As the "Minister of Clarity" I've an obligation to become enlightened on all thongs (sp?) secular. I'll look you up in the interest of higher education and more light. Drop me a PM.

 

And what may I expect in the way of weather, it's gonna be a lot different than Texas! I spent a summer canoeing rivers in Northern Manitoba a few years ago, the warmist day was 48 deg f. Sure not Harley weather!!!

 

It's a very big ferry with state rooms etc. Kinda like a bare bones cruise ship with a few car decks. Just google 'Newfoundland Ferries' Only way to get there. (cept by plane.)
Make reservations for a room so you can relax. Gotta secure your bike with straps etc. Some pretty heavy seas on these ferry runs.
Gotta make reservations for these runs.

 

Snarvol, you may want to take the short run ferry from North Sydney (Cape Breton ) to to Port aux Basques NF first then go up to Gros Mourn http://grosmorne.com/ National park, then across the whole lenght of the province to to St. Johns then take the long ferry back to North Sydney from from Argentia, that way you get to see the whole province.
http://www.marine-atlantic.ca/en/sai...o/arrivals.asp
Ill send more infor this weekend.
Pat

 

As HarleyB mentioned it is a LONG way from the Mississippi to the east coast of Canada.
I've flown over the area quite a few times, even spent a short night in Gander once. Very friendly, if a bit provincial. On one particular trip we had flown in from England, it was late and we were tired. The taxi driver asked where we had come from and when I said London he spent the next 10 minutes regaling us with the drive he and his wife did 10 years previously on the way to London, Ontario to attend a convention. It didn't occur to him that we meant the other London. That was in a previous life in the construction business. I guess construction doesn't pay well out there. Like most people out in the boonies he has a brother, or cousin...I don't remember, that runs fishing expeditions on the Gander River. We have a standing invitation the next time we are in town.
Canada has good beer too.

 

Spending 1/2 to a day in Old Quebec City (in the heart of Quebec City) is a must going through Quebec. It's the oldest fortified/walled city in North America and where the British beat the French in 1759 - why we don't all speak French here now. Lot's of historical sites and lots to see and do. Also a great place to eat great food really cheap - there are tons of restraunts and outdoor cafes in the heart of old Quebec. Taking Route 20 (south of the St. Lawrence) from Montreal to New Brunswick is a boring strait Interstate type road. If you have the time take secondary roads on the north side of the river - lots of great views along the way. BTW- The province of Quebec has more stripper bars than anywhere else in North America (something about French culture i guess) - you'll even see them on the highway in the middle of nowhere


Hopewell Cape in New Brunswick is worth a visit if you have the time. Highest tides in the world and unique sites. - http://www.thehopewellrocks.ca/ http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/Home/Odyssey.aspx

Prince Edward Island - http://www.tourismpei.com/index.php3


Cabot Trail (costal road around Cape Breton Island) in Nova Scotia is a favorite motorcycle route. - http://www.motorcycletourguidens.com/

If your camping try and stay at provincial campgrounds and reserve months in advance.


In July expect daytime temps between 85F and 70F and slightly warmer in early Aug. DOT helmets are mandatory, you may get checked for this at the border. You used to be able to cross the border with only a drivers license but in the last year or so I think you now need a passport. Gun laws are a lot more restrictive than what you may be used to, bringing a hand gun across the border, even with a valid US carry permit, is as illegal as bringing a kilo of cocaine, and bringing a rifle for hunting will require lots of paperwork and red tape. On the upside crimes like muggings or assaults are pretty much non existent, especially in tourist areas.

 

[The taxi driver asked where we had come from and when I said London he spent the next 10 minutes regaling us with the drive he and his wife did 10 years previously on the way to London, Ontario to attend a convention. It didn't occur to him that we meant the other London.

You mean London Texas of course!?!

 

Fat Tony,
I looked at a KTM 990 Adv but had concerns about the reliability after reading the Adv forum. They're light, powerful and handle well, all of which i admire, but wound up with a modified Sporty - heavier, less power, but gawd it sounds good rolling down the road. Hows yours treating you??? Comfort, reliability etc.

Thanks for the notes on places to visit, especially the note regarding the scenery in Quebec. It might take a long time and my total savings account to "get out of Dodge". will check out your links, thanks

 

Hey Snarvol, here are a few recommendations regarding route and things to see in NS and NFLD. When you enter NS from New Brunswick you can basically take two routes to Cape Breton - one is the scienic route called The Sunrise Trail http://www.novascotia.com/en/home/ge...s/default.aspx or the highway TC (Trans Canada) 104. The Sunrise trail is the best way to come with nice easy riding and lots of scenery.

Once you get to Cape Breton after you cross the Canso Causeway you should drive up the left side of the island on the Ceilidh Trail http://www.novascotia.com/en/home/ge...trail/map.aspx which will take you all the way to the world famous Cabot Trail. While in this area you can check out our Single Malt Whiskey at http://www.glenoradistillery.com/glenbreton.htm (only one made in Canada) The Cabot Trail is an awesome drive on a bike. You can do the whole thing in about 6 to 8 hours or so but you should take a day and a half to really explore and see all the sights, do some whale watching etc. While you are doing the Cabot Trail you should check out these spots - the Town of Baddeck http://baddeck.com/ on the shores of the Bras D'or lakes - North Americas only inland sea - is really a beautiful little town that you must see and check out the Alexander Graham Bell museum in Baddeck.

After you complete the Cabot Trail you can go to the largest reconstructed fortress in http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/l...urg/index.aspx North America at Louisbourg http://louisbourg.com/ this place is amazing if you like that sort of history.

To get to NFLD, you go to the Marine Atlantic Ferry in Norh Sydney NS http://www.marineatlantic.ca/en/index.asp.
If I were you, I would take the ferry to Port aux Basque (the short ferry ride) and drive up the west coast of NFLD and check out Gros Morne National park http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/nl/grosmorne/index.aspx . Then I would head east across the province - its a long drive (8- 10 hours) with not much scenery because the highway cuts across the middle of the province with towns spread far apart, and this is the only way to get to St. John's. I would spend some time in St. John's (my fav City) as there are lots of things to do and see and DRINK on the famous George Street.

I would take the Argentia ferry back to North Sydeny then head south toward Halifax and try to do the Light House Route along the South Shore of NS http://www.novascotia.com/en/home/ge...e/default.aspx this route will take you to world famous Peggy's Cove and UNESCO world heritage site Lunenburg. These places will take your breath away.
Then you can cross NS to Digby and take the ferry to St. John NB and start the journey home.
Hope this has been helpful. Please feel free to ask any questions you like. When you get up this way we will have to meet up and I can show you some local spots of interest that the tourists dont often get to see.

Hope to see you up here this summer!

 

Some excellent advice in here about the borders and guns and stuff, BayBones is absolutely right, take the short ferry ride to PAB and do the island and take the Argentia ferry back to Nova Scotia. Personally, you will need minimum of 10 days to 2 weeks for Newfoundland to do it properly!! Been there, done it!! Nova Scotia and Newfoundland will be the highlight of your trip.
HarleyB