It was time for us to return to the Atlantic provinces of Canada -- we had been Campbellton Salmon away two years, far too long. And of course it was time to switch our clocks to Atlantic Time - one hour later than Eastern Time.
New Brunswick is the first province you hit, coming from the west, and the first civic sculpture you encounter is the large metal salmon jumping out of a fountain in Campbellton. In spring the Atlantic provinces are filled with avid salmon fisherman, eager to catch the tasty fish on their return from the salt waters of the Atlantic Ocean to their biologically remembered home breeding grounds in the rivers and streams. Miscou Island Lighthouse
These days there are fewer avid salmon fishermen, since there are much fewer Atlantic salmon, which are in high demand in restaurants. But not too long ago the salmon seemed to be infinite in number, as did the number of salmon sport fishermen. In Doaktown, on the banks of the Southwest Miramichi River, we found a unique museum, housing the records and achievements of dozens of these fly-tying, river-wading, status-conscious men (a few women, but just a few) along with their rods, reels, fly-tying workshops, and careful notes indicating which fly had been used with which line in which river. Bob's father would have enjoyed this museum! And the view of the river from their building is beautiful.
Water is everywhere in the Maritime Provinces. Rivers, lakes, streams, brooks, Fredericton Botanic Garden waterfalls, and of course the immense bays leading to the Atlantic Ocean. In Miscou, we took a driving detour to revisit a favorite lighthouse. It's a favorite with us because it is pretty and well-loved. There are always visitors here and a small museum has displays about the lighthouse keeper's life before everything became automated.
Sometimes we find (as we do in the States, too) gardens or museums or other "attractions" which are described with more optimism than accuracy. The Fredericton Botanic Garden is very much a Work In Progress. At the parking Cabin Restaurantlot we had trouble deciding which way to go, but we took a path down a hill, surrounded by woods, until we came to a lovely small area of plants and flowers. Then the path continued and we saw some further areas that were planned for future development. We think the next time we return to Fredericton the Botanic Garden will be even further along!
On the other hand, being a tourist includes searching for hidden gems, and the Cabin Restaurant in Fredericton is just that -- a small place with an excellent cook and a dedicated clientele. Good home cooking often seems more attractive to us Ospreys in nest than fancy restaurants with exotic foods, elegant decorations, and elevated prices!
We're not exactly avid naturalists -- we don't get out in nature until well past dawn, so we miss the sightings of nocturnal animals. And the heavier traffic in the middle of the day, when we like to travel, cuts down the sightings of diurnal creatures as well. But ospreys! We see that nice people erect osprey nest platforms on top of tall poles close to fish-filled waterways, and the beautiful sea eagles oblige by building their nests on top. This time we were lucky and saw dad and mom osprey checking out the traffic below them. A lovely sight!