August 29 - Pictou, NS

Odometer- 23112.7

Woke up at 2AM- Irene was calling. Gale winds were blowing the trees, but we were in a sheltered area, and watched the trees bend as we played scrabble. We lowered the top and hit Tim's for breakfast - didn't want to deal with PEI red mud on anything. Drove to Charlottetown, where the winds were high, but the sun was out. Toured the Confederation buildings, Governor's house and St. Duncan's cathedral before walking down to the boardwalk and wharf. Lots of nice boats in the harbor, staying out of the wind. Checked if the ferries were running and headed off to Wood Island's ferry- got there just in time to catch the 14:45 ferry without rushing, but we didn't wait either.

75 minutes later, we pulled into Nova Scotia at Caribou, which is a stone's throw from Pictou. Toured the good ship Hector, walked the boardwalk and headed for a campsite. Decided to grocery shop after dinner.

Since we have a full day, tomorrow we we headed to Fort Louisburg, easterly side of Cape Breton Island. Winds have calmed, and it is a beautiful starry night.

August 28 - Cavendish, PEI

Odometer - 23027.4

My brother and sister-in-law served coffee at 6 AM, and at 7:30 we were treated to breakfast with friends. We departed Fredericton for Moncton and Confederation Bridge to PEI before 9 AM. Rains have been from non-existent to torrential all day, however when we did the 12.9 KM on the bridge, it was clear. Had lunch on the PEI side at the visitor's center and took the shore route to Cavendish, stopping off to visit the Anne of Green Gables mansion. It continues to rain, but is supposed to let up in the morning. Lots of potatoes and vegetables growing in the fields.

We are tucked in a secure campground, very wooded to protect us as they are predicting the possibility of high winds tonight. Tomorrow, Charlottetown.

August 27 - Fredericton, NB

Odometer - 22698

We headed off in the morning through Edmundston, where we found that without meaning to, we had a late start, as we had moved into the Atlantic time zone. We are now 3 hours ahead of Calgary. We followed the St. John riv to Fredericton. Visited with friends and my other brother (Duane). Since the storm is coming and expected to head up towards New Brunswick, we decided to leave for PEI in the am.

My brother and I gossiped until midnight and headed to bed for an early start. It was a quiet day, with no real site seeing, other than the river valley.

August 26 - Degelis, QC

Odometer- 22591.9

With advice from the campground, we left at 9 AM and parked at a shuttle bus stop off our route. We took the shuttle bus to Vielle Quebec. We walked up to Chateau Frontineac, walked throughout the crooked streets where a bagpipe band was playing. We toured the lobby of the old hotel, then walked even more uphill to the Citadel walls. We fought the battle of 1812, and headed downhill to the Parliament buildings. All old town Quebec was well landscaped, maintained and there was an abundance of flowers in planters, around fountains and statues.

Getting hungry, we feasted on a Montreal smoked meat sandwich, with an excellent fresh cole slaw and freshly fried potato chips. Refreshed, we went to the Cathedral, also called Notre-Dame. We walked back to the Place d'Armes and caught the return bus (included in the price!) to the parking lot. At about 4:30, fortunately for us we were in the right area to catch the bridge without hitting too much traffic to head north-east.

We are at a small town just west of the New Brunswick border at a municipal camp site. A sunny, beautiful day about 24 oC.

August 25 - Quebec City, QC

Odometer - 22413.7

Woke up to rain showers, so pulled out the rain coats and headed to the metro across from the hotel. Out came the iPad and off we went to Cora's for breakfast- excellent, as usual. 5000 calories later, we walked to the Olympic Park from the 1976 Olympic stadium and plaza, and to the botanical gardens. Unusual gardens in that there are themed areas, for example we spent an hour doing Chinese calligraphy, Japanese gardens where we did some origami (we made a samurai hat). Beautiful landscaping, flowers, vegetable gardens and even a First Nations garden. We decided we didn't need to make a basket.

Back on the metro, we headed to the Biosphere (the environmental museum). The best part was the structure itself, but many interactive displays for children. The rain stopped, but overcast. Back on the metro to hotel and van, where we headed out of town. By 4 PM we were headed to Quebec City and we got a taste of the construction traffic around Montreal.

We are just out side of Quebec City and will head in tomorrow into for a walking tour. Will try Quebec City's transportation system tomorrow. Days are getting shorter, maples are turning quickly.

August 24 - Montreal, QC

Odometer - 22230.2

After a fantastic visit with my brother/uncle, we left Ottawa at noon, with wonderful directions out of town. We took 17 east instead of 417 as it followed the river. Stopping at the Quebec border, we had a delicious feast packed by my sister-in-law/aunt Penny. We pre-booked a hotel in Montreal, so after arriving at 3:30 we ditched everything and took the Metro to downtown Montreal. Weather is warm but windy.

After a visit to the tourist bureau, we walked to the Cathedral Marie-Renee du Monde, and then hoofed it through town to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montreal for a light show. This included the history of the Basilique, music from the organ, and laser lights highlighting the features of the cathedral. The show lasted just over half-an-hour, after which we toured and photographed alters and windows. At 8PM we headed for the Metro and returned to the hotel. We are going downtown again in the morning.

I (Mom) keep looking for English, but can never find it. Andrea continues to get me here there and everywhere.

August 22&23 - Ottawa, ON

Odometer - 22102.7

Left Sudbury at 7:30 am and headed out on Highway 17, I have really enjoyed taking this route as we have seen hamlets, towns, cities and the variations across Canada. Being in the trees was a bit claustrophobic after being in the prairies. No specific tourist sites, but we enjoyed stopping for brunch at a picnic site above Algonquin park.With the help of the iPad we drove directly to my brother's in Ottawa, where he had a feast all prepared. We gossiped until midnight, and enjoyed the comfort of a hot tub and big beds.

Today we visited Canadian Tire for a check up, they asked if we had CAA and told us everything was fine, and they couldn't do anything even if we needed it. We did some housekeeping, ate more and figured out our route and timetable for Montreal. Another big dinner, hot tub and bed.