Jatz's travels

[JATZ]

So after a night in Port Hope Simpson it was time to continue on...
Once again... nothing much to report. I popped into Mary's Harbor, just to break the monotony.



And carried on south... By this stage the wind had got up and there was still a tiny bit of snow around. George was happy to get out of his hiding place



I did suggest posing him in the snow, but he gave me a filthy look.
Past the turnoff to Red Bay, home of Shery Lynne Butt.



I couldn't help thinking... That was a long time ago darlin, I wonder where you are now ? A quick google.... If'n your interested
https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-ca...n-butt-142845/
Aside from that, there was this installation at the rest area. First you see this down the bottom...



Then you look at the next layer up....



Very cool thing to have at a roadside pull off. At least I thought it was cool
Then it was back inland away from the coast and gaining a bit of height. Then the wind started again, with some fog, and a wee bit of rain



I got to a place called l'Anse Au Clair and I was done. The ferry was only a few K's away, the thick thick fog was making life difficult and I figured I'd update this stuff, which didn't happen due to useless wifi connection.
Didn't matter though, I took a walk around the place to have a look and learnt a bit of the history of the area at the info center





View from my room... there is a road going up that hill



Oh.... Also, earlier in the day I'd seen my first ever ice berg



Had a steak for tea with veggies and a salad, I just needed some greens after the previous meal
So I set sail next morning for the massive 6 k ride to Blanc Sablon, crossing back into Quebec with the associated time change The ferry wasn't till 1 o'clock, but was that Quebec time ? Labrador time or..... Newfoundland time ? It was Newfoundland time It was still raining, my brain was mush so I did what any sane person would do.... Had a coffee



Really nice old local guy runs it. Been doing it for 30 yrs and can't see himself stopping. We chatted and shot the shit for about an hour, coffee cup was always refilled too and when I asked how much ? he just waved his hand and told me to sign the visitors book. I eventually left and went to the info center next door to learn more about the Bremen. One of the subjects we'd discussed over coffee



Some light reading...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremen...2013%2C%201928.
I shagged around, getting a crappy fridge magnet and filling up the bike before making my way to the terminal. I thought about going to the NAPA to get a bulb for my headlight which had some how blown but couldn't be arsed trying to get the old one out in the rain, so went to the terminal, where I hung out . It's not really designed for hanging out, getting out of the weather. Entertainment options were non existent
This caught my eye though. seemed like an appropriate hole pattern for the circumstances



Eventually it was time to go line up and wait. At least it'd stopped raining Then the ferry arrived



and we all got on.
This bus had been past me on the road between Goose Bay and Port Hope. There was 2 of them travelling in convoy. Massive mobile homes, cruising the highways at about 100/110 km/h. ( I asked the owner of 1 of them) The second one towing that massive ute



It was a smooth crossing, I chatted most of the way with a guy from just east of Montreal who's into boats too, and bikes . His vacation through the inland water way system in the States hadn't gone so well when his motor blew up in NY state. So he was going for a drive in his late model Mustang. We'd stayed at the same place last night. He'd driven 1400 K's from Relais Gabriel the day prior I also found out I'd paid over $4 a liter for fuel there too Is what it is I guess
I got of the ferry in Saint Barbe ( after picking the bike up off the floor.... but that's another story ) to more heavy rain. I stopped at a little shelter thingy to figure out what to do.



Mustang guy when't past too, hell it sounded nice
I found a place to stay and made my way there. Rain was crazy Some cars coming towards me would throw up a wall of water to ride through, there was streams running down the wheel tracks in the seal. MAD !! So I smashed out the 100 k's to my accom before dusk and settled in/dried out/downloaded/uploaded pics and had a hot feed and shower. Hopefully the rain clears...

[JATZ]

so I woke to a much better looking day, had some brekky and hit the road... after securing another night here. I had to shift units but that's O.K. I'd been wanting to check out L'Anse Au Meadows for a while now. The whole Viking thing is interesting to me for some reason. It was on the list last trip, but that didn't happen. I'd also seen another place called Norstead that looked pretty cool http://norstead.com/main.asp It most certainly was.
Snorri the replica ship



One of the info people taking a look outside the long house



Inside the church



The fog was still coming and going



Fascinating place. Really fascinating. Sadly I didn't have my runes read as she was busy with someone else.
I had a look at a statue of Leif Erickson, of course George had to make an appearance



a bit of a wharf at the same place



There was what I assume were crates of lobster on the other side, sitting in the water awaiting their fate in the restaurant across the street.

Then went to the official L'Anse Au Meadows site..... Aaaaaand..... because it is Canada day, entry was free I stumbled around there for quite a while, brought a fridge magnet and cut a track... after a few snaps





Then I just noodled around. Looking at this and that....with no real plan.



I'd spied a couple more icebergs and figured I'd go find a boat ride to check them out closerer. First couple of places were either shut or were already out, so I hatched a plan to head into St Anthony as there was a couple of places there, and I needed some food for tea anyway.....
This is where my plan unraveled....
St Anthony was there Supermarkets were shut, Canada day... Doh. First boat tour place didn't exist and the next wasn't running this year apparently.
Crestfallen, I made my way out to Fishing point as a consolation prize.
There was icebergs there ( I'm actually mildly excited by them. It's not something you see every day) Sure i wasn't super close, but it'll have to do.







and thankfully the fog lifted enough to see them. I hung about for a bit then made my way back to town



grabbed a couple of wraps from Tim Hortons, some fuel and a couple of local Ragnarock beers from the gas station and made my way back to the unit to get this bulb thing sorted.



Why is it so goddam hard for designers to make an easy to access light bulb ? BMW excluded of course Also had to break out the bug spray, skeeeters were out in full force.

Right.... your all caught up now. Later Gators

[F5 Dave]

Wow picture quality has taken a jump back up.

[Moi]

Enjoying the photos and your story.

Thanks for sharing.

[JATZ]

Wow picture quality has taken a jump back up.

Y'know.... There's only one way to go from here, right ?

[F5 Dave]

Sideways? A little to the left, and indigo.

[JATZ]

Quick update while I have good wifi.
So i left the place I was staying, heading for a campsite I'd found on iOverlander, down towards the south. I took the 432 just for something different



Trundling along... these roadside gardens intrigued me



Locals will just find a bit of flat ground along the roadside, on crown land and make a garden. Sometimes seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
There's also piles of cut and sometimes split wood along the roadside too



some of them were quite large too. I kept meaning to ask about it, but ...... alzheimer's
Figured a trip to a town would be a good idea, get some tucka for the night. So I headed into Port au Choix and picked up some food. I couldn't bring myself to try these gastronomic delights



Anyway. It's quite a nice little fishing village. Not sure I'd want to live there, but it was nice in it's own way





Then wobbled back out to the main rd and continued on, heading for my chosen spot. I got there and looked around... It was on a cliff top with a nice view, but very exposed. I dunno... I just wasn't "feeling it" . It was earlyish so I decided to carry on. Made it to the northern end of Gros Morne National park and pulled into the second campground I past. Nup they were full. There was space at the first one I'd been past, but that was the wrong direction. I got the nice guy to book me a spot at one further south and I set off. Sorry no pics of the park/mountains/rivers. I was on a mission.
I made it to Lomond river and set up camp. I did actually contemplate putting the drone up, but a guy not far away was flying his.... and he got shut down by the camp commandant. No matter, I'd pack up early in the a.m. and head over to the Tablelands for a flight before it got busy, You remember the place from a previous instalment, right ?
I woke up in the night to hear light rain on the tent.... great It might clear.
It didn't, just got heavier. I packed up my wet gear in the morning, glad I'd come this far South, and gave the Tablelands a miss. Preferring to head down the island some more.
Stopped briefly in Corner Brook to get a headlight bulb, sort out where I was going and grab a coffee while sucking onto Tim Hortons free wifi.
I did see this, not sure I'd be happy seeing my van on such a precarious angle trundling down the road



Once again I'd found a cool looking spot to park up. Unfortunately the wet stuff just got worse I still headed on out to the spot, but didn't quite make it. I was spiraling into riding depression and ended up at a nice inn instead, I was sopping. While the rain came down. It was a good price and breakfast was included. The owners wife even came to my room to get my order for the a.m. and brought me some muffins, fresh out of the oven.... Yum
Next morning , after a warning from the owner not to take the loop route over the mountain, as it's treacherous in fog, I set of for the end of the peninsular at Boutte du Cap park. The spot I'd planned to camp at.
Was very foggy





It's supposed to look like this



Then i made my way back to the main rd. It was pretty shit conditions to be riding in.
I thought this derelict bridge looked pretty cool



cruising along I past this warning sign.... Not sure what a "wreckhouse" wind is, but it sounds ominous



23 km/h doesn't sound wreckhouse
I planned to stop at the same park we stopped at last year. But as I neared Port au Basque, this put me off



Maybe I'm just getting soft, but....
I ended up in PaB at a motel. I needed to stretch the legs so went walking around looking for some content. Sadly, there's not a lot out in the burbs of PaB. There is a wharf though



You'll have to excuse the sausage finger that made it's way to the bottom left.
Next day it was onto the ferry back to the mainland



Bye Newfoundland. It's been great, if a little damp, and the people are top notch. We were there last year about 6 weeks later in the season and the weather was perfect. I'd like to go back, there's still things to see and do, but that goes for the rest of the globe too
So.... back in North Sydney after wasting an entire day stuck on a boat and not fishing. New tyres tomorrow then the journey continues.

Later

[JATZ]

Update time...
I managed to get the new tyres fitted up next morning/early afternoon. They weren't what I was expecting, probably a little more roady than I wanted. Nevermind, they're round a black and hold air. The guy at the service desk remembered us from last year, coming in dripping wet and hanging around the shop. The girls certainly remembered Tom
Anyway, I got some pointers of places to see and the intel that my intended route was closed, the road didn't exist anymore.
While I was waiting I'd had a look to see what to see in Sydnee. There's some murals





There was more, but there was building work going on and road closures so I didn't get to see them. There's also a GIANT violin



and who doesn't like a giant thing ?
So I carried on out to Louisbourg, which didn't really hold my attention then made my way south and ended up in a wee place called St Peters. There a big saltwater lake there, and a man made chanel connecting it the sea. I found out where Battery provincial park was and went and set up camp.
What a view from my site



Life was good A canal, some sun and the prospect of FIRE



What a cool spot. Next morning I continued on towards Port Hastings. I remembered this from last year, then hung a left not far past the bridge,and followed the coastline as much as possible. It was a day of bends, bays and boats









Sorry, no pics of the bends or bays. It was a good riding day. I made it to Dartmouth and sucked onto the free wifi by the ferry terminal and looked for somewhere to stay. I eventually found somewhere and settled in, sadly, Lobster wasn't on the menu, so I settled for something else and had an early night.
Next morning I hunted down the real reason I'd come to Dartmouth



Steak and cheeeese ... from the Humble Pie kitchen



https://humblepiekitchen.ca/ It was good. Filling was first class, pastry was a wee bit different Would stop there again...
Then it was time to head further south, no real plan, just stick to the coast where possible. Must've been another good riding day, cause I took np pics what so ever. I ended up in Melbourne and found a camp ground. Next time I pull up and there's a pool, waterslide, big colorful flowers that shower water, I think I'll keep going. Definitely an RV park kind of place. I left early next morning

[JATZ]

Plan for today was to head to another eating place that'd been recommended. I must look hungry or something ?

I followed the coastline some more. Passing through small locality's and came across this missive church, of course I had to stop.



Completely out of place I thought Here's a bit of info on it....



Quite impressive aye ? Then I hung a left, and made my way down towards Long and Brier islands. what a cool road, but I did stop for a couple of snaps
Abandoned house, looked livable to me...



and an old barn. I love the shingley look.



Then down to the first of 2 ferrys





This Bay of Fundy is quite a cool place. After the first ferry ride, I high tailed down Long Isl. ( it's good being first off ) then waited for the next ferry to Brier Isl. I got off in Westport and made my way to the recommended stop, passing this on the way



I wonder how you'd get an invite ? Then went to the cafe. It was alright.... I didn't feel like much so grabbed some "fritters". They don't look like fritters to me and the fortune cookie was way off base too


I LOLed Then I grabbed a fridge magnet and went off to see some stuff...





Another... without the bear.







and watched the tide roaring in. pretty impressive. The whale watch tour was full so that was out, although with the thick fog coming and going I don't know if they would have seen much. Then it was back to catch the ferry's. The tide had come in considerably so it wasn't such a climb to get off them now. Then I just made my way to Digby for the night.

[JATZ]

After a night in Digby, No I didn't get some scallops, just did laundry. I headed north some more, through more little locality's. stopping briefly at one because I spied a bookstore.
So far it's a good read. Tales some true, some not of life on those 2 islands I visited the previous day. I van see similarity's with Barry Crump, but not so "Kiwi"

Welcome to Jatz's travels... and Book reviews
Then I continued winding along over hill and down dale.... I needed a leg stretch so pulled into an interpretive centre for the Bay of Fundy. There was a little walk.... which I did





Then had a peek in the info center. The lovely lady convinced me to go backwards I despise going backwards.... and have a look at Burntcoat point. Apparently that's where the highest tide range ever was recorded. You can walk on the sea floor, and if you're still there at high tide, you could be under 40 ft of water.
It was a long way down and I didn't feel like getting mucky boots, so climbed the lighthouse instead





The tidal range is staggering, the effects can be seen a long way from the actual bay. If I'd hung around the info center until 5:20p.m. I could've watched the tidal bore too Unfortunately that was still 3 hrs away and I didn't want to just hang around waiting.
I'd spotted a place while flicking around Google maps the previous night, and liked the name so headed there....



I think of this when I hear that name



Really nice little town though. I thought this was somewhat topical



They seem to manage alright with bilingual signs here, unless it's Quebec... then its just French. Anywaaay.... unfortunately the provincial park was only a day area, so I made my way out to Amherst shore Provincial park. Very nice Naturally there was fire, and a book to read..

[JATZ]

Got up at a sensible time, packed up and went for a walk out to the coast to see the "Red Cliffs"



Hmmmm..... sort of reddy brown banks. Oh well, I needed the exercise Then set sail to....



Grabbed some gas along the road.... y'know your in a civilized society, when you can buy fireworks 12 months of the year from a gas station



Apparently they were a bit low on stock due to the Canada day thing. The lady couldn't understand why we can only buy them 1 week (?) a year.
Anyway, I hit the road... taking off before one of the numerous trucks, got up to speed, about 110, and was trundling along making sure I wasn't holding up the truck. Came up a small rise and there was mumma deer crossing the road with 2 wee ones in tow ... slammed on all anchors and tried to find the best line, which was between the 2 wee ones. Unfortunately I clipped one of them Just with the crashbars and my leg and I stayed upright. I pulled over, the truck had seen it and slowed down with hazard lights on. I gave him a thumbs up and went back to check on Bambi, he seemed just dazed and was crying out for mummy. Thank Christ it wasn't a Moose baby. Took a pic, changed my daks and carried on



You can just see the poor wee fellah there.
Anyhooo.... Next up was the crossing to Prince Edward Isl. or PEI. The only province I haven't been to, so what's a man to do ?
I did start videoing it but it just goes on and on and on and on and on and on.... Pic from the net...



There was a savage cross wind blowing and more than once I thought I was going down, for some reason the front seemed to wash out with some of the oncoming trucks. I should've enjoyed it, but it was frightening and I just wanted it to all be over
I did contemplate grabbing a room in the nearest hotel and hiding under the bed for the rest of the day... But NO !! dammit that's what a sook would do... so I battled on. I stumbled on this little place so just had to call in



Unfortunately... would not call in again. overpriced ($17.50 NZD for a pie and a small juice) filling was 5/10, pastry 3/10.
Well with that little grizzle out the way... I carried on to the Easternmost point of the Isl. Lots of cropping, some cows, quite pretty in an agricultural sort of way



I went as far as I wanted and spun round to head west... I stopped to figure out where I was going to be for the night, when the heavens opened.



Which kind of settled it for me. Found a place almost at the other end of the island and set off.
And here I am.... tick tacking away on a keyboard with super fast wifi, well fed, warm and dry. With a couple of suggestions from the owner on places to visit tomorrow. A craft brewery and a burger joint

[Tokerau boy]

I really enjoyed the read and the various photos, I had to google the locations , I hope there were more fine days than rain days

[JATZ]

I really enjoyed the read and the various photos, I had to google the locations , I hope there were more fine days than rain days

Thanks for reading. It's good to find out where the places are, aye ? Then they sortof become "real"
Weather has been a real mixed bag this trip. good, bad and ugly. Tiz what it is

[JATZ]

Time for a catch up.... I'm parked up just NW of N.Y. city. Planning on heading in there tomorrow for a ride around and look see. If I don't post again..... it didn't go according to plan

So after a night in/near Alberton I set of for North Cape. Sun was shinning, the birds were singing and it was good to be alive
Here's North Cape sand spit. The tide was in so there's not much to see



There's a light house there, gift shop and a large wind farm. Apparently they do a bit of research on wind turbines and things.
Fun Fact... They are able to de-ice the turbine blades in winter, but you don't want to be standing to close. Chunks of ice go flying everywhere. I'd never really thought about it, but it makes sense.
I wandered into the gift shop for a magnet, and decided to go through the exhibit thing. Lots of local history and a display by Wind Energy Institute of Canada.
Very interesting
This guy was full of hot air...



I finished up and wandered outside. Thought about taking pics of wind turbines, and the lighthouse. But how many pics of wind turbines and lighthouses does one man need
I got ready to leave and gave my pockets the obligatory pat, just to make sure everything was present and accounted for..... Ooooops..... there's a flat spot where my wallet should be I checked all pockets.... No.... check the back pack.... No...... tankbag..... No...... I could feel the panic rising. Quickly scuttled back inside to see if it'd been handed in..... No....Panic just ratcheted up. Not quite at squeeky voice stage, but I'd reached sweary voice stage.
It's ok though, I found it on the floor about 3/4 of the way through the exhibit, where I'd crouched down to get the pic of Mr Blowhard. I now always zip the pocket straight away.
Crisis diverted, I plotted a course for the burger joint. Sadly, the one I'd picked wasn't open so I had to backtrack 20 odd k's to find the burger home base.
It was alright Would buy again



Washed down with a "Shits 'n' Giggles from Moth lane brewery.
I decide it was time to leave the island so trundled on back to the bridge. Foregoing the opportunity to frolic on the beach with Namibian Pygmy Goats. It's a true "thing" you can do

https://beachgoats.ca/

If there's a next time, I'm sure I can schedule it in
So I paid the toll....and before I left the booth I commented on how much nicer it would be to cross today. The lady admitted the previous day had been pretty bad, so I felt vindicated... somewhat
It was way nicer. No wind and xtra sunny I took this snap on the New Brunswick side. They really don't want you to stop there, and you cant stop on the bridge.



Then I carried on South, keeping my eyes peeled for deer on the road. Stopped at a gas station for a cold drink and to sort out where I was going next.... Plan hatched, and away I went Through rush hour in Moncton in 35 deg and around the coast to Fundy National Park. Grabbed a site, firewood included and settled in. Did the tea thing and thought I'd get the fire lit, my last on Canadian soil.... I can see why they give the wood away
It was a battle of wills all night, neither side giving an inch. Small victories were savored, then dashed by the evil green wood. It was touch and go on more than one occasion, but in the end I prevailed



By that stage it was bed time.

[JATZ]

I left Fundy Natl. park and headed south, nothing much really to see. The weather was glorious again and I was just at one with the machine. Through St John, there's a big oil refinery thing there, stopping only for possibly my last ever Tim Hortons coffee I'll miss them with their stores on almost every corner and their cheep coffee and donuts and free wifi. Then made my way to St George for the night. I had a brief wander around town, but there was only a waterfall/power station thing. Grabbed tea and turned in for the night.
Next Morning I packed up and headed for the ferry to Deer Island.



Day was pretty foggy and cool. Quite a contrast to the previous days. Rode over Deer island, looking out for deer.... I only saw 1 on the road side, and got down to the other ferry. Sadly it had not long left so I had a bit of a wait I wandered around the campground/park thing there then it started to rain.... so I sheltered in a shelter thing looking over the channel. While I was sitting quietly I heard a puffing sound out in the sea. A pod of whales was making it's way through the channel, how cool is that ? Before long the ferry turned up



Then we all boarded for the 1 hr trip to Campobello isl. and the border crossing into the USA at Lubec
The scenery was quite brooding I thought



The lady in the booth scanned my passport and said hold on... then told me to park my bike out the way and escort this other fullah inside Uh oh....
They wanted to know allsorts of things like length of stay, where I was staying, what I was doing. I said I fly out on the 30th Aug and the address I'd put on the ESTA I couldn't remember They found it though. I did have a paper copy of my ESTA for them to look at. As for "What are you doing while your here ?" I have a vague plan, but nothins really set in stone.
They seemed happy enough and after about 20 mins, a pic for the records, and fingerprinting they let me go I did ask why they hadn't asked if I had any drugs or firearms, the reply.... "we're not really interested in that stuff"
Found a bank and got rid of aaaaall my CAD including a large fist full of change and headed into Machias and grabbed a room, after all that's the address on the ESTA. After a detour to the Easternmost lighthouse in Continental USA. Out at West Quoddy head



There's not much to do in Machias...
A waterfall, naturally



Grabbed tea and that was it... I did see this in the carpark



Quite cool and not as ugly in real life as in the picture. I would've like to have chatted to the owner.
So I got on the road next morning and made my way further south.... through more little towns...



I'd seen Fort Knox as I was flicking around on google maps so thought I'd call in. That's Fort Knox on the Penobscot narrows. Not the other Fort Knox It was to foggy to go up the observation tower.



That's on the bridge over the narrows, Those pillars are very impressive. Here's what it looks like on a good day



I pulled into Fort Knox, and went for a stumble around....
Holy Crap !! That place is impressive. If someone says "It's built like Fort Knox", you can rest assured that sucker ain't coming apart.
Here's some pics











They still have a couple of the cannons in place...



Also a refuge for wildlife on wet foggy days



And some light reading >>> https://www.fortknoxmaine.com/history-of-the-fort
Fascinating place and history
Then I carried on south some more. Stopping only for a new book at this place



It was unreal, the building carries on for another 20 meters on the right hand side of the pic. Bottom story is all antiques and tat. some very cool pieces though Jut as well I'm not travelling in a van. I was tempted by the mint condition, still in a bag G.I. Joe, just to keep George company. Second story was all books/magazines/comics/posters/brochures/TV guides. Books on every subject you could imagine. I did take a pic but it doesn't do the scale of the place justice. My brain was overloaded and turned to mush.
I eventually found something with a local flavor. Not Steven King though, however he is a Mainite local. Horrors aren't my thing
As a side note... There is a LOT of antique shops in the part of Maine I was travelling through.
Made it a State park for the night and set up/checked the bike and thumbed through a couple of pages.
I could hear rain on the tent during the night (Oh great )
It was just foggy and a tiny bit drizzly in the a.m. I packed up and headed out, aiming for a State park just out of Boston....Rain got heavier....Wonder why ?

https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/07/16...on-new-england

Traffic got heavier..... Morale got lower.... I started looking for a room somewhere or somewhere to pull over in some shelter and sort myself out. I found some shelter, rooms were crazy expensive. So I carried on to the campground, with a couple of detours to check out alternative options.
The rainhad sort of eased back so I thought it'd be ok to still camp. Unfortunately, you need to book on line before 2 p.m It was closer to 4. The nice man gave me some info on other camps, but I was done
Found a place only 7 mile away and went there. Hot shower, food from the panniers and a soft bed while the rain hammered down out side.
Woke up to a Beautiful sunny day... today, and headed further South to a spot just out of N.Y. Sorry no pics from the last couple of days. I just wasn't feeling it. I need a day off.
I reckon Washington D.C. could the place for that, I hear they have this Smithsonian thing there to look at, and a White House ?