Grand Lake ends in the St John River. The St John River Valley is credited with being the most scenic river valley in all of Canada. New Brunswick has identified a number of scenic routes and between their map and clear signage, we had no trouble enjoying the trip.
The river is broad and the road follows along close by through primarily rural areas and occasional small villages. We saw lots of lovely old farm houses typified by the steep central gable seen in these two charmers.
They remind me of the old houses with a "Carolina A" back home though most of the houses we saw did not have a front porch. Obviously the steep pitch of the A is a nod to winter snow but they seem to be about the same age as the Carolina As, early to mid 1800s. We also saw many charming clapboard churches replete with gingerbread details and of a wide variety of denominations. As detailed as the woodwork on the churches was, the farmhouses were surprisingly plain by comparison. Very little gingerbread, very few with shutters. Still, they all had their own charming flavor.
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| Anglican Church |
We did see a lot of water damage at the start of our trip up the valley--many homes with siding replaced several feet up from their foundations. Vita said 13,000 homes had been damaged. In an area so sparsely populated, it indicates the expanse of the flood.
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| Anglican Church |
We saw these beautifully preserved clapboard churches the entire length of today's drive. It was hard to stop for pictures on the narrow road but we caught this Anglican Church at a wide place and managed a picture of these two across the river through the windshield.
We also saw the world's longest covered bridge. It was being repaired, so we couldn't drive a cross, but it was impressive. The Canadians love their covered bridges and build them with aplomb. A cross country bicyclist stopped in a gift shop we were visiting and asked the clerk what he should see in town. She mentioned the covered bridge and he replied that he'd seen the world's second largest covered bridge already in Quebec. We passed others on the way including one bridge that had a covered section to the first abutment followed by trestles the rest of the way across the river. In fact, we saw many graceful and intriguing bridges of all sorts. Ben the welder enjoyed them all and photographed most of them.
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| World's Longest Covered Bridge |
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| Yet another lovely bridge |
And, of course, we had to stop at a train exhibit--The Smogonoc Train Museum--such wonderful names. And finally, we are in Grand Falls. We have yet to see the falls. It has started to rain, but not hard. We may take a trek into town for supper and see what we can find...
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| Smogonoc Depot |
Grand Lake ends in the St John River. The St John River Valley is credited with being the most scenic river valley in all of Canada. New Brunswick has identified a number of scenic routes and between their map and clear signage, we had no trouble enjoying the trip.
They remind me of the old houses with a "Carolina A" back home though most of the houses we saw did not have a front porch. Obviously the steep pitch of the A is a nod to winter snow but they seem to be about the same age as the Carolina As, early to mid 1800s. We also saw many charming clapboard churches replete with gingerbread details and of a wide variety of denominations. As detailed as the woodwork on the churches was, the farmhouses were surprisingly plain by comparison. Very little gingerbread, very few with shutters. Still, they all had their own charming flavor.
We saw these beautifully preserved clapboard churches the entire length of today's drive. It was hard to stop for pictures on the narrow road but we caught this Anglican Church at a wide place and managed a picture of these two across the river through the windshield.
We also saw the world's longest covered bridge. It was being repaired, so we couldn't drive a cross, but it was impressive. The Canadians love their covered bridges and build them with aplomb. A cross country bicyclist stopped in a gift shop we were visiting and asked the clerk what he should see in town. She mentioned the covered bridge and he replied that he'd seen the world's second largest covered bridge already in Quebec. We passed others on the way including one bridge that had a covered section to the first abutment followed by trestles the rest of the way across the river. In fact, we saw many graceful and intriguing bridges of all sorts. Ben the welder enjoyed them all and photographed most of them. 
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