Day 03 (Aug 4) - Freeport to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

Our room was quiet and comfortable for the night. Michele had the breakfast buffet at the hotel that was free with our Booking.com account and Rob had juice. Rob announced at breakfast, “We need to get our stories straight for the border crossing today.” He explained that Michele could not indicate she was being held against her will at the crossing. Funny guy. So, Michele grilled Rob on typical questions we’ve been asked in the past to make sure he could answer them confidently. She also teased him about the time a few years ago when
he forgot his profession when asked by the border official. We had a good giggle.

At checkout, the hotel receptionist said their busy season continues with weddings and the leaf peepers through October. We packed up and were at the car at 8:20am. The skies were cloudy and it was sprinkling as we walked our bags out to the car. The weather was expected to be 70 and dry for the day’s drive.

Our route was primarily US Highway 1 along the coast with a few smaller roads along the way. It wasn't long before we saw the biggest lobster in the world! Looks like he may be trying to save his friends.

Some parts of our route had water views and others were more inland as we passed through rural areas and villages.

We stopped at 10:30am for gas and a rest break. Onward, as we got closer to our lunch spot, we drove through busy Camden and had views of the Penobscot Bay. We passed over the Passagassawakeag River in Belfast. We didn’t try to pronounce it. 

Just before Noon we drove over the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, a 2,120 foot cable-stayed suspension bridge built in 2006 to replace the Waldo-Hancock Bridge built in 1931. The original was the first long span suspension bridge in Maine and over the Penobscot River in Bucksport. 

We planned to eat lunch at the Friar’s Brewhouse and Tavern. Since it opened at Noon and we were ahead of schedule, we waited a bit at the gas station during our earlier break. Once we arrived at 12:10, the place was already full! Two actual friars make the food, one of whom was in his robes. They said everyone showed up at once and it would be an hour wait! Clearly it was popular, as it got 5 stars on TripAdvisor which is how Michele found it. Since we had an itinerary, we walked a block to Warren’s Waterfront Restaurant. It was full but had a table ready. Rob enjoyed the lobster roll special and Michele had a chef salad. Both were delicious. 

This was our view from the restaurant. We could see the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Fort Knox.

It started to lightly rain during lunch and continued for the rest of the day, raining quite heavily at times for the rest of the three hours to the Canadian border in Calais. This construction area had a sign that said "grooved pavement" but we saw mud instead. This would have been tricky with the bike and trailer.

We stopped for a gas top off about 12 miles from the border. Michele checked the CBP Border Wait Times app and it appeared our wait time would be less than 10 minutes at the Calais-Ferry Landing border. 

At the border, we had an open lane and drove right up. The line getting into the US on the other side was quite long. Rob said it’s all the Canadians going to Florida. The officer asked where we live, where we are going and how long we will stay in country. He asked about alcohol and weapons (knives, firearms, mace, tasers). Rob thought we looked boring which is why we got through quickly. Michele thinks Rob was a bit disappointed not to get trick questions to try to trip him up. The officer luckily didn’t even look at Michele to see if she matched her passport or if she was in distress. Later, Rob wondered if on our way back into the US, if the officer would notice if she was blindfolded in the backseat. Rob thinks he’s so funny.  

 

We arrived at our hotel, the Homeport Historic B&B, in Saint John before 5:30pm (Atlantic Time Zone). It is two circa 1858 houses combined to make a single hotel. Our room is accessible up twisty steps. 

We admired this piano and were told it is badly out of tune. 

For dinner, the hotel staff recommended a place called Lilly’s about 6 miles away and a few other places downtown. We opted to try Lilly’s. It was packed and the receptionist said there was no space for two the entire night! So, we drove back to downtown, parked at the Marketplace garage next to the Hilton and ate dinner at the Saint John Alehouse located in the Market area on the wharf. It was a little pub and we enjoyed drinks, a burger and a salad. Rob had the Kingberry Long Bay raspberry sour ale (New Brunswick brewed) and Michele had the Strawberry Rhubarb margarita. After, we walked along the wharf looking at the very low tide and port of cargo cranes, and then checked out the Market mall area inside. 

This artwork in the Market was really cool of lifesize statues commuting. Michele thought more women should be represented though.

Michele had an important call to make. 

We admired a model of the Marco Polo II. A famous ship built in New Brunswick. Once the fastest ship in the world for it's record setting voyage from England to Australia, it sank off the coast of Prince Edward Island. 

Today's mileage was 315 miles. We switched over to Atlantic Time Zone, one hour ahead. Tomorrow we cross over to Nova Scotia.