changes keeps mud stirred up and they call it the chocolate river.  

The narrow point in the rocks marks the high tide point. 

Kelp covers the parts of the rock that are underwater part of the day. 

After about 3 hours we raced down to Fundy national park a wonderful collection of rivers, lakes, coast and mountain trails all punctuated by the incredible tide. 

Here is wolf point the southern most area at nearly low tide. At the bottom of the post see the bay full 20 foot + deep sea water. 

Rocks covered in barnacles cover the ground. 

Beautiful rocks of green, purple, pink... Worn smooth in the tide 

Luscious deep moss surrounds the hiking trails. 

A snail parade. This moss was easily 6 inches thick. 

Back to wolf point at high tide. Cairns mark the high tide line. 

 

Bay fills with cold sea water and fog due to the extreme temperature variation. Truly awesome. 

Ferris wheels, fire and farewells

Our final day on the island was a predominantly beach day. We spotted the lone mounted Canadian police officer on the island. Goliath and his officer are in retirement and act in a public relations capacity. We asked questions and patted the horse. We found Goliath's raised maple leaf  insignia made by raising his hair through a tin plate with a wet brush. 

The beach was lovely. Not too hot and with ice cold clear water for cooling off. We spent several hours on an elobrate drip castle. 

The dune grass surrounding the beach danced in synchrony with the wind. 

PEI is a major exporter of potatoes. 25% of Canada's potatoes since a the addition of the 8 mile bridge. Larissa found a recipe for PEI potato cake and made it for us. It was very moist and delicious. 

We took an evening trip to the amusement park - the sand spit. I think it was my first Ferris wheel ride in 35 years. 

View from the top. 

The gang (short our photographer, Kathy) at the park. 

Famous PEI mussels under a stunning sunset. 

Fire and skipping stones by the beach was a beautiful end to a fantastic week. 

Bikes to Charlottetown

The confederation trail is a 480+ trail system that traverses the island. It is a rail to trail used for bikes, pedestrians and snowmobiles. We did a 20 mile section into Charlottetown where part of the crew was headed for the day. This was a great one way trip. We passed through forest, farm, industrial, and urban areas. A great long distance travel option. 

Quaking aspens with an understory of ferns. 

Clear water creeks below bridges. It was like the Virginia creeper trail but more scenic and much less busy. The first 10 miles we saw on one except a garder snake. 

In our quest for a water refill we met a PEI man who said he visited Hickory NC in 1996. While there he drove to Asheville where he said his impression was one of half ton trucks with guns in the back window. 

Here a Fred Flintstone sled by the trail. 

 

We rode into Charlottetown were we had lunch at a British pub and did some sight seeing. 

And of course had to try the world best ice cream at Cows.