Carrera Camping in the Cdn. Maritimes

b. hilliard · 08-18-2007, 06:55 PM

I just wanted to share a few pics (I'll keep loading them for awhile) from our latest road trip. My wife and I always take the P-car on big road trips. This year we decided not go to Montana, but instead to stay closer to home and head for the Canadian Maritimes. We always plan on camping 95% of the time, and getting a cabin or hotel at a few hip places.

A brief overview: We always travel back roads and aim for the path less travelled. We had 2 weeks and planned on driving the coast of Maine, some of New Brunswick, ferrying over to Nova Scotia and travelling the entire Atlantic Coast, including Cape Breton and the fabled Cabot Trail. Another ferry ride to Prince Edward Island (PEI) would give us a chunk of time to explore the mixture of farms and fishing villages that make up PEI. From there, we planned on doing the Gaspe' peninsula of Quebec and finishing the official journey in beautiful Quebec City, Quebec. Yes I said "planned" because we didn't make it that far.
After nearly a week of spine jarring, mind rattling, suspension wrecking travel, we threw in the towel. I haven't ever seen roads that deteriorated and neglected in all of my travels, and I live in Boston, Mass. Our roads are horrible. Unfortunately the car is going back to the shop for it's second alignment in 3 weeks and an assesment of the damage.
Once on PEI, we liked it so much we decided to stay there for the remainder of the time. It was impossible to make good time on these roads (and the car was NOT taking the punishment well) so we thought a little R+R was in order. A quick phone call to the high-speed ferry to hitch a ride from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Portland Maine would limit the amount of miles required to get back home. Problem solved.
We relaxed a bit and took a few days to wind our way around the potholes back to Nova Scotia.
We definitely had a great trip. The Porsche performed flawlessly and we only put a tick over 2500 miles on it. There were only 2 other P-car sightings on the entire ride, a Boxster and a 964. We felt like Martians.
The people we met were wonderful and the scenery top notch. I suggest anyone interested take the time and make the journey. My only advice; take a rental car.

b. hilliard · 08-18-2007, 07:02 PM

More pics:

belly of the ferry

SCHNELE · SCHNELE's Garage

I love the Lewis and Clark spirit, way to put the utility in the ole pig. I also admire your taste in cars, I had a Saab 900Turbo SPG in college, I remember fitting an arcade game in the hatch. I also had an E30 M3 so we have similar afflictions

b. hilliard · 08-18-2007, 07:14 PM

And more:

gtihop · gtihop's Garage

You like our Nova Scotian roads do you? And that's why we pay very high fuel taxes!!!
They're great if you drive a 4X4.
Cape Breton Cabot Trail is a blast, PEI has very nice camp sites. Hope you had a good trip.

b. hilliard · 08-18-2007, 07:25 PM

Thanks schnele! We've put about 50,000 summer miles in 6 years on the "ole pig". Most of them are road trip miles, with the occasional auto-x thrown in for good measure.
Agreed on the SAAB, I can't live without one. We call it our "urban pickup" and treat it as such. Now it's just our winter car and part time ice racer....

Unfortunately (?) the iX is too nice to drive in the winter salt, so it stays tucked away in the garage...

b. hilliard · 08-18-2007, 07:35 PM

Haha! Yes gtihop, i should have taken a pickup. I hope I don't offend anyone that works on the road crews up there, but yikes. I feel allowed to whine a bit, as my wife is Canadian and she agreed with me

We definitely had a great time.

SCHNELE · SCHNELE's Garage

Is it really camping if there is a park bench nearby? Seriously though beautiful pics, I miss the east coast. The road on the coastline above is that in Maine?

b. hilliard · 08-18-2007, 07:57 PM

I figure it's camping as long as I can build a fire...

The last road pic was shot as we headed around the horn (counter-clockwise) on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton. Amazing area and something I didn't know was available on the East Coast. It actually reminded me of a few vistas we saw driving the coast in the Northwest (Cali, OR, WA, BC etc)

klaucke · 08-18-2007, 08:06 PM

Looks great Brian! Sorry I was never able to get back to you, I've been dedicating all my time to studying for the MCAT.

My offer still stands whenever our schedules might fit!

b. hilliard · 08-18-2007, 08:33 PM

Hey Jonathan, no problem. The car has been running really well, but I know there is room for improvement. I kind of like the little rumbling backfires through the Bursch on decel though, sounds mean

.

livi · 08-19-2007, 02:06 AM

Beautiful car and fantastic pictures! What marvelous scenery! Must have been a great experience and to be able to go in the Porsche too.

I think your wife looks very nice too - if you don´t mind my saying so!

steve185 · 08-19-2007, 03:54 AM

Glad to hear you enjoyed the trip to the Maritimes. Although our secondary roads are not great which is mostly due to freezing and thawing during the winter. I don't think they are bad as to warrant driving a rental or leaving your Porsche at home. We have some great drives and little traffic on these back roads. The Trans Canada highway through most of New Brunswick is multi lane and you can make good time on it.
Next time you are coming up post a message and Maritimers on the board can recommend some good routes.
Steve

Zef · Zef's Garage

Thanks for sharing....simply beautiful pics...the 911 is very well packed for the trip....

oldE · 08-19-2007, 05:26 AM

Brian,

Glad to see you made it to Annapolis Royal! Sorry to hear about the impact our roads made on your vacation. I work in Tourism and know how the condition of the roads can affect people's enjoyment of an otherwise ideal vacation.

I have never been tempted to lower the old E, as our roads just don't permit it once you venture from the main highways. Suspension travel is your friend.
Sorry I missed you and your wife, as I live just 5 miles away from the tidal power plant outside Annapolis Royal.

Great photos.
As Steve said, anyone who plans to come up for a visit is more than welcome to PM or post looking for information of local conditions and great drives.

Les

williecoyote · 08-19-2007, 06:46 AM

Thanks for the photos. My family did pretty much the same trip during my childhood, and I still have great memories of it. I have been thinking of taking my own family on the same trip. Your pictures have me motivated.
Thanks again.

frogger · 08-19-2007, 07:37 AM

What a fantastic trip and gorgeous pictures!

notfarnow · 08-19-2007, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldE

Brian,

Great photos.
As Steve said, anyone who plans to come up for a visit is more than welcome to PM or post looking for information of local conditions and great drives.

Les

+1

I'm just outside of Saint John, and would be glad to meet up with anyone driving the area. At the very least, locals can advise on bad roads, scenic drives etc...

Either way, timely post... in 2 weeks I'm headed out on the Cabot trail in an 86 Carrera Cab with my wife and all our camping gear. Can you recommend any particular camping spots you used?

PS... I saw pictures of Lunenburg in there. Did you happen to go to the Knot Pub?

notfarnow · 08-19-2007, 07:46 AM

HEY, did you drive through Saint John on Wednesday night??? I think I saw you on the highway just outside of town! There are no blue SCs in town so I knew it wasn't a local. FWIW, I waved but I was in my Jetta

speeder · speeder's Garage

Awesome roadtrip and pics, but shouldn't it be 911SC camping?