It was that time again to head back to Ontario and for this trip we decided it was time to explore a bit of New Brunswick. We followed the Acadian Coastal Drive with our resting stop today had us in Kouchibouguac National Park. This park has something to offer for everyone. It has miles of bike trails, beautiful sandy beaches, sand dunes, salt water marshes, lots of fishing opportunities and great for the bird watcher and for wildlife sightings. We can attest to this first hand, as we actually saw a bear cub eating; we did not see Momma Bear but I am sure she was not far away and after a quick picture we were out of there!
Kelly’s Beach was beautiful and still full of lots of people; some fishing, some building sand castles, others tanning, and some beach-combing or swimming and then there are the people watchers; the list goes on. This area is called the “edge of New Brunswick” where the water was warm and inviting. The smell of salt air will have you reminiscing about your childhood memories onto the beach.
We did check out over 50 km of bike trails here; some were well marked and well groomed while others were a challenge. Terrains varied; mud, boardwalks, narrow, deep-rutted ones, grass covered, rock exposed, etc. Now, our bikes are considered a hybrid bikes, so in theory they should cover most terrains (at least according to the park attendant at the front desk). So today Steve decided to challenge that theory and took a one-direction only mountain bike trail. (That fact alone should have given us a clue to what the bike path would be like.) It was a challenge for sure. Jo’s hands are still cramped for the death grip she had on the handle bars! Steve’s hybrid bike with shocks definitely made the difference on this trail. So now we know, all bikes are not created equal.