Discovering my own back yard.
This is part two of a four part series on my personal challenge/adventure to travel to all four corners of New Brunswick, the Province where I was born and raised and currently reside.
After visiting Grand Manan on Canada Day weekend, my excitement to visit the other three corners got a little more palpable. I did more research for this trip which was a good thing because I managed to snag us a couple of tickets to a classical concert being performed in an old church! I'll get to that. The tickets were pretty steep and we went over the $200 limit but it was SO worth it.
Miscou Island is on the north-easterly tip of New Brunswick. For those who aren't aware, New Brunswick is a bilingual Province with the northern half being primarily French Acadian in origin and the southern half is primarily English. My french is a little rusty but, it didn't matter, everyone was kind enough and fluent enough to speak English to us. Thank you. :)
We decided to go on New Brunswick Day weekend this time. While searching for a campsite I happened upon a website describing an annual Festival on Lameque Island (just next to Miscou Island) called the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival that was in its 41st year of celebration. The Saturday night concert had sold out so I was only left with Friday night and we planned the trip around that.
I checked out a few campsites and finally contacted one called Camping La Vague. They only had one campsite left for that night, everything else was booked, so I took it. We left work early and arrived at 7:00 pm, four hours of driving later! The concert started at 8:00. Thankfully, we snagged a couple of new tents so the set up was a breeze. :)
When we arrived at the camp site, we were told we had the best spot there. Someone had booked it for Saturday and Sunday so they didn't expect anyone to come along and only want it for Friday night. The Universe was on our side yet again! :) The spot was spectacular! Right on the beach and semi-secluded.
To the west was a wind farm in the distance.
To the east a view of the entry to Chaleur Bay.
Google photos again provided a pretty cool panorama shot in black and white of the view.
With tents up, we went in search of the church for the concert. It was a mere 10 minute drive away. :)
And had its own little sign describing the annual festival.
I don't know what shocked me most, the ginormous size of the church or stepping inside of it to see this! Cotton candy insides!!! Wow. Gotta give it to the french on this one. Amazing, they know how to love their churches...
We actually played hooky for the second half of the concert because we wanted to catch the sunset on the beach. The seats were hard, our bums were sore and we had experienced exactly what we wanted in that first hour. It was beautiful. It felt like I was channelling my Bard from D&D as we listened to centuries old music being played. LOL
After a few hours by the campfire drinking our first coffees made with a French press, we got snug as bugs in the new cot tents. I slept like a baby with the ocean waves rolling in. Pure bliss...
We got up early. I got some sun-gazing in while hubby walked the beach. Then we packed up and headed to the spot that was the NE tip of the Province. Of course, there was a lighthouse there.
But even better was the story of La Gougou, one of the oldest original MicMac legends. I won't tell the story but here it is if you'd like a fun read. :)
I decided to walk down to the beach and get my feet wet in the ocean water.
On the way there, I passed a lovely little sand sculpture someone must have done the night before.
My hubby went beach-combing for sand glass as I tried to find the perfect spot for a picture (I did find one, it's the pic shown at the very top). I even managed to catch a seagull when I took a picture of him!
Before leaving, we snapped a picture of our inner Gougou's. Apparently our shadow selves were having a great time too. :)
Next up we drove to the south side of the island to a place called Wilson's Point. My maiden name is Wilson and I was more than a little surprised there was a place on this primarily French island called Wilson's point! I had to go see it. No relation to me though, not that I'm aware of anyway. It was a stunning spot... Hubby found a bunch of really beautiful rocks and even a couple of pieces of sand glass!
As we were leaving, there was an old, beat up sign pointing to Treasure Island. We laughed and decided to check it out too.
Hubby played pirate for me. Rar.
Next it was off for a big drive along the northern shore as we made our way back home. I thought we were done... I was wrong. :)
The first thing that excited me, which I somehow missed on the way there, was a draw bridge! Unfortunately, it wasn't up so I couldn't gun the car and fly over it, but it was still exciting. I'd never seen one in person before.
We had lunch at the Acadian Village. Chicken soup, poutine and the best butter tart I've ever tasted.
We found a Fromagerie (yes, a cheese factory). Amazing. We bought some awesome cheese there and this jalapeno maple cracker spread to go with it. Seriously divine.
We spotted a cliff top refuge for birds. There were thousands of them! The picture isn't the best but you get the idea.
We stopped at one spot to stretch our legs and the erosion taking place from Chaleur Bay is quite apparent in this picture, still a stunning picture even as it speaks volumes in respect to the power of nature.
Finally, no visit to Acadia is complete without a picture of a Church. I was blown away at the number of churches there and the shear size of them! When I say the French take their churches seriously, I wasn't kidding. I never expected to see such grandeur in such a little known locale in North America... Respect.
We eventually made it to Bathurst, enjoyed a pit stop at my Sister's place for dinner (cheese and crackers and spread as the appetizer LOL) and proceeded home. We were gone a little longer than 24 hours for this trip and it was well worth it.
Next stop... Glazier Lake. Located on the tip of the NB panhandle in the North-West corner of the Province. I can't wait to uncover the surprises in store for us there! :)
Again, thank you Mother Earth for giving me such a beautiful place to live. I honour and respect your power.