Maine, Nova Scotia, PEI, Quebec in 2019

[LuvRvn]

My husband will be retiring at the end of this year. We are planning our first retirement trip next summer to Maine (Acadia NP and possibly near Baxter SP), Nova Scotia, PEI, and Quebec.

We have a 40’ 5th wheel with 3 slides and a Chevy 3500 diesel longbed truck...we take up a lot of room!

I am looking for suggestions on campgrounds that can accommodate us...specifically near Baxter (Medway?), Nova Scotia, PEI, and Quebec. We have been to Acadia many times, but would welcome others thoughts on campgrounds there.

Also, I would welcome any suggestions on places to see in these areas and along the way...we don’t have a timeframe...just want to see what is there....

Thank you...

[GaryInMaine]

Just in case your 3500 long bed is DRW the following is from the Baxter State Park rules.

5.1 No vehicle over nine (9) feet high, seven (7) feet wide, or 22 feet long for a single vehicle or 44 feet long for combined units may enter the Park.

[LuvRvn]

Yes, fiddle and old-time music is a favorite of ours..and the “Cailidh Trail” is on our list. It looks like we will be in NS/PEI in September..we are originally from CT and may start our trip north in August with family activities there.

[SpeakEasy]

Do you like traditional, old time, hand-made music? Particularly fiddle music? If so, you should look into the "Ceilidh Trail" area from about Judique to Inverness, and maybe even further north. A "Ceilidh" is a traditional house jam session. We weren't able to get invited to anyone's home for a real Ceilidh (pronounced KAY-lee), but we were able to experience a lot of the music. One of our favorites was an evening in the Red Shoe Pub in Mabou, NS, where we got to hear Dawn and Margie Beaton perform.

If you are in the area in July, look into the annual Scottish Festival in Broad Cove. It is a Sunday afternoon festival of Scottish music and dance not to be missed. We got to hear Natalie MacMaster and her family perform.

The Glenora Distillery is North America's only distillery of single malt whiskey, which would be called Scotch if it were made in Scotland. They offer free tours, and at the end of the tour you can sample some of their product. I'm not a huge whiskey (or Scotch) fan, but this stuff was amazing.

There are so many things to see and do up there. Our one trip up there in 2011 was truly memorable. I wasn't blogging at the time, so I can't point you to our record of the trip, but if you PM me I can answer questions for you.

Oh, be sure to bring your woolies and your rain gear. 🙂

-Speak

[Splashers3]

In 2016 we spent a week in PEI and 3 days in NS....it should have been the reverse....we didn't make the plans.

We really liked the Highlands in New Glasglow PEI...very nice and extremely friendly staff.

In NS, we stayed in the central part of the Province, I think it was near Truro....we plan on going back to experience the Cabot Trail. We spent our time in the southern part of the Province, a lot of nice sights.

Be prepared for much higher diesel fuel costs. The Tidal Bore is pretty neat to see....a lot of lighthouses....and plenty of Lobster.

The Confederate Bridge is really cool....watch the video of it being constructed.

Mike

[spud1957]

In conclusion, I have to say the eight mile long bridge is mind blowing when you think of how they built it over the ocean, plus you have the welcome center once you arrive in PEI.

Actually it's not over the ocean. It's over the Northumberland Strait. A body of water that separates PEI from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and flows in and out of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

[drenjoey]

4runnerguy wrote:
Very timely post as we are looking at this same trip for next year (had just an amazing time last year in BC!)

Posts here so far are mostly about PEI. Anyone want to chime in on Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec? Just starting to get some ideas together. I may have to learn a modicum of French to be polite!

I live in Maine, but I'm originally from Montreal and I'm French (Je suis Francais)
If you go to Montreal sometime between mid-June and September, you will be in the festival season and it is non-stop. One that is not to miss is the Montreal Jazz Festival......Not as much Jazz as they first started over 30 years ago. They now celebrate Music of the world. You will always find something to do in Montreal (Old Port, The Mt Royal and its shrine etc etc).
The other place not to miss is Quebec City. You have a feeling of being in Paris with all the charm and historic building (Not to miss)

[4runnerguy]

Very timely post as we are looking at this same trip for next year (had just an amazing time last year in BC!)

Posts here so far are mostly about PEI. Anyone want to chime in on Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec? Just starting to get some ideas together. I may have to learn a modicum of French to be polite!

[mdcamping]

drenjoey wrote:
We went to the Blue Mussel Cafe on our last trip and had an order of mussels and an order or PEI small new potatoe plus a few Coronas with lime.
Was so good, we had another order of mussels afterward

LOL we went several times to the Blue Mussel cafe, the food was that good. I was doing doubles on the strawberry rhubarb shortcake! :B

Mike

[drenjoey]

LuvRvn wrote:
My husband and I are intrigued by the ferry. We get the part about only paying PEI-NS.....what we’re not sure about is the reservation part going NS-PEI and possibly not getting on the ferry. The length of our 5th wheel and truck when hooked up is 57’ nose to tail....and wondering how hard it would be to get on the ferry without a reservation. My husband’s concern was being in line, not getting on, and then having getting out of line....

From what I just read, if you're taking the ferry ONE WAY, they don't take reservation.....First come, first served.

And here's a question someone asked and the answer to it>

Question:
I travelled to Prince Edward Island from Nova Scotia via the ferry and will be departing the Island via the Confederation Bridge. Where do I pay my fare for the ferry crossing?

Answer:
Like Confederation Bridge, ferry fares are calculated for a round-trip and collected only when departing Prince Edward Island. Visitors who arrive on PEI via the ferry and depart via the Confederation Bridge will pay the bridge toll only, a savings of 40%* versus the alternative!

In conclusion, I have to say the eight mile long bridge is mind blowing when you think of how they built it over the ocean, plus you have the welcome center once you arrive in PEI.

[LuvRvn]

My husband and I are intrigued by the ferry. We get the part about only paying PEI-NS.....what we’re not sure about is the reservation part going NS-PEI and possibly not getting on the ferry. The length of our 5th wheel and truck when hooked up is 57’ nose to tail....and wondering how hard it would be to get on the ferry without a reservation. My husband’s concern was being in line, not getting on, and then having getting out of line....

[drenjoey]

We went to the Blue Mussel Cafe on our last trip and had an order of mussels and an order or PEI small new potatoe plus a few Coronas with lime.
Was so good, we had another order of mussels afterward

[mdcamping]

pulsar wrote:

mdcamping wrote:

pulsar wrote:
Additional ramblings:
Speaking of food, if you like lobster (Sarah) or salads (me) Fisherman's Wharf, North Rustico, PEI.

Tom

I would bet a cup of coffee your talking about the Blue Mussel Cafe' long wait/lines to get in but so worth it!

We went their several times. I just get hungry thinking of the place!

Mike

I don't drink coffee - I think it is a foul brew. 🙂 But, I will take a glass of wine.

We like the Blue Mussel Cafe and, if push came to shove, might rate it somewhat higher. However, I was referring to Fisherman's Wharf. (Click on the Lobster Supper tab and scroll down to the salad bar description.)

Tom

Hey Tom, we always keep a extra bottle of Chardonnay in the camper and a couple of extra chairs for the campfire. If your up in my neck of the woods please stop by! :C

Mike

[pulsar]

mdcamping wrote:

pulsar wrote:
Additional ramblings:
Speaking of food, if you like lobster (Sarah) or salads (me) Fisherman's Wharf, North Rustico, PEI.

Tom

I would bet a cup of coffee your talking about the Blue Mussel Cafe' long wait/lines to get in but so worth it!

We went their several times. I just get hungry thinking of the place!

Mike

I don't drink coffee - I think it is a foul brew. 🙂 But, I will take a glass of wine.

We like the Blue Mussel Cafe and, if push came to shove, might rate it somewhat higher. However, I was referring to Fisherman's Wharf. (Click on the Lobster Supper tab and scroll down to the salad bar description.)

Tom

[mdcamping]

pulsar wrote:
Additional ramblings:
Speaking of food, if you like lobster (Sarah) or salads (me) Fisherman's Wharf, North Rustico, PEI.

Tom

I would bet a cup of coffee your talking about the Blue Mussel Cafe' long wait/lines to get in but so worth it!

We went their several times. I just get hungry thinking of the place!

Mike