Back in New Brunswick

Mactaquac Provincial Park, New Brunswick

After sleeping for a solid 11 hours(!) we thought it was about time to pack up and head off Prince Edward Island. As expected, we woke to a soft drizzle. Sure made me appreciate the warm days we had to explore and bike. They call this province "the gentle island" and it definitely fits. Laid back, beautiful and tons of outdoor activities to explore. Bye PEI, we'll be back!

We crossed back into New Brunswick following along the Acadian Trail. This route hugged the Northumberland Strait before dropping down to Fredericton. Ned keeps teasing me about my dislike of potatoes and how so much of this part of Canada is all about potatoes. There are potato museums, potato farms, potato chip wagons, and even potato statues wherever we go. God forbid we order something that doesn't have potato in it, on it or with it.

Continuing our education in Canadian history, our big plans today were to visit the historic district of Fredericton and take in a couple of museums. Good plan for rainy weather! What we didn't know were the two big events happening in Fredericton today - the University graduation and a huge Country Music Concert. Traffic was gridlocked and most everything was shut down for the events. We did manage to visit a couple of the Historic Sites such as Barracks Square, the Soldiers' Barracks and some of the Craft shops, but it was pretty low key. The Soldiers' Barracks were built in 1827 and at one time it housed 200 soldiers, 19 to a room. During the War of 1812, the 104th Regiment, stationed here, made a 1128 km, 52 day march to Quebec and then onto Kingston, Ontario between Feb and April with no loss of men. That must have been some feat in these Canadian winters!!

The town still has very much a soldier's feel. Walking up the steps to the Visitor's Center there were two red-coated guards on duty. True to form, they didn't make eye contact and were ramrod straight. As we were eating lunch we spotted 3 of them marching down the street. Everyday there is a changing of the guard, so not sure if they were part of that or not. (We were busy having a few beers at the time).

Tonight's campground is right outside Fredericton. It's enormous, situated next to a golf course, but in a very wooded area. I think there are over 400 campsites, and even though it's a Friday night there are very few people here. Is it possible that Canadians can be scared off by rain?! After taking a short spin on our bikes we decided to have a quiet evening at "home" watching movies on the laptop. Other than checking email once a day and trying to pirate a wifi somewhere to post our blog, we've been completely detached from technology, tv, etc. We are hand delivering, from Kristy and Leon, Season 4 of Downton Abbey back to Kathy. (You don't think she'll mind we are watching it do you?) The juxtaposition of the opulent and proper Downton Abbey next to us eating brats and sauerkraut in a campground does not go unnoticed. I wonder what the Dowager Duchess would say. "What is a week-END?"