Top 10 Highlights of Family Road Trip 2025

The church at Grand Pre

In years past I posted both highlights and lowlights from our family trips. This year there was not a single negative I could think of. That is in no small part to the care and meticulous planning of my wife. No one got sick. No credit cards were stolen. Customs went off without a hitch.

Here we go with the top highlights from our trip:

1. Grand Pre. The picture to the left is of the church on the UNESCO World Heritage Site where my ancestors were rounded up and sent away on ships. It had always been described to me as an Eden of sorts. I see why. I have wanted to see these gentle prairies since I found out about them. There were big feelings running through that place. Being able to bring my family back to the place where families were forcibly separated felt like the circle was closed (at least for me).

2. Cabot Trail: If I were in charge of marketing for this scenic road, I might call it the PCH of the Maritimes. The views were breathtaking and serene. What made it different than PCH is we were constantly surrounded by nature. There were very few houses and even less commerce happening on that trail. Nature was the draw, and it was just how I like it.

3. Quebec City: I had no expectations going here. If anything, I felt a little tug as we arrived because it marked the end of gorgeous Canadian landscapes for urban life. But Quebec was full of Old World charm I didn't expect. While Canadian warmth and kindness is famous, I found the patience the Quebecois had with my French especially sweet.

4. Canadian towns: Something that was observably different, especially in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, was how highways were not surrounded by towns as they are here in America. Bathroom breaks were often a mile off the highway, nestled in small, calm communities filled with helpful people. It made for an amazing driving experience but also made me think about how we organize ourselves in the world.

5. Seafood: C'mon. I'm Cajun. I'm going to eat some sea creatures. Lobster in Nova Scotia. Mussels in Prince Edward Island. And a surprising "Cajun" spiced salmon sandwich in Quebec. I was very skeptical of the lime mayo. But it somehow worked.

6. Our friends in Toronto: John and Maria truly are some of the most loving and thoughtful people I've ever met. They always know how to show us a good time. So many laughs. So many kind words. They are wonderful found family.

7. Public transportation: I know this seems strange to put as a highlight. But having lived in places my whole life where moving around the world is a free-for-all, the Canadian public transit system is admirable. Giant ferries, street cars, subways, trains, buses...all very efficient, relatively clean, and unbelievably cheap (free in some cases). When we talk with the kids about what they like about trips up to Canada this always comes up. From the mouths of babes...

8. Dance Party: Our Toronto friends booked a dinner cruise for us. There were beautiful views of the Toronto skyline. The meal was tasty. The DJ'ed upper deck made everyone start moving. I've only danced with my kids a few times before. Care was thrown to the wind of Lake Michigan as we shook our booties.

9. Pocologan: You can drive through the town faster than it takes to say the name. This was an unexpected stop on our first day after our ferry to Nova Scotia was cancelled due to rough seas. We had to drive around the Bay of Fundy and stopped for the night at a 3(!) room motel. The owners were in the restaurant they operated next door. We had a wonderful dinner there, and before turning in, the owner brought us cake. We arrived and left in the thickest fog and couldn't see the bay - but could hear it. It all just added to the magic and anticipation for the rest of the trip.

10. Ben/Blue Jays: Ok, I'm cheating here. But both need to be mentioned. I happened to check Facebook on the morning we were heading to a Blue Jays game in Downtown Toronto. Turns out my former roommate and old college buddy Ben was in town for work. It's always a treat to see him, but the randomness of this made it even better. Directly following that, we attended the Blue Jays vs. Yankees game. It was honestly one of the most riveting games I've ever seen. Toronto pulled ahead in the end.