Once again we turned a 3 hour tour into a 6 hour tour. We took on fuel and visited a car wash to get rid of the red dust we had accumulated on yesterday’s off highway experience.
I thought it might be interesting to take a look at the Bay of Fundy before heading to Grand Falls. I set the GPS to point to New Horton, just a name on the map, and I think I asked for the shortest route. The route took us across the Petitcodiac River notwithstanding a sign clearly labeled “Fundy”. We were directed along a rural road. Several times we read the label “Fundy” on signs and each time we were directed to a different route.
We eventually found ourselves on a Provincial Highway 114. A very decent road. Suddenly the GPS directed us to Caledonia Mountain Road. It appeared as if we would be on this road for about 18 km (8.5 miles). It started out a little rough then it became an 18 km rollercoaster. The road was basically a collection of asphalt patched. Many of the patches had patches. Near the top of the mountain we were rewarded with some spectacular views of the Bay of Fundy. Soon after we completed the mountain road we again found ourselves on, you guessed it, Highway 114.
We had begun using paper maps on our Cabot Trail trip so we were using a New Brunswick map to supplement the GPS. Gail spotted an off path viewpoint called Cape Enrage we began searching for it as we drove. Thinking we might have passed the turn off we stopped beside the road. A woman traveling the opposite direction stopped to make sure we were not in need of assistance. We assured here we were simply lost looking for Cape Enrage and someplace for a bathroom. She told us we would see the Cape Enrage road soon and that Alma would be the next place to have public toilets.Her advice was perfect.
The road to Cape Enrage was tortuous with steep climbs and descents. It was worth it as today’s photos will prove. Services at the top were closed for the season so we returned to Highway 114 and continued through Fundy National Park. With that excursion complete we pointed toward Fredricton and ultimately, Grand Falls.
Tomorrow will be another short day to Levis. The challenge will be to avoid the construction on Quebec Highway 85.
Robert Louis Stevenson
There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.