Sugarloaf

We didn't un-hitch last night so this morning we were able to leave relatively early. Before we left, I took some some pictures in the campground and of the symbols of pride that the Acadians have in their culture.

As I said yesterday, very little English is spoken here and the signs are in French, often without the matching English version.

I think I have taken a picture of the Acadian flag - just like the French flag with fields of red, white and blue. The acadian flag adds a single gold star in the blue field to honor Mary.

This bunting shows the design of the Acadian flag. Some of the villages and towns that we drove through have their streets lined with the Acadian flag and many home fly the Acadian flag, similar to the way the Stars and Stripes are flown in the U.S.

Another feature of the Acadian villages, along this northern New Brunswick coast, is the huge Catholic Church that is the center of the town. In the picture above, the church is in the background and the little building shaped like a light-house is an Information Center. 

We arrived at our next campground, Sugarloaf Provincial Park in Atholville, near Campbellton, New Brunswick, early this afternoon and after setting up we went off in search of adventure. What we wanted to find was a good hike so we could stretch our legs after two days in the car. 

The park brochure states that Sugarloaf Mountain, the focal point of Sugarloaf Park, is 1,000 feet high and offers a breathtaking view from the top. "Hike the hidden path to the summit; this rewarding trail is steep yet enjoyable and enchanting. At the summit, the scenery will seduce you with its beauty." Well, that certainly sounds like an invitation to an adventure! 

We drove to the trailhead and took a picture of this ancient, late Devonian Age, volcano and one of the oldest mountains in North America. There are two trails connected to the mountain. One is the 4+ km Terry Fox trail that winds around the base of the mountain. Halfway around the mountain is a 1 km trail-"steep yet enjoyable", that takes you to the summit; with another 1 km back down.

The first 2 km around the base of the mountain was a piece-of-cake, with gently rolling terrain. But as soon as we stepped onto the summit trail, it was straight up.

As I look at these pictures, they don't do justice to how steep and rocky the trail is.

This section of the trail was essentially a metal ladder that, fortunately, had a metal mesh base under the steps. The trail around the base of the mountain is a very popular fitness trail for the neighboring community and quite a few hardy souls take the summit trail as well.

These folks are Denis (with one "n" and pronounced Den-i, accent on the Den) and Lillian (pronounced Lilly Ann). While we were recovering at the summit, they came bounding up the trail. They try to make the climb three times a week for fitness - better and more interesting than going to the gym. We talked to them about traveling in New Brunswick and Quebec and Denis suggested a number of places for us to visit.

The summit offered panoramic views of:

• the City of Campbellton
• the Restigouche River, renowned worldwide for salmon fishing
• the Baie des Chaleurs, recognized as one of the most beautiful bays in the world
• the rolling hills of Quebec's Gaspe Coast

There were also interpretive panels that told the story of Battle of Restigouche, fought in 1760, between the remnants of a French relief fleet bound for Montreal and a British squadron. The French fleet consisted of three French ships, only half the number that had sailed from Bordeaux in the spring. On learning that the British had already reached the Saint Lawrence River, the French fleet sought refuge in Chaleur Bay and the Restigouche River where its numbers were increased by 25 to 30 Acadian sloops and schooners and Mi'kmaq militia. A British fleet, five war ships, from the Fortress at Louisbourg, arrived to block the escape of the French fleet and made contact with the French on June 22. By July 8, the final day of the battle, the French had lost, in addition to 10 vessels sunk across channels in the river to halt the British advance, 22 or 23 vessels, most of which the French destroyed to prevent the British from taking them. The loss of the French fleet and its supplies contributed to the fall of New France. The battle was the last naval engagement between the French and Great Britain for possession of North America.  

A picture that shows the battle as it would have looked today with the City of Campbellton in the foreground.

A view of the beautiful Chaleur Bay, looking towards the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The City of Campbellton in the foreground; the J. C. Van Horne Bridge, crossing between Campbellton and Pointe-a-la-Croix, Quebec;and, the rolling hills of Quebec's Gaspe Coast.

The Restigouche River.

This monument was erected on the summit in sad recognition of the killing of the three Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constables, Douglas James Larche, Dave Joseph Ross and Fabrice Georges Gevaudan,  who were killed in Moncton on June 4, 2014. The monument recognizes all fallen heroes who have served at home and abroad and who, in service, paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The way down - just as steep and harder on the knees.