Day One to Alberta

My original plan was to start our journey bright and early in the morning. So my whole trip was completely mapped out with that in mind.  By the time we had cleaned the apartment, returned the keys, returned the cable tv equipment and had some lunch, it was 2pm.  Oops!  There was no more delaying, it was time to get started!

Into the car we get - oops, better fill with gas first, or we won't be going very far!  NOW it was time to head away!

The first part of the journey was driving to Edmunston, New Brunswick.  0 - 612km.

The drive was rather pleasant, very little traffic, and good roads most of the way.

Goodbye Nova Scotia!

Hello New Brunswick!

We had some spectacular views along the way.

It was Emily who first noticed something odd about the exit signs - they were shaped to fit the numbers, rather than the standard size we were used to in Nova Scotia.

The other thing we noticed - a TON of warning signs....

....and I guess they work, because they kept the moose away  :)  I didn't see a single one - although Caitlin said she did see one in some trees.

Train tracks in the middle of the highway - thank god there were no trains coming!

And what's a road trip without a funny story.....

So I was cruising along, and we came across some roadworks.  The usual orange cones directing traffic into one lane. So I'm driving down the open lane, and have the orange cones continuing along beside me. And then there was an on-ramp to merge in - so it was here that there was a bit of a mess of cones and it was hard to work out what was going on.  There was no one else around - no workers, just the cones, and at this point, I was the only car.  I went around a bend, still continuing in the lane that was "open", and then a car went passed me in the OTHER lane.  Just up ahead, I could see another car in that lane too.  So now I'm really confused.  The cones originally were very clear that the right hand lane was closed off, but had it changed?  So now I have no idea if I'm in the open lane or the closed lane.  Still no one else around, but now we have cars in both lanes. God knows how they got into that other lane?  And then, just when I didn't know whether to panic or laugh, the cones just stopped as if they were never there..... What the heck was all *that* about?  Oh well, it gave us all a good laugh!


Now, it was suggested that I stop for the night in Edmunston, NB, as this was the last english speaking town before we get to Quebec.  Boy, were we in for a very big surprise!!  Yes, the town is bilingual, but it is predominantely French. Everyone greeted us in French first, then quickly switched when faced with the blank looks.

Once we settled into our room, it was off to find a place for dinner.  We decided to try out Boston Pizza - lovely place, excellent service. They quickly changed our French menus for English ones, which was very handy.  However, the dessert menu on the table was in French. Who needs dessert anyway  :)

Back to the hotel, a few quick emails to family so they knew we were still alive, and then it was straight to sleep for our long day of driving ahead!