French Village to Fredericton   |   Accommodation: The Fort Nashwaak Motel, 15 Riverside Drive Fredericton NB

I was walking by 5:50 along a very foggy Highway 102. By 9:30 my day has been eventful. Sitting comfortably in the Fredericton downtown café Mill Town — recommended by a group of locals I ask about coffee downtown — I look over the events of the morning so far as I wait until 10:00 for the stores to open. I had obtained coffee about an hour and a half into the morning from Michael at Johnny’s Ice and H2O gas station, with whom I talked for a few minutes. He told me about the city of Fredericton, things I might want to check out, but also warned me about the darker aspects of the city—aspects every city has. This morning’s walk into the city was planned purposely short at 16 km due to yesterday’s 52 km day. It is a good feeling, making the morning of walking into a city in which I have reservations and plans to stay for a few days. These actions extend and optimize the day, lengthening the time available for exploring and experiencing as much of the city as possible. An hour outside of the city, I find the Great Trail leading into the suburbs along the waterfront of the river. Not ten minutes into walking I hear a voice say, “Well, it looks like I should start walking.” I turn around and I see Jean with a big smile cycling up beside me! We laugh, and move toward the city together, each describing our evenings. We stop at a picnic table to exchange contact information and talk about our upcoming trekking plans. We wish each other well, and I again watch him ride along the trail ahead, disappearing beyond the trees and into the upcoming suburbs. By 9:30 I reach downtown Fredericton, locating the hike equipment store Backtrails. I arrive a half-hour early and ask a group of locals who are drinking coffee for a good café. They direct me around the corner. On the way to the café, I find two graphic design offices and make note of each in order to check out online. I also directly witness an attempted robbery in progress. I spotted a bookstore, and while I was looking inside through the front door a young woman opened the door and asked, “Coming in?” I said no, that I’m just looking. She then said, “I’ll just ease myself out then.” It was then I saw that she was carrying a basket loaded full of books. A few seconds later a staff member exited the store, running after her. A brief tug-of-war over the basket ensued on the sidewalk, with the woman exclaiming “Then call the cops! You know I wrote them!” I find the café and order a coffee. From the vantage point of my table, I determine that this morning had already proved interesting, and I’d only just arrived in town! By 10:00 I pack up and walk to Backtrails. I instantly know that the store and the people working there know their stuff! Patagonia, Arc’Teryx, Outdoor Research—the gear they carry is all serious, well-made equipment. This is where I meet Kaylee. We talk for 45 minutes and I explain what I am looking for, and as I will be returning tomorrow morning, I give the staff the evening to assess options for what will most optimally suit the kind of walking I will be doing over the upcoming month and a half to St. John’s. I then walk through downtown, making a note of things I will return to see as I am walking toward the hotel. I notice the beautiful Beaverbrook Art Gallery which I will definitely visit tomorrow. I walk to the hotel, crossing the river by way of the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge which offers stellar views of the city. I wait twenty minutes for the preparation of the room, and then I am moving in. I fill up the tub in order to soak the tent and rainfly, using the bottle of gear cleaner recently purchased from Backtrails in order to restore water resistance. I also soak some clothing in the sink before walking to a market to re-stock the pack with food—5-minute rice, ramen, and trail mix. Returning to the room, my plan for the rest of the day is to remain as horizontal as possible for maximizing rest, watching television, and catching up on writing. Today is my day of rest and recuperation—and I am in Fredericton! I am finally in Fredericton…

Today’s distance walked: 29.96 km    |    Total distance walked: 1,647.66 km