Day 1 of my trip to Newfoundland. I wish I could tell you that this was an exciting day, but it wouldn’t make anyone’s top 10 list. I guess that is to be expected when it involves nine hours of driving. But here are the highlights just in case you have run out of things to read/do or think about today:
- I was supposed to leave at 7am. I finally got on the road at 8:30am because I had to retrace my steps 30 minutes into the drive and return to Barrie as I forgot to leave my keys with the boys. They are watering my plants (well, plant. There is just one).
- The gas pumps at a gas station in Kingston went down right in the middle of filling my tank. I was okay with that, but I had to talk the guy down beside me who thought it was a conspiracy by Justin Trudeau to rip us off. The Deep State is alive well at Petro Canada in Kingston.
- I watched the church service from Northwest Barrie on my phone which was perched on my knee, while I did 120 down the 401. Stupid? Probably. Ben and Chris both did a great job!! If you haven’t watched the service, please do.
- I crossed the border into Quebec and as I did, I felt my blood pressure nudge up a few points. I have a fear of breaking down in a place where I can’t speak the language. “je m’appelle Phil” will only get me so far with a flat tire.
- Tim Horton’s chocolate chip muffins are delicious.
- I passed a car from New Hampshire. Their license plates have a very provocative slogan on them, “Live Free Or Die”. I think my friend at the gas station in Kingston would be happy living in New Hampshire.
- My GPS is a rock star. When I left Barrie (the second time) it said that I would arrive at my hotel in Levi at 5:40pm. I arrived at 5:36pm. That’s game!!
- My French is quite sad. As soon as I said “bonjour” to the Hotel Clerk she switched to English.
- Hotel rooms are hotel rooms wherever you go. The artwork takes you breath away (not in a good way), the carpet has stripes, and the air conditioning makes a clicking sound. But I’m not complaining!! It’s a very comfortable room.
- One of the greatest feelings at the end of a long day of driving, it kicking your shoes off, laying on a hotel bed, eating M&M’s, and watching HGTV.
So that was day one!! Tomorrow, I make my way to Fredericton, New Brunswick. In many ways, that is like coming home for me, so I’m sure it will be a great day, and maybe a little nostalgic. As I pass the exit to Sussex, I may even mist up a little. But that is tomorrow’s adventure. For now, I’m watching House Hunters, snoozing and enjoying the feeling of achievement after a long day of driving. Good night.