More of Our Canada – July 2019

O

ur “Bestie Blasts“ all

started when five of us

girlfriends decided to

get fit for a wedding we were

attending. The three months of

daily walking evolved into more

adventures.

The first was a trip to Shubena-

cadie, N.S., to ride the tidal bore

on a rubber raft. None of us had

done this before so we chose to go

in July, when the water was calm

enough for gals aged 50-plus!

The river guide was a 25-year-old

named Mark, who knew we were

there for an adventure. When

we hit the top of a wave, he’d gun

the motor of the raft to make sure

we got the thrill of a lifetime! A

couple of us couldn’t get up off the

bottom of the raft we were

laughing so hard.

Another great time was when

we attended the International

Tattoo in Halifax. We took daily

strolls on the boardwalk along the

waterfront, and through Victoria

Park in Truro, which is where we

set our home base for the trip.

The following year, we took a

bus trip to Sainte-Anne-de-

Beaupré in Quebec, where we

attended mass, shopped, taste-

tested wines and visited Old

Quebec. The fireworks competi-

tion at Montmorency Falls was

spectacular!

In year three, we took a road

trip to the little island of Campo-

bello, N.B., which lies in Cana-

dian waters near the U.S. We

took a ferry there from the

Canadian side, but later went

over the border via the Roosevelt

Bridge to shop. We stayed in a

cabin and made our own meals,

walked the beaches and board-

walk, visited lighthouses and

museums, ate dulse, bought

homemade soaps and even

stopped to help a local mason

build a real stone wall.

In year four, we took a five-

hour ferry ride—an adventure in

itself— from P.E.I. to the Magda-

len Islands in Quebec. The ferry’s

captain even came down from his

helm to meet us and have lunch.

The Magdalen Islands are

connected by sand dunes, where

we watched many windsurfers.

Our outings included stops at a

cheese factory, a winery and a

salt mine. We also visited the

second largest wooden church in

North America, which is built

mainly with wood from ship-

wrecks. We also learned about

the most important mammal to

local residents—seals. It was a joy

to be on a bus tour and not have

to worry about planning an

itinerary. The Mi’kmaq name for

the Magdalen Islands is Menago-

esenog, meaning “Islands

brushed by waves.” A dance was

organized for our group with

local fiddle music. Our tour guide

was from Quebec, but wore a kilt.

The hospitality was great!

For our Bestie Blasts all we

need is a fun activity, friendship

and laughter. It’s a great way to

reconnect with our youth as well.

These are cherished times

together and we look forward to

a new Bestie Blast adventure

every year. n

Bonding Time

These fun-filled ‘Bestie Blasts’ are an annual event

by Margaret Chase, Sunny Corner, N.B.

IT’S TRADITION

Margaret’s “Bestie Blast”

pals include Heather Carter,

Karen Donaher, Susan Hanley

and Saundra Ritchie.

SHARE your own new

or long-held traditions at

ourcanada.ca or see page 64

for our mailing address.

52 More of Our Canada JULY 2019