Day 88 - Bras d'Or, NS to North Sydney, NS

August 9 (Sunday)

Start Time: 8:00 am

Stop Time: 8:30 am

KM Travelled: 6.7 km

Elevation: +40/ - 50 m

Special Stuff: Catching the ferry to Argentia, Newfoundland

I wake up and remember that today is a special day - it is our wedding anniversary. It has been 7 years since I married Brian - a guy who keeps my life interesting. Brian and I will be going our separate ways today - me to the ferry to Newfoundland, and him to Halifax (where he will drop off the truck for servicing and catch a flight to St. John's). I feel like we’ve been celebrating our anniversary for the past several months simply by being able to be together on this adventure. (Brian is the romantic in our relationship - and might not agree with this being enough of a celebration.) Of course he gives me a card (he's thoughtful that way).

Here's a pretty cool flower basket at the campground - a little anniversary celebration picture.

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I’m excited to keep moving and to complete the ride. At the same time, I wish it would never end. I absolutely love biking. There have been some days that I have not been enthusiastic about the route and conditions, but never the ride. There is a comfort in the rhythm of preparing for each day - things like charging my devices, filling my water bottles, hydrating, making sure my weight is balanced and finally, putting on sunscreen.  It’s almost like a door I go through as I step into the persona of ‘Biker Corinne’.

The ferry does not leave until 5:30 pm tonight, and I’m unsure if they will let me on with my bike. I want to confirm that everything is in order before Brian leaves town, so I head out to the ferry at 8:00 am (way too early).

6 km down the road, I arrive at the Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal and I get everything sorted out with my travel itinerary. There is no problem bringing my bike on board.

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I leave the terminal to hang out at Tim Hortons for a few hours, bike around North Sydney, and stop by Subway to pick up my last Canadian Club sub for "the road". Along the way, I meet several people who ask about my journey. Like so many conversations I've had with people all across Canada, our conversation concludes with them saying "Safe Travels!" or "Bon Voyage!". Early on in my journey, when people wished me "Safe Travels" or "Bon Voyage", it kind of annoyed me. I used to think, "What are you afraid of for me that I haven't already thought about?" (As I prepared for this trip, I thought about all the things that could go wrong, did my risk assessment and put in place measures to eliminate or mitigate the potential for harm and I accepted the risk for things beyond my control.) As time has passed, I have come to realize that "Safe Travels" or "Bon Voyage" is a phrase used to express care. In my brief encounters with strangers (which sometimes only involves a "good morning" greeting and a wave), we develop a micro-relationship and a feeling of connection in a given time and space. These connections are important - because they are reciprocal relationships where both parties are seen and noticed in a world where it is easy for people to disappear into the noise and busy-ness of our environments. "Safe Travels" or "Bon Voyage" is an expression that says, "I see you, I've enjoyed our connection and I hope you are well as you travel to your destination." I now look forward to when people say "Safe Travels" or "Bon Voyage" - it feels like I am being wrapped up in a bubble of love.

I have honed the skill of filling my mind with hours of vast nothingness while riding my bike - today I get to do the same while sitting in a ferry terminal. I believe this is a skill that our generation is losing because we are constantly being 'entertained' by our phones. I enjoy just sitting quietly with my thoughts (and complete absence of them).

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At 5:00 pm I join ferry line up number 6 and meet Steve the Cross Canada Biker. Brian and I met Steve back in Wawa, Ontario - he started his cross Canada journey on May 13th from Victoria (one day before me). It is great to connect again and chat about our experiences.

I board the ferry and head up to the passenger area ready to camp on the floor with a pannier filled with a mattress, sleeping bag and toiletries. I look out and see the spot where Brian took me for an ice cream on the first day I got to Bras d'Or.

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Compared with BC ferries, this one is amazing. The seating area is roomy and plush. There are few food service options and a lounge area with live music. People are playing games, kicking back, and enjoying the evening. The main bathroom is an all genders bathroom - which is fine, but I'm not sure it is something that I'll ever get comfortable with.

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On this ferry trip, I feel like an observer - I am focused on my goal to finish the ride. I pass the time listening to an audio book (first book on this trip) and I get to see a whale shoot water into the air through it's spout (I try to get a picture of it, but no such luck).

I settle down with my earplugs in at 9:00 pm and I easily fall to sleep.