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Toronto - Cabot trail - here I go!

Discussion in 'Canada' started by Toronto308, Aug 5, 2009.

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  1. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
    Full Name:
    Esteban
    #26 Toronto308, Aug 9, 2009
    Bingo! I am trying to avoid the super highways as much as possible as they are straight, loud, and boring, though effective for getting from A to B. For this trip the journey is as much part of the holiday as the destination, which happens to be a driving trail! :) I also agree with you. It would be great to see more road trip threads along the back roads here in North America. You Europeans know how to enjoy your cars - by finding great roads and driving them!

    Anyone here interested in driving the 'Tail of the Dragon' in Tennessee/North Carolina? :)
    http://www.tailofthedragon.com/
     
  2. Bab

    Bab Formula 3

    Dec 4, 2004
    1,143
    Moncton/Montreal
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    Christian
    #27 Bab, Aug 9, 2009
    That last shot is soooooooo New-Brunswick by road. I've done Moncton-Montreal countless times and that is what stands out in my mind, particularly past Fredricton as the day gets late and the sun gets lower, there is almost no one on the road.
    Must have been tempting not to blast it into silly speeds.

    Hope the East Coast treats you well!
     
  3. JOEV

    JOEV F1 Rookie

    Aug 6, 2003
    2,827
    Ontario, Canada
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    Joe
    #28 JOEV, Aug 10, 2009
    great thread - great adventure - have a safe trip
     
  4. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    Dec 7, 2003
    16,423
    Winston Salem, NC
    #29 Ricambi America, Aug 10, 2009
    That last picture (TransCanada) is just BEGGING to smash the accelerator into the floor, eh?
     
  5. clamont

    clamont Rookie

    Jul 6, 2008
    27
    Nova Scotia, Canada
    #30 clamont, Aug 10, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. MITYRARE

    MITYRARE F1 Rookie

    May 21, 2008
    2,631
    Canada
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    #31 MITYRARE, Aug 10, 2009
    Best thread on F Chat!

    Great pics and boy am I envious of your trip.

    Suggestion....When coming back through NB check out the Buctouche area (I used to own recreational property there and it is one of the best parts of Canada IMO)


    Beev
     
  7. marioz

    marioz Formula 3

    Nov 21, 2003
    2,025
    Cedar Mills,Ontario
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    Mario
    #32 marioz, Aug 10, 2009
    Your a pretty gutsy guy to do this drive with a 30 year old Ferrari Esteban!! Looks worth it though. Keep those photos coming & the best of luck to you.

    We'll have to get together when you get back & you can tell me all about it.
     
  8. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
    Full Name:
    Esteban
    #33 Toronto308, Aug 10, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Today was, well, difficult to describe. Rain was forecast for the afternoon but it rained during the overnight hours instead. The weather gods smiled on me today. The car was wet when I went out to it but the roads had dried by the time I reached the Cabot trail making driving conditions perfect. Cloudy (ergo no sun glare or sun in the eyes) but warm. The roads are beyond description but here' goes: Imagine a coastal mountain highway that is, in fact, a national park with an excellent driving surface, mostly. There are more blind crests and corners than one can count. It's a weekday morning so there are no crowds. Drive as hard as you dare (I think I bottomed out 4 times :eek: and was stuck behind a slow motorcycle once, and with such light traffic, overtaking was quick). With constant twists and changed in elevation you are literally changing gears every few seconds to stay in the power band. And, oh yeah, it's 200 miles long. This is far and away the most incredible driving route I have encountered anywhere; one I will never forget. The scenery is, likewise, breathtaking. Perhaps the pictures will give a better idea. ALL pictures were taken from the trail's lookout points. Does it get any better than this?

    Pic 1. The Atantic
    2. The Cabot trail on a quiet Monday morning
    3-6 Random shots along the trail. I have dozens more just as scenic.
    7. Smokey mountain - this thing was so insane I went up and down it twice. Thank Goodness I just had the brakes done!
    8. The bottom of Smokey mountain
    9. Taking the ferry back to the mainland
    10. A perfect ending to a perfect day
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  9. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
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    Esteban
    #34 Toronto308, Aug 10, 2009
    Totally! I had to reel myself in more than once. I'm lucky the speed traps missed me. :D
     
  10. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
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    Esteban
    #35 Toronto308, Aug 10, 2009
    Yup! :)
     
  11. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
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    #36 Toronto308, Aug 10, 2009
    Thanks for the pics Curt, and thanks again for meeting up. Make sure to drop me a line whenever you're in the GTA. I know some killer roads around here.
     
  12. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
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    Esteban
    #37 Toronto308, Aug 10, 2009

    Thanks, Beev. I'll check it out for sure.
     
  13. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
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    Esteban
    #38 Toronto308, Aug 10, 2009
    For sure. We can chat about organising a group trip to Nova Scotia. I'll get some stone chips on that pristine 355 of yours yet ;)
     
  14. marioz

    marioz Formula 3

    Nov 21, 2003
    2,025
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    #39 marioz, Aug 10, 2009
    Really nice shots Esteban.
     
  15. Earthboundmisfit

    Earthboundmisfit Formula Junior

    Aug 7, 2009
    886
    Ontario
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    Steve
    #40 Earthboundmisfit, Aug 10, 2009
    All great pictures, but that second one is especially good.
     
  16. Isobel

    Isobel F1 World Champ

    Jun 30, 2007
    10,619
    On a Wave's Chicane
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    #41 Isobel, Aug 11, 2009
    Nice to hear you enjoyed driving around 'our' part of town. Great photos and good to hear you've had terrific hosts. You don't need a map to find anything in the Maritimes, all you have to do is stop and a local will spend 15 minutes (minimum) explaining how to get there and where the best place to eat is.....;)
     
  17. Glen_Lloyd

    Glen_Lloyd Formula Junior
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    Dec 13, 2003
    785
    Lloydminster AB
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    Glen
    #42 Glen_Lloyd, Aug 11, 2009
    I never realized the "Trail" was so short or I would never have passed it by... I was on a tight schedule to make the ferry to NFLD. Maybe next time. Glad it met your expectations.
     
  18. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
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    Esteban
    #43 Toronto308, Aug 11, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Today was a bit more low-key after yesterday's excitement. I drove down to Digby to meet up with some friends after driving the Cabot trail and ended up gabbing 'til 3am. Thanks for the laughs, Murray and Elizabeth! Today started early (6am) to catch the ferry from Digby to St. John New Brunswick. I checked out rural hwys 177 and 101 but mainly stuck to the expressways as I needed to get to Quebec. Today was interesting, though, as at least one person came up to talk about the car at every stop I made. Tomorrow I run the 'Navigator's Route' in Quebec (No. 2 drive in the link provided) and meet up with Fchatter UpNorth along the way. Should be fun!

    http://www.traveltowellness.com/canadascenicdrives

    Pic 1 Ferry harbour at Digby
    2. On the Ferry. Is my car really that small?!
    3. Arriving in New Brunswick
    4. Typical NB traffic
    5. Not your typical Shell gas station
    6. Might as well give her a wash after 2800 miles
    7. Bug collection and a nasty stone chip I picked up along the way
    8. Made a boy's day today
    9. Quebec border
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  19. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
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    #44 Toronto308, Aug 11, 2009
    Completely true, Isobel! It's a shame I couldn't get out further east to the Atlantic shores of New Brunswick and the 'Rock' but, then again, now I have an excuse to come back! :D
     
  20. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
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    Esteban
    #45 Toronto308, Aug 11, 2009
    Let me know when you plan to go next, Glen. I'll try to join you :)
     
  21. veyron407

    veyron407 Formula Junior

    Jun 1, 2008
    490
    canada
    #46 veyron407, Aug 12, 2009
    Nasty chip there mate. Goodluck.
     
  22. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
    1,008
    Toronto, ON
    Full Name:
    Esteban
    #47 Toronto308, Aug 13, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Today was a full day. I started off driving the Navigator's route along the south shore of the St. Lawrence river in Quebec. It's a lovely, calm drive with a plethora of small towns, each with its own impressive church. I then met up with Fchatters UpNorth and Tom? for lunch and a drive to Quebec City. Two classy guys who clearly enjoy driving their cars. Thanks so much for the hospitality and for taking some time to meet up, guys, and great cars you have there! Then it was off to the Gilles Villeneuve museum before meeting up with some friends in Ottawa. Tomorrow it's a scenic drive back home to Toronto. I hit the 3000 mile mark today :)

    Pic. 1 and 2 - Scenic shots along the Navigator's route
    3 Meeting up for lunch in Montmagny with Francois and Tom
    4 Francois' serious TR
    5 Tom's pristine vintage Ferrari 2+2 GT
    6-8 Gilles Villeneuve museum in his home town of Berthierville Quebec
    9 Back in Ontario
    10 Look what happened to me today :)
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  23. UpNorth

    UpNorth Formula 3
    Owner

    Sep 30, 2006
    1,768
    Quebec, Canada
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    Francois
    #48 UpNorth, Aug 13, 2009
    Hey Esteban,

    We had a lot of fun yesterday and it was a perfect day to drive.
    Tom and I really enjoyed having lunch, chatting and driving with you.
    Hope you come back to Quebec City!
     
  24. Hans

    Hans F1 Veteran

    Feb 17, 2006
    7,734
    Hilversum, Netherlands
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    #49 Hans, Aug 13, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Great road trip! Have fun!!!!

    (Did my first one within 3 weeks after I got the keys: Home (in The Netherlands),Stuttgart, Munich, Saltzburg, Venice, Munich, Aachen, home. In mid winter. Great fun!!)
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  25. SubLV

    SubLV Karting

    Apr 23, 2009
    222
    Oakville
    #50 SubLV, Aug 13, 2009
    Muy buenas todas las fotos profesor! :)
     
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