Summer Provinces by the Sea / A description of the Vacation Resources of Eastern Quebec and the Maritime Provinces of Canada, in the territory served by the Canadian Government Railways

by Intercolonial Railway; Prince Edward Island Railway

A Country Drive

All of the places mentioned in the chapter “Summer Resorts of the Lower St. Lawrence,” and many places in their neighborhood, are suitable for bungalow and tent life, and well adapted for those who prefer the more quiet and inner sea waters; and many charmingly-placed summer homes will be found all through this attractive district, at *Murray Bay, *St. Irénée, Rivière du Loup, *Cacouna, *Bic, and Little Métis, etc. In New Brunswick, on the banks of the St. John and other rivers, on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Bay of Fundy shores, and in the interior woodland by lake and waterfall are many finely-placed summer cottages and vacation homes that are half-shack, half-tent, and where a glorious outing may be enjoyed at only a nominal cost. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island both provide ample variety for this kind of life, while the eastern extremity of Nova Scotia, the Island of Cape Breton, offers a wealth of beautifully situated and romantic sites for summer tent and bungalow that cannot be surpassed in any country of the world.

For driving and country rambles, woodland walks, botanizing, gathering ferns and wild flowers, observation of the habits of birds and animals, and for the student of nature, the artist, the nature-lover and all who appreciate the profound thought and concentration promoted by the quiet and tranquility of woodland, forest and secluded country lane, the Maritime Provinces offer all that is beautiful in nature, combined with cool days and glorious nights. Who that walks about by day, in such a climate, can help feeling the buoyancy of spirit and feeling as of walking on air; and who that rambles by river, lake or shore at night but realizes that here he is indeed under the stars. The perfume of the flowers, the song of the birds, the wind whispering through the trees, and the far-away echo of the surf on the moonlit strand, all bring joy to the heart; and as we take our way by a forest of noble birch trees, the mysterious and thrilling sounds that come from its depths seem like an invitation to enter and tarry awhile—to “adore, and be still”—to spend an hour of quiet contemplation in yonder glade, where the moon’s soft light clothes every graceful, bending flower in a robe of gleaming splendor. The districts around *Quebec are particularly interesting to the nature-lover, while the *Bay of Chaleur, Prince Edward Island, the *Wentworth, *Matapedia, *Miramichi and *Nashwaak Valleys, the Upper and Lower *St. John River districts, and all the bye-places of Nova Scotia, and particularly of the *Cape Breton district, are full of interest for drives, rambles, etc., in the enjoyment of nature.

Many who enjoy country life will find their way to Quebec, St. John, Charlottetown, Halifax, and Sydney, etc., and from these places will afterwards pass on to some quiet spot where the simple life may be enjoyed on a farm at very small expense, and from which stopping-place, as a centre, drives and rambles may be taken in every direction.

The route of the Intercolonial Railway is through a country that is rich in game; indeed the Maritime Provinces are the chief hunting grounds of North America. Moose and deer are still abundant, and in parts of Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia there are districts not difficult of access where bears may be shot. The upper part of Cape Breton Island is excellent for large game. From any of the principal centres in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia hunting parties may be equipped, and guides obtained, in the proper season. Like the fishing places of the Maritime Provinces, the hunting localities are so numerous that it would be impossible to do justice to them in this book of general description. A special booklet, “Fishing and Hunting,” will be forwarded from the offices of the Intercolonial Railway, Moncton, N.B., on application.

Wild fowl, small game and shore birds are found in almost every part of the Maritime Provinces. The *Bay of Chaleur, *Prince Edward Island, and the shore along the *Straits of Northumberland all have numerous places where good shooting may be had in season. The interior rivers and many of the coast streams also afford fine shooting; and it is almost impossible to find a locality in which small game of some kind is not abundant. Particulars relating to small game and wild fowl districts will be found in the hunting pamphlet to which reference has just been made.

Automobile traffic is becoming world-wide, and with the attention that is now given to road improvement in nearly all parts of Canada, the highways of Quebec and the Maritime Provinces have not been overlooked. In Prince Edward Island the use of automobiles is prohibited, but in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia there is a splendid choice of interesting tours. Particulars of these in detail may be obtained from the road maps published in New York; and the Automobile Clubs of Quebec, St. John and Halifax, etc., are always glad to give specific information relating to their province.

To enjoy intimate views of woodland, stream, lake and waterfall, it is often necessary to leave the main roads or highways. Inner glades, breezy heights, forest depths, the rocky bed of some foaming cascade, or the winding course of a plashing brook, bordered by wildflowers, must all be sought on foot.