I love driving but two major road trips within a couple of months is quite unusual for me.

The last,  my trip around Lake Ontario, was a substitute for not going to Chile after the earthquake.

This one, to New York, Massachusetts, Maine, New Brunswick and home again is the result of connecting two trips into one longer one. My accommodation will be as varied as my locations:

• Hotel in Manhattan
• A lovely seaside motel in Cape Cod.
• Camp sites in Maine and New Brunswick

I start out with friends, travel solo in the middle, then end at a family reunion. Here’s the travel itinerary.

First, to New York City

Wednesday – Two friends and I will drive to NYC leaving early on Wednesday morning. We’ll arrive there in the early evening and stay at the Courtyard Newark Elizabeth in Elizabeth New Jersey (very close to Jersey Gardens outlet mall if that’s of interest to you).

I really don’t want to take my car into Manhattan due to the traffic and the cost so this hotel is a great alternative. The hotel room is $215  a night including tax and includes up to eight days with Park ‘n Fly.We’ll check in, have a swim, go online (free wifi in public areas and wired in room) and relax.

Thursday – Sunday In the morning, we’ll head into the city via the train from Newark Airport to Penn Station. First stop the Chelsea Star Hotel to drop off our bags. We actually have an apartment that we’ll be sharing there. Then up to the the Official New York City Information Center in Times Square to pick up the NYC CityPass that will be waiting for me as a participant at TBEX. (more about that soon.)

This day we plan to take a tour on the public bus systems as per this great article in the New York Times. For $7.50, we can hop on and hop off all day traveling like locals.

That evening we have dinner reservations at Otto Enoteca at 1 Fifth Avenue. A pizza joint with an incredible reputation. It is one of Mario Batali’s Italian restaurants that is actually quite modestly priced. Don’t plan on going without a reservation.

Friday we’ll likely take in the Museum of Modern Art and do some shopping. At 5:30 I’m going to a get together of the various hosts for Meet Plan Go – an event scheduled in 10 cities across North America on September 14th. I’m hosting the one in Toronto. Later that evening is the opening reception of TBEX, the travel bloggers conference.

Saturday and Sunday are completely tied up with going to the conference. I have lots to learn and people to meet. I’m very excited. Late Sunday afternoon my two friends and I head to the airport. They fly home. I pick up the car and drive to Cape Cod.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts
I’ll arrive in late from New York City but I think it’s worth it to drive through rather than break my trip up. I’d like to have the full Monday and Tuesday to spend in Cape Cod.

I’ll be staying at the Cape Cod Ocean View Hotel. I’ll definitely go to Provincetown and otherwise, wander the beaches and explore the area. There are museums and I could go whale watching but, coming off New York City,  I’m leaving myself open to  my mood at the time.

Bar Harbor / Acadia National Park, Maine
I’m going to Acadia National Park where I’ll camp two nights (yes, I’ve brought equipment with me) at Blackwoods Campground. I’ll take advantage of  ocean beaches and 125 miles of hiking trails. I won’t be bringing my bike on this trip (just not enough room) but I will likely rent one to see more of the park.  Of course, I’ll also explore Bar Harbor a small town of about 5000 residents and go to the top of Cadillac Mountain as mountains have become a bit of a theme of mine.

Sussex / Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
The drive from Bar Harbor to Fundy National Park, just east of Saint John, New Brunswick will take about 5 hours. I won’t have much time to enjoy the park as I am here for a  reunion of my husband’s family. But, again, I will camp. I could have taken a room in a hotel but, for me, being outside all the time is a real pleasure. Saturday and Sunday morning are the reunion days but I’ll leave early Sunday morning for a 15 hour marathon drive back to Toronto.

This trip, as I say, came as a result of blending two together. But how lovely a blend it is. Starting with friends for five days, then solo for five and finally with family for two. I am really looking forward to it.

Prince Edward County is just one of the fine wine areas on Lake Ontario

Oh my, this is going to be a good trip.

Sunday I leave to travel solo around Lake Ontario.  Some days are packed with things to do, others are more about the journey – cycling and driving.

Here’s my itinerary. Details to come in future posts.

SUNDAY, April 18th
7:30 a.m.
Leave for Prince Edward County. I’ll take the 401 east from Toronto all the way because I have to be there on the early side.

10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Cooking Class – Professional Kitchen Basics with Chef Kelly Atwells, The Waring House Cookery School

The afternoon
I’ll take in as many Prince Edward County wineries as possible.

• Redtail Vineyard (an off grid Winery)
• Closson Chase (owned by actress Sonja Smits and her husband)
• Huff Estates Winery and Vineyard (also the location for Oeno Gallery
  and, if I can possibly get to another…
• Grange of Prince Edward (largest Pinot planting in the area. I love a good Pinot.)

Check into the Moonlight on the Lake B&B

Dinner
East and Main Bistro featuring local food and wine.

MONDAY, April 19^th

Morning
A work morning – there will be lots of writing to do. I’ll settle in at Miss Lilies, a hub for coffee in Picton.

Afternoon
Follow the Prince Edward County Arts Trail

Check in at Browns Bed and Breakfast

7:30 p.m.
Dinner at Blumen Garden Bistro

Gardens, culture, flavors -- Niagara on the Lake is colorful in many ways. It

TUESDAY, April 20^th

Morning
Go to the amazing Fifth Town Artisan Cheese for cheese making

Noon
Leave for Kingston. I’ll take the Glenora-Adolphustown Ferry then pick up The Loyalists Parkways (Highway 33) along the lake to Kingston.

3 p.m.
Check into the Rosemount Inn and Spa where I’ll take it a bit slower. Funny — so busy in the country and a little lazier in the city.

5.p.m.
Spa treatment – seaweed wrap.

WEDNESDAY, April 21^th

All day
I’m bringing my bike with me on this trip so I’m hoping that the weather will be good enough to ride. My objectives:

• The downtown area.
• The Waterfront Trail – it’s only 8k but will give me a sense of the city
• Wolfe Island – I’ll take the ferry there.

Evening
By asking around I’ll find out what club or pub is the one to go to. Places that are highly recommended on ChowHound and I’m considering include:

• Le Chien Noir
• Pan Chancho
• Aquaterr

THURSDAY, April 22nd
I leave for the American side of Lake Ontario. My destination is Rochester, NY via the Thousand Islands Bridge, Route 81  south to Route 90  west. After a while I’ll wander further south and meander through the Finger Lakes before focusing in on Rochester.

FRIDAY, April 23rd

Morning
George Eastman House a world renowned museum of photography and film.

Afternoon
From the maps I’ve studied, I’ll be cycling the Genesee Riverway Trail which goes through the city to the Lake.

Evening
That will be determined by what I learn throughout the day.

SATURDAY, April 24th
10 a.m.
Before leaving Rochester I’ll participate in a webinar with the Global Bloggers Network.

11 a.m.
Leave Rochester for Niagara on the Lake — back in Ontario.

4:30 p.m.
Check in at the Brockamour Manor B&B

6:15 p.m.
Chef’s Table Dinner at Peller Estates Winery Restaurant with celebrity Winery Chef Jason Parsons. I am so thrilled to have this on my agenda.

SUNDAY, April 25th

10:00 a.m.
Wine Country Cooking School located within Strewn Winery. I’m always eager to learn more.

11:30 a.m.
Tour and tasting at Strewn Winery. Both the cooking school and the winery have a terroir focus – a local sensibility.

2:00 p.m.
Matinee performance at the Shaw Festival – An Ideal Husband is playing.

And home to Toronto.

Fabulous!

My thanks goes to Taste The County (Prince Edward Country), Tourism Kingston, Visit Rochester and Niagara on the Lake – Tourism Niagara for their help with this trip.

Anglesey Beach, Wales

An island sojourn: sand, sea and bracing (healthy) iodine-filled breezes — w With a twist. It’s all in Welsh.

Kiah and I are off to Sir Fôn (there’s the Welsh already), ready to sniff out the best places for a solo traveler – and her dog! Anglesey (the English name) is the largest of the Welsh islands (accessible by rail, road or ship). It’s also the place with the long place name (starts with Llanfairpwllgwyngyll…) and has standing stones, copper mines and friendly, welcoming locals.

Allow me to introduce you to Anglesey
I speak fluent Welsh, so my inside track will help you find the top places on Sir Fôn where you’ll experience Welsh hospitality at its best. And, although you’ll find the locals speak Welsh in the pub (it is their native tongue, after all), my simple Welsh phrases will help you make some new friends on your solo island adventure.

So, let’s start by choosing a friendly place to spend the night (or two, or three): how about a wee little cottage, surrounded by rolling fields (sheep and cows), a step away from the Anglesey coastal path? Anglesey Cottages are owned by Sue and Godfrey. They’ll provide local knowledge, logs for the fireplace, and welcome chocolates.

Fancy eating out? Just a mile or so walk along the country lanes is the White Eagle pub, dog-friendly local with scrumptious local-sourced food, or further afield, but well worth the trip is The Old Boathouse restaurant in Red Wharf Bay.

The beautiful Kiah who travels with Ffion.

If B&B is more your style, Chris and Bob at Pandy, near Cemaes, know all the local spots, and give you a Welsh breakfast that’ll set you up for the day. And yes, dog friendly, too.

Spend the day walking the coast, or perhaps visiting a 14th century castle in Beaumaris, where you’ll also find craft shops, cafes and the dog-friendly Bulkeley Hotel.
Or, follow the example of cruise-ship visitors to Holyhead port, and explore Holyhead breakwater county park (walk, eat, swim) or the explore The Dingle (it’s like a step back in time – local children speaking Welsh, and ancient trees in the steep-sided ‘dingle’), or buy wonderful local art (and have local food) at Oriel Môn. Locals are always ready to share the place’s history, or recommend great walks, or places to eat.

And those Welsh words?

• Begin a conversation with a simple: “helo” – (Hello), or “Bore da” (Boree dah) which means Good Morning.
• Fancy buying something? Try out “Faint ydi o?” (Vint udee o?), which means How Much?
• And, once you’ve bought your Welsh fancy, then simply say “Diolch” (Dee-olch) – thanks!

Solo Welsh travel: you’ll be part of the local scene in no time!

My beautiful friend, Kiah, in the snow.

Can you imagine living as a human in a dog’s world? I know. It sounds like some corny rehash of Planet of the Apes, but the thought does cross my mind when I see my dog live in a human world 90% of the time. She only has occasion to interact with others of her kind when she meets them on walks, or at the doggie day care. She is mostly a solo traveling dog.

I choose to travel solo, but what about Kiah? Sure, she sees me as the (human) pack leader, but doesn’t she get tired of her solo dog life sometimes?

I have a long history with dogs but they have not been solo animals. In fact, this is the first time I’ve shared my life with just one dog; usually it’s been at least two, sometimes three and, once, we had three dogs, two cats and two rabbits. Never a solo animal.

Recently, when I took Kiah over to my dog-sitting friends, it hit me how much she needs her own kind. We hadn’t been there for about six weeks and when we pulled up at the gate, she was so excited she practically leapt out of the car. Humans lucky enough to be familiar with Kiah know that she is generally a very laid-back animal. Leaping out of cars is not her style. And the other dogs were equally happy to see her, especially her packmate, Willow, who rolled over in a (for her) rare display of canine affection and pleasure. Kiah spent the day with her dog friends, and was happy and content not being a solo dog for a while.

I guess it makes me, a solo (human) traveler for much of my life, realize that although we humans can choose to travel solo, perhaps, at times, we also need the company of our special pack.

Solo travel, whether through life, a year-long global sojourn or on a brief weekend trip, is brilliant, great, fun and challenging. But perhaps, it is all the more so when spiced with the occasional “pack” day. I suppose, at this time of the year (Christmas, winter solstice, or simply the ending of one year and the awakening of the next), many thoughts turn to absent pack mates. Mine certainly do.

Yes, English. I know you’re fluent – but have you travelled to Britain recently? Yes, that’s travelled with a double ‘l’. Just like if you are a solo traveler from Britain you are actually a solo traveller – again, double ‘l’. English is different in the UK.

The Solo Traveller’s English
Just wait until you meet some new Brit pals and they invite you over to their flat for some Spagbol – is that a new game, some really funky music, or ( I know, you’ve guessed it haven’t you?) some nosh – yes, Spagetti Bolognese.

And if you’re asked if you fancy some afters. It’s not a naughty suggestion so don’t get too excited! – “afters” is pudding, sweet, dessert.

OK, so that one was easy – but how about when you’ve left the flat (you’ve figure out that’s an apartment right?), and you’re trying to cross the road to get back to your hotel. Having finally mastered the fact that the traffic comes from the other direction – and how on earth do all those small cars go so fast! – you remember your new Brit pals told you to keep to the pavement. Of course you step onto the road…

In Briny, the road is the road, and the pavement is the sidewalk.And that big truck coming towards you is called a lorry (no, not a lolly – that’s an ice-cream).

Best idea is to look for a lolly lady by a zebra crossing, just beyond that roundabout. Sounds like getting lost in a candy-store-come-zoo? You’ll be looking for a crossing guard standing by the crosswalk, just past the traffic circle…

Phew! Finally back at the hotel, and time for a nice cuppa, and a chockie bikky, or maybe some crisps and a pint – just make sure you don’t get caught out needing to spend a penny…

Confused yet? Hey that was just a taste of English English – and, of course you do know that Britain has other native languages? Including the musical Welsh, and the tongue twisting Gaelic?

‘Nuff already! Ta ta for now and don’t forget to practice your English before you go to old Briny where you’ll be a solo traveller, not a solo traveler.

Whine whine whine…Trying to combine my photography hobby with any kind of relationship is next to impossible.Except for my beautiful dog, Kiah, who’s a perfect companion for the Solo traveller/photographer.  As soon as she sees the camera in the ‘shoot’ position, she settles down to wait, totally at ease, no rush, content to share the simple country pleasures. And what pleasures there are in the UK. It’s almost summer here (20 degrees today), but the spring blossoms are still in glorious bloom.

Fields are submerged under golden waves of rapeseed, and the last of the crocus and daffodils are bowing out, leaving the stage to the heavy purple and white blossoms swaying from lilac bushes. Mating ducks paddle curiously by, and cherry blossoms make natural confetti for the newly-weds (poetic license!).

So, there you go, a camera, a beautiful dog, and glorious countryside – what more encouragement do you need to go on a solo photography exploration?