In fact, the timing was ideal for us, in the sense that I had not yet returned to work and therefore didn't have to worry about taking time off. We were a little concerned that yanking Max out of daycare so soon after getting him started might slow his progress, but it turns out that the effect wasn't too great. The only hitch was that Holly had come down with a tremendous cold the weekend before and, on the 6th, was put on some heavy-duty antibiotics to deal with her flourishing sinus and ear infections. As the doctor said, "the flight will be very uncomfortable, but there is no risk of permanent damage". Holly survived the flight with very little discomfort.
We left on the 8th and, as per usual, Max was awesome on the plane. He slept all the way to Toronto and then played in a pair of empty seats set aside for us on the way to Fredericton. We arrived at the airport and immediately saw that NB had a beautiful landscape loaded with trees showing off their fall colours. It was a short hop into town and, after setting up shop in the hotel, we headed out for some pizza, crazy good Caesar salad, and donair sauce. Thanks to the bride for the restaurant recommendation!
On the Thursday, we drove out to Oromocto, where Holly renewed her acquaintance with Frenchy's, a most interesting chain of East Coast thrift stores that I first ran into in Church Point, NS, in 1998. Picture everything you'd normally find in a thrift store, but in waist-high wooden bins that are essentially tables with edges. Nothing is hung up, just piled in these bins. Ready...one...two...rummage! Needless to say, Max and I snoozed for 90 minutes in the car while Mom charged it like Betty and Wilma.
It was a bit of a rainy day, so we stayed in town for the afternoon. We enjoyed some fantastic shopping, including an awesome toy store where we picked up these weird balls with bugs in them and some glow in the dark skeleton pirate figurines. We had run into J&R quite unexpectedly at lunch (amazing food again!) and decided to hook up for dinner at El Burrito Loco, an authentic Mexican restaurant smack in the middle of Freddy Beach (what the locals call Fredericton). Run by what must have been the only Mexican expat in New Brunswick. Sadly, Max did not get to try carne asada. Maybe next time.
J&R and their family were tied up with that whole getting married thing on the Friday, so we took off to King's Landing, an historical "village" about 30 minutes north of Fredericton. I put village in quotes because it never was an actual village. King's Landing is cobbled together from a variety of 19th century buildings from all over the province that merited preservation. It contained some farm houses, a general store, a blacksmith's shop, a sawmill, a grist mill, a print shop and an ox barn, among other things. The one thing that impressed us more than other similar places we had been to, like Upper Canada Village and Lower Fort Garry, was that this place was fully functional and self-sustainable, in the sense that they raise their own animals on site for food, they cook meals on site using traditional methods, the blacksmith actually makes things to improve the other buildings rather than just hammering out some metal for the kiddies. They actually had a turkey shoot and Thanksgiving dinner planned for the Sunday...too bad we couldn't be a part. However, we did get to try some raisin pudding baked in a stone bread oven (Max loved it). It was a beautiful day to wander around and the people working there were wonderful characters. I was afraid it was going to be a long haul when Max ripped himself out of the ring sling 15 minutes into the 150 minute tour, but he was totally happy to be lugged around on my shoulders for most of the day.
Later that night, we were invited to the family dinner, which was quite the privilege. We ate at a seafood buffet at the Delta and toasted the newlyweds. Max, oblivious to the reason for all the fanfare, gorged himself on zucchini and salmon and charmed the pants off of everyone in attendance. Dad, fully aware of the reason for the celebration, gorged himself on white wine. LOTS of white wine. We had a great time.
Finally, on the Saturday, we swung out to the "camp" (cottage for non-Easterners) of J's aunt and uncle, which was out toward King's Landing. Holly pitched in with the decor (which looked awesome by the time I arrived with Max), and I helped get the sound system up and running. Guests showed up mid-afternoon and had a good time munching, chatting and partaking in a brew or two. It was a beautiful fall day and Max got to visit with a LOT of people. A friend of the bride's took some great pictures and the food was delicious (yay meat on sticks!). Max had a bit much to eat and threw up a bit, but he was forgiven because he slept very well while the party carried on into the wee hours.
A BIG thanks to J&R (and their families) for making us feel welcome and being so hospitable. We had a fantastic time meeting everybody and really enjoyed getting to know Fredericton. The funny thing is, now my shenanigans of last summer to get across the Confederation Bridge to say "I've been to New Brunswick" are moot. Which I suppose heightens their shenaniganness. Silly me. Now that I think about it, Max has now been on 20 flight legs and has visited 7 provinces. I think I hit my seventh province when I was 22. Too bad we eventually have to start paying for him.
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