Friday, August 25, 2006

Road trip snippets

* New Brunswick is officially a bilingual province. Being a bilingual couple, we found ourselves speaking Frenglish with most people. The Acadians speak French but it is kind of anglisized. The accent was very interesting. Everyone in the province seemed able to communicate in either language. I kept thinking how harmonious the different subcultures seemed to blend together.

* Everywhere you look, you see the name "Irving". From paper mills to gas stations to nature preserves, you can't miss this name. I began referring to them as the "treekillers". To be fair, there seems to be nothing but forest for endless miles in New Brunswick.

* On our 13th anniversary of meeting one another, we donned bibs and gleefully devoured fresh snow crab. Prior to that, we stopped in at the Hilton for a martini in Saint John. It was $35 plus tip for them. I found this gall offputting.



* 1282 feet long.

* Some signs indicated you to turn just before the intersection, while other intersections had the signs posted on the corner after the intersection. This increased the spousal hostility level in the car. They should probably codify the placing of the signs. Just a suggestion.

* I insisted on following the signs to the world's largest axe. It was a small detour off the highway in a little podunk town. I couldn't picture the axe in my head, "Was it a REAL axe that a surly lumberjack used? Was it displayed inside of a case of some sort?" And then we rounded a corner and POW, this gigantic statue of an axe, or axe if you will, stuck in the ground at the top of a small riverside knoll. A smile inducing detour.

* There were "beware of moose" signs everywhere. Apparently collisions with the beasts kills hundreds every year. We never saw any though.



* It was pouring rain, and we went alone to see the Moncton tidal bore at 9:45pm as listed in the newspaper. It arrived ten minutes late just as we were about to give up. It was just a couple inches but thrilling nonetheless. We ran alongside it as it moved up the riverbed. Total geekdom.

* The ride from Miramichi to Grand Falls is one of the most grueling stretches of highway. Bumpy, curvy and solid forest on both sides of a road for HOURS with no towns or anything in between. You don't want to break down out there.

* I was fascinated by the whole "tide" thing. In Saint John, the river flows over some rocks into the bay. But when the tide comes in, the water flows over the rocks upriver. This is called the reversing falls. I dragged spouse down to the lookout points four times to see it during "stasis" (no movement) and at low and high tides. Finally he said, "Okay, this is the last time and then I don't want to hear anything more about the tides!"

* All in all a great trip. Next time though, we're flying in.



* We bought no souvenirs. This is the souvenir. Moving on now.

19 comments:

dantallion said...

Love the videos and the pics. The both of you seemed genuinely to be enjoying yourselves - which was really nice to watch.

Anonymous said...

We've travelled that road from Grand Falls to Miramichi. I remember it just as you mentioned. Miramichi seemed like an oasis after the endless forest.

It was en route to Al's grandma's funeral and part of the straight drive from Toronto to PEI.

On the way home, we chose the main highway.

Anonymous said...

Sorry - that was me above.

Jane

Jack said...

Looks like you had a great time!?

Love the pics and vids!?

Have a great day!?

Have fun!?

J

Normlr said...

13 years!!! Wow! That's fantastic. Love the pics and vids. Remind me not to have a martini whenever I make it out that way.

I'm not quite awake yet and I mistakenly read "There were beware of Moses signs everywhere." Like he's lurking in the bushes and will jump out at you out of nowhere.

Anonymous said...

I love that you guys took videos of this trip and posted them. I'm canceling my trips from now on and will just travel by proxy through these lovely snippets. One question...aren't you supposed to hold your breath when you enter a tunnel? ;)
kb

My adventures said...

i thought it was just a sign for bad hair products... oh, you mean bullwinkle... my bad... congrats on 13, our 13 is in february... this being the u.s., we're not allowed to marry...ha... cute video at the end...

S said...

You celebrated 13 years of first meeting each other with crabs?

How romantic.

Timmy said...

I cant wait to get home and watch the videos. Damn work!

Patricia said...

awww this made me feel all mushy and stuff. i need a road trip!

GayProf said...

Next time, Boston!

dawn said...

Oh, look at you, making videos. With MUSIC no less. Nothing beats a good video. Burn it on a DVD and watch it years from now, you'll love it.

Your trip seems to have been very peaceful and fun. Happy anniversary you crazy kids.

toobusyliving said...

I developed a weird fascination (fixation) on the tides when I lived in Vancouver.. I loved the last video..very fancy indeed.

Lemuel said...

Thanks for sharing! Your "souvenir" was fantastic - loved the photography and the music - only missed a loving couple shot before the sunset. 13 years! congratulations and best wishes!

Kalv1n said...

Aw, there is such a sweet moment in finding something like that in nature. Congratulations on 13 years!

dirk.mancuso said...

Great little travelogue. And I loved the videos!

Anonymous said...

Well, what a lovely and fun video you did there at the end!! You guys are just so great! Happy 13, great pics, Serge is such a little silly pants cutie, I see why you love him so. Missed you-Devo

Mark in DE said...

I love the music in the 'travel montage' video. Sort of sounds like Astrud Gilberto. Who is it?

Rocky Mountain Rat Girl said...

LOVE the video souvenir... thank you for sharing your trip!