well, it’s been a bit of a tough go.  yes, it’s spring time, and yes, this is Canada … with those two conditions combined, the constant rain, cold and sometimes even snow that has plagued us since our departure early Saturday morning should come as no real surprise.  i’ll admit, i’m no raving optimist, but rather, a bone-deep realist.  still, i’d hoped for something a little better than this.

Saturday morning found us packing the car and the roof-gear under a constant drizzle that felt more like a torrential, freezing downpour.  throughout Ontario and then Quebec, the rain did not let up except for the last ten minutes of driving before arriving at our first-leg destination of Drummondville.  the ten-minute break in the rain felt like someone had finally handed you a pair of badly needed glasses after 9+ hours of driving.

and for the record, Quebec roads suck.  at least a half dozen times we hydroplaned due to water accumulations that really shouldn’t have been there if the roads had been properly maintained, not to mention potholes and breaks along the highway.  and the hotel, well, i’ll refrain from bad-mouthing a major chain, but what kind of hotel holds a CD-release party on a Saturday night so that all of their guests have to listen to the loud celebration via huge speakers into the wee hours?

New Brunswick roadways are considerably better maintained, and the Riverside Resort and Conference Centre in Mactaquac was amazing in comparison to our stay in Quebec.  super quiet, awesome service, and a beautiful spot … although the walking trails were a bit of a wash-out this time of the year and with all the rain.  still, i was very glad to have found them.

and it was in Mactaquac, nestled in the Riverside, that we saw our first glimpse of the sun …

on day three of the drive, the skies cleared considerably, but unfortunately, we’ve had rain ever since.  so, no actual photos yet of Nova Scotia.  yesterday we scouted a few areas for photos, and we’ll do some more of that today since the weather isn’t cooperating … and with any luck we’ll be able to start some shooting tomorrow.

the scruffies have been traveling relatively well, although matea’s back has been acting up and she’s showing signs of pain.  Margaret at Ralph’s Cat & Dog Health Foods here in Lunenburg set us up with some Earth Animal’s “No More Pain” drops.  we’ll give those a try for the next few days before hitting the Metacam if we have to.

although starting out well and proving to be a consummate little traveler during our first three days and loving the hotels, merrick hasn’t been doing well at our current location.  i’m not sure why … whether it’s the traffic noise (although he does fine during the day) or if we’ve got ghosts.  he’s reverting back to his post-rescue state … going into panic at nights, totally skittish, and too afraid to do his business.  the boy’s got an iron bladder.

but here they were at the Riverside …

… the last place he was truly at ease.

i’ll keep you all posted as i can.  but if the weather doesn’t shape up so we can actually take some photos, and if i can’t shake the migraine that’s been plaguing me since we left Saturday morning, i’m afraid this trip might be a bust.