Miramachi and Fredricton, September 30th to October 2nd

 Wednesday, September 30th. Last day of September and:

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2026 was observed on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, marking the solemn annual occasion dedicated to honouring residential school Survivors, their families, and communities, and remembering the children who never returned home.

We hit the road for 9:30 am from Dorchester and our first stop today is the Giant Lobster in Shediak, NB. In the summer this place would be hopping with all the beautiful beaches.

You could also book a tour on a lobster boat to see how they harvest lobsters. Closed for the season as of September 29th.

Back in the car for the Irving Eco-Centre.

Irving Eco-Centre: La dune de Bouctouche was developed by J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) to preserve and restore one of the few remaining great sand dunes on the northeastern coastline of North America.

Located on the Northumberland Strait of New Brunswick, just minutes north of the town of Bouctouche, the dune offers a blend of recreational opportunities and learning experiences for anyone who wants to enjoy its special beauty.

Park visitors can use the boardwalk stretching along the dune to explore both the dune's wilderness and its salt marsh without endangering the sensitive ecosystems.

This sand dune stretches 12 km across Bouctouche Bay, a result of the constant action of wind, tides and sea currents since the last ice age. Every major storm, its shape changes.

A rich variety of marine and aquatic plants and animals, especially shorebirds and other migratory birds, make the dune their habitat.

Staghorn Sumac

Lastly we drove into the Kouchibouguac National Park for Kelly's beach, which hosted another boardwalk over the lagoon to the beach and dunes. The sun managed to come out more and the clouds were just whispy.

Such gorgeous views. We sat at a picnic table on the beach for 10 minutes or so, just listening to the wind and surf. Lovely. A great beach in the summer, but a heck of a walk to an outhouse. There is one midspan on the boardwalk but closed for the season.

Time to get into Miramichi and lunch. I asked Ray to take a video of the bright coloured trees while I'm driving. The colours are more and more vibrant as we drove towards Miramichi.

We decided to eat at  O'Donaghue's Irish Pub. It's just hopping busy there, but our server did real well inspite of all the customers. Ray ordered a lobster roll and me their soup and sandwich special.

After lunch we walked the streets around the pub a bit and to the waterfront park.

Old Post Office

Striped Bass Fishing

Back in the car to Ritchies Wharf. A lovely little stroll and they have a lot of cute restaurants on the wharf but all are closed down now for winter.

Don't know what this guy is doing pulling his dock. He went back and forth about 3 times????

Time to get checked into our hotel for the night. The Travelodge by Wyndam Miramichi.

Ray took a walk around as there is an old bridge next to the hotel he wanted to get a closer look at. I'd hoped for a lounge to have a G & T but no such luck. After a big lunch I'm not hungry, but they have an Indian/Canadian Restaurant on site. Ray took the opportunity for some Indian food, which I don't like.

He ordered their assorted platter which included Butter Chicken and it's delicious and not too spicy.

Thursday morning, we woke up from an OK Sleep. Although we have a king size bed this time, it's hard as a rock. Nice sunrise though. Ray ran outside in his PJ's for some shots of the decomissioned bridge outside our window.

We ate some of the breakfast offerings and then were ready to head out at 9am. We decided to head north for two lighthouses and then went south towards Fredricton for some other pictures of fall colours. Tomorrow's weather is a little iffy, with a lot of clouds and rain in the afternoon. So we thought we'd see some of the things on the first 1/3 of the drive as it's only 2 hours to Fredricton from Miramichi. We made a few stops along the highway.

First up, Grand Dunes Flats Front Range Lighthouse. Looks like someones house with a light on top. lol

The next one is as little further down the highway in Tabustintac, what names lol

As planned off to the south for another covered bridge. First we traversed the Bartholomew Bridge at Blackville. Of course the best view is from the bridge where there was no way to stop so we had to take the road down to the river. This bridge is part of the ATV trail from Fredricton to Miramichi on the old rail bed. Two old guys were sitting having a break from hunting and told us all about the area.We are so lucky as the colours have started a week or so early the gents told me.

Next up is the Nelson Hollow Covered Bridge in Doaktown. We scampered down the road as it's too hard for the car to make it down.

The old pilings for the road to connect with the covered bridge.

There were other trails nearby heading towards the river so we took them. They connected us with the ATV trail along the river. We even found a fishing cabin on the ATV trail. What a fabulous spot.

Inside it has a woodstove, table and chairs and a single bed.

After seeing the covered bridge and hiking around a bit, we decided to have lunch in Doaktown at the Lower Ledge Gastro Pub on the Mirmichi River. Delicous steak for me and fish and chips for Ray. I only ate half so Ray finished it and saved most of his fish and chips for dinner.  

What a beautiful setting. As you can see it is warm and 23C.

Time to head back to Mirimichi, fuel up and get some more beer for me. Ray's driving as I drank the one beer. lol 

I 've been missing my G & T's so Ray took me to Hennesy's Pub and we ordered nachos sitting on their patio. A lovely warm afternoon at 23C ... Wow and this time of year.

Back to the room for the rest of the day and night. Tomorrow we head to Fredricton.

Friday, after breakfast, we hit the road at 8:30 am to try and beat the rain for some pictures. The first stop is in the middle of the bridge that we crossed yesterday and were unable to stop due to traffic. This morning there's very few cars and I pulled over to let them pass then went on the bridge. Ray jumped out and took a couple of pictures and then jumped back in the car before the next one caught up to us. lol

Next stop on my list is the McNamee-Priceville Footbridge.

The first bridge was built in 1938 and was 200 m (656 ft.) long. It incurred high-water damage in May 1939, and was rebuilt, higher, with a pier in the middle. This bridge was upgraded in 1961, and then replaced in 1988. Enjoy beautiful views on the Miramichi river from the footbridge and the picturesque countryside. The bridge can be crossed on foot, but there is a parking nearby. ATV and snowmobile trails are just a few steps away.

We walked out to the middle of it for some pictures. Certainly steep stairs to climb up. The bridge definitely wobbled when you walk on it. Maximum people 10 at one time posted.

View from the bridge.

Proving that we did it. lol

Gorgeous colours.

Ray wanted us to go down some back roads to find "Colour" and waterfalls. Unfortunately one of those waterfalls, the Dunbar Falls, access is on private property and the other way to see them is a 1.5 km round trip rough trail, so pass.

Shortly before we hit Fredricton, the rain began so we scratched off another planned stop at the Mactaquac Provincial Park, which is supposed to have great fall foilage. The rain really dulled the colours.

We found a place downtown for lunch called the Snooty Fox. They also have great beer.

Ray ordered a great steak dinner and me something they called Bacon Cheeseburger Bombs. They are delicious. Angus ground beef with chopped bacon, green sweet pickles and some cheese all wrapped in an eggroll and deepfied with a special dipping sauce. It really tasted like a burger, but so less messy! Dinner for lunch and we will have lunch takeout for dinner, Mary Brown's Chicken.

Going back to the car, Ray took a picture of the lighthouse on the water.

Time to check into our hotel, a little early. Nothing else to see in the rain. Tomorrow Saint John, NB