NS 2025: Day 12: Drummondville, QC: When the rains came

Beautiful, quiet night in Hartland next to the covered bridge. By the time I awoke and looked outside, the third member of our trinity, the Leisure Travel Van, had already departed leaving us and the close parking Hymer from Manitoba.

Wasn’t hard to decide where to head on the morning walk. I crossed the bridge and walked along the waterfront road in Hartland for some time and then turned around, explored Hartland a bit more and walked back across the bridge to our parking spot. Note that if you are arachnophobic, the bridge may not be for you!

We got ready and hit the road at about 09:30 just after the Hymer pulled out (not a euphemism). We drove until Edmunston,NB and pulled over at the new fast food, car dealer, truck stop megaplex. Whilst I pumped some fuel into the van, Mrs Milddogs popped into the restaurant and picked up a lobster roll to go. Despite not coming from a “fancy” restaurant she declared it as the best she had on the trip. Plenty of lobster, minimal mayo and a toasted and buttered bun.

We hopped back onto the highway (no scenic roads today as it was our longest driving day of the trip) and made our way to a highway rest stop near Trois-Rivières. It was a quaint spot. Amy went for a short walk but she was not feeling adventure dog vibes today. We had a quick lunch of “things in the van” and hit the road. The rain started a few kilometres later.

We did not stop again until we got to Drummondville. We encountered the usual traffic at the Quebec City / Levis merge onto highway 20. For the most part I was able to use cruise control for this part of the trip. I don’t really use cruise control in the hills of New Brunswick and Quebec.

We arrived at our campground, Camping des Voltigeurs, in the pouring rain. It’s our third or fourth time here. We set up and then realized the site we had booked was close to the major road. I walked over to the campground office and asked if we could move sites. Sure, almost everything is available. Since we knew we would be moving, we packed back up and drove around until we found a suitable site. Fortunately Vanessa in the office gave me the phone number so I didn’t have to walk back. My attire in the pouring rain was: flip flops, shorts, poncho, umbrella. We levelled up, connected to shore power, coaxed the awning out (it’s a terrible awning) as there is no wind, just rain and then we relaxed.

It’s really unusual to be in the rain, it feels like it has been months.

Things I have failed to mention:

• My transitions / progressive glasses have gone wonky. The right lens is cloudy and cleaning does not help. I’ll have to visit the glasses store (aka Costco). A bit sad as I use them often
• Here is a link to an instagram post of my Brompton ride over the covered bridge
• We had wonderful time in NS. We used to go there often until the kids got a bit older, work got busier and we got more summer fun stuff at home
• Those Gravenstein apples are amazing! The cool dudes call them “Gravs”

I should probably use the campground shower tonight, but I’m not sure it would matter by the time I walk back in the rain.

Tomorrow we head home. Might defer my morning walk until the afternoon when we get home if it is still raining. No early departure tomorrow, the Boulangerie opens at 09:30.