Welcome to Destinations by Donaldson! In the blog posts that follow, you’ll find practical tips and insider info designed to make your travels more relaxing and fun. I’ll also highlight ideas and itineraries for 50+ travel, wellness travel, girlfriend getaways and multigenerational adventures.
Suggestions and feedback are always welcome so feel free to share in the ‘Comments’ section of the posts or email me at cathykdonaldson@outlook.com. Happy travels!
Goodbye January blahs: Take an epic girls’ trip to Halifax
There’s nothing like a girls’ road trip to cure the January blahs, and Halifax—with its Maritime charm and vibrant culture—is a terrific destination. About a three-hour drive from Moncton, the Nova Scotia capital is a familiar spot for me, filled with cherished memories from my university days at King’s and Dalhousie, and my early career as a reporter at The Halifax Chronicle Herald. (Fun fact: I even met and married my husband there!)
Hitting the Road
With my bag packed and the car gassed up, I set off to pick up my gal pals and hit the highway. The drive flew by thanks to dry roads, hot drinks and non-stop chatter. An hour and a half later, we made our first stop at Masstown Market, a staple for any road trip to Halifax from New Brunswick. After perusing the Market’s selection of home goods and women’s clothing, we bought some fresh sandwiches and were back on the road. (I may still be dreaming about that cozy coat I left behind!)
Exploring the Halifax Waterfront
When we reached Dartmouth, we crossed the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge and headed straight for the Halifax waterfront. A brisk walk along the wooden boardwalk from Pier 21 helped us stretch our legs and take in the sights along the water’s edge, such as unique sculptures in the newer Queen’s Marque district. As we sauntered along, the sparkling waters of Halifax Harbour were relatively quiet with the exception of a city ferry. Georges Island—a historic fortification now part of Parks Canada—sat proudly in the distance, reminding us to pay it a visit in the summer months. Even though seasonal shops on the waterfront were shuttered, a multitude of year-round businesses in the waterfront area were open. Posh in Historic Properties was one and offered a quirky variety of goodies.
Sweet and Scented Adventures
A quick stop at Peace by Chocolate provided a sugar hit before we were off for some fun at The 7 Virtues, a fragrance atelier founded by dynamic entrepreneur Barb Stegemann. Known for her ethically sourced, vegan and cruelty-free perfumes, Stegemann has turned her Halifax-based brand into a massive success. Did you see her on Dragon’s Den? Her ethically sourced fragrances are now carried by Sephora in Canada and the U.S.—more than 1,500 stores globally. Wow!
Though Stegemann wasn’t in town during our visit, her knowledgeable staff guided us through the unique process of designing our own signature scents. We then walked along various scent stations, spraying a bit of each perfume on blotters and noted our favourites. From there, we sat at a worktable and used plastic pipettes to deposit chosen scents from apothecary jars into our own 50-ml glass bottle.
Since the brand’s perfumes are designed to blend together, you don’t have to worry about messing up your mix. Staff provide tips on volumes and help adjust scents so you get exactly what you want through the process, which takes about an hour.
I blended Amber Woods, Coconut Sun, Santal Vanille and Candied Lychee to create my fragrance, which I named “Joy.” The $127 session (plus tax) was worth every penny, offering not only a bespoke perfume but unforgettable memories.
A Taste of Paris in Halifax
Next, we stopped at nearby Café Lunette for a Parisian-inspired late lunch. Smoked salmon crepes and mimosas hit the spot, as did the finale: a heavenly crème brûlée. Refreshed and recharged, we were ready for the evening’s entertainment.
Lights, Camera, Laughs: This Hour Has 22 Minutes
A highlight of our trip was attending a live taping of CBC’s long-running comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Tickets are free and highly sought after, so I was thrilled to nab some just after Christmas. (Pro tip: Get tickets via the show’s newsletter, which you can subscribe to here.)
My group of five gal pals (and one pal’s hubby!) gathered about an hour before the show at its taping venue, the Lighthouse Arts Centre on Argyle Street, the former World Trade and Convention Centre. We had drinks and goofed around with cardboard cutouts of the cast before showtime. Staff directed us to seats and a local standup comedian revved things up with some lively crowd banter.
Soon, the cast appeared to thunderous applause. Mark Critch, Trent McClellan, Aba Amuquandoh, Stacey McGunnigle and Chris Wilson seemed even funnier in person, tossing out witty quips between the taped segments. The show itself was hilarious! My pals and I were in stitches as the comics tackled the week’s news via sardonic sketches and biting parodies, delivering laugh after laugh. Meeting the stars afterward was icing on the cake.
A Cozy End to the Day
We wrapped up the day with girl talk back at the charming Brewery Park Hotel. Featuring contactless check-in, the boutique property is located on Agricola Street in Halifax’s thriving North End and is part of the Brewery Park complex, a cool hub featuring businesses such as a coffee shop and record store. We didn’t have time to check those out but my crew thoroughly enjoyed our two suites, each spacious and bright with fresh decor, modern touches and a well-appointed kitchenette.
Bliss at Bliss!
After a good night’s sleep, we headed to Bliss Caffeine Bar, a sweet South Park Street eatery owned by Michelle MacDonald, a friend’s niece. We would later discover Bliss lived up to its name when we devoured our purchases—scumptious “poptarts” and “cinnamuffins”—on the road. Bravo, Michelle!
Going old school—with a little bling for good measure
For a little nostalgia, we made tracks for the Ardmore Tea Room on Quinpool Road. As usual, it did not disappoint, with hearty plates and unbeatable prices, both worth the short wait.
Fully caffeinated and nourished, we drove to the Halifax Shopping Centre for a browse before hitting the road again. I’m a sucker for bling and modelled a few sparkly numbers for my personal-stylist wannabes at ZARA. The sequined-mini-and-thigh-high-boot combo in the image below had mixed reviews but I’m thilled to report the faux fur jacket made the cut.
Halifax: A Blend of Past and Present
It’s wild to think back to the early ’90s when I was a city hall reporter and compare Halifax to the bustling urban centre it is today. Happily, efforts are still being made to blend the present with the past as growth continues and the population tops more than 450,000. The beautiful waterfront, historic landmarks and thriving arts scene make it one of my favourite destinations year-round and a perfect one for a gals’ getaway. Our trip was a reminder of why this city holds such a special place in my heart—and that it’s always worth a visit.
On becoming Cathy 2.0
Life is hard sometimes and I appreciate people who help us make sense of the tough stuff.
And so it was with great anticipation that I listened yesterday to Oprah’s podcast interview with Mel Robbins.
I know you know Oprah. You probably know Robbins, too. If you don’t, here’s the scoop: American podcast host, author, motivational speaker, former lawyer and no relation to motivational speaker Tony Robbins.
I came across Mel Robbins’ work a few years ago on social media. To be honest, I initially found her obnoxious. She seemed too over-the-top for me, a self-help guru loudly spewing her opinions on how we can improve our lives, change our mindsets. Give me the calm insights of authors like Brené Brown, Eckhart Tolle or Elizabeth Gilbert any day!
But over time (and because my social feeds kept bringing her back to me), I started to value Robbins for what she does best: breaking down the complexities of life into plain language principles we can all take something from. In fact, despite her sometimes-raucous approach, Robbins’ messages seem to impact me more than anyone else.
Which brings me back to the Oprah interview.
I got comfy in my office chair yesterday and clicked play on Spotify, settling in to hear a 51-minute chat between Oprah and Robbins about “The Let Them Theory”. In her book of the same name (available Dec. 24), Robbins encourages us to stop trying to control others and let them make their own choices. She argues we can’t take control of our own lives until we put the brakes on trying to control everybody (and everything) around us. She urges us to release control via the “Let Them” tool, a phrase meant to remind us we have the power to choose what we think about in any situation.
“What is happening around us does not have to happen to us,” Robbins tells Oprah in the interview.
Once we understand our fundamental choice to do or not do whatever we want, we realize we’re never really “stuck”, Robbins explains. From that breakthrough, we can shift our thoughts to “Let Me” and take responsibility for our own lives.
I welled up as I listened to the duo, remembering the first time I heard Robbins talk about “Let Them” in a social media clip earlier this year. At the time, a family member was in the midst of a scary health crisis that came out of the blue. In typical fashion, I’d jumped in to try and help, or overhelp, as author Martha Beck might say.
What resulted from my enthusiastic attempt at aid was pushback. The person in crisis wanted to handle the issue their own way and I was essentially told to stand down until called.
I was stunned. I couldn’t rush to the rescue? It just seemed wrong!
My shock faded to sadness, then frustration, exasperated I couldn’t do more, wasn’t allowed to do more.
In the midst of my angst came Robbins’ rants on my social feeds about “Let Them”. I found myself listening closely now despite my earlier ick at her style and returned to her platforms several days in a row for more.
At some point, I connected with the idea that while my family member’s crisis was hugely challenging, it was their challenge to face in a way they decided, not mine.
Change was in order.
I met with my therapist and gradually realized I couldn’t control the outcomes of this situation or any situation. I had to start letting go. I could offer support as needed but not push my help.
I dubbed myself “Cathy 2.0” to my family as I tried my best to step back from my overbearing tendencies. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and—not going to lie—there have been setbacks. But, little by little, I’m learning.
You might think I’d know myself better by now.
Heck, I survived a bout of depression more than a decade ago and found ways to cage my anxiety monster. I even wrote a book about that era, describing the tools that helped me climb out of the darkness and fend off the fiend. (My “Eight Magical Ms”: Move, Music, Meditate, Make, Mingle, Mother Nature, Me Time and Me Kindness.)
I hadn’t forgotten those Ms but they had definitely taken the back burner. As I relinquished control through my Cathy 2.0 work, I began to find myself again and resurrect the supportive tools.
To that end, I showed myself some Me Kindness and granted myself some Me Time, embarking on a multi-day, solo road trip from my home in Moncton to Toronto. On social media, I explained I was doing the trip because it had been an emotional year: both my daughters had weddings and I’d had a kidney biopsy that uncovered a benign cause for an issue of past concern.
That explanation was partly true, but I left out my biggest motivation for driving a total of about 3,000 kilometres. In truth, it was to add some distance—literally—to the family health situation that had rocked my world. My “Reset Tour”, as I called it, was part of my effort to “Let Them” and “Let Me”.
The tour did wonders.
As a travel writer, I’m always energized by exploring places. I hadn’t done much travelling (or writing) during this roller-coaster year so just visiting new locales lifted my spirits, as did capturing images with my beloved camera.
Reconnecting with old friends along the way also renewed my soul, as did revisiting past haunts, eating amazing food and exercising, especially hitting the mat at a yoga class led by a good pal.
I’m still a work in progress, which is why I was happy to hear Robbins yesterday on the podcast. It was a timely reminder to “Let Them”: to create space for people to be who they are and to choose how I want to live my life.
As I continue my journey, I’m taking time to reflect on my next chapter. Add wellness writer to my bio and share more stories about finding joy in challenging times? Focus more on wellness tourism in my travel writing? Find public speaking opportunities to promote healthy aging, especially topics like building mental health resilience? Work with organizations whose goals align with this storytelling passion?
Stay tuned for more in 2025 (and feel free to weigh in with suggestions!)
Thanks, Mel Robbins, for the simple-yet-profound insights that are allowing me to get “unstuck” from my old ways. Life is hard but let it be hard! We can still find emotional peace and a path forward.
The one about the Lonely Planet gig
Before y’all send out a search party for my travel blog, I thought I’d drop by with a wee update.
As some of you know, I joined three other travel writers—Jennifer Bain, Darcy Rhyno and Carolyn Heller—in producing content last year for a new Lonely Planet guidebook on Atlantic Canada to be published this spring. My focus was to write the chapter on New Brunswick, my home for more than 25 years now.
I was pumped to write for Lonely Planet, my favourite guidebook series, one known for giving travellers no-nonsense info on destinations as well as great recommendations for experiences. It was especially cool to be co-authoring the book on the heels of the publication’s 50th anniversary. Since launching Lonely Planet in 1973, British couple Maureen and Tony Wheeler have published hundreds of guidebooks on locales around the world. (Their enterprise is now owned by Red Ventures media company.)
I spent much of last May and June doing research across the province, travelling for weeks at a time to better understand each region, its unique history, its people and stuff visitors might like to explore in each area. From Moncton to McAdam, Grand Barachois to Grand Falls, Elsipogtog to Edmundston, Fundy to Florenceville and all points in between, it was the adventure of a lifetime.
I loved revisiting places I’d travelled to over the past few decades but especially enjoyed trapsing around new-to-me destinations such as Grand Manan, New River Beach, the Kingston Peninsula and Miscou Island. So much beauty and so many interesting, friendly New Brunswickers happy to chat!
Those who follow me on social media know that one of my most memorable experiences on the road came in the north-central part of the province. Ahead of a visit to Mount Carleton Provincial Park, I’d booked a night at Les Chalets Restigouche in Kedgwick River.
Not long after opening the door to my lovely log cabin, property co-owner Bass Hodgson—who knew I was writing for Lonely Planet—stopped by and offered to take me for a spin in his side-by-side vehicle. I jumped at the chance for only my second-ever ride in an off-road vehicle. (Can you really call yourself a Maritimer if you’ve never been on an ATV?)
With Bass at the helm of the side by side, I buckled up for an exciting sunset expedition along bumpy roads and muddy trails. My chauffeur and I kept our eyes glued to the woods in hopes of spotting wildlife I could photograph.
“There!” he exclaimed about 15 minutes into our trek, pointing to a distant speck and bringing the vehicle to a halt. Before I barely had time to take off my seatbelt, Bass was running through the thick brush at roadside, occasionally making odd vocalizations to what I assumed was a moose. I attempted to follow his swift, stealthy movements, wishing I’d done some cardio prep before this unexpected tracking mission.
Alas, we were unable to catch another glimpse of the animal on that particular pursuit. But before we returned to home base, I had my moose! Though dimming light and the lack of a telephoto lens made for a poor photo of the beautiful beast, it was still a thrill to see. In fact, we spotted FOUR moose during the evening as well as two busy beavers, three fluffy rabbits, a spectacular partridge and other birdlife galore.
I fell asleep that night with an ear-to-ear grin.
There were a multitude of other ‘pinch-me’ moments during my New Brunswick tour and so much learning. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to become more familiar with the province’s rich history and cultural mix. I’m especially thankful to have had the chance to visit some New Brunswick First Nations. I think we all have a responsibility to better understand our Indigenous peoples and harms they have experienced, while also supporting healthy communities today.
Books and websites told me the Maliseet (Wolastoqiyik), Mi’kmaq and Passamaquoddy were the first to inhabit this province. But it was through conversations with elders and members of these communities—on nature walks, heritage tours and while I watched bannock being made in hot sand—that I really began to grasp their sacred ties to the land and creatures. I came away with a desire to learn more, respect more.
Similarly, through visits to museums, churches and other landmarks, and thanks to many wonderful chats, I gained a clearer insight into the history of the Acadians, their achievements and their resilience. It certainly gave me a better appreciation as to why so many work so hard to maintain New Brunswick’s status as Canada’s only bilingual province.
Every day of my research journey seemed to reveal another tidbit of knowledge about those who came before us, whether the Loyalists, the Scots, the Irish or the many others who helped shape this province. Of course, I also witnessed the tremendous growth in cultural diversity during my travels and had a chance to talk to folks from many parts of the globe who now reside here.
What’s ahead for this travel writer?
I’m working on some new stories and looking forward to some special summer events. One is an annual conference of accredited Canadian travel writers—the Travel Media Association of Canada—set this year for St. John’s, Newfoundland. The highlight for me will be a post-conference tour entitled, “Hike Your Arse Off in Western Newfoundland.” Fingers crossed that neither that body part nor any of the rest of me will be adversely affected, especially since both of my daughters have weddings later this summer.
Whether you have upcoming adventures in Atlantic Canada or points beyond, happy trails!
Beware the SSSS!
The skies are not as friendly as they used to be when it comes to air travel.
Flights are expensive and disruptions abound, from delays due to crew shortages to outright cancellations.
But I still love to fly. I love how quickly (in a perfect world…) you can get from Point A to Point B. I love the rush of leaving terra firma and seeing the planet from a different vantage point. I love the peaceful feeling of climbing into the cottonball clouds, above all the noise of the planet below.
So when I do fork over the big bucks for a flight, I do as much as I can ahead of time to make the journey easier, at least when it comes to things in my control.
I check in online 24 hours before departure. I stick to carry-on baggage to avoid lost luggage. I arrive early at airports. I have a NEXUS card in hopes of speedier entry to the U.S.
While all of those strategies can make a difference, they won’t stop the SSSS.
My initiation to the SSSS (aka ‘The Quad S’) came last week. I was gearing up to fly from Halifax, N.S., to Newark, N.J. and was having trouble printing my boarding pass, even though I was within the requisite 24 hours of my flight. I was advised by my airline to get the pass at the airport.
No biggie, I thought. I’ll just spin by Halifax’s Stanfield International en route to a nearby friend’s place, where I was staying the night before my flight. Having the boarding pass in hand would mean less hassle the next day and result in a better night’s sleep. (Despite many trips under my belt, I’m still a slightly anxious flyer.)
At Stanfield, I had no issue getting the boarding pass and was soon back in my car, off to my friend’s home.
I didn’t notice the bold ‘SSSS‘ on the bottom left and right of the boarding pass until after I returned to the airport the next morning and entered the International Departures security area. After handing the pass to the agent at the podium, he smiled and said something along the lines of, “You’re a lucky one today.” He put my boarding pass and passport in a small, orange folder and instructed me to give it to his colleague in the tray area ahead. I walked a few steps and joined passengers putting their belongings into plastic trays for xray scanning, all the while sensing that the agent’s comment about me being “lucky” would not result in anything remotely fun.
I was right.
Turns out the ‘SSSS’ means ‘Secondary Security Screening Selection’. My later research revealed that the extent of that screening can vary by airport and agent but essentially means an enhanced check of the passenger.
As soon I handed the tray-area agent my orange folder, I felt as though a ‘Red Alert’ had been announced on the USS Enterprise. Other agents in the vicinity were suddenly looped in about my status and a lot of eyeballs seemed directed my way.
Had I unknowingly taken up a life of crime overnight? Had I been transported to a parallel universe? Was there a TV crew filming a new episode of Border Security over my shoulder?
I tried to remain calm as I executed the usual tasks of putting my carry-on suitcase, jacket and purse in trays atop the metal assembly line rollers. I remembered to remove my laptop and phone from my baggage, as well as my airport-approved, one-litre bag of liquids and gels.
I also dutifully removed my footwear, as one generally does when going through international security areas.
The ‘Quad S’ protocols then kicked in and I was advised to unpack any other footwear in my possession and place those in trays.
And take my phone out of its case. And power on all of my electronics.
While I tended to those assignments, the agent placed rectangular SSSS-stamped cards–about twice the size of a cell phone–in each of my bins. The line behind me grew longer as the scrutiny continued. I sighed, knowing there was nothing I could do, though pretty much felt like a big ol’ loser.
Thankfully, nary a beep could be heard during the next step, the Walk-Through Metal Detector. Phew, it’s almost over, I thought.
Not so fast.
It was then on to the hand swab for explosive residue and the body scanner booth, both of which I’d done before. All clear, again.
Freedom at last, I assumed, and turned to collect my things.
But no.
A female agent quietly infomed me that I would require a full-body pat-down, which I could do on the spot or in a private room. I gave her the go-ahead to do the pat-down right then and there. The agent was polite but thorough as she searched my person from my neckline to my socks. Meanwhile, pretty much every inch of my carry-on suitcase, backpack and other trayed items were being swabbed and examined.
Thankfully, all was in order. My boarding pass was given a ‘CATSA’ stamp indicating I had passed a review by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
I repacked my slew of stuff, retrieved my documents and headed for my gate. I pondered a morning beer stop rather than a tea break and was grateful I had plenty of time before my departure.
Honestly, I have no issue with the additional probing and understand the value of random checks. I decided to write this simply to let folks know the SSSS exists and that it can add extra time to your screening. I was only delayed 10 to 15 minutes but have read that it can add as much as 45 minutes to your customs’ visit.
And also note: a TSA PreCheck doesn’t preclude you from getting The Quad S. The code apparently overrides the Trusted Traveler Program.
I should point out that I learned in my subsequent online investigation that the SSSS code can also signal that a passenger is on a flight watchlist and that it may occur repeatedly. I was very happy NOT to see the four letters appear on the boarding pass for my return flight to Halifax and am hopeful it was just a one-off.
If a flight is on your horizon, here’s wishing you a safe journey, clear skies and no unusual letters on your boarding pass!
View art! Do art!
Art has always held a special place in my heart, especially painting and photography. That has a lot to do with the fact I was raised by two amazing visual artists: my mom, Betty Krawchuk, an accomplished painter (sampling of her work above); and my dad, David Krawchuk, a top-notch amateur photographer (some of my faves below).
Despite my mom’s best efforts, I never became adept with the paintbrush though she helped me to understand the principles and elements of art and design, and to appreciate painting, sculpture and the like.
In terms of skill, I fared better with the camera, making good use of dad’s training in photography and darkroom techniques.
All in all, my folks definitely contributed to my passion for photojournalism and the creative arts.
Just why am I and so many others drawn to the arts and creative endeavours?
I love how Germaine Pataki-Thériault, managing director of Fredericton’s Gallery 78, summed up the importance of art in a 2020 Daily Gleaner article:
“Art engages the heart, stimulates the mind, promotes conversation, increases creativity, and helps us look at things in new ways,” she said.
I could not agree more, especially with the “engages the heart” bit. There’s nothing better for my soul than creating something, whether it’s a rich narrative for a story, a striking image of a wave crashing against a rocky shoreline or a first-time recipe.
Each one of us is an artist as far as I’m concerned, and we should all make time to make!
In her book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, Elizabeth Gilbert suggests that the reader, “Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.” Yes! Grab that joy!
Along with allowing your own creative juices to flow, take time to enjoy the beauty created by other artists, whatever their medium. Viewing art is SO good for the soul–I speak from experience!
After a rather blah January, my creative spirit got a big boost recently after visiting the Downtown Gallery Hop in Fredericton. It was my first time to the free event, part of the capital region’s FROSTival winter carnival celebrations. I’m embarrassed to say it was also my inaugural trip to any of the area’s galleries so I had to make up for lost time!
My younger daughter and her fiancé joined me in exploring Gallery 78, the newly-renovated Beaverbrook Art Gallery and The Artisan District, a fine craft gift shop featuring works by artisans from across the Maritimes.
I could write a separate blog about each of our venue visits. Suffice to say we were thoroughly impressed, make that blown away, by the beauty, quality and variety of the creations we saw. Here are just a few snippits from our trek to Gallery 78, located at 796 Queen St…
…the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, 703 Queen St.:
…and The Artisan District, 610 Queen St.
Since we only covered half of the stops on the Gallery Hop schedule during our evening exploration, I returned to the streets of Fredericton the next day to visit many of the others, including Gallery on Queen, 406 Queen St., the George Fry Gallery, 408 Queen St. and the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, 732 Charlotte St. There were no crowds like the night before so I happily took my time perusing the paintings, photographs, carvings and other designs.
As with our tour the previous evening, my solo adventure unveiled a riot of colour, a mecca of imagination, and left me feeling completely inspired!
And so, dear reader, let’s ditch our inclination to hibernate this winter. Instead, let’s let loose and:
- create something… whatever brings us joy… a song, a poem, a cake, a funny video… let’s enjoy the process and not let perfection be our enemy!
- activate our imagination with a trip to a local gallery, craft shop or library… or simply unplug and take a walk in nature, a great place to find our artistic groove.
This one’s for you, Moncton!
When hubby got a relocation offer to the east coast two-and-a-half decades ago, we were over the moon.
It’s not that we hadn’t enjoyed stints living on Montreal’s West Island and in Vernon, B.C., but we both missed the Maritimes. Oodles.
We’d met in Halifax and longed to reconnect with friends there. And I had family in Cape Breton who’d warmly welcomed Montreal-born hubby to the fold.
We scratched our heads a bit when a transfer offer came through for us to move to Moncton, N.B. Neither of us had spent much time in the hub city and only knew it as an occasional highway stop on road trips to central Canada. Our goal after seven years of living ‘away’ was to return to Halifax, a city we both knew well, hubby as an accountant, me as a newspaper reporter.
Ultimately, hubby took the Moncton deal and off we went to our beloved east coast. It might not be our first pick, but it was closer to home and worth a try!
Fast forward to last night.
I’m seated next to hubby at Moncton’s Avenir Centre, one of more than 8,000 hockey fans pumped to watch a World Junior Championship game between the U.S. and Finland.
Even though no Canadian team is playing, the place is awash in red with a multitude of folks wearing Team Canada jerseys, Moncton Wildcats’ jerseys and other crimson apparel.
Buoyed by an enthusiastic organist, I clap with the crowd. I jump up and do the wave when it reaches our section. I laugh when the Jumbotron captures an audience member being silly.
My heart swells with Canadian pride, Moncton pride.
After the match, hubby and I meet up with some friends at a cordoned-off area just outside the arena, buy a local beer and nab a spot at a picnic table to watch the start of the Canada-Sweden game being televised on a massive screen. A growing group of onlookers roars as their team nets a goal. I take in the scene and smile.
Later, we wander closer to the skating oval outside the Avenir Centre, where skaters of all ages are doing their thing and hundreds more sans skates are watching another enormous screen with the game. Food trucks offering everything from Beavertails to poutine are busy. There is laughter. There is joy. So much joy!
We leave the downtown core and walk a short distance to our car. The rest of the night, I think about this city, this region.
I think of the sense of community it has offered my family, the warmth of the neighbourhood in which hubby and I have raised our daughters, the village of friends we have made.
I think of the opportunities for exploration and adventure this region has given us, from good times on the water slides at Magic Mountain to fun treks around the Moncton Zoo, long walks and bikes along the North West Trail, Centennial Park, Mapleton Park, Mill Creek Nature Park, Irishtown Nature Park, splashes and sunset picnics at Parlee and Aboiteau beaches, fried clams in Bouctouche, lobster rolls and sticky buns in Alma, learning about the tides of the Bay of Fundy by checking out the tidal bore or visiting Hopewell Rocks, taking hikes in Fundy and Kouchibouguac National Parks, lining up for treats at the Moncton and Dieppe farmers’ markets, dining out at our favourite area restaurants, nurturing our love of words at the Frye Festival, enjoying concerts at the Capitol, the Casino and ‘the hill’, volunteering and/or participating in local runs and other community events.
I am beyond grateful.
I ponder my work as a professional travel writer, one of a handful in this province who are part of the Travel Media Association of Canada. I realize that Greater Moncton (and southeast New Brunswick, for that matter) are worthy of far more promotion and definitely more of my time. This is, indeed, a special place with amazing people.
Will I explore the world this year? Definitely.
Will I write about this province and other parts of Canada? Absolutely.
Will I feature stories about things to do and see closer to home here in Greater Moncton and the southeast? More than ever.
Have suggestions on where my travels should take me in 2023? Let me know at cathykdonaldson@outlook.com.
Here’s to a healthy, happy and adventurous New Year!
