Fido Goes Northeast

[yabanja]

Hooked up with the trans canada trail yesterday in wawa. The scenery was stunning.

Drove thirty miles on a very unused track in low range. It was a byway of the TCAT. As the sun was going down I came upon....

A two ton weight limit bridge. I decided to camp there and think it over. Fido weighs about 10500 pounds. I have crossed 3 ton bridges before. I walked the bridge and examined it. Lightweight metal construction in old but good condition. The wood supports at both ends were rotted and it had a 20 meter span and an equal drop into a deep river. I looked for a ford across the river. Surely they bring heavy equipment through sometimes? Nothing. I went to bed undecided. I woke in the morning with the decision to turn around. Just then five official looking Ford F-250s tolled by right over the bridge....damn. I know they weigh 7000 lbs empty. I examined the bridge once more and noticed that rather than arching upwards as most do it had a definite droop under its own weight..... I head back towards wawa an the main part of the TCAT and was at pavement in a half hour. Now headed east on 101.


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[yabanja]

Decided to head over to the next section of the TCAT as it is on a major dirt route which should pose no problems for Fido. Got to the turnoff from pavement to be greeted by this:

Just can’t win! That’s ok because the alternative route lead me to Ivanhoe provincial park which is lovely!

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[yabanja]

I am standing outside of Canadian tire using their Internet and just heard my first sample of French Canadian... It was an angry indignant old lady.... had to smile.


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[yabanja]

This guy!!! Last night I was at the end of my rope looking for a place to camp on a gravel road through farm country. This guy gave Mae a place to stay and wouldn’t accept the camp fee. Then he insisted my French would improve the more wine I drank. We have it a real effort!!! In the morning he greeted me w coffee and samples of lithium and gold ore from the local mines. Ontario an Quebec have the nicest people!!!!

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[yabanja]

I am currently at Lac Saint Jean where I will be joined a good friend tomorrow for the duration of the trip. It will be nice to have a second vehicle along for safety in the remote areas. Over the last two days I travelled 200 miles of dirt roads on the trans-Canada trail. I bumped into this fellow traveler from South Africa in his sweet Toyota Hilux.

He has been just about everywhere. He is thinking of getting a more Fido-like truck in the future. Particularly for places like India where privacy is nonexistent. I am currently reading Drive Nacho’s chronicles and understand they felt the same way about India. I can tell you having family there makes for a very different experience! Nevertheless, the more I travel the more I feel Fido is perfect for me! I traversed some big country over the last few days and look forward to more adventure ahead! Saw my first fall colors yesterday!

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[the deputy]

Enjoying your travels.

Brian.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

I had the pleasure of meeting Brad and Sheena of Drive Nacho Drive, they were extremely down to earth and friendly. I sure loved their books. They are now on a different kind of adventure with a sail boat and Remy their son. Thanks for allowing us to continue to follow along on your trip.

 

[yabanja]

Crossed this lovely wooden bridge a few days ago. Don’t let the 15 degree list to starboard bother you!

My friends AJ and Goldie showed up last night in their Earthcruiser. We sat around last night drinking wine and formulating a plan for the next leg of the journey.

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[yabanja]

Travelled 300 dirt road miles in the last three days on the TCAT before returning to the St Lawrence river for fuel. Heading up to the trans Labor highway next.

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[yabanja]

Progress!

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[yabanja]

Oh Labrador

city how we love thee. We decided to camp in a vacant lot across from a bar(my idea).only to be woken at closen by drunken gunfire in close proximity. Civilization! It’s the Frontier folks!


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[yabanja]

We headed to Churchill Falls for the tour of the hydro electric plant 1000 feet under ground. The tour guide suggested a rough dirt road north from there which turned out to be the northernmost road in Laborador.

We found an outstanding camping spot .

And a couple fresh trout for dinner!

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[yabanja]

We then headed towards the coast. When we got to Goose Bay the info office suggested a camping area but we became distracted on our way there by some tire tracks on the beach of a river just north of town. It was very soft and a struggle to get through but worth it. Airing down in the morning made short work of the sand!

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[yabanja]

The next day we rose early in eager anticipation of reaching the Atlantic!

After 5500 miles and 8 weeks I finally laid my eyes on the other ocean!!!

We explored several small towns along the coast before settling in at St. Lewis.

I awoke at dawn to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic and look who came to join me!