How it Happened; Where We’re Headed

Not long after completing his work at Chelsea, Nick decided that in addition to lounging, fishing and working at the lakehouse, we ought to do a road trip.  Normally he counts on Janet’s good sense to temper ideas that might not be so well advised but this time it didn’t work out that way because when he suggested we drive to Newfoundland she said “sure”.

St. John’s is a long drive, not to mention it’s on an island so requires substantial time on a ferry.  In fact the return trip to St. John’s is over 4700 miles, 433 of that by ferry based on our intended route.  As much of this trip and many of our readers are in Canada we can translate that to 7700 km, including 700 km by ferry.

Since we will have lots of time with our mobile devices we thought that we might as well keep a journal of this trip. This entry then is to prepare you (or warn you away, as the case may be) with regards to our upcoming adventure.  For now we will provide our itinerary:

• August 9 – Leave lakehouse at noon; stay at the Oaks Victorian Inn, Christiansburg, VA –  http://www.theoaksvictorianinn.com
• August 10 – On to Boston to consume oysters, beer and otherwise hang out with Dr. Bob. Staying at the Courtyard-South Boston.
• August 11 – Drive 2 hours for a mid-day tour and tasting at the Alligash brewery in Portland ME.  From there, drive not too much further to The Orland House Bed and Breakfast which is, not surprisingly, conveniently located in Orland ME –  innkeeper@orlandhousebb.com
•  August 12 – We cross the border, set our clocks ahead one hour and head for the Halifax area where we crash the party on Jim and Peg, visiting Nancy, Chris and the kids.  Hey, we didn’t plan it this way but when we invited ourselves we found out they already had company coming.  Staying at the Inn on the Lake in Fall River, NS  (North or Dartmouth) – http://www.innonthelake.com
• August 13 – From Halifax we head for North Sydney, NS to catch the Argentia Ferry.  This is the longer ferry, taking us out to the Avalon Peninsula, closer to St. John’s.  Ferry departs at 5:30 PM.
• August 14 – Arrive in Newfoundland at 10:30 the next morning (after setting our clocks ahead another half-hour). Drive to St. John’s.  Introduce Janet to Screech.  Staying 5 nights at the Courtyard down by the harbour – http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yytcy-courtyard-st-johns-newfoundland/
• August 14 – 18 – Things to do in the St. John’s area:
  • In the great, centuries old tradition of sailors from all corners of the world, find George St. and drink.
  • Explore the old town, Signal Hill, etc.
  • Visit light houses
  • Visit whales and puffins – http://www.gatheralls.com
  • Back to George St.
  • To Bay Bulls to recount Nick’s sordid youth
  • Hike Bay Bulls to Witless Bay
  • Figure out what to do the other 3 days
• August 19 – Start our return trip – Drive across the island, spending the night at The Palace Inn, St. George, NL – http://www.thepalaceinn.ca/index-4.html
• August 20 – Up early to catch the Port Aux Basque Ferry – Boarding at 9:45am, arriving around 6:30pm after setting our watches back 30 minutes.  Spend the night in North Sydney at the Heritage Home Bed & Breakfast – http://www.bedandbreakfastnorthsydney.com/index.html
• August 21 – Drive most of the day to find Country Haven Lodge on the banks of the Miramichi River in New Brunswick.
• August 22 – 23 – Following where brother Bill had gone before, spend 2 days fly-fishing for Atlantic salmon and whatever else they guide us to.  (When negotiating our stay, they actually sent a picture of Bill holding a moderately large salmon, like we didn’t see that picture the week he caught it!). http://www.flyfishingatlanticsalmon.com/index.html
• August 24 – Back into Maine, dining at Federal Jack’s Brewpub in Kennebunkport – http://federaljacks.com.  Staying at the Elizabeth Rose House – http://www.elizabethrosehouse.com/Home_Page.php
• August 25 – On deep into Pennsylvania to celebrate two of our favorite activities (fly-fishing and beer-drinking) with dinner at Snitz Creek Brewery, Lebanon, PA – http://www.snitzcreekbrewery.com.   Staying at Patriot House Bed & Breakfast, Annville, PA – http://www.patriothousebnb.com/
• August 26 – Arrive back in Waxhaw, NC