Day 3 - Tuesday, September 8: Edmundston to Moncton, New Brunswick
This was meant to be a short day of driving, only 4 1/2 hours. We headed out at about 10 am and took our time. Roads were very quiet with a few transport trucks and even fewer cars along the way. At one point we saw a government truck dealing with a dead moose at the side of the road. It was massive. Otherwise with mostly new highways, I found driving quite relaxing. In the first half, at least.
Along the way we spotted a sign for Potato World. We looked at each other and started to laugh. I asked Barry if he wanted to go, and he said “If you do”. That was it: we decided to check out whether it was open in the off season. Pulling into the parking lot we could see it was beside the McCain plant, nestled amongst the potato fields. And then Barry started calling it Walley World, a reference to the National Lampoon which went over my head.
Inside we went into the museum which gave us both the seniors discount. We learned about where potatoes originated (Peru and Bolivia), how many countries in the world grow potatoes (the vast majority), and that it was the first plant to be grown on a space mission. We saw the potato industry hall of fame which included a McCain name or two. We then decided to check out the menu at the potato restaurant. The potato soup and the burgers were excellent, and the small portion of fries filled a large dinner plate. We barely made a dent in those, but they were quite tasty and evidently made from fresh potatoes rather than frozen. On our way out we ran into a couple of fellows who asked us if the food was good. Barry proceeded to give them details of our meals and how much we enjoyed them, thinking they were tourists. Meanwhile one of the fellows was telling me how many bushels their acres of potatoes yielded. They were local farmers. I got a chuckle out of that.
We also managed a few photos with Flat Paul. We asked him to buy lunch but he told us he was flat broke. Then we asked if he would drive but he told us he only drives stick, and of course we have automatic drive.
Bolstered by our adventure to Potato World, we continued on the TransCanada Highway until we saw a sign for the world’s longest covered bridge in Hartland. We went into the back way and drove through the very long bridge which was fun. I then set Google Maps (which we have since dubbed “Mad Charlotte”) once again for Moncton and away we went.
We were only a few kms off the TransCanada Highway so expected to get back quickly. One turn took us along a beautifully paved road. We passed a logging truck on its way out so thought we were okay. We started driving. And driving. And driving. We soon realized we were headed cross-country over the hills. Several kms later it became an unpaved road, with some kind of fine gravel material that did not create dust. We looked to be in logging country. It was a bit creepy, and Barry started telling me tales of men with banjos coming out of the woods. I haven’t seen the movie “Deliverance” but you get the idea. At least 25 kms later we started to see little trailers. And then farm houses. And finally we were back in civilization. Just when we weren’t creeped out a little bird hit the top of the car (!). I stopped to have a look but there was no trace of it. Then we saw a raven grab a snake and fly off. Finally after about 40 kms we were back on the TransCanada Highway. Looking at the map I could see we were taken parallel to the TCH cross-country. On the map it looked like a proper road. We are now paying closer attention to what Mad Charlotte is feeding us for directions.
In Moncton we stopped at a Comfort Inn hotel where we had booked an accessibility suite for Barry. It wasn’t perfect but it had a lovely bathroom he could navigate easily. We went out for a few drug store and grocery items, and then stopped at Kelsey’s for dinner. All along the way we had lovely people taking care of us. I can confidently say we sure were tired after that unexpected cross-country detour and store stops.
Onward!
