Monday, August 26, 2004, 56.1 miles: Bob cooked us pancakes for breakfast, and “instructed” us in how to eat them: “A little plain yogurt first, then fresh fruit bits, and finally, a little maple syrup.” Glenda had her own style and just used butter and syrup. We liked Glenda’s, “Yeah, I’m doing it my way” attitude. However, the pancakes were great and we ate them up to fuel our trip to the ferry.

We said our goodbye to Glenda, and Bob, at 80, led the way out of town. We followed on a very quiet alternate to the route we would have used, but he did bless the route I had laid out to get to the ferry. Bob rode with us for the first 15 miles, and on his very light road bike, often out in front. We said our goodbyes to him and continued on the road parallel to the Trans Canadian Highway (TCH). A bit more climbing on this route, but a pretty quiet road traffic-wise.

We stopped at the McDonald’s in Pictou for some free wi-fi and a couple of soft serves. Having some time to kill before the next ferry left, we rode into “downtown” Pictou and had lunch: Fish Tacos and a couple beers. We then rode on the direct route on the TCH right to the Caribou Ferry which was free going over to PEI.

On the ferry, we had a long conversation with a family from VA who were on a Disney organized trip from Halifax to PEI. That made for the perception of a short trip over the 16 mile crossing of the Northumberland Strait. We got to the Woods Island Ferry and stopped at the visitor’s center and confirmed that the only place close by to stay was the Northumberland Provincial Park a few miles down the road. We went there and got a spot, unloaded our stuff, then we hi-tailed it back to the only store and restaurant that were still open. Dana secured a bottle of wine at the store while I ordered lobster poutine and fish and chips at Treena’s Takeout. We shared that repast (Dana’s first ever poutine!) and then headed back to camp.

The camp, where in her inimitable style, our campsite was too far away from the water so we moved the tent intact to a seaside area that wasn’t really a camping spot, but Dana negotiated with the neighbors and we moved in. A bonus was a covered picnic shed right behind us where we stowed the bikes and gear high and dry. We built a fire with wood we scrounged from abandoned sites and the surrounding woods and settled in to watch the sun set over Nova Scotia.

Goodbye, Bob & Glenda!
Lunch in Pictou, NS
The bikes lashed for the crossing
Dana went high, I stayed low
On the Ferry
Our first view of PEI: the Woods Island Lighthouse
Our only meal option for the evening, Treena’s Takeout
Lobster Poutine, Fish & Chips, and a little wine in paper cups.
Northumberland Provincial Park Campground Sunset
The view from our campsite
and the good night campfire