Our last night in Maine was spent just outside the town of Machias with a family that does not live life in the traditional sense. The children are home schooled, mom and dad often travel at different times throughout the year because Paul is a writer and Regina certifies organic farms, Paul and his son Asher (at the time 8 years old) hiked the entire Appalachian trail over a 7 month period, they have goats and chickens, an enormous garden, and left the United States to live in Mexico during the Bush years. I could go on for quite awhile. We spent the evening munching on snap peas freshly picked from the garden and popcorn made by Oona (12 year old daughter) while sharing stories of travel and experiences. What a way to end our riding in the states.
We crossed into Canada through the town of Lubec, riding over the bridge and smoothly checking in with border agent before exploring Campobello Island. This island is shared land between The United States and Canada, once owned and now donated by the Roosevelts. Totaling 9 by 3 miles, we easily and thoroughly enjoyed the beautifully kept land, cooking dinner by the water as the sun set before stashing our tent in the mossy woods.
The next day, we hopped a ferry (only $3 per person including bike) to Deer Island that was much less inhabited than we expected. The quiet roads were a nice change from highway 1 we had been following through Maine. The roads were a constant up and down, but the scenery made it worthwhile. The water surrounding this part of New Brunswick is a deep blue that is surrounded by forests. The occasional harbor, stack of lobster pots and smell of sweet salt water put constant grins on our faces as we rode on this almost perfect day. We caught another ferry to the mainland where we joined more cars but were fortunately still able to enjoy the beauty. Even riding on the four lane highway, we would find ourselves saying, "Wow....look at that lake." It is truly breath-taking with so much un-inhabited land.
Around 6:30pm, we stopped at the information center that sits a few miles before Saint John, a city of 100,000. A bathroom break and water fill-up, we were of course engrossed in conversations with the Fred who runs the center and Dave who cleans it at night. Along our travels, we have heard the locals of New Brunswick are extremely kind. We learned this right off the bat. Before long we were swapping stories and pitching our tent out back. Fred will be here early tomorrow so we use the facilities before he opens the doors and Dave drove out to McDonald's to buy us dinner. Unbelievable kindness and I shake my head and smile as I feel so fortunate to be a recipient of altruistic generosity.
We crossed into Canada through the town of Lubec, riding over the bridge and smoothly checking in with border agent before exploring Campobello Island. This island is shared land between The United States and Canada, once owned and now donated by the Roosevelts. Totaling 9 by 3 miles, we easily and thoroughly enjoyed the beautifully kept land, cooking dinner by the water as the sun set before stashing our tent in the mossy woods.
The next day, we hopped a ferry (only $3 per person including bike) to Deer Island that was much less inhabited than we expected. The quiet roads were a nice change from highway 1 we had been following through Maine. The roads were a constant up and down, but the scenery made it worthwhile. The water surrounding this part of New Brunswick is a deep blue that is surrounded by forests. The occasional harbor, stack of lobster pots and smell of sweet salt water put constant grins on our faces as we rode on this almost perfect day. We caught another ferry to the mainland where we joined more cars but were fortunately still able to enjoy the beauty. Even riding on the four lane highway, we would find ourselves saying, "Wow....look at that lake." It is truly breath-taking with so much un-inhabited land.
Around 6:30pm, we stopped at the information center that sits a few miles before Saint John, a city of 100,000. A bathroom break and water fill-up, we were of course engrossed in conversations with the Fred who runs the center and Dave who cleans it at night. Along our travels, we have heard the locals of New Brunswick are extremely kind. We learned this right off the bat. Before long we were swapping stories and pitching our tent out back. Fred will be here early tomorrow so we use the facilities before he opens the doors and Dave drove out to McDonald's to buy us dinner. Unbelievable kindness and I shake my head and smile as I feel so fortunate to be a recipient of altruistic generosity.
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