Day 12: Homeward Bound
DAY TWELVE: AT A GLANCE
Starting point: The Algonquin Resort, St. Andrews, New Brunswick
Ending point: HOME!
Starting mileage: 17,879
Ending mileage: 18,242
Daily total (miles): 363
Trip total (miles): 2606
I’m writing this final post from the comforts of home; I have my notebook with the notes I’ve scribbled along the way, but this year’s road trip is officially in the books. In so many ways, this trip was a bit thrown together at the last minute, and it was by no means perfect or “epic.” It was, however, perhaps exactly what it needed to be.
As I wrote in the very first post, my heart wasn’t really into planning or even the idea of traveling this summer. I wasn’t sure I wanted to deal with my back pain while traveling, and I thought it might be easier to just bag the idea of going anywhere. I had finished the academic year depleted, and this summer—up until the trip—had done little to refill the tank. But, the more we discussed options, the more we settled on something familiar, low-key, and far enough away to feel like an escape. I could not be more grateful.
From the minute I first visited PEI in 2018, I fell in love. Then, we added Nova Scotia to the mix the following year, and my heart swelled further. We’ve continued to revisit PEI, and I imagine we will continue to do so for years to come—with return visits of Nova Scotia sprinkled in as well. As for New Brunswick, I’d love to explore more; I sometimes feel it gets left behind as a drive-through province and not always given its proper due. So perhaps our future travel will include more of New Brunswick as well…only time will tell.
The ride home was 363 miles of highway, mostly through Maine. We left The Algonquin shortly after 8a Atlantic time (one hour ahead) and pulled into home just shy of 2p Eastern time. A half-hour later, I was on a call with the dealership, making plans and a deposit on our new van. In another few days, we’ll be hitting the road again, this time to bid farewell to the Tofino and welcome our new van…but that’s a different post.
For now, we’re grateful—for being able to travel, for conversation and laughs, for the open road, for coastlines and red clay, for lighthouses and sweeping vistas. And, of course, for lobster rolls, ice cream, and cinnamon rolls, and everything in-between.
We’re not sure where the next travels will take us, but we’re looking forward to them all—and I hope you’ll continue to come along for the ride…thanks so much for reading. Until next time…