Day 31: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

Day 31: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

July 13, 2016

Miles: 46

Port Elgin, NB to Moncton, NB



   
*** Today is day 31 the halfway mark! 


I know she is reading, so I want to start by wishing Happy Birthday to my eldest niece Christina!  


We had good intentions to leave early this morning.  We asked for a 7:30a breakfast time and we arrived in the breakfast room at 7:33a.  Breakfast was just ok this morning.  Steve liked it better than I did.  Egg and cheese whiz omelette and cinnamon waffles.  I ate 1/2 the omelette (none of the whiz) and 1 of 2 waffles to limit my gluten intake.  I gave Steve my second waffle, which he happily took.  Fresh watermelon, 1 cherry, a slice of apple and two caramelized pecans and yogurt was served as well.  I had some watermelon; it was sweet and tasty!

We basically just lazed around this morning.  Steve reading his book and me looking at maps.  We were finally on the road by 10:00a.  We had a relatively short ride (44 miles) planned so we took our time.

Waffles not like the Waffle House!

After looking at the maps, we saw that we could take Highway 16 all the way into Moncton. Normally a direct route would be desirable, but riding 44 miles on a road that can be likened to I95 didn't feel that exciting.  So I looked for alternative routes.  We decided to limit our time on Highway 16 (about 10 miles), then take Rt133, a coast road, then Rt134, a farm road into Moncton.  It was 2 miles longer, but we figured it for a much better experience.  We thought it may be a bit risky because it wasn't a suggested googlemap route, but we traded that for knowing what taking I95 would feel like.

The coastal road Rt133 was beautiful.  One waterview after the next.  And we rolled through one little town after the next.

Taking a short break

Beautiful sky today

More beauty

First cute little town

We needed a coffee, so we looked for a small cafe but all we could find was a Tim Hortons.  Tim Hortons in Canada is like Duncan Donuts is in the states. Tim Hortons are on every corner.

 I ordered a turkey plate as well.  I needed more calories since my breakfast was light.

Unexpectantly, the iced coffee was tainted with vanilla syrup.  All iced coffee's are made this way.  They really know how to ruin an iced coffee here at TH.

 

Another cute little town

With dolfin statues and kids frolicking about

Steve taking the side walk to avoid traffic

So at this point Rt133 ended and we had to find Rt134.  It was a little tricky because in order to get to this route we had to ride a road under construction.  It was 2 miles, but we decided to take it to avoid Highway 16.  It was slow, but not as dangerous as Truro Rd.

Steve trying to catch a truck

 

Steve avoiding the pot holes

Me coasting on a somewhat smooth dirt surface

We successfully connected onto Rt134, which was paved, and we were off to Moncton.  It was a smooth ride with many farms along the way.  Steve and I rode straight through (17 miles) while on this road so I do not have pictures to show for it.

So Moncton is a special place as it turns out.  Steve visited Moncton a few years ago when he worked for Spielo, a division of GTECH (now IGT).  Steve loved his visit to Moncton, and I can see why.  It is a wonderful city, kinda big w/pop. 138k, but it feels small and quaint for some reason. Steve has a friend, nicknamed Costi, who lives in Moncton.  Steve enjoyed working with Costi; He was smart and a fast learner, the kind of person Steve likes to work with. We plan to meet up with Costi tomorrow night for drinks.  I met Costi once before when he visited RI for work, so a tomorrow meet-up should be fun.  This does mean we will be staying a second night in Moncton.  As it turns out, Costi is on vacation with his family and returning tomorrow.  It seemed like a good plan to stay a second night to see Costi, but also because we really need to spend quality time routing and planning food and water for the next few days.  Traveling through New Brunswick can be tricky.  Long stretches without services (food or water) including cell service.  We expect hilly terrain as well, and we hear swarms of large black flies are not uncommon, and of course it is black bear and big moose territory.  So we decided to spend time tomorrow to carefully plan out the next three-days that it will take us to get to Fredericton.

We decided to stay two nights at the Resident Inn Marriot because it was centrally located downtown on Main Street.  As it turns out, Steve stayed in this very same hotel when on his business trip.  We hung out for a few hours in the hotel room after arriving at 4:00p, and before searching for sustenance.  We walked just a block to what can be considered a beer garden that served fine food.  Steve and I both started off with a tossed salad and two beers of course; Steve a stout and me an IPA. Steve finished with Fish Chowder and me a Roasted Veggie Plate.  Both good!  Beer great!

Steve relaxing at dinner and smiling just for me

Beer garden and fine food

Roasted veggies and chick peas

Fish chowder with mussels

Tomorrow we will be busy creating our maps for the next 130 mile stretch (3-days) to Fredericton and to meet-up with Costi for a reunion.