nichepoetryandprose

On December 31, 2013, I started on Phase 8 of my virtual cycling program.  In this Phase, I am going to ‘travel’ on my stationary cycle along the north shore of my own Province, New Brunswick.  I decided to start in the City of Campbellton because I have so many pleasant memories of working and vacationing in that area.  Most of the roads I am ‘cycling’ in Street View, I have driven in reality, so most scenes are familiar.

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8-1   December 31, 2013   35 minutes  3.0 km (Campbellton to Richardsville)

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I began at a familiar landmark in the Campbellton area, the statue of the leaping salmon.  The Restigouche River is world famous for its Atlantic Salmon population so the salmon is a fitting symbol for the area. In 1999 when my husband, son and I vacationed in the Gaspé of Quebec, we stopped here for a photo before leaving New Brunswick.

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my son and I in front of the leaping salmon in 1999

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start of my 2014 virtual cycling trip (image from Street View)

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Across the street from the leaping salmon (and visible in the photo of my son and me) are the waters of the Restigouche River and the distant hills of the Gaspé.  Since these will be with me for the first few days of my virtual adventure, I took a side trip a few kilometers inland for the subject of my first watercolour – Sugarloaf Mountain.

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Sugarloaf is 281.1 meters in height, a part of the Appalachian Mountains and of volcanic origin.  The mountain is within the City limits of Campbellton and is the location of Sugarloaf Provincial Park. Sugarloaf is the site of  a ski resort, hiking and cross-country ski trails and a system of mountain biking trails.

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In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s I climbed Sugarloaf a few times, gathering plants for air quality studies.  I’ll talk more about those hikes as I proceed on my virtual trip since I have many memories of working in the area.

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December 31, 2013 ‘Sugarloaf, New Brunswick’ Jane Tims

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Although I enjoyed my virtual cycling in France and England, I find I have a more accurate perspective and sense of scale as I travel in New Brunswick.   I am looking forward to showing you some of the beautiful scenery along the Restigouche River and la Baie-des-Chaleurs!

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Copyright  2014  Jane Tims