Rain, rain, PLEASE go away!

This has been the most rain Jim and I have traveled on our motorcycles to date.  It was raining when we woke up and never let up, but we were completely decked out in our rain gear.  The temperature was warm enough that we didn't have to plug in our liners.

The plan today was to get on to Prince Edward Island taking Hwy 11 and stopping in Miramichi, NB at the Harley dealership.  My bike needed a new front tire, not as urgent as the rear one was,  but Jim wanted to play it safe nonetheless.  Our stop took just over an hour and we met a great retired couple on their bikes! Better known as "Mama Bear" and "Papa Bear",  they were also on their way to PEI for summer vacation. Such  friendly and energetic folk to run into,  what a pleasure!

So here is where we really start the rain dance...all the way to PEI and right to our hotel.  There were humongous puddles to battle and foggy glasses.  At one point we pulled over under a bridge because Jim saw lightening and it was coming down way too hard.  It only took 15 minutes of shelter and we were back on the road.

Despite the wet weather, we are having a fantastic time --lots of laughing!

We crossed over to PEI via the Confederation Bridge...all too heavy in rain to see anything.  Just off the bridge are several destination signs and Hwy numbers,  we took the Summerside turn and this is where we'll dry out and have a big rest :)  

  WOW, the hospitality is once again, over the top ...clean room, home cooked dinner, and helpful staff.

Through Gaspe, Perce and to Dalhousie, New Brunswick

Today we rode mostly with cloudy periods and some sun sprinkled in between. It was a very relaxing day of riding even with the usual summertime construction slow downs. Up on the northeast tip of the Gaspe Peninsula,
were more outstanding winding, hilly roads, Forillon National Park or Land's End...lots of fun and beautiful!
Continuing along HWY 132, we stopped in Perce, QC and had to visit Perce Rock. We didn't take the boat tour,  but walked along the shore and the dock! I absolutely love the scent of the sea breeze and the sounds of all the birds.

WHOA!!the wind almost took my hair right off.

Our day was very peaceful and we saw so many quaint, colorful, houses with seaside flowers blowing in the breeze. The time went so fast because of all the interesting little villages all along the shore. 

We are staying at the Best Western in Dalhousie tonight, Alice, the front desk manager, is exactly what I pictured in "down east" hospitality!! She gave us premium parking for our bikes--sheltered at the front door.  With love and warmth, Alice told us everything the hotel offers and showed us the dining room . I love that she takes her job so seriously!!!  I think it's raining right now, oh well, we have rain gear  for tomorrow :) 

I could never tire of this view!

See you all soon!!

Have tire, will travel!

Monday July 25  (couldn't post on Monday due to no internet)

Our morning began with nervous butterflies as we got ready to beat the crowd at Harley Davidson, Cote-du-Nord, QC. (Baie-Comeau) We were ready by 7:30 and went for a coffee and light breakfast, then waited for the doors to open so we could bee-line it to the service counter.
Here is where I,  Caroline,  pull out all the stops with my french!! Asking the sweet young man if there was any chance a rear tire is in stock to fit my motorcycle. Jim and I try not to look too panic- stricken, as Gilles delicately tells us there are no tires at the store and parts only get delivered on Wednesday :(

As the service team try to pull ideas together, they come up with a non-Harley tire that may work but it's at another store down the road and may take 1/2 hour to arrive and still no guarantee of it fitting. At this point our only choice is to hope for the best and say "go for it" .  Keep in mind, we must catch the ferry back to Matane, QC which leaves at 2:00 and then 8:00.  The tire is a fit and we are out at 11:00 to catch the ferry!!

Still having to wait for 3 hours to board, we find out there are no reservations left for getting on the ferry...we can only wait in the "non-reservation" line and again we make on at the last minute. Once we are on land again it's 5:00 and decide to ride for just over an hour then find a motel.  Turns out our plan got reworked as there were no vacancies.

But,  OH THE SCENERY is worth every moment .
After resigning ourselves to the possibility of riding all the way to Gaspe, we come upon a beauty of a Motel called Hotel- Motel Bon Accueil, in Riviere-la-Madeleine on HWY 132. Not only is there a room for us,  but the rate is  $75., it''s very clean, plus the best meal we've had in a restaurant in a long time. We also have an outstanding view of the St. Lawrence.

There's always plan "B"

Jim spotted a really quaint restaurant for breakfast...it offered great hospitality and fresh homemade bread with homemade strawberry jam!  A perfect way to start our day which was to take us to Gaspe.  We rode for 20 min along the shore at the beginning of the Gaspe Peninsula, but had to stop to add an extra layer.  The breeze off the St. Lawrence is very chilly at 8:00 am.  I had to stop and try to get a picture of the shore, and then Jim made a discovery!

My rear tire is worn out...YIKES...we ride on to the next city/town and it happens to be Matane, QC.
Hoping to locate a Harley dealership close by (ha-ha-ha), our HD directory shows a dealership in Rimouski and Baie-Comeau. I spotted the ferry to take us across to Baie-Comeau (better to spend 2 hours on a boat than risk riding back to Rimouski over an hour away) and we got there at just the right time. 11:00 am.
So, we get to sail across the big river and enjoy the view. Once we dock, back on the bikes to 305 Boul. LaSalle. It's Sunday and they're closed but open at 8:30 tomorrow morning, I'll be waiting at the door :)
Well, we can say we spent the night in the home town of former Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney!!

                                             Plain worn out!! My tire that is.

Through Montreal, Quebec City and beyond!

First things first, on the road at 7:00 am with our bikes loaded up!! As you can see, Jim's got most of our gear --I have the most important things, sleeping bags and my new tiny blow dryer ;D

So, we rode through Montreal which is great to travel early on a weekend!! Passed by Quebec City on HWY 20  and stopped for lunch on HWY 132 in Montmagny, Quebec.  It was a great restaurant, with other riders stopping in to eat as well.  We decided to stay on this scenic route for the duration of the day and it was gorgeous!!  There was a BIG storm brewing along the St. Lawrence, black clouds and huge winds...we doubled back about half and hour or so to escape the rain.  We ended up stopping on the side of the road (no gas stations to be found for cover), to put our rain gear on. As we headed east again,  the storm left us and we were back in the sunshine,  woo-hoo!  Riding to Rimouski was our goal and we are just shy of there.
The picture here is across from where we are staying tonight and our dinner was yummy!! We are at the Motel  Le Barillet, and the scenery is so pretty!! Love, y'all--sleep tight.

Another trial--with a picture!

A little "sweetsie" for the evening! To help with the packing :)

2 More Sleeps!

This is a trial run of our new blog...stay tuned for what we hope will be an amazing adventure!!
We are beginning to pack for the trip, or should I say lay our things out in the living room to add or delete
important items...must NOT forget rain gear!! I'll try to get a picture of the bikes before we leave.