Camping sites are as varied as any array of locations or activities can be.
Campsite #1 Chegnecto, Fundy National Park, NB
We arrived at the campsite at about 17:00, and began setting up, getting the trailer stabilised and balanced, and the outside accoutrements in place. Stabilising always takes a bit of time and plenty of tweaking, but it’s well worth the effort. Having an even platform for moving around and sleeping is crucial, if for no reason other than walking without wobbling. Our trailer is not large, 7 metres long, about 2.5 metres wide) so there is not much walking, but it is helpful to feel steady on the feet. For a person who tends towards motion sickness, this is doubly crucial. I’ve been in an unbalanced trailer, to no good end.
Unfortunately, the sky quickly clouded over – well, truth be told we had been observing the developing cloud bank during the afternoon and reckoned it would rain during the night. It rained in the midst of setting up camp, which disrupted the sequence of getting items in place. It was all just fine because we unpacked some of the items inside, made some supper, and dealt with organising the ‘thrown together’ camp on the morrow. After that seemingly uneven start, all progressed smoothly. We were comfortable in our trailer and at our campsite.
There are a couple of reasons why we camp with a trailer these days. We prefer to sleep on a bed, not the ground. It is wonderful to have a waterproof tin roof overhead rather than damp and sometimes leaky canvas. Trailers hook up to electric and water, which makes the outdoor experience eminently decadent, and at this stage that is just right for us. We no longer wish to ‘rough it’ to feel as though we’ve been out camping. We can be in comfort and still enjoy the environment, the near wilderness of trees and plants.
National Park ‘front-country’ campsites are close together, but the overall campsite design ensures that each campsite feels almost isolated, its own bit of wilderness so to speak. Of course there are many exceptions, where the tent or trailer in the adjacent site is visible, but the aim seems to be to create a sense of the Canadian wilderness in the very crowded and congested campsites. From my perspective, they are successful.
Campsite #2, Old Foggy Distillery, Hampton, NB
There is an RV camping site called Harvest Hosts. The idea is that members can stay for one night with no charge at member-organisations. No services are provided. The places are usually breweries, distilleries, wineries, farms, and craft producers. We joined the organisation to test it out. It might be an option for other travel times. We had a night at Ole Foggy Distillery. The camping area, in the grassy backyard of the distillery, is where we found a pleasant, tidy corner of the yard for our campsite.
This was our first foray into no-service camping with Harvest Hosts. We were well received, with clear directions about where to go and the expectations of the host. That was an excellent start to this new-to-us concept.
The young man tending the bar at Ole Foggy was very accommodating. It was a rainy afternoon. Nigel had an errand in Quispamsis, a town nearby. I had some paperwork to complete, so I remained behind. I did not stay in the trailer. Instead I went to the bar, ordered a mocktail, and set to work. It was certainly a congenial atmosphere, and plenty of work was completed. There is a small craft store attached to the bar. It sells some very beautiful, good quality local and regional crafts. I was tempted, but with the long trip ahead I resisted making a purchase.
A couple of long-time friends made a plan to meet us for supper at a nearby restaurant. That was a pleasure, and one of the reasons why we stopped in Hampton – so those who could get here could visit us.
Camping without services is rather barren. We had some water in our water tank, so we could use all our amenities. The batter provided power. We had the basics. Because it was a public space, we were not comfortable putting out all the outside items (e.g. the BBQ), so moved around items that had to remain in the trailer overnight. It was not an issue because there is still enough space for the two of us (we are packed, but not overly packed). But, a tad tight and awkward. Overall, though, a good experience.
Campsite #3, Quispamsis, NB
We accepted an invitation from long-time friends, David and Elspeth Nickerson, to stay for the weekend. Our trailer was parked in their driveway. Granville the dog and OrangePekoe the cat followed their usual sleeping pattern – in their boxes in the car. That kept them with one familiar routine, which I think is good for animals. We, on the other hand, broke with the camping routine, and gratefully accepted the offer to sleep in the guest room. It was a much appreciated camp modification.
We went off for an afternoon boating on the Kennebecasis River with a couple of cousins. The Kennebecasis River is a major tributary to the St John River, the 673 km long water way that runs the north-to-south length of the western portion of the province. The Kennebecasis originates in Hamilton Lake, near Goshen, in the middle-southern portion of New Brunswick. It runs for 95 km, and opens into the Grand Bay, a wide spot in the St John River. A lively boat run, filled with conversation and laughter, was just the ticket to blow away the residual cobwebs from our preparations for the trip.
That process continued when we returned to Nickerson’s. Staying with friends also means plenty of conversation. It goes without saying that we spent hours chatting. Chatting is a key component of a good barbecue, and this was just that. We talked while David barbecued hamburgers, during our tasty meal, and into the night. Conversation carried on the next morning, when our cousin arrived for a visit with us. And so it was for the two days we were there – conversation and cooking and cool times.
The break from camping, this early in the trip, was a lovely respite. It was an opportunity to visit with cousins and friends, something we always enjoy.
Campsite #4, Municipal de la Pointe, Riviere du Loup, QC
We drove north from Quispamsis to Riviere du Loup on a rainy Monday. At times the rain was so heavy that it was difficult to see the road. Speed limits were much lower than those posted, for safety’s sake. As we drove along it, Nigel recounted many anecdotes about his days working on the stretch of road between Woodstock and Grand Falls (from 2005-2007). The rain was so heavy that we stopped at an Irving, somewhere just after Grand Falls for a break from the strain of driving in such inclement weather. That was a much needed rest. Refreshed, we continued on to Riviere-du-Loup, with brightening skies ahead of us.
The municipal campground was a delight. It was clean, orderly, and had a couple of roadways that were quite acceptable for walking with Granville the dog and OrangePekoe the cat. There was a viewing platform from which we could look out over the St Lawrence River. The common room had a fusball game, plus some puzzles and books for campers’ entertainment. WiFi was available everywhere, including at the campsites. The guard at the gate regularly drove around in a golf cart, checking what was happening in the campground. That vigilance was welcome, and likely is what keeps the place looking as good as it does. People tend to behave when they think someone is keeping an eye on them.
This was a commercial campground, so the campsites were very close together. This, from our experience, is typical of commercial sites. The close proximity means we all greet each other, but generally keep our own counsel. It’s a state of mind, an approach that makes it all work well, especially for brief stopovers.
Campsite # 5 Camping du Fjord, Baie Sainte Catherine, QC
This campground is located beside the very busy Highway 178, going north to Baie Comeau. The sound of traffic was audible because the sites are so close to the road. That being said, the sites, which are jammed together, typical of commercial campground, were quite acceptable. Rows of trees and shrubs between the campsites lend an air of privacy. Yet, they are close enough that there was a bit of camaraderie in the campground. That’s the joy of camping – the brief encounters with persons from other parts of Canada, and occasional persons from Europe.
Our experience of the commercial campground is that there tends to be more chat and bonhomie than at the national and provincial campgrounds. Maybe the visibility, seeing each other frequently, leads to that less stand-offish atmosphere. It is a subtle bonus for us, two people who are spending considerable time in each other’s company. We enjoy the brief conversations we have with other campers.
This campground had an auxiliary non-serviced camping area across the highway. From this extension area we could see up and down the St Lawrence River, and almost across to its southern coast. Those gorgeous views were the bonus of this campground.
Campsite # 6 Natur’eau Spa, Mandeville, QC
Campsite # 6 Natur’eau Spa, Mandeville, QC
pic of campsite
Our second Harvest Host camping area was a delight. Our first indication of its welcoming atmosphere was the cheerful assistance provided when we got twisted in the detour maze in Mandeville. Despite directions, the final leg of the trip meandered, along twisting country roads, taking what seemed extraordinary time. When we arrived at Natur’eau we were received with open arms, and the comment “I knew you’d be here about now.”
We were assigned a beautiful spot to put our trailer. One of the cabins was not booked for the night, so the manager said we should park there. It was a tad tricky backing the trailer down the steep, narrow driveway but Nigel made it look easy. And there we were, shaded by trees, with a pond nearby, and a cabin with an outside electric outlet that we used to give us power. What a delightful spot.
Natur’eau Spa offers a variety of the usual spa treatments and activities. We could have accessed them, but at the time we arrived, after a long drive, with two animals needing attention, and two tired humans, we decided we did not have enough time to enjoy what the spa had to offer. This was a shame, because a couple or three hours of whirlpools, Turkish baths, and saunas would have been perfect. Next time.
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