It's cloudy and some light drizzle as we head out, remnants of Hurricane Hermine. We ride for an hour or so through Saint John and then take back roads towards the coast, The views are amazing, at least that is what we are told, the fog is thick, with visibility about 100 meters. (we're not in the U.S. any more, the only country on the planet not using the metric system!) we continue along the coast to the town of St Martins. We stop at a roadside stand for their specialty, a lobster roll and an order of hand cut fries, $23 !! and it was the smallest lobster roll I have ever seen! Past the town along the coast we come to the Red Rocks, a series of large caves along the Bay of Fundy, very pretty, but the multiple tour buses and tourist traps kind of spoil the beauty.
The GPS says we can continue through the park on smaller roads towards our destination, Alma. a few miles down the road we come to a booth with a ranger collecting admission fees for the scenic route. I ask if the road goes through to Alma, nope, is the answer. I ask about alternative routs, she say we have to go back to the main road and up to Sussex. so we turn around. The GPS says there is another route around, it's about this time that I'm starting to wonder about my Garmin... Off we go on yet another wild goose chase only to turn around again. Back to the main road. About 10 kilometers up the road, there is a good road heading towards our destination, and this one is on the map, the GPS agrees. about 15 clicks (clicks to the savvy world traveller are kilometers) up the road the tarmac turns to dirt, no big deal. Another 10 clicks and Mr. GPS sends us up a smaller dirt road, that turns into a woods road that turns into an ATV trail... I am now convinced, my GPS is possessed! about 10 more clicks ard luckily we meet up with 3 fellows on ATV's. We flag them down and ask 'Where the hell are we?" and " How do we get to Alma?" The first fellow says, no problem, a few clicks ahead you'll come to a paved road, go right, but then his mate disagrees, and says no it's 7 or 8 clicks, and the road's not paved, but go for a ways to a lodge, then take a dirt road for about 10 or so clicks to the hi-way, Then rider # three says, Alma?, you'd better turn around and go back to Sussex...
Well, after about another 10 minute round table discussion, we decide to forge ahead, the trail is rough, rocky, a couple of mud holes, but we manage without any difficulties and keep the bike upright. We find the lodge, Adair's Lodge, kind of in the middle of nowhere, They cater to snowmobilers, hunters, dirt bikers and ATV'ers. This weekend they are hosting an Adventure Bike Rally. We stop and chat a bit, would have been a cool place to stay. Reminded me of Mike's Sky Ranch in norther Baja. We get some good directions and in a hour or so we are in Alma. But along the way, which is a good dirt road, MR GPS keeps trying to send us off on cow paths, snowmobile trails, ATV trails, and now I am convinced, it is possessed! I check the settings, fastest time, check, avoid dirt roads, checked...hmmmm
We arrive at Alma, check into the hotel room. It is ok, a bit over priced, and you can't drink the water. Not quite what was shown on the internet! As we check in the girl tries to get us to make reservations in their restaurant, because she says they get real busy... A little suspicious, I decline. Next door is "Tipsy Tails Bar and Grill", looks encouraging, I stop by to check the menu, it's pretty typical, lots of fried food.... and they close at 7:00, and there really was no bar. The choices are getting slim so we opt for a little seaside shanty call the "Lobster Shop" Picnic tables, BYOB, pretty much a fish market. We had awesome mussels, and incredible snow crab, an soft shell clams, ( we call them steamers in New England)
Back to our room, a glass of wine, watch the incredible tide, nearly 10 meters, as the fog comes in..
hit the hay and try to remember not to drink the water...
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