# 18

   .  .  .   and beyond

Driving

With a tank full of gas, two packed suitcases and high hopes, we headed off eastbound on the 401 at about 7 in the morning.  There were a couple of stops for coffee (and the resultant restroom breaks) along the way.  Lunch was a quick snack and back on the road again.  We had to stop for gas as well, but it seems that the Beamer is better on gas than the Pathfinder.  Quite a bit better actually.  The Pathfinder gets about 12 litres to 100 kms on long trips whereas the Beamer was using 9 litres per 100 kms.  We must admit though, that the BMW has to have premium gas, but the ride is worth it!

Years ago I fell down a flight of stairs on my tailbone.  It has never been right since and sitting for any length of time is very painful.  I have researched and found some specialized cushions for when I have to sit for a while.  There's one on my seat on the couch and each car I drive has one.  Doing several hours in the BMW was a breeze.  There was no pain and when it was time to get out, I could do so without any struggle.  What a relief.  Love that car for being very pretty and super comfortable.

                                                  Along our route in New Brunswick.


Late afternoon and we had traveled through Ontario and Quebec and were almost at the bottom of New Brunswick.  Traffic was temperate because it was Thursday.  Good plan on our part.  Mike's cousin  and her family live in Fredericton so we planned a quick stop there to drop off some items that her mom had given us to bring.  It made for a nice break in the last leg of our journey and we finally arrived at our hotel in Moncton around 8:30.  A full day of driving and we were met with a hotel upgrade.   They put us in a whirlpool room.   NICE!