Greetings from the Maritimes

Acadia Flag

Acadien colors on a windmill

In northeastern New Brunswick, a long way from our busy modern lives, near Caraquet, early August finds little Gaspe and us in an Acadia village. The mosaic of diverse landscapes that make up this sparsely populated region have one thing in common--- the sea. Here in Riviere-du-Nord there is a truly picturesque historical settlement we visited called the Village Historique Acadien. It has been a step back in time and a great starting point for us before we head south down the coastline of the Acadia Peninsula through timeless seeming fishing villages and little ports that draw many summer travelers. Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and RVs seem to appear everywhere on the road. Originating from France in the 17th century, Acadiens today live in Canada’s Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. They make up over 30% of New Brunswick’s population. As Canada’s first French settlers, their history has essentially been marked by their deportation between 1755 and 1763 from Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick because they refused to give up their cultural ways and accept British possession. Acadiens as a people were determined to survive after their expulsion and sought to maintain the attachment to their language and culture. 

Even an occasional lobster trap shows Acadien pride

Today this historical village has thirty- nine buildings of wood and stone structures which make up the landscape of days gone by. Acadiens are a proud people who boast their heritage everywhere as seen through the colors of red, white, and blue. At the village we enjoyed a codfish meal of authentic Acadien food at a table shared together with a nice family from Montreal. Below are some photos we took which personifies the pastoral life of their ancrestors long ago. Enjoy!

We started the day exploring Acadia farm life

Kids strolling through the village greeted us with smiles and hellos in French

Our first covered bridge with a sign that says, "$20.00 fine if driving faster than a walk"

Spinning wool and weaving is done in the winter. Carding wool and dying with plant colors.

The simple life is the good life. Loved the vegetable gardens

Chicken stew for a noontime meal smelled so good

Acadien carpenter makes buckets, furniture and even brooms from spruce

Pumping water from a well is harder than it looks

Who wouldn't love a kitchen like this cooking over an open fire

Blacksmith will make your tools , pots,pans, nails, and more

Spruce branches make great brooms in old Acadia

Dying wool with plant fibers for weaving blankets

Hiking 3 miles in the village for six hours

 

Catching the sunset at Camp Caraquet, New Brunswick

Bonjour from the Gaspespie Peninsula

Perce Rock

We have been catching our breath along the Gaspespie Peninsula in southern Quebec. Sadly our beloved little bear Yukon was lost, but another traveling companion has joined us now named Gaspe. He will share in the next adventures as we head into the Maritimes of Canada during the next few months. The Gaspe Peninsula joins the inland rough and rocky mountains and sea coastal villages for some 500 miles. The small inland fruit farms, wilderness national parks, and coast harbors 18th century fishing villages are shielded by the mountains.

Driving the main road that follows the coastline has been fun as the beauty and lure of the sea is always close at hand here.Every village has a silver steeple church as its focal landmark. The peninsula is noted for its twenty-six lighthouses. It was hard not to pass by one of them without catching a snapshot. The journey has been broken up with an occasional stop along the way. We especially enjoyed visiting Mont-Joli for a stroll early on a Sunday morning to see the towns nineteen fresco paintings on the walls of buildings. Grand-Metis was a small town boasting one of Canada’s most beautiful gardens with over 3,000 species of flowers. It was an exotic haven for any photographer. Situated out to sea south of the small resort village on Perce is Rocher Perce. This famous pierced rock landmark is the result of tidal erosion. In the 1930’s Perce became a popular spot for artists and still contains many galleries.

Gaspe our latest traveling companion joins in the adventures

So how is life traveling and living in a motor home after three months you might wonder. Well we do regular chores like cooking, dish washing, making the bed, tidying the place, sweeping, cleaning the refrig, laundry, grocery shopping, etc. Gas station stops? Yikes don’t ask. We seldom make camping reservations ahead unless getting near larger cities which we tend to try to avoid. Evenings are spent usually downloading digital photos into the laptop computer, reading up on the coming day attractions and/or mapping out the next destination route.And yes indeed, we are still speaking to one another.

Cap Chat Lighthouse

Driftwood sculptures

Day Lily at Grand Metis Gardens

Atlantic Ocean first time testing the water.... burr...colder than the Pacific

Candids around the Gaspesie Peninsula of southern Quebec

Lighthouse in St. Anne Marie

Perce Rock

After chatting with Jean-Marie at the Perce Wharf buying his accordian songs was a must.

Typical steeple church along the Gaspe Peninsula

Artist on the Wharf in Perce

Les Jardins by the pond in Grand Metix

Gannets nesting at Bonnaventure Island

Fresco wall painting in Mont-Joli

Greetings from Quebec City

Our recent visit has focused on Old Quebec City where we had a most delightful time. JR managed well driving through Quebec City itself with the Toad thanks to the GPS Navigation which is working better now. Christa managed speaking some limited conversations in French to help get us around. Overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence River, Québec City exudes a French flair unique to its North American location. The only fortified walled city north of Mexico, Old Québec (officially the Upper City, Haute-Ville, within the fortifications) has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Old Quebec City was once occupied by the French for over a hundred years until the British gained control of the city in 1820. It took climbing numerous stairs to make our way up into the walled city. A guided walking tour through La Citadelle (the historic military fortress) with its ramparts and cannons on the hilltop provided a grand view overlooking the St. Lawrence River. But the Lower City, Basse-Ville, is actually the oldest part of town since it was here that Samuel de Champlain built his first settlement. Both areas, with their narrow streets, historic buildings, and cafés gives the feel of being in an old European city.

Climb the stairs or take the Fundiculaire 

cable lift

Night lights up Lower Old Quebec City

One of many canons once used in battle between the French and the British

Soldier during changing of the guard at La Citadelle

La Citadelle Fort overlooks St. Lawrence River

Giants in the Opening Parade of Les Fetes de la Nouvelle France

La Vie de New France marches on

We were able to experience life as it was in New France during the French Regime in the 17th and 18th centuries as “Les Fetes de la Nouvelle France” the Festival of New France was happening. For several exciting days, over 700 artists and performers in costumes were out and about breathing new life into historical Old Québec. The event showed the first families of New France sharing the adventures of their arrival and their lives here. The dancing, music, storytelling, re-enactments (street performers and parades) added more good memories to our trip. 

Merchant hauling his kegs

Aristocrats out on a stroll in New France celebration

Wall mural on Rue de Champlain

More Aristocrats enjoying their arrival in 17th century New France

Les Fetes Opening Parade for the Arrival of New France

Frenchman and Huron Indian dancing on stilts