whyknot all packed up

It's been a busy week of driving and packing.
Getting out of Ottawa was a challenge due to road work and lane closures. Slow going at about 10km/hr gave me time to think of how grateful I am to have this opportunity to see so many of my family and friends. I also wondered if going so slow would give me better gas mileage.Someone told me that 80km/hr was the ideal speed for saving on gas and keeping it between 2000-2500 rpm's was good. I noticed a bit difference between 80 and 100km/hr but am aware of impatient drivers behind when going less than speed limit. I used to be one of those! so now I just pull over and let them pass.
I got as far as Quebec city and a small RV park near the highway.
I had stopped at a tourist info near Montreal and the woman there was very helpful, giving me maps and telling me about a new by-pass of Montreal. That place also had free water hook up and dump site for RV's. 
I'm learning to pay more attention to the tanks in my RV and plan where to get water or dump my waste water. RV parks have all those facilities but when staying at rest stops or walmart parking lots, those options aren't available. I think truck stops do have services that you can get for a fee eg showers, etc.
It was such a pleasure by-passing Montreal as that used to be my most stressful part of the journey heading along the 401.
I kept wondering where the city was and did see the occasional subdivision, but mostly it was farmer's fields and a few factories.

The next day, I drove to Fredericton for a joyful reunion with dear friends there. How I love having someone cook for me! (they are fantastic cooks)
all along my journey east, the fall colours developed more and more. In New Brunswick I felt like I was driving through a Group of 7 painting, every turn an exquisite visual feast.
The next day, my journey continued south east past Moncton to Truro NS. Going through the toll booth was easy. I've had to pay a few tolls but minimal cost as I'm often considered a car or else pay per axle and I have only 2 compared to more for the big trucks.
I usually avoid the toll roads as they are often heavy with fast moving traffic.

In Truro, I stopped for a great dinner at "Smitty's", getting a special senior's rate. Getting older has its perks!
Some shopping and carry on to New Glasgow. I was too tired to keep driving ,so stayed at the Walmart parking lot. Staff there were very pleasant and I felt secure staying there as it is well lit, has security cameras and staff that work all night.
It was now Sat Oct 11 and drove to Pictou NS where I lived before moving into my RV. 
Stopping at another friend's place, I reconnected to another friend. .Lunch and catching up was good.She is another traveling free spirit.
I picked up some boxes of things I had stored there.
Where did all these things come from?? It's amazing how many things I've accumulated over the years and how seldom I've actually used some of it. The RV is giving me a chance to live more simply. It has meant letting go of many things but I'm loving having less things to keep track of.It has also felt good to give so many things away to others who could really use them.
That evening I discovered my driving skills had improved when I managed to pull into the driveway of my previous neighbours  who feel like family to me. whyknot was a little nervous as she/he (not sure what my RV is yet) just fit almost exactly.
I arrived just in time for turkey dinner (ahhhh, more wonderful food!) It was festive with some of their family and friends there.
We have so much to be thankful for and Thanksgiving is a good reminder of that.
The next day, I drove to northern Cape Breton and that, my friends, is another story!