Two days and counting

[paul102a3]

The bus is finally ready (I hope) for our first ever big trip. This trip was to have taken place in May to escape the Florida summer heat and humidity but numerous mechanical issues have prevented our departure.

Our plan is to head north via the Smokey Mountains, then through the Adirondacks and over to Maine. Once in Maine, we will follow the coastal roads back to Florida. My wife has decided she wants to eat as much Maine lobster as she can stand so I see a lot of side trips to the lobster pounds in my future.

Since we will be in Northern Maine, we may try and pop over the border into Canada with the toad assuming we can find a nice place to leave bus for a few days. I would really like to see Prince Edward Island and a few other sights since we are so close.

I grew up on the barrier islands of New Jersey, not far from Atlantic City, and it will be interesting to see what 25 years of progress has done to the area. We will also hit the Outer Banks of NC for a few days (I did a lot of surfing there back in the 1960s) and my wife has never seen the area so it should be fun side trip.

When all is said and done, our intended track will add up to 5,000+ miles depending on side trips.

I have done all I can to make the bus safe and reliable but we will keep our fingers crossed.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you for the sage advice you have provided these past few months while I figured out the issues with the bus. I couldn't have done without your guidance. This board has been a godsend and I while I am a neophyte at this bussing/camping thing; I hope I can contribute to other newbies as time goes by.

Wish us luck!

Paul

[JackConrad]

Since we will be in Northern Maine, we may try and pop over the border into Canada with the toad assuming we can find a nice place to leave bus for a few days. I would really like to see Prince Edward Island and a few other sights since we are so close.

Paul

Paul,
Make sure you have passports.  You must have them now to go to Canada.  Good luck and enjoy your trip.  Jack

[cody]

Jack, it's not so much the going to canada that makes the passport handy, but rather the coming back lol.

[John316]

Paul,

A couple of things about Prince Edward Island. When we were up there, last fall, we had a great time. We had just the bus, and no toad when we went to PEI. If we did it again, we would take the ferry over, and the bridge back. The Ferry and bridge are free for the way over, and you pay coming back. That is why you can take the bridge back, and pay less.

We had a great view from the bridge in our bus, because we were taller than most cars. Don't be afraid to take the bus up there. The roads weren't a big deal, and border crossing isn't that hard (if you have your passports). The "Anne of Green Gables," thing was a let down... . Otherwise we enjoyed the beaches, and some of they views. I climbed out to one of the base pillars of the bridge, and had my pic taken. Kinda fun.

We also toured the West Point lighthouse, and that was fine. However, there are a lot of New England, and West coast lighthouses that are nicer.

BTW, on your way back, hop over too Nova Scotia. We did that just to say we have been there. Now we have been in all of the southern provinces, and all of the lower 48, and mexico

God bless,

John

Jack, and Cody, our posts crossed. If you have passports, going and coming has been a breeze, for us.

[paul102a3]

Passports are in hand and up to date.

It is interesting to hear that getting the bus into and out of Canada is not such a big deal. We had understood it was difficult with a bus which is why we thought about taking the toad over.

We may need to re-think bus vs toad.

We did the VIA Rail train trip accross Canada last year from Vancouver to Halifax and did see a little of Nova Scotia so I guess I can say been there and done that. We didn't have the time to do PEI which for me is a must do.

Paul

[Runcutter]

Paul, when we bought our 4107, the first trip was from New Hampshire into eastern New Brunswick - with temporary New Hampshire tags.  No problems, except that on crossing into Canada (at Houlton), Canadian Customs went through the coach - including opening some exterior compartments not normally opened (A/C shroud, etc.).  No big deal, probably less than 15 minutes.

No problems coming back, but I normally get across the border quickly.  The magic words.... My wife and I are from Texas, my Mother In Law in the back seat is from Massachusetts.  At the words "Mother in Law", the customs agent's expression turns from "older white male terrorist" to "you poor son of a gun."

If you're going over to PEI and back on the bridge, I'd leave the coach at the tourist bureau in Sackville, NB (Exit 504 off Route 2 ... right at the top of the exit, then first left - just beyond the home center store).  Park in the gravel lot to the east, next to the Waterfowl park.   Assuming PEI is a one-day trip, it'd be easier and cheaper.  From Sackville, you'll be at the bridge in about 30 minutes.  If you have time in the area, ask at the tourist bureau about the Carriage Factory Museum, just north on Main Street ... well worth a visit.

BTW, as you're passing through Moncton, be careful if you go downtown.  There's a 10+-foot (3+meter) bridge on Main Street.

We're always either with family, or eating at family-type restaurants when we're there, so I don't have any restaurant advice.  Near the tourist bureau, Patterson's is a good family restaurant - if you're looking for a place to eat ... but don't make a special trip.

In Maine, try to hit the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport (about 35 miles north of the NH border, and about 1.5 miles east of Route 1 on Log Cabin Road.  In addition to more streetcars and interurbans than most of my transit system clients, there's also a good bus collection.  (Although I'm a 40+ year member, I can't remember our hours after Labor Day ... check the website  http://www.trolleymuseum.org/).  

Unless it's a weekday, I wouldn't take the coach through downtown Kennebunkport - but you should be able to leave the coach at the museum and take the toad.  Just ask permission at the museum visitor's center, to be sure you'll be back before the gates close.  

Places to eat in the area .... the Arundel Wharf in downtown Kennebunkport, or a little further south on the same road, The Lobster Claw.  (Fair disclosure, we tried to go to the Lobster Claw in July, to see if it was as good as I remembered when I was a regular - 25 years ago, but there were no parking spaces.  I hope it's still as good, and reasonably priced.)  

If you continue a little further along the coast road, you'll see President Bush's (41) compound at Walker Point.  Yes, you could take the bus, but it's some tight maneuvering.

There's a local seafood restaurant chain ... the Weathervane.  One in Kittery, one in Waterville, that we eat at often.  Good food, reasonably priced.  

A little further south, in Kittery, you'll see many factory outlets.  Ask there for directions to Warren's in Kittery - just adjacent to the middle bridge over the Piscatequa river.  A little pricey, but you do get tablecloths and cloth napkins.  Again, parking may be tough, but the distance from the large factory outlet parking lots to Warren's ... about 2 miles.

Have a good trip.

Arthur  

[John316]

Paul,

If you don't take the bus to PEI, they have tons of reasonably priced Bed and Breakfast's. If you do want to leave your bus on "shore," then that might be a good option to stay in a BB for a couple of days. Personally, I would take the bus over, and find a CG to stay at. Then I would take the toad from there. We did our whole tour with our 45'er, so yours should be fine.

I agree with Runcutter. Be careful of Moncton's low bridge. Also, it can be pretty tight, if you get off of the main roads. We have had border patrol mildly go through our bus, a couple of times, but it hasn't been a big deal, at all. Just don't say things like, "oh, we never tell where we store the pot ." Or any other jokes that might come to mind. They will probably take some of your fruit, so make sure that what you get up there in PEI (if it is food), you can bring back.

This last time, on our way up there, we did just the interstate, which was pretty because of the fall colors. We also had to do the LL Bean store.

God bless,

John