The substantial building so firmly seated on the southern hills is the University of New Brunswick, the higher education centre of the province. Here there is a geological museum; and from the cupola of the building a wide view may be had of the river and surrounding country.
The glory of Fredericton is the St. John River with its fine scenery and numerous excursions up and down stream; nor must there be forgotten the added pleasure of sailing over the tributary streams such as the Nashwaak, the Nashwaaksis, the Keswick, the Oromocto, the Jemseg, etc.; and of reaching Grand and Washademoak Lakes, and the numerous smaller lakes that are all about.
There are excursions up the river to Woodstock and the numerous riverside places on the way. It is even possible to go all the way to Grand Falls by water. Then the St. John River steamboats go down the river daily to St. John and the towns and villages along the banks of the river.
Nearly opposite Fredericton at the mouth of the Nashwaak formerly stood an old French fort erected by Villebon. Acadian refugees flocked to Ste. Anne at the time of the “Expulsion,” and sought refuge under the protection of the fort; but after the American Revolutionary War the exiled American Loyalists drove away the Acadians to Madawaska, and settled themselves along the shore in their place.
A world of pleasant exploration lies above the Grand Falls in the upper waters of the St. John and its tributaries, but this region while quite accessible from Fredericton, is somewhat remote for the average summer visitor, and the Middle St. John from Grand Falls to Fredericton is the district herein described.
Like many of the great rivers that have numerous tributaries and increase in their descent almost to the proportions of inland seas, the middle waters of the St. John, deep in places, have shallow reaches and rapids where the current is very swift. Some distance above Fredericton it becomes turbulent and foaming in many a seething descent; but it is possible to take an outing over a considerable distance, without portages, in a canoe with two men using poles.
A swift motor-canoe of light draft may easily make a two-days’ journey up, giving four days on the St. John, with stops for meals, etc., at convenient places. The river is sufficiently well settled to lay out in advance a plan for stopping-places for meals, as well as for resting or putting-up at night. This is much more convenient and not nearly so expensive as taking guides and tent equipment, food and cooking utensils, etc.
Boiling the Kettle
For those who desire to spend several weeks on the river it is necessary to have guides, canoes and tent equipment, especially if remote places are to be visited. There can be no doubt that camping out on the St. John is one of the most delightful ways of spending a healthful vacation. A plan by which the expense of guides may be avoided is that of camping out in a choice place not far from a settlement, or a farm, and where there is plenty of recreation in walks, sailing the river, fishing for trout, etc., without the necessity for exploring the untrodden woods. Where any kind of exploration is to be done, or unfrequented places visited, it will be understood that guides are necessary; and it is illegal to go without them for hunting, etc.