Day 8: July 11, 2018: ’98 Porsche Boxster – Tidal Bore Rafting and Peggy’s Cove

We enjoyed another night in the apartment in Halifax and we love the feel of this city.

The apartment is perfect..

 

 

It was really perfect!  ♥♥♥♥

We then hurried off at 6 am (the tide waits for no one) to be at the Bay of Fundy’s Tidal Bore Ride, the LARGEST tidal bore ride in the entire world.  Due to the geographical nature of the area where the bay pours into a basin which then forces the river to flow upstream as the tide comes in.  What an adrenaline rush and a workout in and of itself trying to hold onto the raft and not falling into the water.

I can tell that this will be one of the many highlights of the trip.  I did have to talk Rudy into going.  J/K.  The “captain” of the ship had a GoPro and videotaped OUR ride, but it will take a few days to receive it and it will be posted here when we do!  I can’t wait to hear the screams of Rudy’s “YEAH!!!!!!”

We did bring a change of clothes with us as we couldn’t get back in the car soaked and full of dirt (and some of those clothes had to be thrown right into the garbage, but knowing that ahead of time, we had planned and brought clothes that could be discarded without tears).  It was also suggested that we remove our wedding bands and anything else loose on our bodies which we did immediately.  We then headed back to the apartment for a hot shower and a real change of clothes.

Then off to PEGGY’S COVE.  Okay, a bit of a tourist trap, but beautiful.  Many photo ops here so click on the photos.  Stunning scenery, but unless you’re into photography, you can skip it.

 

The weather had fogged over as we drove over, and I know it would have looked better in full sun, but that’s the way of Peggy’s Cove.  As we drove off, the sun began to shine but we decided not to turn around as we were SATISFIED after a long day.

We made a quick stop at the Fairview cemetery where 121 bodies of the Titanic were recovered and buried.  Hey, 1160 bodies were never recovered, so I guess these were the “lucky” few.  42 of them remained unidentified, but were still recognized with a headstone.

 

 

I am grateful for a SATISFYING day.  One of many…

Day 7: July 10, 2018: ’98 Porsche Boxster – The Cabot Trail to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Our home away from home was actually at the foot of the Cabot Trail in Cheticamp.  The Cabot Trail is on Cape Breton Island and is 187 miles of mountain and sea views.  We have been to the Amalfi Coast and think this might equal those views as it was a stunning ride.  We rented an Alfa Romeo convertible in the Amalfi so it really is an apples-to-apples comparison.  (Nothing like the food in Italy though.  Not even lobster does the trick.)

Here are a few stills that do not do it one moment of justice.

 

 

The roads are…

a.m.a.z.i.n.g!

And look at this beauty…..

…some views practically stopped my heart.

Just two more.  I can’t stop myself.  Keep in mind that some of these photos are from a moving car, through a dirty windshield, with shaking hands and they still can’t be beat.

 

 

If you have any interest in learning more about the area, check this out.

https://www.cbisland.com/cabot-trail/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-On439iX3AIVAY7ICh2ukw_5EAAYAiAAEgJx0PD_BwE

Rudy uses a suction-cup mount to place our camera to the inside of the windshield and when we ride scenic roads (even in our very own neighborhood), he proceeds to capture footage like this….

 

Want to know what’s great about being your own vacation-planner?  You stay where you want, for how long you want, and in the kind of setting you want.   We have been in bungalows, a houseboat on the bay, a quiet place in the country, and NOW…

We arrive in a beautiful high-rise building in the CITY of Halifax for a two-night stay. I  forgot to take pictures of an extremely nice contemporary apartment so I will fill in some photos before we leave.  I didn’t forget to photograph what’s important to me though.  🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every one of the rooms had a view overlooking the city and harbor where you could watch the fog roll in and out again.  And, of course, there were sunsets.

Today I am grateful for a car that handles the road and a very capable driver who both keeps us safe and keeps the car well-maintained for trips such as this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 6: July 9, 2018 – Porsche Boxster – Prince Edward Island to Cheticamp, Nova Scotia

We decided at almost the very last minute to take a ferry rather than drive to Cheticamp, Nova Scotia.  We are pretty sure that it didn’t save us too much time, but it saved a lot of driving and the ferry ride was a great way to relax.  Have I mentioned that the weather has been P.E.R.F.E.C.T!?!  I am guessing that there’s near zero humidity.

Rudy has beautiful video from our ferry ride which he will include later.  It will also show that my hair was blown clear off of my head and it still had no frizz.  The ride was a little over an hour and 60 to 70-degree weather with near zero humidity, and it doesn’t get better than this experience.

I took a few shots of P.E.I as we pulled out of port, but Rudy will show what a beautiful ride was had.

 

Click on those photos, but it still can’t be described in a photo.  You have to experience it.

After a drive through gorgeous roads..

 

 

…we arrived in Cheticamp.  There’s amazing history in Canada, and especially Nova Scotia.  Cheticamp is a French Acadian fishing village of about 4,00 people on the West Coast of Breton Island.  You would be amazed that within a span of several hours we traveled through the history of the French Acadians, the native Canadians, and Irish and Scottish descendants who are fluent in Gaelic.

Here’s our arrival on our own little boathouse and our view from our private little deck…

 

 

 

Life by the cojones!  It doesn’t get better than this.

A quick glimpse on the inside of the boathouse which jutted out into the water.  You’re in a house with the feeling that you’re on a boat.  Imagine you’re camping, but you’re not.  Imagine you’re on a boat, but you’re not.  You just have to try this ONE time.  THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS.

Rudy’s video….

 

We kept ALL OF THE WINDOWS open the entire night.  I love the feeling of a fresh breeze. Rudy wanted to close the windows as he gets “nervous” that someone will come in.  “Stop, Rudy, I want the breeze and I am willing to take my chances.”

And, as always, a sunset.  I think Rudy planned these as there’s no other explanation.

 

Today I am grateful.  Just grateful for just about everything to be grateful for.  And for sunsets, as planned by Rudy.

Day 5: July 8, 2018: ’98 Porsche Boxster and Prince Edward Island

We stayed on PEI today to explore the island, but mostly to relax.  We’re staying in a great bungalow and wanted to enjoy it.

We did stop for lunch.

I had never had a cold lobster before, and I wouldn’t choose it again, but it definitely was cooked to perfection.

We took the eastern coastal drive and saw many quaint fishing villages.  It’s all about lobster around these parts.

  The roads here are fantastic and take you as far as the eye can see in either direction.

Rudy did a nice video on our short excursion.  Keep in mind that what we consider a short excursion was over one hundred miles.

Today was about relaxation though, and relax we I did.

While Rudy explored!

Let Rudy show you around the property.  He finally let me drive…

And, as always…

I am grateful for a beautiful location, perfect weather, and sunsets.

NOVA SCOTIA HERE WE COME!

 

Day 4: July 7, 2018: ’98 Porsche Boxster – Bar Harbor, ME to Prince Edward Island, Canada

We left Bar Harbor EARLY at 5 AM because that’s how we roll and caught gorgeous, empty roads.  This was going to be a long day of travel, but we love that!

The roads were just beautiful and EMPTY!  Rudy suggested that in the three years that we have owned our Boxster this was probably the best weather we have enjoyed and I just couldn’t disagree.  We didn’t need to put the top up at all.  The weather was pristine.

The term “not a cloud in the sky” didn’t describe this day.  The day needed the perfect amount of clouds and the astounding mid-70’s weather made for a perfect ride into Canada.  We drove into the country via Calais and the border was empty.  Rudy always prompts me as we head to the border of Canada as this is not our first rodeo.  “Where were you born?’  “Where do you live?”  “Do you have firearms or drugs or alcohol in your vehicle?”  These are the questions asked every time we cross  Why do I need to be prompted, Rudy? (He’s so afraid of me being “Brooklyn-ese.  Why, Rudy?)

First stop – Hopewell Rocks which we had decided was the only necessary stop in New Brunswick, Canada as we drove through.  Want a geography lesson?  Okay, here ya go!  Hopewell Rocks (AKA Flowerpot Rocks) are rock formations caused by tidal erosion.  At low tide you can walk across the ocean floor as the tide recedes incredibly.  The tide comes back in at 13-feet per hour and all of these rock are then underwater and only the trees on top are visible.  I wish we could show you how it looks when the tide is in but we didn’t stick around long enough.  Google it if you care enough.  These rock stand 40 – 70 feet tall and when you’re walking on the floor you can experience the vastness.  Here’s my version of trying to show you the feeling.

It’s incredible. I could NOT capture it with still photography, so I am going to let Rudy show you what it’s really like…..

We arrived on Montague, Canada after a long drive, but Dear God, it was so worth it. Check this out for our two-night stay.  It’s just a photo essay as there are definitely no words.  Click on the photos as I think they’re worth it.

Then we watched the sun go down.

Today I am grateful for perfect weather, perfect company, and thankful to God for all of it.

Day 3: July 6, 2018: ’98 Porsche Boxster Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor

I decided today that it’s hard to blog while you’re out and about as much as we are.  Here it is Day 4 and I can barely crank out Day 3.  So here’s a pictorial essay:

We left the cottage on Day 3 at 4:30 AM to catch the sunrise at 4:54.  Some might think “crazy,” but if you realize you’ll be the first people in the Continental US to catch a sunrise, it’s really not that crazy.

And catch it we did, although it was a cloudy morning….

…and there’s nothing like being up that early.

We then visited Bar Harbor, but you’ll have to wait for the picture-of-the-day until the end.  First, let me explain Acadia National Park, in pictures.  We’ve been through a few National Parks, but it’s different when you’re in a park next to a coast.  I can only explain in photos…

I can’t describe the park.  You need to take the trip as it was just too gorgeous for words.

Then we I had another lobster dinner (some would call it lupper – you know, the meal between lunch and supper) and we loved it!  Can you tell?

Here you have it, my picture of the day, or maybe the year.  Bar Harbor!

Today I am grateful for a seagull flying into my photo just as I was pressing the shutter button.  Thank you, seagull.

Day 2: July 5, 2018 – ’98 Porsche Boxster – Boston, MA – Bar Harbor, ME

We left Boston early to start our journey to Bar Harbor, ME,  but that wasn’t the only reason we left early.  We had parked overnight in a “residents only” area right in front of the apartment that we rented.  A parking ticket would have been cheaper than what an actual parking lot may have cost in Boston on the 4th, so we took our chances.  We were fortunate and got out of Dodge before the ticket.

We set-off for another long drive to get to our next destination, but no worries, we laughed….

…A LOT and that’s what gets us through!  I may not have mentioned that the seats in our little Porsche Boxster are amazingly more comfortable than any of the other cars we own.

We didn’t stay on I-95 very long as we decided to take the coast up which then allowed some pretty sights, but nothing like our cross-country journey!  Our 6,000-mile drive last year was incredible as almost every turn brought another breathtaking sight and every.single.state brought its own uniqueness.   Traveling northeast seems to bring little change, although we haven’t hit the big boys of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia yet, so we shall see.

Penobscot Narrow Bridge links Route 1 and 3 over the Penobscot River and must look incredible at night as each cable had a spotlight directed towards it.  Other than that, I didn’t take too many photos.

We arrived in BAR HARBOR by early afternoon and are staying on Desert Island (pronounced in a very French accent)  in Salisbury Cove.  Too early to check in, we stopped for well-needed sustenance while we waited.

I had been promising that once we arrived in the Far Northeast I would eat lobster at every meal and so far, so good!

Content with our full bellies, we arrived at our little piece of heaven…

…and this is how we spent the rest of the day…

…until the sun set.

We are planning a two-night stay here so that we get the most out of Acadia National Park and the surrounding area.  We are definitely filling in the gaps of the Parks we have visited together and for that we are grateful!

Thanks for reading!

Day 1 – July 4, 2018 – ’98 Porsche Boxster Travels – Flemington, NJ to Boston, MA

We made it out our door at 7:05 this morning.  Here’s what the odometer on the ’98 Boxster was showing.  I’ll be sure to show an after-picture.  It will make you shake your head in wonder.

Traffic was very light and we made it to Boston in record time, except for a stop at you know where….

I’m guessing you know exactly where we are, but if you don’t, you’ll have to look at Day 1 of last year’s cross-country trip.  Yeah…we did it again.  We did choose a “healthy option” if there’s such a thing at this restaurant rest stop, and a rest Rudy needed.  No breakfast and four hours later and with only water to sustain him, he needed the stop.

He’s a hard portrait to get.  First he made funny faces, then monster faces, and then everything in-between.  This is as good as it gets – cute though, right?  I love this guy!

We arrived in Boston at 1:00 with a check-in to the apartment not scheduled until 2:00.  We called the Airbnb owner and he graciously let us arrive a bit earlier.  We’re staying in the Beacon Hills section, arguably one of the nicest areas in Boston;  you know, old money.  We have a penthouse apartment, AKA a five-floor walkup.  Try that in this heat with heavy bags.  I dare you.  Remember, the hallways are NOT air- conditioned and we’re in the middle of a heat-wave, but we survived and laughed through every step.

That’s how it looks from the top stair and if the sweat wasn’t dripping into our eyes at this point, we may have thought it was quite impressive.

Here’s a look at the penthouse, all one room of it.  The bathroom is separate, but that’s it.

It is not the most expensive Airbnb we’ve rented to date but it was up there with some of the others, but no where near one of the nicest, but that’s what you get in the heart of a city and in a city about to celebrate the 4th in a big way!  I just know you’re dying to see the REAL attraction.

Right!  The balcony off of the kitchen where we hoped to catch the fireworks down at the Charles River without moving too far.  We passed through the firework/concert area and there were more police and fire department presence than either of us have ever witnessed before; post-911 and Boston marathon kind of presence.  We decided to take our chances on being able to see the fireworks and hear the concert right from the comfort of a porch built-for-two and we were right on the money.

We watched the sun go down on the city…

..and we watched the fireworks, albeit with some trees in front of them…

….and we were even able to hear the concert! 😉 . Nah…until we turned our laptop on, we couldn’t hear a thing.  The laptop worked perfectly!

Millions of people two blocks away or a porch built-for-two?  Which would you have chosen?

Here’s the link for the fireworks video Rudy created while we were out on the penthouse’s deck enjoying the show:

I sent out for Italian food – meaning I sent Rudy out for Italian food.  Do you have any idea how many steps are in a five-floor walk-up?  Do you have any idea what the temperature might have been in that stairway going five days into a heatwave with temperatures nearing 100 degrees?  Yeah, I do.  He also went down a few more times – to move the car, to get my tripod out of the car, another reason to the car which I can’t remember (probably just to stare at it), and the food.  Thanks, Rudy!

We are headed to Bar Harbor, MA tomorrow and another bit of a drive where we always have the most fun.

Thanks for reading!

 

Day 0 – July 3 – Canada, 2018. Ten days in our ’98 Porsche Boxster.

We are almost packed and the ’98 Boxster is ready to take off first thing in the AM!  Why is it that I am so anxious before every.single.trip that I have taken?  I imagine that although I love the anticipation of a great vacation, and most of our getaways have been “trips of a lifetime,” I am wondering if I’m actually just a homebody at heart.  😦

Looking beautiful, right?  Rudy knows how to take care of a car.   I am grateful that he’s leaving most of the Concours-ready cleaning supplies at home this time.

If interested in following us (and I hope you do), here is our itinerary:

We have been watching the temperatures of our destinations and, other than Boston being in the 80’s for our stay tomorrow night, everywhere else has a low in the 50’s and highs in the 60’s.  We can’t wait to get out of Dodge and this oppressive heat.

Wish us safe travels, lots of love and laughter and, oh, good music.  Thanks for reading!

 

Thanksgiving in Montreal

We decided to spend Thanksgiving in Montreal – Why not?

We drove up in the Cayenne just in case we hit weather, because it’s one of the most comfortable cars we own and, most importantly, Jenna and Marc were joining us!  Matter of fact, it may have been their idea to get out of the country for the holiday.

It was a dreary and cold weekend though which made for seeing most of the sights from the comfort of the car seem like a brilliant plan.  We drove the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve racetrack where Rudy was in his glory.  It was posted with speed limit signs and he did adhere to them, but we all had fun.  We enjoyed some French cuisine at very nice restaurants and I wish I had taken some photos of the food – it was that good.  We also climbed drove to the top of the highest point in Montreal where you can look out over the city.   We visited Old Montreal which is the oldest city in Montreal and gives you the impression of being in an old section of Paris and really took you back in time.  After viewing some of the sights and Rudy getting a really good bargain on a Martini racing jacket, we enjoyed “poutine” which includes french fries, cheese curd, and gravy – yes, a very healthy entree.  I do admit to thoroughly enjoying it though and I think everyone agreed.

The highlight of the trip though was Rudy teaching us Euchre, a card game which originated somewhere in North America but with a name of German descent.  We had a blast learning the game.  It helps to drink some wine as you learn these things.

Some photos, but I wish I had more.  I need to be more cognizant of what I will find to be the most important parts of a trip – although it’s hard to capture the love you feel for the people you’re with and I love you guys!!!

I would definitely consider another trip during a holiday, or any other time!  Where next, Jengirl?  I LOVE making this a tradition with you guys!