My Visit to Canada to see my Gram

The month of October was so full of activities that I had no time to post!  One big reason that October flew by for me, was that I literally flew away for a visit to Canada! I was gone for about a week, but we packed so much into the days we were there, that it felt like we were gone much longer!  Canada opened its borders for travel on October 1st with no restrictions.  I had wanted to see my grandmother who had been ill and the time to do it was now.  My brother was able to get away as well, and we decided to arrive together. We are so glad we did! 

On my way! I love watching the sunrise view from the airplane. 

My flight was long, and I was up for about 24 hours. Upon arriving at my grandmother's, my aunt left this surprise for me on the bed. A favorite bag of ketchup chips, a special Canadian treat we love! 

It was so late when we got in, that we didn't wake up Gram and Aunt Jenny. 
The next morning I went in to wake up Gram, and she was so happy to see me! 

The morning sunrise view from my grandmother's dining room window! 

My brother greeted Gram for the first time. 

My Gram is blind, but she can see lights and shadows. I gifted her with these
glass-blown flowers that we lit up with fairy lights so she can enjoy them! 

My brother and I went for a walk after breakfast around the homestead...
 oh it was beautiful in all its Fall glory! 

My grandfather had purchased over 300+ acres of land when he and my Gram got married.  They farmed, logged, and raised dairy cattle on it. It is a beautiful piece of property with so many great views!

The farm overlooks the St. John River valley. 

Here rests an old farm tractor used around the homestead.
It still runs, and is now used to plow the snow! 

Such magnificent fall scenery! 

A very typical Fall scene as you drive...
along with warnings for deer, moose, and other wildlife crossings! 

Of course, we had to make a stop at Tim Horton's for some coffee and doughnuts! 

A view of the St. John River from Perth-Andover, NB

My aunt owns Mary's Bake Shop, and it is always a treat to enjoy a meal there! Everything is home-baked there, and the meals are scrumptious! 

Another view of the St. John River.

A view of the bridge that connects Perth and Andover,
two towns on either side of the river. 

So many beautiful churches along the river!

I drove up to New Denmark, which is where my grandparents landed when they immigrated from Denmark. This is the oldest Danish community in Canada and is still in existence.  My grandfather was born in Denmark, and my Gram was born here in this community, but her parents were immigrants from Denmark. 

The magnificent railroad bridge in New Denmark. 

An old homestead with a view of the railroad bridge. 

One of many beautiful barns still standing there in New Denmark.

A beautiful Fall scene with a potato harvester in the distance,
this is potato harvesting country. 

Fall views in New Denmark

The graveyard at St. Peter's Lutheran Church
where all my Danish ancestors are buried. 

I stopped by the New Denmark Historical Museum. It was closed for the season but I enjoyed the visit. I had been here many times before to visit as a child and in years past. 

This is a replica of the home the immigrants were
expected to all live in when they arrived from Denmark. It was certainly not as big as they had been promised and was quite a disappointment for them.  

A peek inside the home. 

These pictures were taken through the window,
they offer a peek into a day and time that I can't fathom. 

Another beautiful Fall view... New Denmark has steep hills
lined with beautiful hardwood trees. 

The Salmon River bridge - a place where the family
often came to swim and camp during the summertime. 

Another view of the St. John River valley from the road my Gram lives on. 

An artist's depiction of the old homestead, which burnt 2 years ago. 
  You can read more about that story here.  

A view of the potato farm fields on the homestead.

My brother and I with Gram.

My brother and I, as well as a cousin, traveled over to
Prince Edward Island for a visit. 

We saw this fox just as we came off the Confederation Bridge.
They are quite common on the Island. 

The damage from Hurricane Fiona was immediately heartrending to see. 

An entire row of trees was upended from the winds.

Debris from the storm was piled neatly all along the roadways. Islanders were hard at work cleaning up the damages from the storm. 

We checked into our hotel and were thrilled with the beautiful accommodations.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Charlottetown. 

We saw this horse-drawn carriage riding the streets. 

Our neighbors from years ago on the Island treated us to a meal at The Merchantman in Charlottetown. We enjoyed a wonderful visit with them! 

We stopped by the church graveyard where our grandparents
and my dad's extended MacLauchlan family are buried. 

The next morning we saw more evidence of Islanders hard at work,
cleaning up the debris from the hurricane. 

This is the homestead my Dad grew up on and farmed the land around it.  That homestead has since been sold and turned into a nursing home facility. 

Many of the harbors and beaches were closed.  We did find Grand Tracadie Harbor open and visited with a fisherman there who told us about the horrible events of the storm.  They were still working hard to clean up. 

This boat, the Corey Lee had been picked up by the hurricane and landed on top of the wharf.  It had just recently been removed and put back into the water.  

Another of the fishing boats moored at the Grand Tracadie Harbor. 

All of the north shore National Park beaches were closed, but we did manage to find one beach that was open, and we enjoyed walking its shoreline. 

The beach was largely deserted except for a man with two dogs who we enjoyed visiting with. The day was overcast and cool, but not cold. We got into the water and enjoyed wading as the waves splashed around us. 

We saw this large lobster claw that had washed up onto the shoreline. 

And of course, I had to write a little note in the sand! 

The island beaches are magnificent, and there is just nothing like the smell of the salt air and the loud cries of the seagulls to remind me of my childhood days enjoying the island beaches. How I miss them!

Leaving the beach, we headed back to downtown Charlottetown to find some lobster. It was off-season for lobster,
but we were told this was a good place to find it. 

We found lobster at The Chip Shack!

I got the Lobster Poutine and it was amazing! For those who may not know what poutine is, it is a classic French-Canadian dish consisting of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy. I had never had Lobster poutine -  it was delicious! 

While we were eating down at the wharf, we were close to the cruise ships which were docked at the port. 

A visit to the Island is never complete without a Cow's ice cream treat! 

 I met a high school friend at Cow's and we enjoyed the ice cream treat together while we caught up on life since we saw each other last, which was over 15 years ago. 

We drove out to the south shore to see my brother's high school friend and stopped to see the Rocky Point Lighthouse. It was dark, but still a beautiful scene! 

The next morning we got up early to see the sun rise over Victoria Beach in Charlottetown. We were not disappointed in our efforts to be there early! 

Glorious morning views! 

Victoria Park has historical significance as it was where the canons were located to protect the Charlottetown Harbor in the 1800s. 

Such magnificent views! 

My cousin took this picture of me as I sat on the bench
overlooking the water, watching the sunrise unfold in all its glory. 

We enjoyed breakfast at Tim Horton's again...
sure do love their Maple Pecan doughnuts! 

We did a little sightseeing on the way to the Confederation Bridge, taking a drive down some of the beautiful red island roads that led to the sea. 

Victoria-By-The-Sea lighthouse

Soon we were at the bridge and about to leave our beloved island. 

We bought a couple bags of PEI potatoes for Gram to enjoy. Fruits and vegetables are not allowed across the border, so I couldn't bring any home for our family to enjoy. 

Back in New Brunswick with my Gram! 

Holding Gram's hands, she loves for someone to sit by her bed and hold her hand. 

On the last night at Gram's, the sunset was absolutely stunning! 

Its beauty rests in my heart!

So different from the view I knew as a child, with the stately white farmhouse and wood-planked barn standing at the top of this hill, but this new home has now become the star of the hill :) 

Saying goodbyes are always so hard. But we are so thankful for all the precious moments we got to have in the short week we were here. 

As we drove to the little airport in Maine that we flew into, we passed this Amish home along the way. Many Amish are moving into the northern New Brunswick area, and are doing a marvelous job farming the countryside there. 

At the airport in Maine, saying goodbye to our aunt who picked us up and dropped us off at the airport. So thankful for all the aunts and uncles, cousins, family, and friends who made our trip so special. We love each and every one of them! 

Our trip was wonderful in every way - we got to see so many family and friends and we will always cherish the special memories of the time we got to spend with Gram. 

I made this video with some of my favorite pictures from New Brunswick and also within the video I honor Gram and her miraculous escape from the fire. It was such a blessing to be able to see her again after the trauma of the past two years and to spend this time with her. I am so very grateful that we were able to make this trip, and the memories we made will live on forever in my heart :)