Acadian Coast Trail

Got off to a good start with b’fast at the Quality Inn after walking down to the town Center.  We had decided to skip the first part of the Acadian Coast Trail from Bathurst to Miramichi due to time constraints.  Drove to Miramichi and picked up the trail there.  Acadian influence ever present as we drove past many homes adorned with bleu, blanc et rouge avec l’etoile d’Or.  The drive was scenic and we stopped at Kouchibouguac National Park for to look around.  There was some sort of power interruption that caused parts of the park to be out of service, but none of the signage indicated that.  Found a picnic table and had a snack before carrying on to Bouctouche where we found an ecological preserve and nature interpretive Center on Bouctouche Dune - ironically funded by Irving Oil. It was quite well laid out and we enjoyed the boardwalk stroll.  Boys went quite a bit further than K&I.  After that, we continued along past more hair salons and ice cream parlours following the winding Acadian Trail ultimately arriving in Moncton.  I was able to recover from a missed turn easily and located the Marriot right in the heart of downtown.  After settling in, we found the Tide and Boar and after some miscommunication with the patio hostess, and some great craft beer, we got a table outside.  We tried the Magnetic Hill winery offering and found it to be a bit off-putting so quickly switched to a more mature wine.  Appetizers were great (oysters and pork bits) and Karen’s parmesan crusted haddock was excellent.  Karen & I retired to the room while the boys went seeking trouble (fortunately didn’t find any).  Off to PEI in the morning and hoping for a call from Inn at Bay Fortune.