Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick September 20-23, 1978

Kouchibouguac is just what I needed.

A solid hit of nature.

A balm – a gift – for my drive-weary bones. 

We spent a few glorious days here

Hiking and biking in the autumn colours, 

Fantastic shades of yellow, orange red and green. 










Endless trails, almost deserted now that summer’s gone

The crowds of happy campers back to work and school

We traipse through timeless forests 

Trees, ferns, unknown bushes, mosses, lichen

Contributing each in their own unique way

To a happy celebration of colour, texture, light and life.









 

A beautiful boardwalk through gentle fawn-coloured grasses

To miles of beach along the Gulf of St. Lawrence

The waters here calmer, protected by Prince Edward Island

Just across Northumberland Bay.



 

Boundless opportunities for quiet contemplation

Letting my mind wander, soar, and settle

Thinking of everything, and nothing

Sitting, being in, enjoying, treasuring the here and now

Grateful for this place and time




Dusty ran two or three miles for my every one

And at night just crashed, dog-tired

Ears and body flopping down in a heap

And falling, immediately, into a deep and dreamless sleep

No rabbit chasing tics or tremors

No waking to scratch that ever-present itch.






 

And if all of this were not enough, we met up with Cherie and Maureen again here!  Sitting around the fire at night we shared meals and tales – of our recent road trips (similar routes, round the Gaspe, hugging the coast on down through New Brunswick; different diversions and experiences, all interesting, all good), of previous travels to other countries – some exotic, some, like the USA, much the same; and of journeys planned.  We spoke most, and with most passion and excitement, about where we might go next.  They’re still heading to Nova Scotia for the winter.  I, more and more, especially as the days and nights grow colder, am thinking of somewhere warmer.  South America?  Asia? 


The next morning I found a photo of me and Dusty on the dashboard with a note: "this meeting has been special", and wishing me rainbows.  Cherie and Maureen had also hung a prism from my rear-view mirror.  It was making little prisms everywhere, even on Dusty’s nose! 



   

Location: Kouchibouguac, NB E4X 1K4, Canada

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