Patapedia, Kedgwick and the Mighty Restigouche

Patapedia River

(Kedgwick and the Restigouche too!)

May 21-25, 2009

The Patapedia Crew

We started out in Fredericton with a crew of six.  We loaded up the trailer with our packs and canoes in the hot spring sun and headed North.  We drove for four  hours to a campsite in Kedgwick where we stopped for the night by the river.

Patapedia River Sunrise

In the morning we got up and headed literally around the corner to where our journey began: André Arpin’s place – Canoe Restigouche.  There we met our skilled guide, Roland.  We got back in the truck and drove on the back roads now for another hour and a half.  The road itself was in good shape, but the recent wind storm had knocked down many trees that bullied us to one side of the road or the other.

Road Less Traveled

Patapedia River Part II (The Kedgwick River)

Patapedia (Continued)

On to the Kedgwick River

Once we got back to Arpin’s we rendezvoused with Kathleen and Patrick who would be joining us for the Kedgwick portion of the trip.  We reloaded te trailer with four canoes and all of our gear and all seven of us piled into the Land Cruiser and once again, hit the dusty trails.

Reload

Roland's Fluffy Companions

Close Quarters

Our put in site on the Kedgwick River was at the Kedgwick Forks, where there was a spacious loading area.

Wolfville Road Trip and Spryfield Fire

Wolfville, Nova Scotia is a place that has always held a draw for me.  I’ve lived in many places in Nova Scotia, but the Annapolis Valley is one of the parts that has remained somewhat of a mystery to me.  Mikey and I went down for the day and while she was at a job interview, I spent the day exploring the area, and of course, falling in love with it.

Magnolia

It seems spring comes sooner to the valley, as many things have already started to bloom there.  I was especially impressed by the many magnolia trees which have opened up like popcorn.  The sight of it can’t compare to the warm, buttery, sweet smell of the magnolia trees in bloom.

Photo of the day

Christmas Cactus - Paul Maybee

This is my Christmas Cactus which blooms twice a year, supposedly at Christmas and again at Easter.  It’s a little early (as usual) but it means that soon enough, it will be spring!