Where is Acadia?
Back in the early 1600s, European settlers from France were arriving on the east coast of North America, in search of new land for the King of France.
The land along the northeastern shore of Canada today, is heavily populated with French Canadians who have a strong heritage of Acadians.
Fly to Moncton New Brunswick international airport. Rent a car there and drive up the coastal highway 11 for about 1 hour and you will be in Acadia.
BeachBabyBob and his wife Sue, have relatives who live in Acadia New Brunswick Canada.
They visit this Acadian coastline every summer. Bob would like to share the highlights of this area with you.
Tourists are always welcome to Acadia. Let’s discover the wonderful history of the area and the Acadian traditions.
Enjoy the people, animals, plants, water, and food!
The Acadian People
Judy lives in the berg of St. Ignace, not far from Kouchibouguac National Park.
She has over 10 cats because she loves animals so much, she rescues them if need be.
Not only does she feed and provide a home for cats, but she feeds the local skunks, foxes, racoons, and crows.
While visiting this part of the world, if you want a really unique experience, and you love cats – try and find the Cat woman’s house in St. Ignace. If you’re traveling north toward Kouchibouguac National Park, watch for the sign that says, “St. Ignace”. Head toward that village about 3 km, and watch for an Acadian blue and white cottage address 1959. Just knock on the door.
Kouchibouguac National Park
Kouchibouguac Park has the warmest waters north the Carolinas so watch out for the Bull Sharks!
Kelly’s Beach in the Park is one of the only nude beaches in Canada but this beach is so long, you would have to walk a long way to see “the unmentionables”.
The park has dunes, lagoons, marshes, forests, islands, board walks, camp sites, and beaches. BeachBabyBob loves to pretend he is a “courier de bois”!
Cap St. Louis is another park of this fabulous National Park that has boat launches, a hidden camp site, and the park caretakers offer a kayaking trip from this location at certain times through the summer.
For more info., go to the tourist information in the park proper.
The Peat Bog in Kouchibouguac
Ask the guides in the tourist information building and get a map to the Bog Trail.
After leaving your car, make sure it is locked because maybe a bear or a moose might need your lunch inside, walk down the softwood forest path a ways.
At the beginning of the bog, there is a 20 foot tall lookout tower to survey the entire bog.
A bog: an acidic wetland, without moving water.
Un-decayed plant matter forms the peat. This moss accumulates over a very long time. 20% of this park and 12% of Canada are bogs.
Choose a day with a breeze so you don’t become lunch for the mosquitoes. But for sure, visit the bog. It is beautiful!
Middle Island in Miramichi
In 1847, hundreds of starving Irish crossed the Atlantic in search of a new home. By the time they reached the Acadia coastland in Canada, over 100 were dead.
Middle Island is a great historical site with a very interesting story. Choose a nice day and take a picnic lunch.
Lots of plaques and murals and beautiful views will teach you so much about Acadia
Cape Lumiere Beach Richibucto Village N.B.
Yes! We are still in Acadia.
You are looking at northern New Brunswick Canada. The blue water is Northumberland Starit.
Look at the map at the beginning of this article, and find Le Pays de la Sagouine.
Cape Lumiere Beach is just a few miles north of the Sagouine Bouctouche beach. This beach is not hard to find and it is well worth the visit.
Cape Lumiere Beach is a great beach for finding ancient petrified wood.
BeachBabyBob loves rocks and especially these ancient black rocks on this beach.
Take your bathing suit and frolic in the shallows.
A little wine and an Acadian lunch from the local restaurant back in Rexton/Richibucto would make a perfect day.
Jardine’s Inn Rexton New Brunswick (Acadia)
Connie owns the Jardine’s Inn in Rexton. The inn is very Acadian and very comfortable.
The rooms are great! The food is exceptional! The prices are right on! Connie is a sweet heart and very talented.
If you want to stay for a week or maybe just a few days, stay at the Jardine’s Inn. You will be close to the Park, the cats of St. Ignace, and Cape Lumiere Beach.
So much to see and do! So little time!
