KKSummer2015: Days 29-30 Canada

[Kalon] After lunch with Lyn (Karen is stuck in a rut and ordered lobster rolls again!) we drove to Portland Maine and checked in at the Ferry office that goes from Portland to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. We were early and had to wait around in a car queue for the ferry to arrive.

After driving aboard we went to our room (ferry was scheduled to leave at 8 pm and arrive at 7 am the next morning so we had reserved a small room with two beds and bath).

The accommodation was comfortable and ship was quiet so we slept well except that at 5:30 am they woke everyone through the loudspeaker. They wanted the rooms vacated by 6 so that they could be quickly cleaned for the return voyage. At 7 am we docked and drove off through another queue (Canadian customs). Then we drove to Liscombe on the east coast of Nova Scotia, at first on a thruway and after Halifax on more rural roads.

Have decided that KIA is schizophrenic. While driving to Portland, Maine the day before she had done everything in her power to keep us off the back roads except she refused to allow us to take the toll road north (much the best choice). Then today she barely tolerated our choice of back roads except that in one place she specifically directed us to go left leaving our paved highway for a 1/2 mile long dirt road that she called a shortcut. Probably was 1/2 a mile shorter but still... So what is she: a devotee of interstates, a compulsive short-cutter, an enemy of tolls? Haven't figured her out yet even after a month of trying.

[Karen] I occasionally telephone Lyn but it was wonderful to talk face to face and enjoy her great sense of humor once more. It was unfortunate that we had to cut the visit short as we had reservations on the Portland, ME to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia ferry and we did not know how long that would take to drive. I was happy to see our roomette which could sleep four - note bunks locked up on either side - can't imagine four in that small a space! - had its own private bath and shower, For Kalon and myself it was quite comfortable but hardly roomy.As I could not negotiate the stairs easily we had to use the elevator to go up or down, Kalon had felt the fare on the boat was under par so had not made reservations for dinner but we found the cafeteria choices suited us better anyway than the fancier restaurants on the boat. We could go to a bar lounge area and enjoy the exit from Portland with a glass of white wine and a great view, but once out of the harbor, and having clam chowder and a salad I was quite content to retire to our cozy nest. Beds were narrow but comfortable. The next day it took forever it seemed to exit through customs but after changing our exit lane we finally were interviewed and set free. I was so thankful we did not have to take everything out of the car as it is truly PACKED what with bicycle and all, The first two or three hours were boring as it was just tree after tree for miles - one had to exit the freeway if you needed anything including gas. After going thru Halifax I got Kalon to take more rural roads - we were both going to sleep with only trees and more trees to look at,. I finally encountered some truly rural approaches to accommodating the needs of travelers which I will try to share with you... just let me get my iphone for a sec...