Early Morning Hustle
I woke up early today knowing it was going to be a long driving day. Luckily, I had prepped sandwiches the night before and had breakfast sorted, saving some precious time. After a refreshing shower, it was time to hit the road, leaving the cabin behind and heading northbound.
The Colors of Fall
The drive was nothing short of spectacular. The trees were in full autumn transition, with vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows lining the road. This is why fall is the best time to travel—absolutely stunning scenery! I can’t wait for you to see the pictures.
Crossing the Canadian Border
Our first milestone of the day was crossing the border from the USA into New Brunswick. You can’t get to Nova Scotia without passing through New Brunswick, after all. The border crossing was a breeze, just like last time. In fact, I was the only car there. Am I the only one heading to Canada these days?
The customs officer was friendly but thorough with the questions:
"Any food?"
"Weapons? Mace? Stun guns?"
"Any alcohol?"
"Cannabis, marijuana, or any other drugs?"
"Where did yo ucome from? When are you leaving? What are you doing there?"
It might sound like a lot, but the whole thing felt casual, and I had good answers for everything. Onward to Canada!
Command Center on the Move
As I drove, I had my little “command center” set up in the car. It was a stressful day in the Israeli news, with rockets flying between Iran and Israel, so I stayed plugged in. My mini Starlink was connected to one phone for internet, while the other phone handled navigation, and phone calls. On the other phone I was constantly listening to news updates from Channels 11, 12, 13, 14, and 24. Swipe, swipe, swipe!
Entering Nova Scotia
Crossing into Nova Scotia felt like a breath of fresh air—literally. Traffic thinned out, the roads widened, and the drive became smoother. But Nova Scotia is massive, and there was still a lot of ground to cover.
A Canadian Quirk: Mask Wearing
Here’s a little something I noticed along the way: What’s up with the face masks, Canada? I spotted at least three drivers wearing masks while they were alone in their cars. Come on, folks—COVID is over! You can ditch the masks when driving solo.
The Gas Station Scavenger Hunt
Getting gas in Nova Scotia is a whole adventure on its own. It’s not like the U.S., where gas stations pop up conveniently right off the exits on the highway. Nope, here after you follow the GAS sign on the exit, you drive miles through small towns, down winding roads, just to find a little station. And I missed this little gas station —twice! Drove right by it !!
To top it off, you can’t just pay at the pump. You have to walk inside, tell them how much gas you pumped, and pay. It’s like stepping back in time. On the good side - there is a lot of trust in people here - right? I mean you can fill up and drive off.....
Remote and Quiet Nova Scotia
As we headed further north, things became more remote. The roads got smaller, the water was creeping closer, and the traffic was nearly nonexistent. It was peaceful and quiet—truly a stunning drive.
A Quick Stop at Cape Breton Island
I made a brief stop at Cape Breton Island for a quick hike. I headed down to the water, where people were fishing, and managed to snap a few photos before the sun started to set. This island is always a serene stop. Here also - I must gave hiked 3/4 of a mile - yet MINI starlink was still giving me strong internet signal.
Scenic Routes and Lucky Homeowners
The last three hours of the drive were pure magic. The road wound high above the ocean, with cliffs dropping dramatically below. The views were incredible. The only downside? Private properties oand Houses everywhere! I had to pull into people’s driveways just to get a good shot. But these folks are living the dream—breathtaking views every day. Though, I imagine they have to drive an hour just to get a light bulb from Home Depot. It’s a trade-off!
The Marine Ferry: Small Expectations, Big Reality
After 11.5 hours of driving, I finally arrived at the tip of Nova Scotia, where the ferry to Newfoundland was waiting. I was expecting a small ferry, like the 10-car one I took last time. But nope, this ferry was MASSIVE. It was a giant, cruise ship-sized vessel, and the number of trucks waiting to board was staggering. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of them.
There were 18 lanes for vehicles, each holding hundreds of cars. I parked in Lane 9 and waited for the 9:30 PM boarding.
Onboard the Behemoth
Once onboard, I quickly realized this ferry was huge—really huge. I’ve got my own cabin with a shower, so I’m all set for a good night’s sleep during the 7.5-hour trip to Newfoundland. But here’s the tricky part: deciding what to take with me. You can’t go back to your car once you leave it on the ferry. So, I grabbed my laptop, a change of clothes, and some snacks. Ready to roll!
As for Mini, my trusty Starlink, she’s staying in the car. After a long day of driving, I’ll be too tired to go online anyway. Who knows, maybe this floating city has its own Wi-Fi. (update - has a wifi speed of .002 down and .0000000001 up)
End of a Long, Eventful Day
And that’s it for today! After miles of scenic driving, a quirky gas station hunt, a smooth border crossing, and finally boarding this ferry to Newfoundland, it’s time for some well-deserved rest.
Goodnight, y’all! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s adventures!
Beautiful photos! How amazing this trip has been already. Stay well and enjoy despite the rough news in Israel. I look forward to posts from Newfoundland.