Conference kaosws::canada

    
    
    I am "misplaced" Canadian.  If you are driving up, take the Trans
    Canada highway.  You can either cross the border at Calis or near
    Fredricton.  Either one you can pick up the Trans Canada.
    
    Prince Edward Island is beautiful.  You should spend 1/2 day at
    Cavindish Provincal Park.  Right on the Ocean and the water is the
    warmest this side of Florida (hard to believe, but its true!)
    Beautiful swimming.  If you can't get into Cavendish to camp try
    Marco Polo campground, in the same general area, (Big Red Buildings)
    They have horseback riding, hiking, resturants, rec. rooms, etc.
    
    Nova Scotia, I have not been to Cape Bretton Isle, but my husband
    has and loved it. 
    
    PS. If you're going to drive, its a lot of driving to do in 1 week
    and you shouldn't try to see both in that short of time.
    
    
    Enjoy Canada
    
    Sandy

    Re information, if you are near Boston you can call or visit the
    Canadian Consulate (Embassy?) and they can provide you with a great
    deal of information; ask for Tourist information.
    
    Re driving, get out your map and follow the approximate routes of
    I95 up into Maine and cut off through Bangor and across route 6
    (I think); problem is I have done this about 20-30 times and don't
    have a map in front of me. Anyway this cross country route will
    take you to Calais, Maine; cross there and pickup route 1 which
    will take you across the southern part of New Brunswick, this is
    a much improved road and a very picturesque drive along the St.
    John River Valley, it will join up with the Trans-Canada somewhere
    around Sussex, New Brunswick and on through Moncton. Before you
    get to the Nova Scotia border, you will see signs for the PEI 
    ferry.
    
    RE lobster, anywhere in PEI you should have your fill, watch for
    Church dinners in lots of small towns. I agree with a must stop
    at Cavendish Beach, it is very nice.
    
    Re Cape Breton, it is very rural, I would recommend a visit to 
    Baddeck and the Alexander Graham Museum, he spent his Summers
    there. Baddeck is on the CABOT TRAIL, which is a  must; if you are 
    daring, tour the CABOT TRAIL in a counter-clockwise direction, it
    is really breath-taking and will take the best part of a day but
    well worth it.
    
    Re camping, I haven't camped there in years but the Cabot Trail
    has several very nice spots. If you are West of Boston, you can
    make it into New Brunswick in one day so count on camping in 
    the Sussex/Moncton area the first night and then on to PEI or
    Cape Breton.
    
    Depending on how much time you have before you travel, if you
    send me a note on POLAR::MacDonald I can bring in a map and we
    can discuss details on the phone. As you may have already guessed,
    Nova Scotia is my roots: we lived in Ma. for 17 years.
    
    Have fun!

    
    Is the weather going to be about the same as this area?  I heard
    that it gets foggy along the coast, so it must cool down a bit,
    but in *general*, how warm will it be?
    
    Also, do you think I should make reservations for the campgrounds?
    I hate to have to go according to a schedule - which is necessary
    with advance reservations; but if this is the high season, I don't
    want to be left without a place to stay.  
    
    And how crowded is the high season there?  I can't picture BIG crowds,
    and wouldn't that spoil the view?
    
    As far as campgrounds; I read that there are state and private ones
    - does anyone have a general comparison?  What should we plan on
    spending for a night?  
    
    Also - can anyone recommend a good travel book for this area?  As
    far as I can find, there is no "Lets Go", "Frommers" or "Fordors"
    specific to NS & PEI.  The Canada ones that I have looked at are
    fairly general and mostly talk about the restaurants and accomadations.
    
    I read about the fort at Louisburg - is that any good?
    
    Thanks for your help.
    
    Jodi (and Alan - no kids)

    Fortress Louisburg is worthy of visit; it is a restored French 
    town and King's Bastion, rebuilt from the ground up and contiues
    to be rebuild. It has been, and is still being, worked on in exact
    detail of the original; it is about 1-1/2 - 2 hours from the Baddeck
    area of the Cabot Trail.

    
    "This area" is Harvard Mass.- about 1 hour west of Boston, at the
    intersectin of Routes 2 and 495 - very close to maynard (which should
    sound familiar :) )   I have called the tourist centers for both PEI
    and NS and they are sending out what they had.  I started really
    looking around for a good book after they told me that the info may or
    may not arrive before I leave.  Remember - it's only 2 weeks away.
    I *HATE* it when I travel somewhere without doing some looking into
    things beforehand.  I always seem to miss the neatest things that
    way.  I figure that if we are armed with a bit of knowledge/advise,
    we can maybe beat the regular tourists - or avoid them all-together!
    (Wishfull thinking - I know)  
    
    However it goes, I am very excited about the trip and am SURE that
    we will love it up there.  (Esp. the seafood!!  Is it true that
    Digby is the scallop capital of the world?)  YUMMY 
    
    Jodi 

    Re .2, the Canadian Consulate I referred to is in Boston; I used
    it frequently and had mail delivery within 2-3 days, they used to
    use a courier service. Expecting mail from Canada across the U.S.
    Border can take from 10 days, to two months, to never; trust me,
    I was a Canadian living in Harvard for 17 years.
    
    The Mosquitos will be much, much, much less in PEI/NS than they
    are in Harvard, (pronunced Hah'vad by New Englanders)

    
    re -.1
    
    I called the Canadian Consulate in Boston (617-262-3760) and they
    are sending out info UPS.  The girl on the phone was in quite a
    hurry so I didn't press her as to what she was sending, and just
    all for ALL she had.  Hopefully it will be of the helpfull sort.
    Thanks for the lead on the consulate - I'll let you know what kind
    of goodies they send out.
    
    Jodi

    
    I admit, I'm a little jealous! I would be very happy to be in the
    Maritimes right now. As a former resident of both PEI and Nova
    Scotia I have a hard time trying to compare them and recommending
    one over the other. They're so different except for the feeling
    of calm that comes over you after you've arrived. If I only had
    one week I would not force myself to go to both provinces unless you
    like to cover alot of territory and don't mind spending much time in 
    the car. When I camp on "the island" I find the Provincial Parks
    very nice and in excellent spots. One of my favourites is Panmure
    Island, near Montague. There's a long sandy beach (about 1 mile)
    and you might be the only one on it. 
    If you get to Nova Scotia I think you'll enjoy several regions: Cape
    Breton and the Bra D'Or lakes, the Eastern Shore from Canso to Halifax
    (favourite beach-Martinique Beach near Musquodobit Harbour) and
    the South Shore from Halifax to Yarmouth (favourite beach-Somerville
    Beach near Liverpool). Halifax is also worth a several day visit
    in my opinion. Enjoy your vacation and let us know how it went!
    Try to spend some time on a boat other than the ferry; the sailing's
    great.
    
    Rob
                                            

    
    
    re: .2
    
    The route out of Bangor to Calis is RTE 9 - AKA "the Airline" NOT
    Rte 6.  It is a pretty drive, quite windy by a good road.
    
    

    If your decision is to spend some time in PEI, take in the annual
    play "Anne of Green Gables" in Charlottetown.

    
    Hi,
    
    I got a great little package from the Canadian Consulate.  I guess the
    most valuble things were the Nova Scotia '89 Book and the P.E.I '89
    book,  but they also included some good maps.
    
    I think we have pretty much decided to drive up to St. Jons and take
    the ferry over to Digby. Alans' grandmother lives there (and they have
    something called "Digby Scallop Days" which sounds particulary
    inviting). We saw that there is good fishing on Marine (sp?) drive - up
    past Halifax, and so will probably travel that way up to Cape Breton.   
    
    How long should we figure on staying on Cape Breton?  How about on
    P.E.I.?  --- keeping in mind that we have 2 weeks (minus a couple of
    travel days).  I am really into beaches (preferably deserted) and
    nature things, so unless someone tells me that Halifax is REALLY NEAT,
    we will probably not spend too much time on that.  
    
    It is so hard to pick and choose how to distribute the days at this
    stage of the game....
    
    Please tell me your favorite camping areas.... the books are very
    generic and I would hate to stay in an OK one when there is a fantastic
    one just down the road!
    
    Keep the advise and opinions coming --- this is by far the best source
    of information I have found yet!
    
    Jodi

    
    Hi,
    
    A couple of quick ones before I go....
    
    How much does a gallon of unleaded gas cost up there?  
    
    Has anyone done one of the 'farm vacations?'  If so, please let me know
    if you enjoyed it and what it was like.  
    
    thanks so much
    
    Jodi

< Note 211.14 by DECEAT::DRISKELL "I wanna go back ... to the islands" >
    
    <<How much does a gallon of unleaded gas cost up there?  

About US$1.68 per US gallon, or CA$0.52 per litre.
    
    <<Has anyone done one of the 'farm vacations?'  

Can't help you with that, but I do have a book on Bed and Breakfasts in 
Canada.  If you're interested, I'll bring it in and send you the relevant
material via this NOTESfile.

Pat

    Did a Bed and Breakfast on a Farm in PEI years ago, totally enjoyed
    it. It is away from the crowd and crowded, is quiet and is usually
    less expensive; PEI is small enough to be able to travel just about
    anywhere from a central Farm location.
    
    Bernie

    re:<<< Note 211.15 by KAOM25::RUSHTON "Render the day oblivious." >>>
    

    Thanks for the $$ and for the offer on farm info.  I have a list sent
    by the tourist center but it only gives location and phone number. 
    We leave this weekend - guess we'll ask around when we get there and
    see what's what.  
    
    

I just returned from Nova Scotia. My first time there, and it was great.
If you go camping, stay at Provincial campgrounds. They are quite nice.
Private campgrounds probably vary, but all the ones I saw were awful.
Basically just open fields, of which you got a piece. Same seems true
in the U.S.  We also drove to St. John and took the ferry to Digby.
Be sure to make a ferry reservation.  Campgrounds are $8.50 per night.
Get there early on Saturday nights. We tried Blomidon on Saturday and
it was full. Sunday through Thursday is no problem though.

Gas is generally $.53 per liter, which translates to about $2.12 per
gallon, which is about $1.74 U.S. dollars. It's hard getting used to
the gas prices! I can fill my Rabbit for $9 here; in N.S. it was $18!

One word of advice: exchange your currency at the Irving gas stations,
not at the banks or tourist offices.  The banks and tourist places
exchange at 14%, plus assess you a fee.  The Irving gas stations
(they're everywhere) give 19% and NO fee  (by 19%, they mean that
for $100 U.S. you get $119 Canadian).  The rates can change, of course,
but that's what they were all of last week...

    Re .18 - surprised at the low Bank exchange rate on the U.S. to
    Can. $$ conversion. We have always exchanged at the Banks and got
    the current full amount - could you perhaps be referring to U.S.
    Banks?
    
    Bernie

    Thanks for the info - especially about the exchange rates.  That was
    the question that I forgot to ask here (I knew I forgot something -
    just couldn't remember what.)
    
    And about the campgrounds - that is really good to know.  
    
    I am psyched to go - or will be once the packing up/finishing up
    chores are done!
    
    Thanks!
    Jodi

RE .19,  

the first place I exchanged currency was at the Information center just over
the border in St. Stephen. The rate there was 14%.  The second place was
a Canadian bank in Baddeck. I think it was called ScotiaBank?  Or maybe it
was the Royal <something> bank?  Anyway, it was definitely Canadian; their rate
was 14%, plus they charged $2 per transaction.  After that I smartened up
and went to the Irving Gas stations. Nearly all of them have a big sign
by the road quoting their current exchange rate (which was 19% the whole
time I was there). They have no transaction fee, which is nice.

Hey, I know this is touristy, but what the heck, *I* did it:  while at the
Irving Gas station, pick up some of the glasses they have for $0.79 (you
know, it's the old get-a-glass-for-.79-when-you-fill-your-tank trick).
The glasses have birds native to N.S. on them. I got one with great blue
herons, and one with Altantic puffins (they're so cute...).  By the way,
I don't think they really care if you buy gas or not. I just picked them up
while exchanging currency...  They make nice, inexpensive souvenirs.

    You may want to see if you an pick up a glass with a Cape Bretoner
    on it, they are strange birds.

Jodi:

	I tried to FAX the info to you around 3PM to no avail.  Then
I tried to VAXMAIL a message but 'Remote node unimpeachable'.  So, I'll
try the FAX method in the AM of 3 Aug.

Pat

    RE:           <<< Note 211.21 by CADSYS::KINMONTH >>>
    
    
    What kind of birds did you see?  I have my binoculars and North
    American bird book out and ready to go.... Do I need them?  
    I sure hope so!
    
    Jodi

    You may see Puffins in Cape Breton; I don't know the name of the
    exact location. The place is called Bird Island, it is in the 
    Bras D'or Lakes, a few miles past Baddeck over Kelly's Mountain
    and over the bridge at the base of the Mountain (very steep, large
    hill). Just over the bridge you will see info and signs for a boat(s)
    to Bird Island - I've never taken it, but you could see some unusual
    birds. 
    
    You may not find this info on the Map, but there should be info
    in Baddeck. I don't know how long a boatride it to the Island, but
    I would estimate somewhere much less than an hour.
    
    Have fun!

    
    
      Incidently,  My experience from going to Newfoundland a few
    years back is that in the remoter areas of canada, *NOBODY* takes
    american express, but a "visa" card is pretty commonly accepted.  
    (Master-card is supposedly the same thing as "chargex" but didn't
    seem to be widely accepted either.)
    
    

< Note 211.26 by DSTEG::LAWLER "Drive a Chevy, Fly a Cessna!" >
                 -< American Express - Leave home without it. >-

	That's a given!  Nobody, but nooobody, refuses VISA - Canada
or Europe.  MasterCard's acceptance is spotty, Amex - forget it!    

	Some very few places may accept Amex travellers cheques but
it's best to use the currency of the country in which you're travelling.
Besides, if you expect some 'local' to accept your American money - well,
gladly, but the frigid atmosphere may deter any further ambiance.    

	Hope you got the FAX material, Jodi.

Enjoy your trip,

Pat

    
    THANKS !!! for the note about the Amex travellers cheques - I stopped
    to check this just before leaving for the bank to pick some TravCheks.
    Guess I'll just go with $$ instead.  I really do appreciate that!
    What a drag it would be to have to hunt around for a place to take your
    "money".
    
    Yes I got the farm list - I am swamped and so haven't had a chance to
    really look at it - but from what I saw it looks good.
    
    Thanks to everyone for all you have added to my vacation plans.
    I'll let you know how it goes.
    
    One more last minute ??   - What will the temps be?  (I haven't packed
    yet either!)
    
    Jodi

< Note 211.28 by DECEAT::DRISKELL "I wanna go back ... to the islands" >
    <<Yes I got the farm list - I am swamped and so haven't had a chance to
    <<really look at it - but from what I saw it looks good.

	No problem.
    
    <<One more last minute ??   - What will the temps be?  (I haven't packed
    <<yet either!)
    
	I hope you get this in time (it's 4:45PM).  The temperatures are not
	unlike those of Cape Cod or Nantucket at this time of year.  The 
	water temperature might be a bit cooler, depending on any off-shore
	storms.

Pat

    RE: .26  "Leave home..."
    
>    My experience from going to Newfoundland a few years back is that in
>    the remoter areas of canada, *NOBODY* takes american express, 

    My experience from going to Newfoundland was that in some of the
    remoter parts, they're still on the barter system.  ;-)
    

    
    re: 211.15 by KAOM25::RUSHTON
    
    You mention a book about Bed and Breakfasts in Canada.
    Could you please post the name, author, and publisher of
    this book?  thanks.
    

<< Note 211.31 by KOBAL::SCAER >
<< need title of book >-

It's at home, I'll get the info for you tomorrow (15 Aug).    

Pat    

Sorry for the delay:

	'The Canadian Bed and Breakfast Guide' by Gerda Pantel, 255 pages.

	Published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited
	195 Allstate Parkway
	Markham, Ontario, CANADA
	L3R 4T8
	
	First published in 1983
	
	ISBN 0-88902-731-5

	Available at most bookstores for approx. CA$10


Pat

    
    HI - We are back and had an excellent vacation.  Thanks for everyones 
    help. 
    
    We drove up to Bangor on Saturday - it was POURING.  We bagged the
    campground reservation and stayed in a motel.
    
    It took most of the next day to get to Cape Tormentine - the airline
    road is very nice but I think that it was rather slow.  The boat to
    P.E.I. was full so we waited about an hour - I guess that is about
    normal.  1 hour later we were there.  We headed right for Cavendish -
    but the place was full already (and there is a ton of sites in that
    campground).  They told us we could get a waiting number for the next
    day at the tourist info stop down the road.  (ughh)  At any rate -- we
    spent the first night at Rustico Island and the second at Stanhope.  
    
    The perks about P.E.I. - the pine trees spit black stuff in the night
    and house bees (or some other loudly buzzing animals). There are no 
    campfires in the National Parks - this was a surprise.  We went to  a
    lobster supper at New Glasco and I was disappointed.  It was very
    expensive (16.95 for a 1 1 lb lobster supper, 7.00 for an extra 1
    pounder) and a bit more formal than they used to be.  I was on PEI and
    went to a lobster supper *several* years ago and remember it being more
    informal - long tables filled with food - This one was full service. 
    Still yummy - but I am not sure if it was worth it.  The other thing
    that was surprising is a lack of grocery stores.  You can drive clear
    across the island and not find one.  The only place that we found one
    was in Charlottetown - and there, of course, you can find lots of
    everything.  But is was really weird. We stopped in one place the
    second day that was a "big" store - about the size of a 7/11, but with
    a little sample of everything.  This struck me as really weird.  I
    mean, does everyone go into "town" to buy groceries?  
    
    PEI itself is SPECTACULAR.  There is some of the most beautiful farm
    land that I have ever seen.  One thing I wanted to do was take a plane
    ride over the island..I will plan for this the next time I go.  It's
    just so - peacefull and comfortable.  Lots of horses and hay fields and
    of course potatoes.  Pretty little houses and awesome views.  
    
    Unfortunately it was very cloudy.  We headed off to Cape Breton.
    
    We stayed on the Bra D'or Lake just outside of Baddeck - a spot I
    heartily recommend to anyone.  We were on the side of a mountain and 
    the view was breathtaking.
    
    We spent almost a week at Chetticamp - on the Cabot Trail - just inside
    the National Park.  We drove the trail, hiked and swam in the beaches.
    We only left after a night of heavey rain drove us out.  If not for
    that we might still be there.  - One note, they give presentations each
    night and one was on the history of the Cabot Trail - very, very
    interesting.  Anyhow, they metioned that they get 15 to 20 feet of snow
    in a winter!!! That boggled MY mind.
    
    The Marine Drive down the coast to Halifax is well... fairly deserted.
    We drove a good 3 hours without seeing any place to stay or eat.  We
    were getting worried when we saw that if we kept going we would reach a
    little ferry at 9:30 at night.  If it wasn't running - it was a 200
    mile detour!!  Fortunately we found a beach cottage to stay in.  They
    were predicting severe thunder storms.  Since we were under a roof
    instead of a tent, it cleared right up, naturally.  However, FYI, that
    ferry always has someone there - so even if you show up in the middle
    of the night, just pick up the phone and call the guy on the other
    shore and he will come pick you up.  It is a 10 minute ride.
    
    
    Halifax is a neat city - wish I could have spent some time there.  As
    it is, all I can recommend is a little French Pastry shop just past the
    park & gardens.  On the same street as the hospital.  I was also amazed
    at how well kept and clean all the houses were.  It was all so pretty
    and pleasing (given the excepted areas)  If Bostonians took a bit of
    that kind of pride in their area we would have a much nicer city. We
    got a dozen lobsters for $30.00 outside of Halifax.    YUMMMY 
    
    The ride down the coast to Digby was super.  I loved the little towns
    and there seamed to be a farm stand at every other house with fresh
    garden produce.   Digby itself was wonderfull.  And the Scallops!!!
    Out of this world - melt in your mouth wonderfull.  We stayed at a
    B-n-B called the Thistle Down Inn - right in the center of Digby.  It
    was real nice with a big back yard looking over the harbor.  Best of
    all, for breakfast they serve a scallop omlete in a creamy dill sauce
    with mushroom.  That was the best omlete I have ever had.  It is well
    worth staying there just for breakfast.  However, it cost nearly double
    what the N.S. '89 guide quoted.  I guess those that say Subject To
    Change really mean it.  
    
    
    The weather was very warm - even though we seldom saw the sun.  We
    changed all of our money at the Irving.  It was 17% everywhere but for
    one station in a remote area who was still giving 19%.  Unfortunately
    the most he could change was a $20.  Business had been slow.  Oh, yes,
    Lousiburg was great.  I think EVERYONE should see that.  If not for
    anything else, then to see how a historic site can be reconstructed. 
    Many KUDOS to the Canadians for achieving that task.  It is a full day
    and very rewarding.  The food they serve is also period acurate and
    except for the bread, better (IMHO) than most food today.  I had a meat
    pie that was outstanding.  
    
    Well, enough !  I have gabbed too much.  Thanks again to all.  Hope I
    can return the favor sometime.
    
    Jodi

    My fiance and I are spending a few days in Nova Scotia for our
    honeymoon.  We'll be staying one night at the White Point Beach
    (somehting or another) in Lunenberg, one night in the Halifax Hilton in 
    Halifax and one night in the Mountain Gap Inn at Smith's Cove.
    
    I'm looking here for restaurant info and any don't-miss-this-attraction
    type of advise.  We're taking the Scotia Prince from Portland Maine to
    Yarmouth, and will be driving along the Lighthouse and Evangeline
    trails while there.
    
    I have the Nova Scotia guide, but would appreciate any comments you
    want to send my way.  I just wish we had more time (and money) to spend
    there!
    
    Sandy