The Maritimes

September 03, 2018

The Maritimes

What a week we’ve had! Being in the Maritimes and on the East coast is like being in a whole other world. Everything feels so much smaller. The cities and towns are smaller, there’s no big city mentality. Only small towns with all the tourist attractions within close proximity. We stopped in Halifax for a couple nights. Which is the biggest city on the East coast; however, it still doesn’t compare in stature to the big cities I’ve seen. From there we saw Peggy’s Cove. Then North to Cape Breton Island. The first night we stayed in Inverness on this quaint campground right on the beach. It was absolutely stunning. The water was warm and Charlie could run along the beach until his heart’s content. My plan the next day was to drive around the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and go for a hike on one of the many trails within the park. Then stay in North Sydney that night. Instead, I had a migraine and didn’t particularly feel like doing much of anything. At the very least, I had to drive to North Sydney as I already had a reservation at a campground there. So instead of hiking in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, I simply drove through it. Which isn’t the greatest way to see it, though it was still beautiful.

Next up was PEI! Driving over the Confederation Bridge was surreal. From the bridge you can practically see all of PEI. We stopped in Charlottetown that night and set up camp. The next day I drove to The Bottle Houses on the Southwest end of the Island. Only to find out that I couldn’t bring Charlie with me. I had already come all that way, about an hour long drive, so I snuck around the back and stole a quick picture and left. I’d love to explore it more another time. There I go, already dreaming of coming back. After that excursion, I drove North to Cavendish where the Anne of Green Gables House is. And low and behold, I cannot go into the house with the dog. I could however walk the grounds. I attempted to tie Charlie to a tree in order to run quickly through the house. He has terrible separation anxiety though and cries as soon as I attempt to walk away. Someone kindly offered to watch him for me and so I thought to myself ‘damn if I don’t go inside, if even for a moment’. I feel much less concerned accepting help from strangers here in the East. People seem much more genuine and neighbourly than I’ve ever experienced before. So I ran through the house as quickly as I could. Then we walked the trails around the house. It was quite lovely! I met an older couple that took a quick liking to Charlie. They were very friendly and chatty! They were absolutely astounded that I had driven all this way on my own and intend to return back! They told me that I was quite brave. Some days I don’t necessarily feel brave. Sometimes I feel afraid or anxious, but I know that I have come this far and seen so much. The biggest struggle is in your mind. Anything is possible if you choose to make it so.

After leaving the Anne of Green Gables House, we visited the little village of Avonlea, the setting in which the books take place. The village was created in homage to the books. It was adorable! So small, but it was a great place to sit down for lunch and have coffee. Next after lunch, we headed a little further West and discovered a nearly secluded beach. We spent hours there just walking around, enjoying the scenery, and playing in the sand. The sand was so red and the red cliffs right before our eyes were a wonder. Charlie loves the beach and he loves to swim so it was a great time. Then we drove back to Charlottetown and had fish and chips right on the waterfront. It was a busy day, but a good one! Leaving Charlottetown the next day, we made it back to Fredricton! Not without another excursion though. We stopped at Hopewell Rocks Park. These ‘flowerpot rocks’ are absolutely stunning to see in person! What a wonder nature has created in so many ways and different forms. We’re finally beginning our trip back West! Next after Fredricton we’ll be in Québec City again, where we’ll be able to explore the city a little more. I am excited to see some things again on my way back through and to discover new things as well!