Terceira, Azores (Portugal)

[EUCOM Detachment] Left Atlanta in the morning. Stopped through Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the way - very cold (snow was so high, there were blue flags sticking out of the ground along the runway and taxiways to identify paved surfaces)! Trip to the Azores OK ee landed at Lajes Air Base in the dark.  First time in Portugal - interesting experience.  I'd read some of the history in the hotel and it was quite amazing to realize that people stumbled across this place about 600 years ago... Terceira is rainy and windy - not cold, though.  Spent the night in the Mid-Atlantic Lodge (Air Force Inns).

Newfoundland Trip - Day 7

Ferry (named "Caribou") dropped me off in North Sydney around 0030. Started to drive back towards Halifax, but got tired. A gas station attendant let me sleep in their parking lot from 0230 to 0630. In the morning, started driving down the coast - great views. Arrived in Halifax just in time (1200) - was able to watch marching soldiers at the citadel. Explored the city for a little while. Started to sprinkle later, so drove back to New Brunswick. I wanted to get on the ferry for Prince Edward Island in the morning, but there was no line for the evening crossing tonight. Had some trouble with my credit card today - I think I hit my limit. Luckily, they use an old system and still gave me tickets for the ferry fare... Found a campsite right when I got over to PEI - Cumberland Cove Campground.

Newfoundland Trip - Day 3

Woke up early - it is very rainy. Left after getting camping gear dried off as much as possible. Drove over to Port Hawkesbury. Crossing the causeway, saw a van that looked like Gerard's - couldn't be... (???). Continued along the western side of Cape Breton and enjoyed some sun in the afternoon. Found some great coastal rock formations for climbing. Met some nice people. Around sunset, camped near Cape Breton-Newfoundland ferry. After getting camp set-up, drove down to pier to inquire about crossing times. The ticket agent told me that I should get in line tonight to make sure I can get across by tomorrow morning. If I waited, he said the line would be huge... Went back to campground and convinced the manager to give me a refund. Headed back to the line and paid for my turn on the Ferry. It left in the middle of the night. Once car was on the boat, caught some shuteye in a row of seats...

Newfoundland Trip - Day 2

Left campsite in the morning. Unbelievable image of low tide versus the high I'd seen before! Picked up US-1 and drove all the way up the coast to the crossing to Canada. Got searched at border. Drove over towards St. John, New Brunswick. Visited the Bay of Fundy - everything I expected! Tides are amazing - found a little harbor where you could actually watch the boats rising and falling during the day. Explored the Park a little and then drove over to Nova Scotia. Camped just before dark near the town of Truro. I noted the names of towns are like those on Cape Cod - my dad says it's because the Loyalists left Massachusetts after the American Revolution and settled here. I heard that Gerard is out here somewhere. I'll try to catch up with him in Cape Breton tomorrow... Found a good campsite before dark.