Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Grand Manan to Saint Johns NB)

 June 16th: I have a few days to catch up with blog posts. At times, I just want to do a massive photo dump on Facebook and stop there, but my OCD heart needs to document the experience in better detail. Besides, I know when I look at the photo dumps of my FB friends, I frequently wonder, "Where was this photo taken? And why?" 

The Sparkinator and I caught the 9:30 a.m. boat from Grand Manan to the mainland of New Brunswick. I had a reservation for a much later crossing, but once I am up and organised, I want to be on the move. I stopped at the ticket booth in North Head, Grand Manan, and asked if I could change my reservation. 

"Sure. No problem!" And then we were on the boat. 

Unfortunately, it was another foggy morning, and the ship's captain was required to sound the fog horn at frequent intervals. So, now my pooch is well and truly terrified of travelling on car ferries. He shook and shivered the entire 90-minute crossing. I'll have to drug him for the 7-hour crossing on July 2nd to Newfoundland.

We landed in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick. It's a cute area that I couldn't see on the way to Grand Manan because of the heavy fog. Our next stop was beautiful Dipper Cove, a short detour on Highway 790, off Highway 1. I could live there! It's tiny, sheltered, and right on the ocean!  (And, I might say that a few more times about other Maritime communities in the coming months.)

By 2:00 in the afternoon, we were at our okay-average Holiday Inn Express on the west side of Saint Johns. I didn't feel like exploring anymore and napped instead. My travel partner was okay with that!

Cheers, Lynda & The Sparkinator

Cheeky seagull Grand Manan NB

Seal Harbour Grand Manan

Leaving Blacks Harbour, NB

Leaving Blacks Harbour, NB

Dipper Cove, New Brunswick

Dipper Cove, New Brunswick

Dipper Cove, my Mazda gets around

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (exploring Grand Manan Island NB)

 June 15th: We started this adventure on May 1st, so today is our 46th day. It's been interesting, entertaining, educational, and occasionally hectic with many more adventures to come.

It's raining lightly on Grand Manan, but the fog has lifted, and I can finally see the ocean. I am sitting at the kitchen table of my vacation cottage in Seal Cove, near the southern end of the island. Sparky is napping - again. I am wearing out my travel buddy.

This morning, we drove to North Head to see the lighthouse at Swallow Tail and Net Rocks. The ferry happened to be passing at the same time. Even though we were on the ferry yesterday, the fog was so thick that I couldn't see the shoreline or even the boat that we were on. The boat's captain continually activated the ship's fog horn during the entire voyage, and for the first time ever, Sparky was shaking with nerves the entire trip. He's never been afraid of boats, cars, trucks, or airplanes. The constant noise was too much for him.

Earlier this morning, I noticed a cute cafe a short distance away that opens at 10:00 a.m., so that's where I am headed now.

Tomorrow morning, we are headed to Saint John, New Brunswick.

Cheers, and Happy Thursday!

Lynda and The Sparkinator

Seagull in the fog

Seal Cove, Grand Manan, higher up from my cottage

The lighthouse at Swallow Tail Point

View from near the lighthouse

The lighthouse pathway 

Lighthouse Keeper's car license

The ferry to Grand Manan

Typical street in North Head Grand Manan

Net Rocks Grand Manan

I's wet. Does you have a towel for me?

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Grand Manan, New Brunswick)

June 14th: This island is new to me, and yet, it is a very familiar place. Grand Manan is an island just off the coast of New Brunswick. It is 34 km (21 mi) long and 18 km (11 mi) wide, and it is home to around 2500 residents.

Many years ago, I moved to a similarly sized island, Bowen Island, near West Vancouver, BC. So far, everyone has slotted right into the Bowen Island characteristics. Friendly. Helpful. Chatty. And willing to let the rules slide.

I arrived at the Black Harbour ferry terminal two hours early for my 11:30 reservation and told the ticket agent that I had a receipt, but it was in my travel binder, in the trunk. "Should I get it for you?" I asked.

Without batting an eyelash, she pointed to the boat and said, "If you hurry, you can catch the 9:30. Just head over there." 

It wasn't until I was on the ferry that I realized I never did show her my receipt.

Upstairs in the doggie lounge, a very nice woman (and her elderly dog)  gave me an interesting geology and historical recap of the island as we journeyed for 90 minutes from Blacks Harbour through the dense fog to Grand Manan's ferry terminal.

When I arrived, I phoned the owner of the Kings Square Cottage and explained that I had accidentally arrived two hours earlier than we had discussed. She said, "No problem. The house is clean. I'll text you the entry code and wifi info. Enjoy your stay."

Then the staff at the nearby store/restaurant were super helpful, explaining the difference between a clam platter and a clam strips platter. Whole clams as opposed to pieces of clams. I stifled a laugh when the young woman's expression clearly exhibited her disgust, "I don't eat either of those!" She said.

The weather is rainy, damp, and foggy. Waves ripple over the dark sand. I can taste the tang of seaweed in the air. And odors of clams, mussels, and crabs buried deep in the muddy shoreline, waiting for the life-giving brine to wash over them at high tide. The shriek of seagulls. The moan of the fog horns. 

It all soothes my soul.

A foggy 90-minute ferry ride

Home for the next 2 days, Kings Square Cottage

The southern head, steep cliffs, lots of birds

The salty tang of low tide

Near Fish Fluke on Grand Manan

Tired pupper! Kings Square Cottage