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  This is Koubibouguc National Park on the east coast of New Brunswick.

The weather had greatly improved since yesterday. Today it’s 81 degrees and NO wind. We spent the day

biking the 18km trail around the park.

  

Then onward we go. Looking at our brochures to see if there is something to peek our interest.

This late in the day it had to be something none physical. We were running out of steam.

We found it! The Oliver Soapery, Canada’s Soap Economuseum. Here they demonstrate the

heritage craft techniques. It’s a soap museum, library, & boutique. We unfortunately

did not see any demonstrates as the next English speaking presentation was June 23rd.

Could not pass up a picture with the largest lobster in the world in Shediac NB! Cute gift shop to browse through too.

  Shediac is the Lobster Capital of the World so of course we had to buy some for our dinner.  Next stop…..,

  

Rachel our tour guide at Michel & Charles LaBlanc Fisheries in Cap-Pele NB was fantastic. We had our first taste of smoked herring.

  It was surprisingly tasty so we bought some.

Yes! Lobster dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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We entered New Brunswick on the north end at Campbellton, stopping of course at the ? info center to load up on booklets.  We are taking the Acadian Trail route along the northeast of the Province. We are finding NB much more populated than the Gaspesie but still with wonderful spots to stop and enjoy. We stopped at the The Marshlands Beach in Beresford to walk the boardwalk. The weather was great, some people were swimming, some picnicking on the tables provided along the beach.

Better yet there was a huge parking lot. With no restrictions on overnight parking. Well as you can see another wonderful view. And for those of you with RV’s a free dump.

The first picture is the clock tower in Bathurst. The harbor is in Caraquet were we spent the night in the parking lot at the info center were we pulled into during a rainstorm. Lucky us there was wifi. After waiting out the bad weather we went for a nice walk down to the harbor. As it was late in the day we boon docked in the parking lot of the info center. As you can see it was hardly roughing it with a view like that! 

Last night we decided to try the Dixie Lee chicken almost next door to us. The smell was getting to us. It’s an inexpensive, order at the counter kink of place. The chicken was good but fries ordinary. We did meet a couple there that helped  translate the French menu and they told us we just had to try the seafood omelet at the La Caraquette Restaurant. We did it was great! Scallops, lobster and shrimp in a light cheese sauce. Oh yeah! Afterwards we again started down the Acadian trail south along the coast. It was so windy 70km we couldn’t stop along the way to enjoy a few walks that sounded interesting in the booklets. We drove on to Miramichi where we did go the Middle Island Irish Historical Park. There was an interruptive center(small but informative). This island was used as an area to quarantine sick people from the ships. The picture of the cross; is where so many were buried. So sad to have to leave your homeland with some hope only to come to such sorrow.

Since the weather was bad we spent the rest of the day at the library using the wifi. Then did some laundry. Afterwards drove a ways down the coast stopping at a spot overlooking the port in Pointe Sapin to boondock.   Thanks Mary and Elaine for posting this one.

Pointe Sapin. If you look carefully in front of the house with the chimney you’ll see our camper.

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Perce is a very popular cultural center. Many artists were attracted to this charming village.  The magnificence of the Rocher Perce (the rock) and Bonaventure Island with its thousands of Northern Gannets have made this a tourist area, we saw many tour buses stopping here.

Another one of our boon docking spots near Maria. Sorry big rig friends but t his is only for the small guys.  

Before crossing over into New Brunswick, we decided to check out a museum that was only 4 km past the turn. You just never know. It turned out to be very interesting. The staff walked us through some of the history which adds so much more. There was a film and some self guided. There are numerous remnants from underwater archaeological excavations made on the wreck of the French pirate frigate The Machault. It was well preserved by the mud in the bay. It is just amazing to see something that is over 200 years old. The center commemorates the last naval battle between France and England for the possession of the New France in 1760.

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  We are following the waters edge on Hwy 132 and it’s beauty is endless. Small towns, not much population. Besides the views, we came across such interesting things as the tallest vertical axis windmill in the world(110 meters)and of course international signs that meant What?    This is Forillon National Park of Canada which is located at the very end of Quebec. It had some very nice hikes, which unfortunately I(Diane) am unable to do at this time. But we enjoyed the entertaining docents at Hyman’s company general store that was restored to its 1918 appearance.

This young man in the picture could have been on a stage, he was so enthusiastic and so very excited to practice his English.  The other picture is Anse-Blanchette’s family homestead

also but not shown is a barn/stable, fish shed, woodshed, fish stage used to produce salt dried fish. It is a hundred year old house decorated as it was in the 1920’s. The same family lived in it until the 1970’s when the park took it over.

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We are driving around the Gaspe’ Peninsula QC. Our first stop is the lighthouse of Rimouski where we decided to enjoy

a bike ride along the coast. We rode through charming waterfront villages to Sante Luce about 4 miles up the road.

Upon our return we parked across the street  on the waters edge for the night. What could be better!

Very interesting, the Centre D’Art Marcel Gagnon.

These are cement statues going into the straits of St. Lawrence

This is another of our wonderful overnighters. We stopped at the Site du Phare de Cap Madeleine(lighthouse)we asked if it was ok to spend the night. They said for $5.00 and we could help ourselves to water. The bathrooms were left open all night too! Another fantastic view! The sunset was gorgeous.

QUEBEC CITY

Quebec City gets our pick for the Best City to visit in Canada. Truly a unique experience like stepping into France

without having to go as far.  The City of Quebec was founded in 1608 and is also known as the cradle of French

civilization in North America. The fortifications of Quebec surrounding the old town are 4.6 km in length.

We strolled the walls enjoying the Citadelle and the river views.We wandered through the quaint streets

lined with gift shops and restaurants with fresco dinning then my feet gave out and we took the funicular

down to the waterfront were we caught the ferry back to Levis’ where we were able to park for 24 hours.

We really did not do Quebec City justice as we only stayed one day. There is so much to see here one could

really stay at least a week if not longer. But since this is not our destination and only a stopping over place

we want to press on. But what a fantastic City!       

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MONTREAL

 

 

We had to wait a day to see Montreal as it was raining when we arrived. The good news was we were parked at a Casino. It was worth the wait, the next day was fair and blue just perfect for our bike ride. We vote this city as number 1 for excellent bike paths. The paths are along the waterfront, canals, and city streets. But at you can see in the picture the two  lane path is separated from the main street by a three foot curb. Bikes are widely used here. There are rows of rental bikes  every few blocks especially in downtown. You can use a credit card or pass, ride to you destination leaving the bike at the next rental spot. We rode over the bridge along the waterfront, by the old city, into three parks, through the University district and into downtown and back to the island the Casino’s on. It was about 26 km. We couldn’t resist the smiling dog!

OTTAWA

After taking a day to drive into Ogensburg NY to pick up our mail, the next morning we headed to Ottawa the Capital of Canada.

We stayed at the Moose Lodge which is conveniently located to downtown. And I have to take this opportunity to say we have

never experienced such a friendly group of people as at this lodge. We went to the steak dinner with live entertainment on Friday

night, where so many people came over to welcome and chat with us.

We caught the bus across the street, first stop was the ByWard  Market, love these markets, so many sights and yummy smells.                                                                                              Full of flowers, fruits and vegetables. And of course every  imaginable restaurant along with booth after booth of crafts.   

The Parliament Building of Ottawa  (which we took a tour of) and the Library sit along the Ottawa River.  You take a self guided tour of the grounds

around the buildings. The construction began on these buildings in 1859 and today they are among the finest examples of  Gothic Revival 

architecture in North America. On our second day we visited  Rideau Hall the official residence and work-place of every Governor General

since 1867. This historical site is set in a lush landscape of 76 acres. In all honesty this was a bit of a disappointment, first stand in a long line

at the basement entrance to go through security, then walk upstairs to see 2 rooms and the foyer, first room, some art on loan from museums

and a small block mock up of the residence, the other room was the great ballroom/ceremony room. Personally I was under impressed.

So moving right along, we then went to the Currency Museum. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about currencies around the world.

Shells, beads, teeth, cacao beans, paper and metal are among  more than 8,000 objects on display.