During our last week in Bouctouche, New Brunswick, we were blessed to be visited not only by our dear friends Connie and Andrew Twynham from our church back in Marble Hill, GA, but also their daughter, Alisha, and their grandson, Silas.
It was a real joy to hang out, ride bikes, sit by the campfire, play hearts (even though I lost), explore the local museums AND buy fresh lobster right off the boat. We look forward to meeting up with them again in the fall.
On Sunday morning we visited
Grace Church which we thoroughly enjoyed. They were very welcoming and the service was very encouraging. Two thumbs up to Pastor Troy who is quick witted and very insightful.
After church, we stopped by a local farmers market and picked up some yummy tomatoes to make sandwiches for lunch. And of course, we couldn't help but take advance of a photo opportunity.
Monday the gang rode their bikes along the 4 miles of dirt path to the dunes. I, however, met them there in the truck. I am still getting used to riding again after 35 years of not owning a bike and was concerned about the rough terrain. Yes, I know! I was being a big chicken.
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| 800 meter (1/2 mile) boardwalk that stretches over the marshes. |
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Yep, Andy being Andy. Can't turn your back on the man!
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Irving Eco-centre, la Dune de Bouctouche (Look at them nerds!)
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| Andy with Silas and his new friend William way out on a sandbar. |
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Lobster! Fresh off the boat!
Late Monday evening we decided to walk and check out the beach area that was close to the campground. While the beach left much to be desired, Connie and Andy did snag some lobster. Even though Dennis and I are both allergic to shellfish, we found it very interesting watching the whole process.
Most of the boats had already come in for the day but after asking around we were told there was one more due in any minute. So Andy ran (and I mean ran) back to the campsite to grab a cooler while we hung around and waited on the Gale Force 2018 crew to arrive.
Seems like the locals know what time these guys come in every evening for when they started unloading the catch of the day we weren't the only ones there with coolers in hand.
Tuesday afternoon we drove down to one of New Brunswick's top attractions. Hopewell Rocks is located on the Bay of Fundy and is famous for its high tides. We timed our visit at low tide so we could walk on the oceans floor. When we arrived at 4pm the tide was way out and at 7.5 feet. It's hard to believe that in just a few hours it would be 30 feet over our heads in some of the areas we had just walked. Needless to say, we did not hang around til 10pm to see the tide roll back in at 37.4 feet.
Kouchibouguac National Park aka KooSheBooGuac
Wednesday was biking, picnic and beach day. We drove just a few miles north to a nice park that had tons of bike trails and beautiful beaches. The weather was a perfect 74 degrees. We road the bikes for a while then came back to the vehicles and found a shaded picnic table to have our lunch. After lunch we walked the long, winding boardwalk to the beach area and hung out while Silas and Andy played in the water.
Visiting local museums and Celebrating Andy's birthday!
Thursday was Andy's birthday and what better way to celebrate than to visit a couple of museums. NOT! But since it was raining he was a good sport and went along with the group.
Our first stop was at the
Olivier Soapery. This ended up being pretty cool. We got to watch them make a batch of their peppermint soap and Andy and Silas even got to help out. Needless to say, we did not leave empty handed. Since Canadian mosquitoes seem to love Dennis, we bought a couple bars of their "Bug off" soap. Crossing fingers it works!
Notes from Dennis: It WORKS! Highly recommend it! Caution must be given because this soap maker uses olive oil for the fat in their soap and it is SUPER moisturizing. (Ayup! Here's my guy-card.)
Next on our list was the Kent Museum which is located in the town of Bouctouche. The building has quite the history as a church, a convent, a school, and finally a museum. The Convent of the Immaculate Conception opened in 1880. The Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur sisters taught school there from 1924 to 1969. It served as a boarding school as well as a day school for the boys and girls of the village during that time.
Between 1880 and 1955, more than 6,000 students attended the boarding school and over 450 of them prepared for their teaching certificate. From 1966 to 1969 it served as a novitiate. It has since been converted
to a community museum.
On Friday we said goodbye to Alisha and Silas, then we all hopped into the truck and headed to Moncton to do a little shopping. It seems Dennis needed to buy some new sneakers since he threw his one-and-only pair in the trash. What?? I had been looking for days for them by the time he finally remembered where they were!
Notes from Dennis: Silas and I really hit it off! I was very sad this day when he had to leave. We were very much kindred spirits. :-( (Note for Silas, I'm WALKIN' Here!) Also, the sneakers that I had tossed were like 25 years old! It worries me though that I had forgotten so easily that I had tossed them.
After the mall - 'cause you know shopping is hard work - we stopped in for a late lunch/dinner at the
Pump House Brewpub and then headed back to the campsite for a few hands of cards. Gin rummy..I'm the queen, but hearts is so not my game. We still had a blast! Thanks, Andy for putting me into the "player protection program" and keeping the game alive!
So this winds up our adventurous, fun-filled week with the Twynham's. Cheers! ...until we meet again!
