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09. June 2008 | en

Ok, the way I remembered this place was a little different then it was. Sorel isn’t actually a good place to stop and get sandwiches (see Nicolet for that). It’s a little confusing.

My route to New Brunswick is to take the 40 to the 20 (in Montreal), then get on the 30 up to Sorel. In Sorel, I get on the 132. You can get on the 132 just after Montreal, but in the interest of cutting a little time off the trip, I take the divided 30 between the south shore of Montreal and Sorel.

Once you are in Sorel, you have to find the 132. This time it was a little harder than usual, and I ended up going around a couple of blocks before I discovered a highway marker.

Anyway, more to update later.

Tags: Sorel QC Canada
Map: N 46° 04.225 W 73° 11.349

Created at: 09. June 2008

To logbook | Author: Alix

St. Leonard at Sunset

10. June 2008 | en

I made it to Gabe’s place before sunset, and was filled with such a feeling of victory that I had to explain to Gabe’s mum why I was so happy!

As I think should be customary on all travels, Gabe’s parents fed me and put glass after glass of wine in my hand upon my arrival. By the time Gabe got home from work about an hour and a half later, I was quite tipsy.

It’s only just spring here. The apple blossoms are still fresh, and the lilacs are only just beginning to bloom. The later spring is due to higher latitude and altitude.

St. Leonard/St. Andre/Grand Falls area is really beautiful…huge rolling hills (very old mountains) that are absolutely covered in either farms or forest.

I like visiting. I always bring my camera, but then find myself too busy with friends to take any pictures.

Tags: St. Leonard NB Canada
Map: N 47° 16.330 W 67° 92.464

Created at: 10. June 2008

To logbook | Author: Alix

Bittersweet

22. June 2008 | en

My trip to New Brunswick is now completed. I had a great time. It’s always very hard for me to leave.

Things I will miss, besides my friend, are the sound of that regions Acadian french (the dialect changes from town to town, some are more pleasant to listen to than others), the old mountains covered in farms, Gabe’s dog who I will probably never see again, and the cooler weather.

Tags: Grand Falls NB Canada
Map: N 46° 91.358 W 67° 73.326

Created at: 22. June 2008

To logbook | Author: Alix

Just for Information

10. June 2008 | en

I’m not going to climb Mount carleton this time, I don’t think. But I included it because it is awesome. Mount Carleton is the highest peak in the maritimes.

The first time I came to visit, Gabe and I climbed Mount Carleton despite approaching (and retreating) thunderstorms. I wouldn’t ordinarily recommend climbing a mountain when there is a danger of thunderstorm, but it was a really great time. We basically had the whole mountain to ourselves…as far as the eye can see from the top, there is only woods. It’s a good opportunity to forget the rest of the world exists.

Tags: Mount Carleton NB Canada
Map: N 47° 39.932 W 66° 83.179

Created at: 10. June 2008

To logbook | Author: Alix

Planning

02. June 2008 | en

I’m still trying to figure out how this site works, but I wanted to mention a few things about this trip: so I added a meaningless stop 5 minutes from my start place so that I could write a logbook entry.

Gas prices being what they are, it was a tough decision about HOW exactly I should travel to my destination. I estimated that it would cost me $300 in gas to drive (as I usually do). The train system in Canada sucks for going anywhere other than Quebec City, Montreal, or Toronto, plus it is even more expensive than driving. Ultimately, it came down to a decision between the bus and my car. The bus was less expensive ($200) but the trip would have taken 15 hours! Normally, it takes me 8 hours to drive – which in Canada isn’t actually that bad. Ultimately, I decided to go by car, just because I like my route so much, and the car is more independent than the bus. I’m willing to pay the extra money to stop for sandwiches along the St. Lawrence, to arrive in New Brunswick’s beautiful old mountains at sunset, and to be able to drive right to my friend’s door.

Plus, I am taking a box of glassware that Gabe left behind last time he was here, and I was not looking forward to packing that for the bus.

Tags: Carleton Place ON Canada
Map: N 45° 13.694 W 76° 14.215

Created at: 02. June 2008

To logbook | Author: Alix

Sandwich time!

10. June 2008 | en

Nicolet has a Subway/La Cremiere combination along the main drag (there is also a gas station – so it’s a good place to fill up).

Once outside of Nicolet, there are some great views of Trois-Rivieres across the river, and some great picnic areas as you get closer to the village of Becancouer.

Highway 132 is a very popular highway for motorcyclists. I like to follow along behind them and watch them wave at other cyclists who drive by going the other way. It reminds me of the old days driving a Volkswagen Westfalia camper and waving at anyone else doing the same thing.

Quebec has possibily the worst road matainence in all of Canada. If I was a citizen of Quebec, I would demand a provincial audit really. Highway 132 isn’t that bad, all things considered. There are a couple of rough patches, but overall, it is alright, and a really nice drive.

I usually head down to the 20 (the TransCanada) around St. Antoine-de-Tilly.

Tags: Nicolet QC Canada
Map: N 46° 22.739 W 72° 61.952

Created at: 10. June 2008

To logbook | Author: Alix

Travel pictures tagged with Canada:

Along the St. Lawrence

Highway 132 along the southern shore of the St. Lawrence is my favorite route through Quebec. It has many scenic picnic areas to stop at.

Tags: Quebec Canada
Map: N 46° 04.225 W 73° 11.349

Created at: 02. June 2008

To picture | Photographer: Alix

Me and Gabe

This guy is the reason I discovered how gorgeous Western New Brunswick is. He grew up on a dairy farm just north of St. Leonard. Although his parents sold their dairy cows long ago and rented out the fields to potato farmers, they still live in the farm h

Tags: St. Leonard NB Canada
Map: N 47° 16.330 W 67° 92.464

Created at: 02. June 2008

To picture | Photographer: Alix

Gabe's White Barn

I love this picture. It is the old white barn on Gabe's family's farm.

Tags: St. Leonard NB Canada
Map: N 47° 16.330 W 67° 92.464

Created at: 02. June 2008

To picture | Photographer: Alix

Onyx

This is Gabe's dog Onyx (or as everyone actually calls him, Putsch). He is a huge dog and part Chow-chow, hence the blue-spotted tongue and the bear-look. He is getting very old, and this was probably the last time I will ever see him. When I met Gabe in

Tags: St. Leonard NB Canada
Map: N 47° 16.330 W 67° 92.464

Created at: 22. June 2008

To picture | Photographer: Alix