What a trip!

I have now spent over 24 hours resting off of my bicycle. Weirdly enough I do miss being on the trip but the break from my bicycle is definitely needed. Our ferry ride was very relaxing, although I still have not gained my "sea legs" yet. We had a beautiful last ride into Sydney, again the sun was shining and for the most part a tail wind. I have to mention though we did have an interesting last night in Newfoundland, high winds and heavy rain. The next day we actually had fog and a massive head wind but we only had 25 k to ride so it wasn't too bad.

This trip has now completed my journey across Canada which I started in the summer of 2002. I now have to cycle the territories (but not for a while);) We were so fortunate for beautiful weather, tail winds, friendly and generous Newfoundlanders, safe drivers, no accidents and spectacular scenery. I feel so fortunate to be able to ride my bicycle every day on a journey like this and see Canada this way. I also feel so fortunate to be Canadian and live in such a beautiful country with so many kind people. I am so glad I chose Newfoundland for this trip, it was perfect tour!..Puffy also agrees with all of the above;)

Before ending my adventure story, I would like to thank all of my family and friends who have supported me during this trip and all of my cycling journeys. Thank you especially to my parents who never doubted my ability to do adventures like this trip, they have always been excited for me. I would also like to thank my husband for joining the trip when he could, then taking a bus to a random place in Newfoundland and then cycling out to meet us, he always trusts me. I missed having my fearless stepsister who I have done most of my long rides with but I really enjoyed my two new cycling touring pals...so many laughs!

I'd like to thank all of the generous people I met along the way and shared Phoebe's story with and who donated to Childhood Cancer Canada, you all wonderful people and I will never forget your kindness and your stories you shared with me. If you still need ideas for how to help, please check out the tab on my blog.

Lastly, I'd like to thank Phoebe Rose for inspiring me to get on my bike everyday and appreciate the world in a new way. Phoebe, you were my rock!

Enjoy the pictures of us on the last few days of the trip!

Camping at Fitzgerald's Pond Park near Argentia

Cycling in the fog towards the ferry

Wearing my safety vest and tutu...no way a car could not see me

Seven islands near Placentia

Oour ship for 17 hours from Argentia to North Sydney

Completing the full circle and back in Sydney, Cape Breton with the World's Largest Fiddle

Finally a foggy and rainy day in NL. We made it to the ferry and now off to NS.

Farewell St. John's and hello long ride to ferry

Hi again! It's me the Tutu Navigator! I sent Puffy back to Ottawa yesterday and now it's just me and Travis left to finish the ride.

We are going to go as far as we can today towards Argentia where we will be taking a 15 hour ferry back to Nova Scotia. It's again sunny today so we're going to try and make it as close as possible.

I may not be in touch for a few days so wish us a tail wind and nice drivers again!

Finishing on Signal Hill

 

WE MADE IT!!

On top of Signal Hill. Notice in the back the huge hill we had to climb to get there 

and the one we had to go down after!

 Tutu Navigator and husband, Travis

 Cabot Tower on Signal Hill

The cycling trio do their victory dance!

Puffy was taking the picture!

Across St. John's and time to celebrate!

After 16 days and almost 1500 kms we finally made it to St. John's yesterday! I would like to tell all of you that we had the winds at our backs but the Tutu Navigator would not be pleased with me if I did. We did have sunshine once again!

Let's see I left you last when we were cycling along the busy Trans Canada Highway in Whitbourne. The day after, we rode to a place called Bay Bulls about 40kms outside of St. John's. We had a chance to ride on a more peaceful road to the ocean. I'm not going to lie but it was a little terrifying watching all of the transport trucks zoom by. Fortunately for me I get to head back to Ottawa to visit Mae and Phoebe today so I will not be venturing back on that highway again to go on the ferry to Nova Scotia.

Anyway, back to Bay Bulls. I got to see all of my puffin friends on a boat tour run by the amazing O'Briens! I even got to see whales and all kinds of other bird friends like the razor bill. It was like I was in the movie Jurassic Park, birds were flying everywhere. I also got to see whales and see their tale as they dove deeper into the water. As a puffin, I have seen lots of this but my cycling friends were in awe. My battery for my camera died but Princess Francine got a lot of pictures and videos that I will post another day.

After the tour we got to stay on a friendly and kind friend's lawn in Bay Bulls. We overlooked the bay, it was really beautiful!

The next day we headed out for our last stretch to St. John's. Guess what? Another massive hill to climb! This one went on forever and ever. But we finally got to our hostel and took off all of our bags on our bikes and the Tutu Navigator climbed me up to Signal Hill! Take a look at the pictures to really get the view of St. John's!

We had a great time celebrating and today we will rest. I will be going back to Ottawa today with my new friend from Bay Bulls (another puffin friend) and Princess Francine and Handsome Heather will be flying back to Ottawa tomorrow. The Tutu Navigator said that Phoebe and Mae might have some new adventures for me so I can't wait to meet them in a few days!

The Tutu Navigator and her husband will head back out on the road tomorrow for another 140 kms to the ferry back to Nova Scotia. I think they might take two days to get there. The ferry will take about 15 hours this time and then ride back to Sydney.

Who knows what adventures are in store for me after today but I hope you had fun with me on this one! Keeping looking out for the Tutu Navigator as she finishes the tour to Nova Scotia!

Home stretch to St. John's!!

A few shots from the day

Puffy's new fan, Hailey from Marystown

Here I am waiting for the ferry in St. Pierre

 

In Goobies getting on the Trans Canada Highway

Did you know that the hair below the Moose's face is called a "dewlap"?