My favorite people

Our time in Canada often brought blue skies

I looked back and realized we pretty much just nodded to New Brunswick in our past posts.  Interestingly, that province wasn't even on my radar as I thought about and planned for a trip to the Atlantic provinces.  (They used to be called the Maritime Provinces, does anyone remember that?) I've always wanted to visit the small eastern end of Canada, but I've been completely neutral about New Brunswick.  No more.  
 

Taking a bump-and-rattle break on the southern coast

We learned that CAA and AAA are reciprocal organizations, to our great relief.  With no cell phone, no Google Maps, and no onboard GPS, we were relying on the skimpiest of altas maps....  because AAA fell through for us and didn't deliver our maps and guides and TripTiks before we left...  hmmmm...  Boo, AAA.  We happened upon a CAA office that was open on a Saturday morning, and that wonderful woman loaded us with all and more we needed.  Yay, CAA.

We found the expected pretty scenery, and some very untended scenic roads.  We accustomed ourselves to kilometers per hour and liters in the gas tank and less meat in the deli case for sandwiches.  We drove along the southern end of the province and straight through the center. 

The treasure we found in New Brunswick?  The friendliest, warmest, most open and joyous people of our trip.  Old people smiled and nodded, middle people offered help and answered questions.  Young people - cool twenties-types - chatted with us in the grocery stores and shops.  My tribe. 

Thank you, New Brunswickians, for being so gorgeously, authentically you.  I want to go back to New Brunswick just to spend time with you.