Day Visit to Fredericton

(Delayed posting. Visited during summer 2024) 

I went to Fredericton for a day trip so that I could see a friend I have known since grade seven. We visited the Fredericton Farmers Market which has a fantastic variety of foods, homemade items, and liquids. I picked up some nice cheese and a locally made wooden spoon.

Here is a picture of the inside area. They also have a night market here.

After a comforting meal at The Happy Baker we tried to visit the museum downtown, but it was closed. Then we visited a Salvation Army to give my friend a good excuse to shop while I looked at books and clothes and came out a winner on both counts. 

Next was a visit to the 400 acre Odell park in the heart of Fredericton's South side. There were lots of well tended paths in open areas and wide trails in the forested areas. We met a fellow who was building a fern covered wall populated by species from all across New Brunswick. He also used to live in my friend's apartment complex. Small world.

Below are a sample of pictures taken in the park.

To round out the day I treated my friend to Japanese food, by the river, at Naru Sushi. It was a perfect end to a great day catching up and seing the places they liked to go to.

Salisbury and Mom

(Delayed posting. Visited during summer 2024) 

The first several weeks in the Maritimes were spent with my mother, with occasional trips to see friends and extended family members. Besides helping with a variety of things around the house and electronics related issues there was also good conversation. Past, present, and future were discussed about each other and those within our our spheres of influence. It is good to have those kind of talks in a relaxed atmosphere. 

A place I like to stop off at, besides Dan's Damages (filled with liquidation sale and Costco resold items) and the Salisbury Farmer's Market (locally made edibles and art), is the Salisbury Recollections Antique Mall.

    Inside this mall are areas rented by antique and collectable dealers where the owners of the building receive a portion of sales. Each area is clean and well kept. Take the below example of a Corning-ware dealer. Rarely is an antique mall this organized. Although I rarely purchase anything here It is always a pleasure to look through while out for a walk.

The community has increased in population and conveniences have increased along with it. There is a yard and wool shop, another farmer's market East of the town, a bakery, several eateries for eat in or take out, and a grocery store.

I alos wanted to walk along the trail that goes to Riverview but the old railway bridge was out of bounds. Looking at its structure there was no dispute on my end. This is unfortunate as the roads that go to Riverview and Moncton are not great for bicycles.

Here is the bike and walking trail leading to the bridge. This excellent path should continue over the river. I hope someday it will.

The Petticodiac river used to be silted up from Moncton to here, but after the bridge was built and the causeway removed it became more clear. Fish have been coming back up the river system which means good things for the ecosystem. Below is looking from the old railway bridge upriver.

Here is the river looking downriver to Moncton. You can see the mud on either side of the water loosening up or at least opening up as I remember it being.

I recommend exploring areas you grew up in. As an adult you see it with different eyes and the realization that they change, as you have changed, is very therapeutic.

Heading to the Maritimes

In June of 2024 I went to the Maritimes for 44 days. It had been some years since I was there for something other than a death in the family. I was supposed to go last year, in the Fall, but there were a number of factors that delayed it. This time it was planned as a trip to spend time with and helping my mother, seeing my sister and her family, extended family visits, seeing friends I had not seen for some time, and when my wife joined me to have a two week vacation. 

    In between the vacation with my wife and among the other parts I wanted to explore the Maritimes I had never visited or stayed at for long periods. I wanted to have a solo vacation. What will follow, for about a month, will that trip in a long series of posts. I will not be posting every day so stay with me as I reminisce about this journey. First off...food!

    If you are ever in the Calgary airport I recommend VIN.

    

    I ordered the linguine puttanesca pasta with Kalamata olives, capers, tomatoes, onions, and sautéed kale and a choice of pan-fried shrimps or grilled chicken breast. I went with the shrimp. The portion was generous, pasta al dente perfect, and ingredients fresh and flavourful. 

 

    I then got an email that my plane was delayed by an hour. I could pay my bill and wait on airport seats or ask for their recommended appy. They suggested...meatballs! Merguez meatballs! Five meatballs, ground local lamb, dates, red pepper purée, and tzatziki. Moist, perfectly cooked, and the dates added a special flavour.

    Then it was time for the Westjet flight and eventually breakfast. I had paid a little extra, as it was on sale, for premium seating. I had no idea the extras you get in addition to the seating: metal cutlery, little salt and pepper shakers, nice choices for the main? Although I enjoyed the experience I am a little worried with the recent downscaling of tickets less that Premium for Canadian airlines. Undercarriage baggage...fee...carry on bag for basic ticket...fee...food onboard...fee. It used to be that airlines gave the passenger things to get their business when now they deny everything unless the customer pays much more or piecemeal. Of course that is true for most things so that shareholders can get their dividends and CEOs can get their bonuses. Sigh. Still, these are thoughts in retrospect as I enjoyed the experience and now my thoughts are those who cannot afford the experience. Double sigh.

Late Spring Walk in Victoria

Sometimes it is not about the food, travel, or history. Sometimes it is about a nice walk on a spring day to bring down the blood pressure and make whatever is going on be looked at with a distant perspective. Fortunately, on this May day, I made that kind of walk and saw flora trying to stand straight in the slow breeze and stare at the sun. Observing others you could tell who were also under their spell. Even if they lingered a little I knew the day would be better for them, as it would be with me. 

So take a look at these pictures and try to linger when the flowers bloom around you. Even if it is just for a little while. Then, maybe, you can reach a little higher in your life too.

Okanagan Valley May Long Weekend

Although the drive is long to get to the Okanagan it is much easier when it is not too hot nor too cold. Back in May we made the trek to visit my in-laws and stayed the night in Hope at the Mountain View Hotel, that has a neighbourhood cat as a concierge (part time aka when it feels like it). 

Breakfast was at Rolly's Restaurant, a blast from the past and one of the best rated establishments in Hope. It has many features from when it was built in 1986, including a revolving pie display that still turns. 

The basic fare was well priced, tasted good, and filled our stomachs for the day's drive.

We visited a few wineries on the way, in Keremeos and Cawston, and stopped for lunch at the Crowsnest winery.

I had the deep flavoured tomato soup with prosciutto grilled cheese sandwich. Yum!

The view was amazing and humbling.

Cherry Point Winery, in Cobble Hill, had a great cherry wine and views of the river nearby.

After reaching my in-laws we had a relaxing stay and good conversation. A short long weekend that we were glad we did.

Stonehenge Exhibit at the Royal BC Museum

Until January 5th 2026, you can experience the wonder and history of Stonehenge at the Royal BC Museum. My wife and I had a wonderful experience at this exhibit. We learned more about the peoples who built it with a new array of science and technology used by scientists and archeologists from multiple disciplines.

For instance, did you know that the blue stones that are the oldest in Stonehenge were quarried in Wales? Did you also know that it is likely that the blue stones were in a stone circle near Avon before Stonehenge was built, likely due to the moving eastwards of the people who colonized here?

Seeing items made by the peoples who cooperated to build this monument, as well as meeting here on solstices, was a privilege. It gives an insight to who these people were and how they lived. Below are tools used to dig the earth and sculpt the stones.

There are many figures in the exhibit with the clothing and items used to give a visual context.

The sectioned areas are well planned and provide a good flow to explain the stages of Stonehenge throughout time.

The Bell Beaker people also used Stonehenge when they reached the UK during the third and last stage of the site.

Unlike the previous inhabitants, Bel Beaker people buried rather than cremated their dead. This means more artifacts have been found to learn about their lives and how they treat their dead.

Then their are the items buried with their more honoured dead.

The exhibit also noted the various scientific disciplines that have provided more information about this site. Go science!

We both were very glad we saw this exhibit and encourage others interested in this site and time period to do so as well. For more about Stonehenge there is the National Trust website on the site, here.