Day 3: Edmundston, NB - Moncton, NB

Destination: Moncton, NB
KM Driven: 499.7
Location: Colonial Inn

Today was a lazy day for me. How can I be lazy on such a trip as this? I just was. I got up pretty early for how tired I was. I woke up just about the time my work alarm would have woken me. My body doesn't know I'm on vacation yet. I did some travel research, took a shower, took my time, and made it out of the room just in time for 11am check out. I took an uneventful drive through of Edmundston so I could feel like I did at least a little bit more than stay the night. I got lost, but at one point the buildings cleared and I saw the Shoppers from just off the hwy and I was found again. Hit the road, first destination Nackawic, NB.

I staved off stopping for anything because I thought I would visit the giant axe in Nackawic, and then stop somewhere nice for a bite to eat. Well, it turns out that the only thing Nackawic has is a "new" plaza with two banks and a grocery store, and a giant steel axe. I met two fellow travellers from Oakville as I offered to take a picture of both of them. Nice older couple travelling to visit their daughter in Halifax. And then they're off to NL which I'm totally jealous of. I commented that I wanted to go but it was too far, to which they replied they're flying. Smart. I only noticed afterwards that my camera had a giant mark on the front of the lens so a set of those pictures are ruined. Sigh. Then it was back on the road.

I pulled up to Fredericton a short bit later. I wanted to find a Tims to stop to use the washroom. They apparently only have one Tims, and you have to be approaching from the South or you can't get in. I guess for downtown real estate they're lucky to have a parking lot at all. I found a nice parking spot and took a walk through their downtown area. I sat outside city hall for a bit and drank my coffee and read some more. Then I stopped into a few bookstores and picked up some books to add to my read pile, which is grossly large and I need to either start reading more or stop buying books. I noticed as I was getting ready to leave that the Harvest Jazz Festival is happening in F-town for the next few days. I had an "I'm a guy like me" moment as I read that it was from Sept 14-18. "Hey, today is one of those days." I checked out the schedule but I didn't recognize many of the names. Plus it's like a NXNE because it happens at venues across the city. Plus some of the shows were like $50. The only show I would have considered was Big Sugar, but they weren't even tonight. I had already decided that if I didn't love the city I would boot it over to Moncton so I could be nice and close to Hopewell Rocks for tomorrow. Moncton is a really cute place. From what I've seen they have a really super clean and attractive downtown core. And I found an Inn downtown that's only $80 a night, but just a few blocks away from the main strip. I finally get my real meal and I can drink undrivable amounts if I so choose.

In my preparations for travel I saw that there was a Potato Museum on route. Yes, a Potato Museum. Everything you ever needed or wanted to know about potatoes, from the ground to your plate. I knew it was coming, but still as I passed the sign on the highway I emitted a laugh I have never even heard from myself before. It must have been a laugh of the dying because if I had laughed any harder my lungs might have seized. I thought it would have been funny to go just for kicks, even though in the magazine most of the attendants were children. But after that experience I know it would have been shameful, and I would have been asked to leave before I ruined it for everyone else. Not to remain untopped, I did come across a gem in Fredericton. Government of Canada - Potato Research Centre. And in case you don't believe me google "potato research centre", it will be the first hit.

I just got back from my first dinner out at the Moncton Alehouse Pub. I took a stroll down Main St. to an area I had already done a driveby on. I sat and ate and read my book while a bunch of buffoons sang karaoke. I thought about going up myself. Being alone in a city I will less than likely ever visit again, why not. But the thought was only fleating, as I soon returned to my chicken fingers and reading. I didn't fail to notice that the first song up was New Orleans is Sinking. I thought for a moment that perhaps love for the Tragically Hip was alive and well in New Brunswick, but then I realized it was just the DJ singing and was less enthused. But still impressed.

I'm getting pretty pumped for PEI and NS. I have a few things planned for tomorrow so I best get some rest. I should get an early start if I want to accomplish everything. I must admit as I was leaving Edmundston I let out a shout of glee. With no one to hear it but myself (and the hitch hiker I picked up....kidding, sort of, no I really am kidding), I just couldn't help myself. This trip means a lot to me, and I'm glad I'm taking it. And that I had the nerve to take it alone.

Time warp - I just planned out tomorrow. Much to do. And I found out my sensor has friggin gosh darn dust on it. I do not want to have to deal with this right now. Really, really, really don't want to have to deal with this. ACK.