The Almost Intrepid Adventures of LibraryAnn: Savoring Saint John Day 10- 11

Saint John Free Public Library

View from the library today

It's chilly and foggy today, blustery and damp. High of 62 degrees and no sunshine. Reading about the weather back home, I'm not complaining. We are at the Saint John Free Library, cozy and warm with a Tim Horton's downstairs and overlooking the foggy bay. We are taking it easy today. We leisurely walked Rockwood Park this morning. Jessie is working on her EMT class this afternoon. We'll have dinner and a bonfire this evening then pack up for Acadia National Park tomorrow. Then barreling back down the Interstate Tuesday and Wednesday. A post from Acadia will be my last unless something outrageously interesting happens coming home. Fingers crossed it does not.

Market Square inside

Market Square outside

Yesterday's weather was perfect. It was breezy and mild with lots of sun. We used the day to explore Saint John, starting with Market Square, home to the New Brunswick Museum and an exhibit by weaver Vita Plume. We missed getting to walk the old waterfront in Halifax. The waterfront at Saint John more than made up for it. The lovely old buildings are home to boutiques and restaurants. Did I mention I've finished my Christmas shopping? The museum itself includes historical exhibits depicting lumbering, boat building, and the area's natural history. There is also a wonderful interactive exhibit for children (and older) on fairy tales and the supernatural. They even have Big Foot castings. I swear that man gets around.

Vita's exhibit, Commemorations, was made up of portraits woven on a Jacquard loom, including a woman of local historical importance, a haunting series of soldiers lost in recent wars, and a series of women working their textile arts captured in cloth. I was privileged to take Vita's Jacquard class when she taught at NC State and only begin to understand how she uses her medium. What a treat to see this. You can see her work at http://vitaplume.com .

Poutine

I really liked it!

In the evening, Jessie treated me to dinner at the restaurant overlooking Lake Lily. She ordered poutine and loved it though she later explained to me the phrase "poutine regret" as she tried to walk dinner off. Poutine is a combination of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. I can imagine it might sit heavy in the stomach. Apparently it was good going down. We also finally managed to have a Molson Canadian. The last place we tried to order one, the waitress said they didn't carry them because the locals wouldn't buy it . Bad American beer they had. However Cafe Lily had Molson and we each ordered one. Frankly, I really liked it, not that anyone consults me about beer, but I will start looking for it in the grocery.

We did succeed in having a bonfire and s'mores last night. We really are enjoying being fogged in at the library today. Enjoy the photos below from the Saint John waterfront and wish us a safe trip home! (And many thanks to Jessie for helping take pictures.)