Cross Canada and Back, Part 29

Val Comeau NB to Bonaventure, Province of Québec

On our 72th day of our journey, July 26th 2011, we were traveling from Val Comeau north to Caraquet, which is unofficially called the Acadian capital by its residents.


View Val Comeau, NB to Bonaventure, QC in a larger map 

After the expulsion of the Acadians in southern New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in 1755, some Acadians settled here on the Acadian Peninsula, and specially here in Caracet. Driving along the highways here, the Acadian flag is accompanying us all the way. In August the Acadians celebrate Tintamarre, a noisy celebration at the Acadian Festival.

The Acadian flag is present everywhere.

Just past Caracet is the Village Historique Acadien . Here you can see and feel why throughout the Maritime provinces the Acadians are quietly, but fiercely proud of their heritage. See also our blog of Grand Pre National Historic Site.

Continuing along the north coast of the Acadian Peninsula we pass through Bathurst. The drive along the Baie des Chaleurs looks cold and grey today. This large bay off the Gulf of St.Lawrence is known for its warm salt water beaches. We find that the region looks remote, and not as well off as the coasts further south.

Drive along Chaleur Bay

A dairy farmer just before Campellton has a message on a big lawn sign for us:
"Get High on Milk, Our Cows are on Grass!"

Welcome to Campbellton

Just outside Campellton we drive over the green bridge at the mouth of Restigouche River into the province of Québec. We assume that New Brunswick does not have sex shops, because right after the bridge we are welcomed by various colourful shops.

Bridge from New Brunswick to Québec

Bridge from New Brunswick to Québec

Bridge from New Brunswick to Québec

"Bienvenue au Québec", here all signs and information are only in French. We stop in at the Tourist information, and a nice young man ( with very limited English, which is not a problem, I need lots of practice to rejuvenate my French), gives us good information for the Gaspé Peninsula.

The Québec side of the Baie des Chaleurs (or Chaleur Bay) is very pretty. The towns are well maintained, and Highway 132 is in good shape. The landscape with its hills, valleys, and the ocean make our trip very interesting and pleasant.

Coastline of the Gaspé Peninsula

Coastline of the Gaspé Peninsula

We drive all the way to Bonaventure to Camping Plage Beaubassin. This is a very large RV place offering anything from a playground, beaches, marina, coffee-shop, theater, etc. Our site is a pull through and adequate.

Camping Plage Beaubassin is a very large campground and right on the water.

Camping Plage Beaubassin

Waterfont and beach of Camping Plage Beaubassin

The town of Bonaventure is very nice. Cycling and walking trails along the water front are very nice. Many permanent residents are of Acadian descent. The stately Bonaventure church built in 1790 dominates the downtown vista.

Bonaventure, Québec

Walkways and bike trails along the water in Bonaventure, QC.

Strawberries are in season. They are for sale all over. Close to our campground, a young woman is selling farm products from La Ferme Bourdages. We bought Strawberry Wine, Strawberry Tartinade, tarts, jams, relish.....  I think Anders even bought a Strawberry Port?  Everything tasted great!

As we found out  during our trip through the province of Québec, the Québecois are all excellent of promoting local and Québec produce, products and inventions.

For supper we picked up some local white fish at the Poissonnerie de la Baie. Anders cooked it on foil with lots of leek, butter and a splash of white wine. Excellent!

For more pictures of this part of our trip click the image below or you can go directly to the slide show here.

Cheers,

New Brunswick to Gaspésie QC

Liz & Anders

Here are some shortcuts to all the blogs from our Cross Canada Trip. Just hover over the number to see where it will take you

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