I’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: the civilized way to drive from PEI to Halifax involves a stop for coffee in Sackville, New Brunswick.

I’m the first to admit that this is counter-intuitive: driving to Sackville means a small amount–10km in each directions–diversion from the mad dash to the big city.

And it’s not even halfway there.

But this is part of the point: doing something counter-intuitive and pokey slows the trip down just enough to remove a lot of the mad from the mad dash.

What clinched the deal for us was discovering Cranewood on Main, an excellent bakery cum sandwich shop cum coffee shop cum Mount Allison University student hangout. It’s tucked in behind Bridge Street, out of view enough that you might drive right by it if you’re not paying attention.

Their coffee is good, their sandwiches delightful, and their staff friendly. And they serve a macchiato in wonderful round-and-square glassware.