Adventures

Summer is short and you’ve got to grab vacation when you can.  So, when I saw a window of opportunity to steal away for a few days in New Brunswick, I jumped on the chance.

The key to a successful family vacation is to do something or go somewhere where you know everyone will have fun and enjoy themselves.  For our family, it has to be history and horse based.  This year, that trip was Kings Landing in New Brunswick.  In the past, we’ve enjoyed family trips to Ross Farm in New Ross { you can read about that trip HERE and HERE } and to Louisbourg { you can read about that one HERE and HERE }

Our Kings Landing day dawned bright and clear and after another session in the hotel pool and waterslide, followed by a tasty breakfast, we aimed the car for Kings Landing and arrived shortly after opening. We were greeted warming and handed our map and sent on our merry way.  Guys, this place is huge and amazing!!  I had no idea the extent of work that had gone into the restoration of the land and buildings.  And the staff were fabulous and knowledgable in their history of the area.

I took a ton of photos throughout the course of the day as we explored…no surprise there.  Everything was so interesting to look at and to hear about from the staff.  Michael would end up chatting while I faded in and out of the conversation to snap more pictures.  The girls had their ears tuned in for the clumping of the teams of horses pulling wagons and would watch with awe as they passed by and then turn to us and confirm for the 49th time that we would be going on the wagon, right?

As I mentioned, the staff was wonderful.  They knew their stuff and some good stories along with their facts.  And the ones who were in full character were amazing!  It totally messed with me at first when I was chatting with one lady and then I finally clued in. { duh! } The costumes were perfect, too.  The building alone would be amazing, but really, the staff there are what makes it.

Everywhere you looked, there was a pretty vista. The houses, barns and buildings were spread out just like a real village would’ve been.  Dirt roads joined everything up, with little paths here and there creating short cuts.

Each house had its own story and history and was set up to showcase a particular aspect of life.  Some many incredible vignettes that caught my eye throughout the day…like I said, I took a ton of pictures!  Here’s a few of my favourite settings, well, maybe more than a few!!

As I mentioned, for our girls life revolves around horses these days.  And Kings Landing didn’t disappoint!  There were pony and horses rides, wagon rides and horses in fields.  I think they both wish they lived in a world where horses played a role in everyday life.

And then there was this moment…pretty sure this would make Lena’s Opa pretty proud! Actually, it made me pretty proud, too!  Love that she tried this!  Milking cows by hand is no joke!

We always talk about what each person’s favourite part was after we tour a place like Kings Landing.  The girls both said riding, no surprise there, and I can’t remember but I think Michael said the mills – the sawmill, the sash mill and the grist mill.  For me, I loved the cedar rail fencing.  Does that sound lame? But I love the ingenuity of it for fencing, the texture of it to photograph and the way it pulls you along the roads and paths. I took a couple pictures…who am I kidding, I took a lot…I’ll spare you a few and just show you my favourite!

Isn’t this the most amazing setting?  So quaint and peaceful, right on the banks of the St. John River.  After I had posted some pictures during our trip, one of my friends commented that her grandfather helped build of the ice roads across the river to bring some of the houses onto the site, houses that otherwise would’ve been lost when the river was flooded in building of the Mactaquac Dam.  I love that people cared enough about the history of the area to preserve it in this way and had the vision to create Kings Landing so we can have a glimpse into life in the 1820’s to 1920’s.

Our family loves sites like this.  Our only piece of advice to book yourselves a full day to explore.  And wear comfy shoes….the site covers a lot of ground.  But do it, go and explore.  Take your family.  Pack up the kids, there is something there for everyone!

And just in case you wondered, we took the wagon 😉

To be continued,

Lori

This post is sponsored by Kings Landing but my take on it is just that 😉

As we celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, it’s a great time to look at some of the Iconic Canadian things, people and places.  Join me as we do a little search for the well-known symbol of Canada – the Beaver!

When I started the #RedAndWhite campaign with Canadian Tire, the wheels started turning – what would I do?  How could I capture what Canada means to me?  Without travelling across our vast country to do it?

Lena threw the idea out of wrapping the red and white lights around a set of antlers.  I laughed and continued to try to come up with a game plan.  Until I realized she was right.   In a way, anyway.  I needed to showcase some of the things that I love about Canada.  So I started thinking about Iconic Canadian things, people and places.  Then I throw the call out on my Facebook page!

Oh my, I opened a can of worms with that!  It was so neat to see what people responded with.  The random ‘Canadian’ stuff they had and offered up! And so the plan was hatched.  I started a list of Iconic Canadian things.  I thought about the people who make Canada great.  I thought about the objects that speak of Canada.  I thought about the places that make up the landscape of Canada.  And then I thought about a few of the things Canadians are known for.

When you think of Canada, what comes to mind? The Heritage commercials? Blue Rodeo? Canada Geese? Sid the Kid? Our veterans and soldiers? St. Lawrence River? Terry Fox? Niagara Falls? Signal Hill? Bare Naked Ladies? The Northern Lights? Hudson Bay Company? Louisburg? Hockey? The Maple Leaf?  Hayley Wickenheiser? Jann Arden? Baseball? Stuart McLean? Pier 21? Snow? Sheree Fitch? RCMP? Beavertails? Loonies? Ketchup chips? Red dirt of PEI? Shania Twain?

Hang onto your toque, grab your plaid coat and let’s start our search for the most Iconic Canadian things!

First stop, Peggy’s Cove.  Our coastlines are dotted with lighthouses that help our sailors navigate our rocky shorelines.  These lighthouses have been a guide for years and years, guiding our fishermen, our soldiers, our visitors.  Plus, they make of pretty awesome photographs!

The next stop on our search, is not a place, as much as it is a time.  We’re going into the past, to when I was a wee Canadian child.    #99, Wayne Gretzky and Ian Miller with his horse, Big Ben are the sports stars of my childhood { I wasn’t into sports, this is a stretch for me }  but I remember cutting pictures of Wayne Gretzky out of the newspaper and taping them up, I may have had a school-girl crush on him. Anne Murray and Stompin’ Tom Connors come to mind for the music scene, along with Bryan Adams.  And I can’t talk about Canada without mentioning Bob and Doug MacKenzie of the Great White North….ironically I was introduced to them by Americans….too funny…and not a true representation of us…really…we don’t all smoke and drink beer!

As we continue on our search, we need a coffee break, don’t you think?  Let’s just pull into the nearest Tim’s to grab a double double and a donut.  I love that we can say we’re going to Tim’s or Timmy’s and no one asks who Tim is…. What kind of donut would you like?

While searching for Iconic Canadian things, I’d like to mention a few things I wasn’t able to get pictures of…things like the Rocky Mountains, the prairies, the CN Tower in Toronto or Parliament Hill in our nation’s capitol.  These are definitely things one thinks of when Canada is mentioned.  I wasn’t able to find a moose or a polar bear. I had offers of a taxidermy moose, but no beavers.  I looked in some spots where I know beavers lived, but no luck.  And our local town moose has moved on {thankfully}.  So I borrowed a moose antler from a friend and continued searching for the Iconic Canadian Beaver.

As we carry on our search, let’s flip on the radio. Oh, it’s the Tragically Hip. They’re Canadian. But here’s a special fellow who is also Canadian, a huge Hip fan and also a major supporter of Canadian musicians here locally.  Meet Carlton Munroe – he has a history of working on radio and at a local venue where he has brought so many great Canadian musicians to the stage.  He is battling cancer but in true Canadian spirit, remains positive, active and involved.  In fact, he was off to play ball after I snapped this picture.  What a guy!

I’m afraid the next stop is a disappointing one.  I wanted to show you the Bluenose II, I may have mentioned stealing it in the above FB thread, but I was really only kidding.  And then it arrives in Pictou Harbour!  We went to visit it, but alas, the gates were closed and they weren’t letting anyone in!!  So close, yet so far!  I did have the opportunity to board it in the past, but in case you forget what it looks like, find the nearest dime and have a peek!

I do have a boat to show you, though.  This is a Kajait that my friend’s son built for a school project.  And if you are anything like me, you had no idea what it was, but it is an Inuit style of a kayak built typically from wood or bone and covered with animal skin.  Xander built his from wood and leather and it’s pretty awesome!

When I think about Canada and it’s industries, there are 4 that come to mind that rely on our natural resources.  And I have or had ties to all of them at some point in my life, mainly through my upbringing and through Michael.  I grew up on a dairy farm in rural Nova Scotia so agriculture is a big one for me.  The area where I live is coastal, too, so fishing is a huge part of life around here. Michael spent many early mornings and late nights out on the water.  The forestry and mining industries are the other two, and if you look across the landscape of this country, you’ll find all four and regions where the people rely on these industries for their livelihood.

Another tasty natural resource of this great country is our Maple Syrup! I can’t talk about Canada and not mention our maple syrup!  It’s the perfect topping for so many things – obviously pancakes but add it to your coffee, top your grilled cheese with it, drizzle it over your sausages, mix it into your baked beans and whip cream and pour it over your ice cream.  Yep, pretty Canadian that maple syrup!  So let’s make maple flavoured everything – cookies, marshmallows, vodka, fudge, bacon, coffee, donuts…

And since we’re talking about food again, we need to mention poutine.  That’s pretty Canadian, eh? Now, I’m not a huge fan of poutine because I’m not fond of gravy.  But I know people LOVE their poutine.  Donair poutine. Classic poutine. Lobster poutine. Bacon poutine.  Sweet Potato Poutine.  Just make mine light on the gravy…. And should I bring up seafood chowder? Classic!

Of course lobster is pretty Canadian, especially on the East Coast.  We hit the wharf but the fisherman were all home for the day.  So, we settled for this lovely old wooden lobster trap.  The particular stop is also at one of other things that we’re known for – our great beaches.  But, alas, no beavers.

We’ve covered some ground, had some fun looking at some of the things Canada is known for. And, finally, at the end of the search, I came across a beaver.  But not just any beaver.  But a pretty amazing little beaver.  This beaver symbolizes the future of Canada.  Our country is only as great as the people who live here and call it home.  And as a parent, it is my hope and prayer that we are raising up little people who treasure our great nation and will stand for everything Canadian, now and into the coming years.  But it is up to us to teach and guide them.  So, put on your #RedAndWhite, grab your family and neighbours and celebrate our nation today and always!

To be continued,

Lori

I was provided with some of the items in this post by Canadian Tire for the #RedAndWhite Campaign and the Letterboard Company but my take on things is just that!