Motorcycle Journeys Trip Logs

Tag: trip planning

  • Books part 2

    I received Adventure Guide to Canada’s Atlantic Provinces: Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Labrador, Iles de la Madeleine by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers and Stillman Rogers and started reading it.

    I like this book better. It’s 600 pages so it has a lot more detail of each province and includes Iles de la Madeleine. While it’s not in a specific section, the writers also mention their favorite places and things that shouldn’t be missed. As it’s name states it’s a more adventurous, outdoor oriented book that thoroughly covers camping and outdoor activities.

    Each province is broken down into smaller areas with a detailed map for each area and sections for geography and history, getting around, information sources, adventures, cultural and eco-travel, sightseeing, where to stay and eat.

    I would like to take this book on the trip, but it may not make it due to it’s size and weight (9″ x 6″ x 1.5″ 2lb).

    I highlighted as I read and entered the highlighted information in the worksheet. Starting at Montreal and ending a Black Harbour in New Brunswick I have a list of almost 400 places to go, things to see, restaurants to try, and recommended campgrounds and lodging.

    I sent the list off to Jean-Francois relieve that I was able to get it done before going out of town for 3 weeks.

  • Books

    I purchased Frommer’s Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island by Paul Karr since it was the best available at my local book store.

    I researched on the internet and ordered Adventure Guide to Canada’s Atlantic Provinces: Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Labrador, Iles de la Madeleine by Barbara Rogers.

    I spent the weekend reading the Frommer’s book. This book is a little over 300 pages. The first section is a “Best of” list for active vacations, observing nature, scenic drives, hikes, family activities, history, picturesque villages, inns, bed & breakfasts, and local dining. The chapter on Nova Scotia is extensive, with smaller chapters on the other provinces.

    I highlighted what interested me and then entered all the highlighted information into a worksheet by province. The goal is to get an organized list of places by area so I can consult the list as we go through the trip to see what’s coming up in the area we’re headed to.

  • Planning – first run

    The map is enormous because it’s all on one side, but despite it’s size it doesn’t include Newfoundland so I still need to get a map of that province.

    Gilbert and I talked at length today. He pointed out Highway 138 which is called “Highway of the Whales” that leads to Tadoussac a prime whale watching area. Highway 138 continues to Baie Comeau. Just past Baie Comeau there is a point with a wonderful lighthouse. If I stay on 138 it will lead to Sept Iles and Havre Saint Pierre. The pavement ends at Natashquan.

    There is a ferry that crosses the St. Lawrence at Baie Comeau and takes passengers to Matane. From Matane there are several routes to get to Sydney, Nova Scotia to get the ferry to Newfoundland.

    Sydney has two ferries to NF. One goes to Port au Basques in 5-8 hours and the other goes to Argentia which is a 14-15 hour overnight boat ride. Both are busy and reservations should be made in advance.

    Gilbert told me the winds can be very bad on the east cost of Newfoundland and taking the eastern most road may not be possible. Fog is also an issue. If I can get there, Gros Morne National Park is wonderful.

    I have enough information to start checking routes in MapSource.

  • Recommended Map

    I spoke to Gilbert today and I found out he’s been to Newfoundland several times. He has many suggestions for routes and places to see, but it didn’t mean a lot to me without a map. Since I hadn’t gotten any info from the tourism offices he recommended the Michelin regional map 583 for the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada.

    It was available in local book stores, but one offered to order it and it should arrive in four days.

  • Ride the Rock

    Gilbert sent me a link to Ride the Rock forum of people who ride Newfoundland.

    http://www.ridetherock.com/forums/cmps_index.php

    I had just purchased the Lighthouse Encyclopedia so was happy to see the members of the forum were having a Lighthouse Trophy Photo Contest. They provided links to lists of lighthouses and many photos of lighthouses on the island. One of the members posted a POI (point of interests) file that can be imported into MapSource.

    I went to my personal web site and officially added the Quebec/Newfoundland trip to the planning board. I’m going.