In camping on the river to enjoy boating, bathing, fishing and outdoor life, the plan is recommended of employing someone in Fredericton to take out the party and equipment, and leave them in a locality where supplies, such as milk, bread, etc., are easily obtained. At the expiration of the fine holiday that will thus be enjoyed, those employed to bring out the party will come and take them back to Fredericton. There are many springs of cool and sparkling water all along the whole route, and farms on both sides of the river where produce, poultry, butter and eggs, as well as bread, may be bought by previous arrangement. To have the full pleasure of the river in such an outing, a canoe or row boat of very light draft should be left with the camping party, and poles as well as paddles or oars should be provided.
In addition to choosing a convenient place for water, shade and supplies, etc., care should be taken to place the camp at some point on the shore where there is a good stretch of easy water for several miles above and below. This will afford pleasant cruising, without the constant labor of poling through swift water.
Such a place is the “Reach,” above Long Island, and below Tapley Bar and the Koack Islands. In the neighborhood of Hawkshaw and Pokiok will also be found good camping-grounds meeting all needful requirements, and within easy reach of the Shogomoc River and Lakes. There are other good places nearer Fredericton if desired. Of course, if there are athletic young men in the party—not forgetting young women who love outdoor life and are able to handle pole and paddle—the locality of a difficult piece of swift water, or even that of a sheer rapid, may purposely be chosen to have plenty of fun close at hand.
For those who have never yet cut loose from the ties of hotel or other stopping-place, a vacation of this kind is strongly recommended; for the freedom and joy of living so close to nature, and, it may truthfully be added, nature at her best, is an experience that brings back youth to the middle-aged, and exuberance of spirits to young and old alike.
Oh! the fascination of the musical rapid, and ah! the glory of the starlit evening with its gentle breeze and its hours of calm repose followed by sweet and health-giving sleep—the tent well open to the fragrance of the balmy air.
As an example of a pleasant excursion from Fredericton, an account of a two-days’ journey of some 45 miles up the St. John in a motor-canoe is now given, and this could be extended to a trip of some weeks, or even months, by exploring the upper tributaries to their headwaters. Many of the places nearer Fredericton may be reached, and the starting point regained, in a day, or even in half a day, and the route may constantly be varied by taking the different tributaries in turn.
A start was made from Fredericton in the early morning; and, in addition to handbag and raincoat, a bag of fruit was taken to give variety to our meals at the farmhouses along the river.
Our eighteen-foot canoe with a 2½ h.p. motor, piloted by the able and obliging Davidson, of Fredericton, started gaily up-stream and passed under the graceful iron town-bridge—the sun behind thick banks of cloud, and apparently threatening rain. As the clouds screened us from the hot rays of an August sun, we took little thought of the dark sky: for we knew by experience that such a beginning often ended in a bright and clear noonday.
After splendid running for a few miles, we tied up at Springhill and climbed the path up the bank to the lumber-camp and boarding-house above. Here were roadside inns in the olden days, with their quaint names, such as “Dewdrop inn,” or “Rest and be Thankful.” Here the jolly and amphibious red-shirted raftsmen used to congregate, and here, too, their good-hearted successors make their down-river headquarters.