Archive for » November, 2009 «

Day 39 – Rain, A Big Bridge and My First Mulligan

30 Nov 2009 | By Wayne

So I left Moncton this morning, it was raining. I made my way towards the Confederation Bridge, it was raining. I crossed the bridge into P.E.I, still raining. I decided to chalk it up to the fact that I’m traveling in winter, head to Charlottetown and see if I can get some editing done.

I found a Starbucks here in Charlottetown where yes its still raining. I excitedly open up my shots of the Hopewell Rocks yesterday to see what I got and am somewhat disappointed. The gray cloudy weather just didn’t work with me and when the skies did clear it was simply too late. The sun set on the other side of the rise, my rocks left in the shade. I did get a few dusk/moonlight shots that turned out okay but I’d like to call a Mulligan and go back on my way home next year and perhaps get lucky with a clear day and some decent light. The colors of the rocks need some light, gray skies just don’t bring out the reds of the earth and the greens of the algae stains.

Oh well. I was definitely due for a trying day in regards to weather as I’ve been blessed with pretty good days so far on this trip. Just bad timing, perhaps next time. I’ll see what I can salvage from the day’s shots later when I’m in the mood and have more time. For now, I’ve posted a few of the night ones that I’m happy with.

P.E.I so far has been nice despite the rain. I saw a few things today and took a few shots, we’ll see how they turn out perhaps tomorrow.

I noticed another Walmart nightlight here in Charlottetown so I know where I’ll end up later.

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Day 38 – Hopewell Rocks and Moonlight

29 Nov 2009 | By Wayne

Well, I got there and they were worth every mile. The Hopewell Rocks were even better that I expected. When I was researching them I saw similar photos and was under the impression that perhaps there were only a few “flower pots”. I was pleasantly mistaken.The rock formations span a good section of the beach.

I got there at low tide and proceeded to wander. My only complaint was that even though the rain held off I didn’t get much for great light. As the sun started going down on the other side of the hill that’s when the clear skies came. Although I didn’t get the best light I still think I got some great shots. Even got a few moonlight ones as the moon is at three quarters and rose up just after the sun went down. I would have stayed even longer but the tide was coming in, I’d exhausted both my camera batteries and my flash cards were full. I made my way back to the truck, with a slight moment of being lost. There was a couple that lived close by going for their daily walk. After a pleasant chat they directed me to the gate.

The whole place is a massive tourist attraction, all of it closed for the season. They don’t make it easy to get to the beach or the rocks, making you walk through their massive parking lot and then once you’ve hiked the path down to beach they’ve raised the final steps up but I found a ladder. There are warnings about the tides and the slippery rocks, like most of my trip so far, I wandered at my own risk. I was a little nervous about the tide but was informed by another local during the day that once it starts coming back in you have hours.

After an awesome day I drove the final 35 kilometers to Moncton where I spotted a YMCA. Thanks to them I had a good hot shower and am ready for another few days in the truck, motel room free.

Hopewell Rocks at Dusk

Hopewell Rocks at Dusk

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Day 37 – Bay of Fundy, Rain, and a Covered Bridge.

28 Nov 2009 | By Wayne

I woke up to rain as expected. I got bored instantly and started driving along the route I need to take to get to the Hopewell Rocks. Off and on I was on the shore of the Bay of Fundy as I made my way East. I found some cool rainy day shots of a old wooden covered bridge circa 1927, a fishing boat docked to a rickety old wharf at low tide, the red ocean caves outside of St. Martin ending up in Sussex for the night.

Tomorrow I make the rest of the drive to the Hopewell rocks. I’m not sure what to expect as everything I’ve read about them states that they’re closed for the season. How does one close a shoreline beach? If anything I’ll find a way down and walk along the beach to them. I have a tide schedule and know that low tide is around 3pm so dammit I’m gonna be there. I also know that the weather is “supposed” to be better with sun and clouds. Keeping my fingers crossed on both counts.

It’s funny, as I drive through the little towns and hamlets I see everyone getting ready for Christmas. Right now for me it’s the last thing on my mind and I sometimes feel like an alien watching another planet from a distance. It’s a slight bit lonely but also a bit refreshing. The ability to flee any form of shopping mayhem or avoid certain areas while their open for business is in itself quite liberating. As people join the line into the mall parking lot I’m leaving to go find the next quiet beach where I watch the waves come crashing in with the tide. Life is good.

Of course, this will change a bit when I arrive at my sister’s place in a couple of weeks. By then I’ll need a break and will cherish the comfort and company of family. I’m looking forward to that.

So for tonight I’ve met up with my Walmart night light and will most likely dial up a movie on the laptop, have a snack and get some sleep. Until tomorrow.
W

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Day 36 – Saint John, Rain, Coffee and Editing.

27 Nov 2009 | By Wayne

After sleeping in (got every dime out of my cheap room), I made my way downtown St. John, New Brunswick for a walk and some exploring. It was just drizzling a bit when I started but that soon turned to rain, of course as soon as I decide it’s too wet and take my camera back to the truck it then stopped. I took a few more shots before it started up again, then I called the game.

I started to drive a bit and saw a coffee place that might have Wi-Fi. I was correct in my assumption and soon found myself sitting comfortably in Java Moose, editing my photos on my laptop. Since they are located downtown which apparently rolls up at 6pm they closed at five. So I was out again, in the rain.

I’ve found a spot to borrow wireless from and have uploaded a bunch of new photos from Day 7 of my trip. The yard of cars I found in Kyle Saskatchewan. I got through one card’s worth, and still have another to go through. Another day.

Anyway, I’m still in St. John, hanging around to see what the weather holds for tomorrow, may find myself back at Java Moose for a bit tomorrow. Who knows.

All is good, just slowing down a bit for some reason, kind of feels good to idle even slower.

Bedspring Kiss

Bedspring Kiss

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Day 35 – Some Driving, Some Shots, Some…Laundry.

26 Nov 2009 | By Wayne

Yeah, even the exciting and carefree life on the road has to be put on hold once in awhile for the essentials. After a morning gathering some cool shots of “junk” I found while driving I finally found a laundromat while in Fredericton.

I have to say, although it seems like a quaint town with some funky stores I’m a little miffed at the lack of directional signs for those of us still operating without a GPS. I found it frustrating as hell trying to figure out which way was what. I came in on a secondary road and that simply left me screwed from the get-go. Oh well. Perhaps it was just me but I had the same trouble getting out which I was anxious to do after the day I had trying to find my way around.

I’m now in a cheap room in St. John. Three days and nights without a shower take it’s toll and since tomorrow is the weekend and rates will inevitably go up I figured a room tonight would be the best bet. Beside, under $50 isn’t too bad of a pill to swallow. Clean driver, clean clothes, life is good.

Tomorrow I’ll be exploring St.John in what looks to be a rainy day. Oh well, we do after all, live in Canada.

International Crush - An old truck found in the trees

International Crush - An old truck found in the trees


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Day 34 – Fog, Wind, Lighthouses and Lobster Traps

25 Nov 2009 | By Wayne

Awaking to a drizzly, foggy day I ventured along the New Brunswick shores of the St. Lawrence some more today. Miscou Island and the Miscou lighthouse. Shippagan, Pigeon Hill and a few old shacks and houses in between.

After shooting the lighthouse on the point of Miscou Island I traveled back down, finding an old shack. As I explored it I found one section was full of lobster traps, door open. So I took a few shots of them all stacked up, the cloudy sky peaking through the open and neglected roof.

Despite the glum weather I think I got some interesting shots. After dark I started looking for a laundromat as it’s getting to be that time again. No luck yet and I’ve ended up back in Miramishi again for the night. Will be heading South when I leave here tomorrow, not North into the bush like last time.

Lighthouse at the tip of Miscou Island, New Brunswick

Lighthouse at the tip of Miscou Island, New Brunswick


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Day 33 – Absolutely No Stress Involved.

24 Nov 2009 | By Wayne

I got up today, drove to a junction, flipped a coin, headed North. I drove and drove, not really seeing very much. Noticed after awhile that there wasn’t much for houses, farms or,…well anything but trees. Decided to look at my map.

I’d gone North West into a rural mining and forestry area and soon found myself on a gravel road. Followed that in to Bathurst and hit Tim Horton’s for a “double double’.

I made my way back South along the shore of this side of the St. Lawrence. Found a few shots and an old barn for some more. Rolled into Caraquet at dusk and here I am, outside of the library working on some photos and posting.

I had an absolutely carefree day but was happy that I got a few shots as well.

The White House

The White House

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Day 32 – New Brunswick, Cops and Sunsets

23 Nov 2009 | By Wayne

I started out from Paspebiac Quebec this morning. A little late too I might add, just needed some extra sleep. It didn’t seem to matter much as I didn’t see anything for the first few hours as far as photos I wanted to shoot, let alone ones that would be better in the morning light. I followed along the shoreline of the St. Lawrence until I crossed over into Campbellton, New Brunswick.

Literally within minutes I saw a RCMP car, then soon another. Then I noticed how well people were driving, calm, courteous, mellow. In all my time in Quebec I saw a total of two police cars. This I’m thinking explains the fact that half of the Quebec drivers drive like raging idiots. I thought Ontarians tailgated, well in Quebec, if you’re not doing 30 kilometers over the limit expect a Frenchman up your ass (sorry grandma). In total I saw nine cops in my first half day here and was tailgated once… by a car with Quebec plates.

I drove through Dalhousie, gassing up at an Esso and met Danny and Donna, both were very cool and Danny let me leave some cards by the counter. Danny if you’re reading this, Thanks a million and for the chat as well.

I drove along the shoreline of the St. Lawrence again for awhile, getting some shots in around Benjamin River, Black Point and then a very awesome yet bizarre sunset. I wasn’t facing the sun but as it went down it cast this light pink/baby blue hue to the river. At one point you couldn’t even see a horizon line where the sky met the water as it was all one.

The pinkest sunset I've ever seen

The pinkest sunset I've ever seen

Where to next? That’s a good question. As I spend the night in Miramichi I’ll be looking at my map tonight …or flipping a coin tomorrow.

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