My wife and I take off for Cape Breton tomorrow. We are very excited but also a little anxious; it’s a long, long drive. Not sure if you’ve ever driven out east but Cape Breton is about a 21 hour drive. More like 23 with us, the two kids and my bladder tend to slow us down a bit.
This will be our 7th time heading out that way and each one is adventure. Magellan GPS I am not, I get lost every time we go there. The worst part is, there’s probably about 5 turns from here to that wonderful island. It goes like this….get on the EB 401, turn right in 1676 km, and you’ve reached your destination. Unfortunately I have no sense of direction. I don’t know how it happened but back in ’09 we left Toronto and drove through Calgary to get to Nova Scotia. One of these days I’ll get it right. And don’t even get me started on the snacks, I consume most of them before we get to Scarborough. I’m a glutton when it comes to snacks.
Now, I may not be the greatest behind the wheel but my wife is the best list lady. She is super organized. She has to make lists on a list. Right now we’re down to 8 lists, originally she had 12. My wife condenses lists like Carnation does milk.
Thinking and anticipating this road trip has reminded me of road trips of the past. Remember hitting the highway when we were kids? Not quite as many luxuries as today huh? For example, our caravan has in it a dvd player, 26 movies, computers, toys, bikes, scooters, books, snacks – healthy and otherwise, headphones, pillows, blankets, baby-wipes, soccer balls, colouring books, and most importantly chocolate milk. Remember what we had? A game of eye-spy, and an Archie double digest.
Oh well, it’s all about building memories right? It’s not about what you pack in the car, but rather who’s in it.
I can’t wait, only one more sleep. I’ll be sure to check in on my blog from beautiful Cape Breton or Calgary, it all depends what turn I take.
Love the road trip and love Cape Breton SO much. Have a lobster roll or 40 for me!
My family leaves on Thursday August 1 for Cape Breton as well. It will be our 20 driving trip +/- in 25 years. I could drive that route in my sleep. There will be 5 of us travelling from (near) Philadelphia PA. It too, takes us about 23 hours to get to our destination – midway between Baddeck and Ingonish,,,the bustling metropolis of Indian Brook! (Population 23, though I saw we just lost a dear friend this week so it may be down to 22 now)
My parents still live there and we try to get home every year for a visit.
This time we have our 19 year old son and one of his friends, our 15 year old daughter and my weak bladder. We are leaving the dog who sheds a pound of fur state by state at home this year with friends. Thank you MP & Paul.
We will stop in Bangor ME (9+ hrs from home) then again in Moncton area to view the Fundy tide change. Hope it’s dramatic!
Enjoy your vacation Ryan – hope for great weather..though it’s the Maritimes..if you don’t like the weather – just wait a few minutes. It will change!
We just drove from edmonton to cape breton pulling our travel trailer…anyone know the best route thru montreal and quebec with the least traffic!
We did the same trip by car….not through Calgary though, lol. It was fantastic. Bed and Breakfasts and a stay at relatives in Sydney Mines. Loved Cape Breton, and would drive there again in a heartbeat!
We were the same, Archie, Richie Rich, eye spy, sleeping in the back window, trying to get truck drivers to honk their horns, it was fun, but we were definitely more work. Now my boys load up the Ipad, watch three movies and fall asleep. I listen to the radio (the mighty Q of course) and actually talk to my wife. Strange days indeed.
You need a built in compass and navigation system…lol. Have a nice holiday Ryan and family!