Hampton, New Brunswick Part 2

The early morning light is perfect, the river is a mirror, and I am in the prettiest spot in New Brunswick this morning. I can’t get enough shots. I crawl along the river bank, over rocks, between trees snapping photos; a little of this tree, maybe two trees to frame the picture. Then I have to go walk across the Green bridge and capture the moment up and down stream.

The The Lighthouse River Center, is also a  Stonehammer UNESCO Gobal GeoPark.  The rocks here are rare.  From the Carboniferous Mabou Group. There is a fault line that divided the valley between Silurian volcanic rocks of the north, and sandstone and conglomerate in the south. I have been working on visiting all the Stonehammer Geoparks, in new Brunswick, more to follow.

I have five pamphlets about The Lower River Passage open in front of me, and I am trying to figure out the most efficient way of incorporating the, historic houses, The walking trails, the Loyalists trail, The birding hot spots and The Quilt Barn Tour into my day. Some of them over-lap; I will definitely do those first.  

Dutch Point Park, is first. It is historic, named for the first Dutch settlers that lived on the road, it is a birding hot spot, and I can hike the five different trails.

The Colemen’s trails ends at a wild open marsh and picks up the Pendergrass Trail. It was currently dry so it looks more like a pasture but it was beautiful

Joining up with the Haden Hills Loop, I see a Pileated Woodpecker. He is ripping open a tree and I am right beside him, I captured him working

Bursting out of the trails, into the sunlight, my walk is finished but my first Quilt Barn Tour pattern, is in sight. The Kozy Corner Restaurant is just a minute away.  Each historic building on the tour, has a quilt pattern on an outer wall. There is a total of sixteen of them. I will try to get as many as I can on this trip, there are five on Main Street I should get rather quick. This is a great idea for the crafty crowd.

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I head over to Spooner’s Island, the ducks are holding up in the Ossekeag creek marsh and I want to see if I can get some decent shots.

(Drake) is a male Mallard in Ossekeag Creek Marsh

female Mallard in Ossekeag Creek Marsh

Spooner’s Island is a fertile marsh land that attracts an abundance of waterfowl, and birds of prey; owls, osprey , hawks, eagles.  Unfortunately for me, it is late in the season, the migrating species have already gone.  The Island has a long history.  The word Ossekeag  means marshy brook in Maileet, they were the first people to live in the area.

Then the Acadians’ arrived in the 1600’s and cleared the land for farming and finally the Loyalist took possession, by means of Land grand in 1784. The last owners were the Spooner family; the last resident left in 1987. The property has returned to nature.  The trail, is part of the Trans Canada Trail. It is a short stroll through the woods to a side trail that leads to the marsh for bird watching.

I hunched down in the reeds waiting for some of the ducks to pass close, but they are smart, they know I am here and stick to the far side. After twenty minuets my fingers are cold, I give up and walk back through the trail to the truck. I want to check out some of the historical buildings.

The old Jail, now the museum, was closed and I was disappointed. I stroll around looking at the map checking them off, some are in town, others just outside the core.

• Top Left is old Stage coach house.
• Top Right is The Loyalist Ketchum house ,
• Bottom right Dr Percy Warneford pre 1887
• Left Middle is Jail house

The old Stage Coach House Oldest house in Hampton 1076 Main Street

The Ketchum House a Loyalist home 1301 Main Street Hampton, a bit over grown and run down

Dr Warneford house 4 Kennebecasis River Road

Old couny Jail. has a Count rhouse Step Pattern 17 Cennial Road, Hampton

A couple more quilt barn tour homes and I have completed the ones in the town.

John Peter Humphreys old homestead is hidden to the far end of Rail Way Crescent.  It is privately owned so, I am discreet while I stand in the yard snapping photos. It is a beautiful fall day, other tourist are out.

I meet two ladies walking towards me. When I interrupt their conversation by saying ” It is a beautiful day”  I get a ” Isn’t it though” in reply.  They are sisters originally from Hampton, one now resides in Ontario, the other in Alberta.  They are home to visit family.  I mention the wonderful house Mr Humphrey lived in, as we gaze at it from the road ”  All I heard was “whose house?”  I was a little taken a back.  They grew up here and didn’t know who I was speaking of, or that this was his house.

They said they “may have heard of him” but didn’t really remember. I said I was a travel blogger, I have a lot of stuff in my head. We laughed. I pointed out the peace wing and the Credo monument.( Please read part one if you missed it  Humanity Found in Hampton, NB ) They said they would walk over and take a look. I mentioned the suspension bridges, they had heard about them too, but had not gone to see them either. I said good-bye and to enjoy their visit home. Not everyone is interested in tourism like me.

Route 486 is a lovely drive along the Kennebecasis River. The Hooper Art Gallery is at #177 but I see nothing to indicate it is open, so I continue to the next stop on The Loyalist Route. ; the  The St Paul’s Anglican Church and grave yard .

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Originally built in 1811 on land donated by two loyalist families; Demille and Crawford’s. I walk through the  Lych Gate and take a quick walk among the old illegible stones and crispy leaves that have fallen. The church has a shore right of way for those that want to come to church via the waterway.  I walk down to the shore edge and take a few more photos. It is a lovely setting. I exit the yard and continue following the Quilt Barn Tour, It lands me in the next community over, Bloomfield

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Most of the quilt barn tour locations are small business and shops; antiques, crafts artisans, wonderful for shoppers looking for unique items.  I am not much for shopping, but I am right next door to Bloomfield Cover Bridge; my kind of stop.

It is getting late in the afternoon and I called it a wrap. I still have six more Quilt Barn Patterns, but they will take me further out and I am ready to go home.

I hope you enjoyed this tour of Hampton, the historic homes, suspension bridges and covered bridges. The Kennebecasis river views, hiking through Dutch Point Park, and Spooner’s Island.  I was very pleased to pay my respect to John Peter Humphrey, and to see the Credo. A remindeder of the importance of respecting the rights of others.  Please join me again as I travel around the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Until then

Happy Travels From Maritime Mac

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Map of Locations on this trip