New Brunswick: Edmundston & Bathurst

Post date: Aug 6, 2015 12:23:48 AM

We decided to tour New Brunswick, since it was a new Frontier for us both. Staying true to our adventure, we stayed away from big cities (are there any in NB) and kept to the small towns and narrow highways. Every other car seemed to have kayaks tied to the roof of their cars. Caution roadsigns  for moose crossings (we saw two females) Wildflowers galore, and people stopped along the side of the roads picking mushrooms. Almost everyone speaks French but at least the roadsigns are in English, unlike Quebec City, where roadsigns as well as Historic Markers are all in French. We found friendly people, high gas & food prices. The Canadian currency does not have pennies. The dollar coin is a "looney" (loon on the coin) and of course the two dollar coin is a "tooney." The National minimum hourly wage is $10.50 & they pay for National Health Insurance by taxes taken out of their wages.

We now understand the term "Big Sky" With no mountains to speak of, the rolling hills are covered in green -  pine, birch & maple trees cover acres of land, dotted with rivers, lakes and huge bays of opening to the ocean. Everywhere you look is green, and when the sun is out the sky is so blue, and usually dotted with white sculptured clouds.   

The weather in Edmundston  was  grey & wet, but we had one beautiful day which we spent in a multi-acre Botanical Garden.  The River Madawaska ran next to the Garden which was full of Spring blossoms, all types of trees, & life-size topiary. Water falls created lovely ponds and small rivers.  We spotted a groundhog along with some ducks & a family of geese. It was a beautiful day and one of the best Botanical Gardens we've ever visited.

Our next stop was Bathurst. Planning a 10-day stay in a cottage on the Bay, turned into a disappointment.  The cottage was not as described.  The location & view were perfect, however the cottage interior was not.  So we ended up in a Hotel in downtown Bathurst. Again, another small town on the Bay, with Rivers & Lakes.  The beaches were rocky, with very little sand. We followed walking paths along the waters edge.  The weather went from hot & steamy to cool & wet, but again we watched the weather reports & on a beautiful clear day we drove to the Northern most city in NB - Dalhousie & found a picturesque lighthouse surrounded by blue water & sky and a sailboat in the distance - perfect. 

We attended a First Nation Pow Wow, watched the local Natives in their bright colored costumes, performing dance & song. It was very hot that day with no shade,  but so glad we were able to experience the celebration. We found a beautiful Nature Reserve, and after the rain cleared we walked a few miles expecting to see wildlife - nothing, nothing but big mosquitoes & various sized bugs.  But the trees, wide open marsh, and acres of ferns and plants, were just beautiful.

Outside of Bathurst was an Acadian Village. The Acadian people are descendants of the original French settlers. The French & Indian War resulted in the British expulsion of the Acadians from the region. Many Acadians came out of hiding or returned to Acadia from the British Colonies. Others remained in France and some migrated from there to Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns. 

Original homes, cabins & shops from the 1800s were moved to the location from all over NB.  People dressed to depict the times - farm, raise cattle, chickens & goats, cook using outdoor ovens, indoor stoves of the times, shear sheep, make yarn, weave blankets and clothes. There are blacksmiths, print shops & a general store.  As visitors, we walked along the dirt roads, visiting the homes & talking with the "settlers."  We walked over a covered bridge which took us into the 20th century. These homes, hotel, school & gas station again were original.  This was an amazing day which we thoroughly enjoyed and will never forget.