Route Choices for 2011

A) Trans-Taiga
Distance: 3180 miles(NYC), 3000 miles (Manchester, NH)
6 days/5 nights, from Thursday Feb 17 to Tuesday Feb 22.
Route Map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Suffern,+NY&daddr=Chibougamau,+QC+to:51.6848564,-76.1475892+to:Trans-Taiga+Rd+to:Brisay,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Canada+to:Kachimu miskwanuch,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Canada+to:Amos,+QC+to:Suf fern,+NY&geocode=FcJccwIdK5GU-ykBF3B6v-DCiTFP-dZW8QaXBg%3BFbc_-QIdubKR-ylPcex6C_XmTDEMiQf28Qxhww%3BFfilFAMdexR2-ynJex2t3qXiTDGYosqa0w8F4A%3BFfo0MgMdgSyU-w%3BFbTBPgMdlNfL-yk7xUnVf4VXTDEEgOJJVeha9g%3BFR8gHQMd3xRS-ynZhv3zaMkETTGqDO059AyXuA%3BFW9N5QIdRyhY-ym9QsKdoI4gTTFvzRyHWnsBgA%3BFcJccwIdK5GU-ykBF3B6v-DCiTFP-dZW8QaXBg&hl=en&mra=ls&via=2&sll=51.45743,-78.274841&sspn=1.365703,2.15332&ie=UTF8&z=5)
The Trans-Taiga starts near the end of JBR, following more interesting terrain into the heart of caribou country. The end of the road is both the most northerly road in Eastern North America, and the most remote road location in North America - more remote than the Dempster in Yukon/NWT or the Dalton to the North Slope in Alaska. This trip is for bragging rights at Alcan 2012, but features long driving days.

The Trans-Taiga trip would include 1 day from 'base camp' to end of the road and back, and 1 other 'activity day' in the Great White North.

Sample Itinerary:

Thursday: Origin to Chibougamau, QC
Friday: Chibougamau to Outfitters at TT km 286 (aka base camp)
Saturday: base camp to end of road and return
Sunday: Activity Day - base camp to either Radisson, JRB km381 or a seaside Cree Village
Monday: to Amos or Val D'Or (or return via Chibougamau)
Tuesday: return Home


B) Magdelene Islands
Driving Distance: 1810 miles (NYC), 1470 miles (Manchester, NH)
Route Map (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Suffern,+NY&daddr=Souris,+Prince+Edward+Island+to:%C3%8Esles+d e+la+Madeleine,+Cap-aux-Meules,+Quebec&geocode=FcJccwIdK5GU-ykBF3B6v-DCiTFP-dZW8QaXBg%3BFTVPwwIdFyFK_CmJ20kWwgxeSzFzvHxoe1xG5Q %3BFbob0wIdg05P_Cl53JQ1nAxhSzHOQlY5-gDvig&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=44.187555,-67.90799&sspn=12.572667,17.226562&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=6)
from Southern NH:
5 days/4 nights - Friday Feb 18 to Tuesday Feb 22

from NYC and Ottawa:
6 days/6 nights - Thursday Feb 17 to Wednesday Feb 23

- These islands in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence require a 5 hour ferry ride from PEI which only travels twice a week, making the islands slightly more remote than Newfoundland. The sand-bar-like islands are known for their beauty and red soil. The high season is Feb/March when the seals are on the ice surrounding the islands birthing their pups. The islands themselves take a max 1 hour drive from end to end, much of which is following long connecting spits at sea level. Our itinerary would include 2 daytime trips on the ferry, 2 full and one partial day to explore the island (i.e. 2 Activity days)

Sample Itinerary From NYC:
Thursday: NYC to somewhere in Maine, depending upon departure hour
Friday: Maine to Souris, PEI
Saturday: 8am Ferry to Islands (arrive 2pm), find bearings on islands
Sunday: Activity Day
Monday: Activity Day
Tuesday: 8am ferry to PEI, arrive 2pm, NH people have 12H drive home, NYC people overnight in Maine.
Wednesday: Maine to NYC

I think the Magdelene Islands sounds perfect. Not as much driving (not in itself a good thing), but more time to explore. We also have some MINI-owning friends in St. John, and I bet they could be coaxed into coming along, too. The ferry's only about 5 hours from them. :)

Alternatively, we could go to France (St Pierre and Miquelon).

Alternatively, we could go to France (St Pierre and Miquelon).

But not take the MINIs . . . the last I knew, there is no car ferry to the islands. Otherwise, the idea of driving to France is intoxicating :eek:

But not take the MINIs . . . the last I knew, there is no car ferry to the islands. Otherwise, the idea of driving to France is intoxicating :eek:
They even have the audacity to say you can drive to France (http://www.st-pierre-et-miquelon.com/english/comment.php); apparently they're missing an asterisk for the disclaimer… Still, it's pretty close!

Alternatively, we could go to France (St Pierre and Miquelon).

I discussed this a few years back with Kill-Joy Ross, who said it was impossible to drive to France. Impossible is my middle name, plus, it is the only way I could get my wife to go on a ride.

I think we could charter a ferry. Maybe even a cargo boat and take just ONE of the MINIs to France, then each take turns driving in it.

oh my... I was only the second one to vote.

I want to repeat: I will do either one. I voted up north because, well, I'm whacko that way. I does sound more intriguing to me too. However, I could use a few days vacationing in the icy-cold Atlantic too. So I will go with the flow.

However, the flow has to be more than two of us, each wanting a different spot. Come on folks, vote!

I think we could charter a ferry. Maybe even a cargo boat and take just ONE of the MINIs to France, then each take turns driving in it.

If we had a summer MINI trip to Newfoundland, which has been mooted in the past, then I believe that we could find someone with a small barge to help us out. It's been a couple years since we've been to Newfoundland, and I would consider joining a summer MINI trip there (although with 3 kids, I might rent a minivan).

In winter, the North Atlantic is no place for a small barge. I'm sure our veterans of Newfoundland 2006 will agree - that day, the North Atlantic was no place for the largest ferries in the Americas.

I think the Magdelene Islands sounds perfect. Not as much driving (not in itself a good thing), but more time to explore. We also have some MINI-owning friends in St. John, and I bet they could be coaxed into coming along, too. The ferry's only about 5 hours from them. :)

That would be great to get more folks out. I should also email YellowMINI (of Maine), since he likes the eastern trips.

BTW folks, my route map for Magdelene Islands was a rush job. Our route would likely not take I-95 to the border, but instead take the 'Airline' from Bangor to Calais and follow the shore to Saint John. It's a more interesting route by far, shorter, and takes the same amount of time.

For people who choose to (or must) take 2 days to get to PEI, that route also allows for some detours such as through Fundy National Park, as we did in 2008. I thoroughly enjoyed taking the lead through there and pushing my car to the limit of the snow conditions. This year, we would even have time to visit the Hopewell Rocks (we ran out of time in 2008), because Souris PEI is not as far as the ferry to NF.

Does anyone else remember that blind crest followed by short bumpy decline and sharp left where the locals' car that had just gone off the road? When I came over that crest (in front), I just about **** my pants. It was all I could do to make that curve, despite slowing down before the crest. road.

As DUCTTAPE implied, my preference is also: Let's GO! My last trip was Newfoundland 2, and that seemed like ages ago.


...
In winter, the North Atlantic is no place for a small barge. I'm sure our veterans of Newfoundland 2006 will agree - that day, the North Atlantic was no place for the largest ferries in the Americas.

Ah yes. That day at sea was a bit of excitement! Just ask the cows I happened to be directed to park next to on that ferry.




Does anyone else remember that blind crest followed by short bumpy decline and sharp left where the locals' car that had just gone off the road? When I came over that crest (in front), I just about **** my pants.

OH YEAH, I think seeing the tire marks disappear over that snow bank and NOT seeing what went over was a bit... disconcerting.
But the route through Fundy National Park was fun. :smile:

8>< snip

Does anyone else remember that blind crest followed by short bumpy decline and sharp left where the locals' car that had just gone off the road? When I came over that crest (in front), I just about **** my pants. It was all I could do to make that curve, despite slowing down before the crest. road.

Sure! That came after leaving the Bay, and after Play On was hit by a cinder block sized chunk of ice:

Two Two! Woo Whoo! Looks like we're going to...

Sure! That came after leaving the Bay, and after Play On was hit by a cinder block sized chunk of ice:
Yowza!

Sorry fellow TdN'rs for being late to this party. I voted no preference @cause i just want to go SOMEWHERE in February. 1500 miles of ice road, winter barge to France, surfing with the seal pups: whatever - just say where and when.

Looks like Thunderbirds Are Go !

Ducttape and LePew, you two are quite the pair.

Ducttape emails:
I believe I'm driving w Thibodeau. I'd prefer the long one. However I'll defer to David first and second to whichever the most folks can make.
Ross can you change the poll to read two more options?

...and so LePew votes 'None of the Above', but clarifies his vote to mean 'Any of the above'. What this means for Ducttape's vote I'm not sure.

This poll reminds me of a Monty Python Parade Square.

How about the rest of us just show up in February at LePew's house and drive wherever they go? :rolleyes:

Trans-Taiga or Magdelenes? Rather be at the pics

Well, I've just found out that I have to attend an event hosted by client HP down south, in Orlando, on Feb 17 and 18.

I was hoping that I could leave Orlando Friday and catch you, regardless of the route. So, I checked into flights from Orlando to Charlottetown PEI and to Montreal, but they don't work. I can't leave Orlando until mid-afternoon Friday, which is too late for flights to Charlottetown. And by the time I got up to Montreal, you would be well north of there.

So, unfortunately, I'm out of this year's trip.

I can't leave Orlando until mid-afternoon Friday, which is too late for flights to Charlottetown. And by the time I got up to Montreal, you would be well north of there. So, unfortunately, I'm out of this year's trip.

If you can make a 3:35 (Eastern) flight, Continental has a cheap seat from Orlando to Moncton, arriving 10:25pm (Atlantic) via Newark. That would put you in Souris, PEI at 1:30am. If you can leave earlier in the afternoon, you can arrive in Moncton at 7:30pm (Atlantic)

If I'm driving, I'll be happy to pick you up. If I'm flying, it will likely be to Moncton, in which case I would rent a car to get to Souris and you are welcome to a ride.

Pete -- I'm also avaialble to fetch you at any airport and any time. Please let me know.

Another option. USAir (cheap) leave Orlando 5pm arrive Halifax 11:17PM. We'd be in Souris PEI by 3 am, plenty of time for the ferry!

Kinda sounds like Pete would rather be marching up and down the square.

Hey, 7 votes! That's not bad!

Whichever airport Pete arrives at, he should slap on another Arctic MINI sticker, like this one at Gander.
:D

Whichever airport Pete arrives at, he should slap on another Arctic MINI sticker, like this one at Gander.
:D

And did you notice the fine bandaging, courtesy of the Canadian health care system?

Here's a better look:

I nearly voted "none of the above" since I thought one of the options would be Trans-Labrador due to early chatter about it. I'm actually rather torn about the given choices. The Trans-Taiga tour looks like a lot of fun. The two options are such opposites, but I decided to vote for the Magdalene Islands despite the potential adventures to be had in the remote north. It'd be great to bag yet another whatever-most road/point in the Americas. ;) Nevertheless, I enjoy being on the waters even if it makes the cows barf, and I'm a bit curious about island hopping and seeing seals. We never got to see (live) polar bears so second best will be seals. ;P If only it weren't peak tourist season on the islands. =( So I'd still be happy to do the Trans-Taiga if it swings that way. I've already got the snow tires on the MINI this time around so I could certainly drive it barring any issues.

Alright, so do we have a winner? When do we leave? :D

Sarah: thanks for breaking the tie.

So, it's off to the isles.

Brian: The nature of the trip is such that the NH folk can make it a short one: Friday (18th) to Tuesday, with 12H drives on the first and last day. Folks from further afield are looking at an overnight stop to and from PEI, making it a Thursday(17th) to Wednesday (23rd) trip.

Time for a head count.

MiniAcadie: Welcome to the group. Will you be able to make the trip? Would you be bringing your MINI?
NoNo: Game for the Islands? Bringing your wheels?
LePew: game for anywhere. Has wheels.
DuctTape: Game.
Me: I'll find a way to make the trip, even if I have to deice a runway myself.
NHRef: Can you make it?
Blalor: Voted Mag, assuming In. Has MINI, will travel.
Sarah C.: Blalor said he *had* to vote Mag so she could join him.
Uptick: Voted Mag, assuming In. Bringing wheels?
WilsonRabbit:Voted Mag, assuming In. Has wheels.

Unknown (all from our latest email list):
Squid
GW_guard_force
Jason

I will also contact veterans:
AntiqueCarNut
YellowMini
Anyone I've forgotten?

Unavailable:
George
Kate
Bob

Known Cars:
LePew (+ DuctTape)
Blalor (+ SarahC)
WilsonRabbit (with winter tires!)
Me (local rental if need be)

It looks like we need at least 1, preferably 2 more cars among known participants.

Giggity.

Wow, Sarah beat me in getting the time off. Guess I better get a move on…

Hey Pete -- why not grab an Air Canada Jazz flight (from Toronto, Montreal or Quebec City) leaving Saturday morning arriving right on Îles de la Madeleine that afternoon?

We'll just meet you at the airport on the island (assuming we can pick you out from all those seals). You're not getting away and saying "No" that quickly....

It looks like we need at least 1, preferably 2 more cars among known participants.

Is that with or without counting the Death Proof bonnet ride option?