We did it! Three weeks shy a day in a tent trailer, on the road. Lots of adventure, and not enough pictures. I'll share a few highlights with pictures...unfortunately we don't have pictures for some of the best parts (I guess we were too busy having fun??) I really think there a hundred things we did that aren't in here...oh well. We'll save those for when we see you!
On the way out, we stopped night two just outside of Montreal for two nights. Drew attended an all-day concert & Cadence & I hung out. This campground in particular merited its own anthropological study--I would hardly call it any name related to camping...RVs parked year-round with perfectly manicured lawns, driveways, everyone drives around in golf carts with their wee dogs...interesting. But we had fun regardless...in part, because they had a pool and a playground. And of course our neighbours on the second night had guitars & invited us to sing by the fire. I must say, though, that travelling through Quebec and New Brunswick were hard for Cadence who really wanted to make friends, but most of the kids only spoke French. We'll save a more thoroughly Quebec trip for when he's had a little more practice speaking French in school, I think.
Hammering in the pegs in Montreal
Swimming with daddy at the pool (Cadence has begun role playing being a "big kid" and calls us "mom" and "dad" but when speaking as himself still uses the words "mommy" and "daddy." I sense we might be nearing a transition, though.)
Goofing off around the campfire after a long day together in Montreal
Our campground outside of Riviere du Loup had a great playground, plus mini play structures near almost all the campsites!
Drew cooking up burgers on the grill :)
Snuggling one morning just outside of Riviere du Loup.
We made a three-day stop at friends Miia, Chris, and Dylan in Halifax on our way out. It was great to see each other, and for Cadence to have a friend/little brother for a few days. Plus of course Cadence was more than excited to have toys to play with! (I gravely underestimated the need to bring toys along on the trip. Dylan was good enough to give, possibly unawares, a yellow dumptruck to Cadence when we left. Note the overwhelming presence of the dumptruck in all future images. Seriously, it saved us.)
We went biking,
to the beach,
and played in the rain. We also went to the kids science centre, MEC, and soaked up some good urban energy e.g. coffee & cheap pizza. We also ran into friends from New Liskeard, who recommended a destination for a later part of the trip (details to follow)
Of course, we were on our way to a family reunion. The trip out, the time there, and the trip back were each an adventure.
Upon arrival at family reunion headquarters
Our first morning in Advocate, we got to go to the Market just outside the campground. Of course, the new dumptruck came along.
Hanging out while the tide's out (the lobster boats are just out of the frame)
Day 2 of the reunion included a big cook-out at the beach. Cadence quickly became the official marshmallow-deliverer. We must have roasted 20 marshmallows...all eaten directly from the stick by 20 different people. At least we were all family.
Walking with cousin Susan to check out the fort built by cousins Hallie & Emillie
Watching fireworks later that night
Dinner on evening 3 of the reunion, at a fabulous restaurant: Wylde Caraway. I'd say it's worth the trip to Advocate just to eat there! I think Cadence was pretending he wasn't there.
The gang at Cape D'or
Packing up in the pouring rain last morning in Advocate.
The setup at Kouchibougouac National Park in New Brunswick, where we stayed 3 days and experienced the only true thunder & lightning storm that scared the bejezus out of me in the middle of the night. We rented bikes, swam with jellyfish, explored sand dunes, and a bog.
At the bog. Definite highlight, especially after we broke down and applied the DEET.
Carnivorous plant!
On our way to catch the ferry, in the rain, but someone just couldn't bear to leave the sandbox, which had provided good friends for the yellow dumptruck.
Exploring the beach at Riviere du loup while waiting for the ferry to the north shore
Looking for whales
A campground (another anthropological wonder) outside Quebec city had free rollerskating in the community hall, which of course we had to take advantage of. It was like a trip into the 70s (as I guess they might have been), with disco lights and loud dance music. And absolutely no protection (helmets, knee pads) at all. Good times.
This could have been taken anywhere--it was the same ending to every single day.
Attempt at a family pic for Christmas cards this year. A good idea sabotaged by an overdose of marshmallows.
