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

Today I get caught up on chores: the last of the gear that has dried is organized and packed, and all gear requiring more time to dry is placed onto base heaters. The upcoming stretch of walking to Moncton is mapped out, and distances with resources are itemized. The food is portioned out for each day of walking, and all clothing that requires mending is made. By 1:00 I am ready to head out for a slow, relaxed walk around the city, with coffee acquired. I make sure to walk the “Westmorland Street” bridge, walking to “Picaroons,” a local brewing company I’ve wanted to check out that is within walking distance of the motel. I return to the room by 3:30, where I transcribe three days of written notes and post two days to the blog. I finish up by 9:30, writing out the day in the journal. As tonight is my last in the city of Fredericton, I put much time and energy into planning out the upcoming 200 km to the city of Moncton. I have found a route along secondary highways that pass through towns with resources. If all goes well, I will walk five days of 40 km, where I will hopefully enter Moncton in five days—this Friday, for two nights in the city!

Today’s distance walked: 11.19 km    |    Total distance walked: 1,647.66 km

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

Being in Fredericton feels incredible! I have always considered this city as a major milestone in the walk, similar to the cities of Montréal, Charlottetown, and St. John’s. Today will be a day for acquiring new gear, replacing old items that have lost their performance. So to make good use of the day, I wake early in order to soak all bedding—quilt, and liner. The base layers are washed and hung to dry. The long sleeve fleece is still damp, requiring additional drying time, so I suit up with the Patagonia rain jacket that will soon be replaced. I set out by 9:00, crossing the river by way of the walking bridge, on my way to invest in a coffee. I arrive at “Backtrails” sometime around 10:00. The people working at this store really know hiking, and I find a new rain jacket made by “Outdoor Research,” as well as a new pair of lightweight gloves that will keep my hands dry and warm in the rain. Thanks to Kaylee and the store team for helping me upgrade a few gear items, in the process having learned something new! I then walk over to the “Beaverbrook Art Gallery” where close to 2.5 hours are spent enjoying creative work made by Judy Blake, Edward Burtynsky, Shane Perley-Dutcher, and Susan Low-Beer, as well as work produced by the graduating class of the “New Brunswick College of Craft and Design.” There are even some paintings from Salvador Dali filling an entire wing of the gallery. Later, lunch is enjoyed from the restaurant “A Bite of Beijing” before returning to the east side of the river, picking up take-out from “Dixie Lee.” When I return to the motel room, all the rest of the clothing is hung up to dry. Tomorrow I should be able to re-pack the bag with all of the dry gear. By 4:00, I am ready after a full day to rest, eat, and sleep! Fredericton has been a great city to take a break from the trail in, and I am grateful to finally have experienced it.

Today’s distance walked: 11.88 km    |    Total distance walked: 1,647.66 km

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