July 19th, 2014 - A new adventure begins

I've just boarded the bus in Moncton that will take me to Amherst, NS, and there I'll transfer to the bus to Charlottetown, where my PEI adventure will begin.

It's weird, having already been on the road/away from home for the last week, I'm still holding onto some concern about one of the youth I've been working with over the last week, but I know I've one what I can for now, and that my supervisor will be able to pick it up where I've left off.

I'm hoping over the next week to just get into the flow of riding, and reflect on the last week. I need to take some more time and just reflect.

Moncton is an odd town - it's got a dead mall that we just passed. From the road, it's got a brick face, with closed doors and no windows, but from the parking lot, it looks like it might have just been shut down last week.

Sackville
There are a lot of young forests in New Brunswick. Unlike Southern Ontario, where the highways are lined with farms, I've seen nothing but young forests so far on the bus from Moncton to Sackville.Is it because the sea life is so plentiful? The ground poor for farming? A cultural devaluation of farming that's found across North America?

Amherst
I'm in Nova Scotia for a brief few minutes on the way to Charlottetown. I guess, as a result, that I'm stepping foot in 3 provinces I've never been to with this trip, but I wouldn't really say I've *been to* Nova Scotia. I took a couple of pictures (with my DSLR, which I left the cord for at home), but I don't think it counts.


Province #3 - PEI
Crossing the Confederation Bridge I could see the red earth of the beaches. It really is all coming together. I've got a plan for Charlottetown - run to the bike store, then the post office to ship my course binder to work, and then head on my way to Tignish! I might grab a quick lunch as well.

Tignish
It's evening and I'm in Tinish now. I got a shuttle all the way up to North Cape, walked around, then rode about 13km's into town.

Which way will I choose?

Yup, I chose Norway.

Do you have to wonder why I took this photo?

Peter and Louise at the Murphy Tourist House are awesome and nice, and it looks like a whole group of women are staying at one of the cabins here to cycle the trail, so maybe I'll be able to find some riding companions at least part of the way.

I met an older couple who had completed the ride at North Cape. The wife was very excited about it, while I think the husband was a bit embarrassed by this, and probably a bit tired from riding. Gary was his name, and my memory for names is winning the battle in trying to recall hers.

For dinner, I had the Fisherman's Platter at Cousin's Restaurant - way too much deep fried seafood and fries, but it was just right, as I'd only eaten a burrito for breakfast so far today. The platter was good, and hopefully all fresh and local, and will hopefully give me some of the energy I'll need for the first full day of riding tomorrow.