Day 34: Evandale, New Brunswick, Canada

Day 34: Evandale, New Brunswick, Canada

July 16, 2016
Miles: 32 (plus 600 meters more by ferry)

Sussex, NB to Evandale, NB


We woke up around 8am, which is normally a little late but not so today because we were only riding 32 miles.  I had some leftover blueberry pancakes from last night's visit to Smitty's and I microwaved them in the hotel continental breakfast area.  It was crowded in the little dining area, so Di and I took our food and drink outside.  As soon as we went outside we could tell it was going to be a hot day.  We found out later that a heat warning had been issued for today and the temperature eventually hit 30 degrees (95F).  But the morning was pleasant and we sat and enjoyed our coffee and juice, though not our food.  For me, the pancakes didn't reheat well and syrup was not available.  For Di, there were no gluten free options, so she opted for hunger, which is alway gluten free.  I thought we could remedy this situation by walking over to Smitty's and Di readily agreed, so we visited Smitty one more time.

How Di enjoys a truly gluten free breafast (no food)

Di falling off the gluten wagon

We watched the Tour de France a bit back in our hotel room before we realized it was getting ridiculously late and we needed to get going.  We hurriedly got our bikes packed up and we were on the road at 11:15am.  Sheesh, what slugs.

The sun was shining and we were riding in real warmth and it felt great.  Sometimes, even though you think it shouldn't be so, a strong sun and summer's heat just feels right.  Summer should be summer, after all, and for it to behave differently would be like losing a lifelong friend.

Scene from a summer's day in New Brunswick

The road to Evandale was peaceful

A lonely hay bale

Di taking a shot of the hay bales

Di's shot show no lonely hay bales

It was sunny, hot and still and we rode by many farms and they looked so lushly verdant that I think they helped keep us cool.  Well, not cool exactly, but perhaps not overheated.

That's lush

We rode for long stretches along the St. John River.  We saw many summer cottages along the river and many outdoor barbeques.  Folks were having a good time today on the river. 

Di getting a closeup of the river

The St. John River

Typical bike rider's view of the river

The last half of today's ride was very hilly.  So, 15 miles of hills should not really be that bad, but these hills were very steep.  The hills were long and most of them were over 10% grade.  Our steepest climb was up a 13% grade.  When I first saw that 13 percenter looming up in front of us, I looked at Di and said, "Remember, there's no shame in walking."  "Absolutely none", she agreed.  But, we made it up that hill and all the others and it served to remind us that biking is actually much more interesting with the hills.  First off, how else can you go as fast as you do when bombing down the backside of that steep hill you just climbed?  Second, variety is interesting.  As long as that variety comes in the right doses, of course.  And third, it earns you bragging rights, even if it is only to brag to yourself. We all need to brag once in a while (although I can't remember any instance when I have been guilty of such an endeavor).

During one difficult hill, I reminded myself that I had successfully ridden up similar hills in the past, so I would surely successfully climb this one.  Yesterday is a good guide for today, I reasoned, and therefore, today is a good guide for tomorrow.  I'm no philosopher, but it seems we sometimes worry about what the future will bring and fret it may not bring what we want.  If this is true, then start changing your yesterdays, because they are the blueprints for your tomorrows.  And of course, your yesterdays are changed by changing today.  This is what one thinks about when suffering up a hill on a bike.    Maybe I should go up fewer hills.

Di enjoying the road's variety

Di getting her fill of the road's variety

The grades of the hills were not marked, so we used Di's Garmin to provide that disheartening information.  However, as we neared the end of our ride, we saw a sign saying the downhill was of an 11% grade and it was 1.2km long.  About fifty meters from that sign was another sign indicating the ferry was 1.2km away and the realization that we could coast for the remainder of our ride brought true joy to our hearts.

Di riding back to make sure I saw that sign

That sign says: "Bikers, coast from here"

The ferry was already on our side of the river, so we rode on and soon were on our way.  The ferry is provided free of charge and leaves every 10 minutes.  How civilized.

View of the Evandale Resort from the ferry

View from ferry looking left

View from ferry looking right (sorry that guy got in the way)

Talking with the ferry operator as we cross he St. John

When Di made reservations at the resort, she asked about nearby restaurants and was told Evandale consisted entirely of three buildings. I think that was an exaggeration, because we could never find that third building.

The Evandale Resort

is right along the St. John River

We couldn't help but notice that beautiful, enticing pool, so we quickly checked into our rooms and headed down to the pool.  I couldn't wait to go for a refreshing dip after the day's hilly ride in the heat.  The water felt wonderful!

Graceful and frolicking otter-like, I swim

Enjoying the pool

but retaining a sense of mystery

I stayed in the pool for about 45 minutes, then we headed to the patio for dinner.  A lot of folks drive or boat in just to have dinner at the Evandale Resort and to use the pool, so the place was hopping, at least as much as a two building town can hop.

Canada Dry Ginger Ale is served in real glass bottles here!

After dinner, we headed back to our room and immediately fell asleep.  I can't tell you much more about this period of the day except to say we woke up at 8:45.  Di went down to the restaurant and got some food before they closed at 9pm.  I can't remember what she got for herself, but I must say I was very pleased to learn what she had gotten for me.

What better way to end the day than with blueberry pie

Tomorrow we are off to Fredericton, which is really far away.  Well, not that far, only 90 from Evandale.  And if you think of it in miles, then it is only 56, which sounds even easier.  No worries, I'll find some way of getting bragging rights out of the ride.