I had a different trip in mind...a driving trip, but in a different direction. I was having trouble pulling the trigger on it, finding myself stuck between making the trip too long and expensive, or too short and lacking interest. Frustrated, I dropped a line to Ron. When I started planning, I knew he wouldn't be available, but by this time, his circumstances had changed. I suggested a trip to Scotland. Or Nova Scotia. Or something. We threw some ideas around, and pretty quickly settled on this. There isn't a lot new in the itinerary for me [and the text for revisited places will be fairly brief]; the draw for me is a return to Percé, and the chance to spend a few days there. I don't mind at all revisiting Tadoussac, either. The first stop was supposed to be St Andrews, New Brunswick, followed by a night in Alma, but Hurricane Lee caused us to push our start back a day, and shift to Fredericton, instead. It's all new to Ron, Which helps to keep it fresh for me, too.

Monday 18 September 2023---It's about 120 miles from Lincoln, Maine to Fredericton, New Brunswick on Maine Route 6 and New Brunswick Route 4, through pretty much the middle of nowhere. The rather grand railway station at McAdam (pop ~1200), five miles across the border, might then come as a surprise. For many years, Canadian Pacific's Atlantic Limited ran from Montreal to Saint John NB through northern Maine, connecting with a line to Bangor and points south, and McAdam was a major port of entry. The route declined in the latter half of the 20th century, and ceased operation altogether at the end of 1994. The station houses a tourist information office and a museum, both now closed for the season. We take a walk around, and I get some photos through the windows.

Arrive in Fredericton early in the evening, check in at our hotel, and take a stroll through downtown. Fredericton is the capital of New Brunswick and the province's third-largest city, but it's not really very big. We visit a couple of brewpubs: first, RustiCo, where we have dinner, and then Graystone Brewing for a nightcap.