Country Coach Owners Forum

We have signed on for a 28 day trip starting on > August 4th and would love any info from the folks > who have already done it or a similar trip. We are > using Adventure Caravans as they were recommended to > us.

thanks in advance

Jake & Nancy Jacobsen
 06 Inspire #51526

Jake

]
Jake and Nancy:

First if you have not already read the other posts in
this thread by all means go back and read them. It is
only a week or so old and there is a lot of good
information.

If you are doing the 28 day trip that is only half of
the trip. Which half are you taking, specifically are
you going to Newfoundland or not?

In my opinion, if you are not going to Newfoundland
you are missing the best part. Before we went everyone
said "You will love PEI" and that was true. But
Newfoundland was better, period. The topography and
scenery is drop dead gorgeous and if you like nature,
it is a paradise, although Adventure did not highlight
a couple of the best spots. First was Cape Mary's
Ecological Reserve, which is just down the road from
Argentia ferry landing. There is fantastic scenery
along the way, but Cape Mary's is the breeding ground
for thousands of Northern Gannets along with Common
Mures and black legged kittiwakes. A second spot is
Burnt Cape, which is near ST Anthony. Here you need a
guide because unless you know what you are looking for
you will miss it. The spot looks like cold wind swept
limestone barren. But growing on the barren are

hundreds of miniature rare artic plants that survive
the harsh environment only because they are miniature.
Gros Morne which is a three day stop on the tour is a
fantastic spot for hiking and exploring, excellent
scenery particularly Western Brook Pond boat trip and
geological discovery at Tablelands. The long ferry
ride to Newfoundland is a bitch, no two ways about it,
but it is worth it.

But if you can not go to Newfoundland this trip don't
despair. There is still lots to see and do. Lots of
history at Frederickton, Annapolis Royal and

Lousibourg among others. PEI is fun with 80+ shades of
green, white sandy beaches, good bike trails and Anne
of Green Gables. You will have multiple opportunities
to experience the highest tides in the world at the
Bay of Fundy including Burncoat Park, near Noel, NS,
Hopewell Rocks and the reversing falls at ST John (be
sure to go twice, once at low tide and again at high
tide). If you like adventure one of the most fantastic
events is riding the incoming bore tide on the

Schubenacadie river. We did this while we were camped
at the Rainbow Fishing Village (really an undeveloped
campground) near Noel. But it is actually closer to
Turo. The incoming tide overcomes the natural flow of
the river creating waves and turbulence. You get to
run the waves five or six times. Great fun. Halifax,
Peggy's Cove, Bras D'Or Lake, Cabot trail and Cape
Breton were all picturesque and enjoyable. The

travelogue could go on and on, this is just a few of
the highlights at the top of my memory!

I would not worry too much about campgrounds and bumpy
roads. Yes some of the campgrounds are tight and
electricity (or hydro as they call it in Canada) is
suspect in some. Do not expect 50 amps and do not heat
your hot water with electricity and you will do fine.
A few sites were fairly unlevel and I had to assist my
air bag leveling system with blocks a couple of times.
Your wagon master will assign camp sites and ours did
a fine job of allocating sites based on rig size and
type. Yes the roads are rough. If you have adjustable
shocks get them set to the stiffest position.

Otherwise just drive slowly. There are lots of frost
heaves and uneven bridges. I wanted a sign that said
"The rougher YOUR roads are, the SLOWER I go!" But I
wanted the same sign in Maine too!

We found internet to be available most spots, although
often you had to take your computer to the local

library. A portable WiFi detector will come in handy.
Frederickton has city wide WiFi and some of the

campgrounds had WiFi, most of which worked sometimes.

Diesel fuel is readily available although it is priced
by the liter - roughly 1/4 gallon and last summer it
was $4 USD + equivalent. At the truck stops you will
find that most of the pumps are commercial only and
only one or two are open to private owners.

Do not even consider going without your toad. There
are free days and you will need it to explore on your
own. Without it you would have to bum rides with

others. There will be people in class C's that will be
looking for rides too and it was a bit of a problem on
our trip.

If you are on the 28 day trip you will probably just
have your mail held. But you can have it delivered at
several campgrounds that Adventure will designate.
Only thing is you need to allow a week to ten days
extra for it to reach you. Probably not worth it for
the 28 day trip.

For phone, I upgraded my Verizon cell phone to the
North America's Choice Plan which provided free

roaming throughout Canada. But we were in Canada most
of the summer as we did the 48 day trip and then went
on to the Gaspe Penn. Prepaid phone cards are probably
a more economical option especially for a 28 day trip.

And don't miss any opportunity to have lobster and
snow crab!

Have fun!

Bob and Sandy Amory
2002 Allure 30760

--- "John A. Jacobsen"
wrote:

> We have signed on for a 28 day trip starting on
> August 4th and would love any info from the folks
> who have already done it or a similar trip. We are
> using Adventure Caravans as they were recommended to
> us.
>

> thanks in advance
>

> Jake & Nancy Jacobsen
> 06 Inspire #51526
>
>

> Jake

Thanks Bob for the input. You have given us a great
overview of what to expect. We are leaving

California in June, so our plans are to see PEI and
the lower part of Nova Scotia before we join the
caravan in August in North Sidney for departure to
Newfoundland, Labrador and back. 28 days total. We
are interested in finding campgrounds inn lower Nova
Scotia and PEI, and recommendations on sites to see.
Since I will have my touring MC with me I plan to
see some of the back roads and would like to golf as
well.
Jake