Still by the river…(part one was last week, and it has the sunnier stuff – this is part two, and less sunny)

…and we wouldn’t mind if we were still down by the river, but we came home after the third day of rain, and five nights out overall. It wasn’t the rain, it was the cold – it barely hit 10C for the afternoon high. Ok if you’re hiking, less so for sitting around enjoying the fire in between rain showers…

“Mountain” sector tent site – light that fire!

One afternoon we decided to revisit the microbrewery just outside the nearby village of Frampton. It wasn’t too busy, most likely due to the unseasonably chilly temperatures, but we received the usual warm and friendly welcome from the brewer on for the afternoon. We tasted a light lager, pretending it was late May, not mid-March, and it was pretty good, one for properly warm days ahead. For those, we stocked up on the raspberry sour we’d enjoyed so much last summer. It’s not a style I usually like, but this one is really good.

Last summer – raspberry sour on the left – yum!

I couldn’t resist a new NEIPA and bought a couple to savour later – slightly too strong but very tasty if you like a big hoppy beer. The last one we tried was only currently available on tap, so we’ll hope to return and buy a bottle/can or two – a new nut brown that was, for me, a perfect autumnal sipper. Goodness, I only had one sip but it was absolutely spot on!

Absolutely a good spot to be in

We weren’t only tasting beers or sitting by the fire or snoozing or in between snoozes – we also wandered up and down a couple of nearby trails. The vibrant fresh greens and bright new spruce tips were very welcome sights.

Happy trail

The rain and mist cleared from time to time so we were able to see longish views across the valley. The trail winds past a second section of the campground, a few walk in tent sites in the “mountain” sector. These are lovely secluded spots if you’re happy to hike up a steepish short way with all your gear.

Across the valley

One afternoon, mind and body suitably rested from the hiking, the scenery and the all round pleasantness of the Etchemin valley, I fell asleep and had the strangest dream. There was beer, spruce tipped and resinous, growing on trees. Oh, if only…

Can(ned) dreams come true?

Time to wake up! Well, this has been less sunny but not miserable, like a rested OldPlaidCamper during the second and rainier half of a camping trip. Apologies for the ridiculously long post heading this week, no idea how that happened. Sleepy brain?

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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plaidcamper

I am a would be outdoorsman - that is if I had more time, skills and knowledge. When I can, I love being outdoors, just camping, hiking, snowboarding, xc skiing, snowshoeing, paddling a canoe or trying something new. What I lack in ability, I make up for in enthusiasm and having a go. I'd never really survive for long out there in the wild, but I enjoy pretending I could if I had to...

11 thoughts on “Still by the river…(part one was last week, and it has the sunnier stuff – this is part two, and less sunny)”

  1. Glad to read & to see that you’re making the best of an unusually wet & cool spring by camping out in style. Out there hiking, soaking up some excellent brews & balancing outdoor splendor with some napping dreams where the best stuff can be drunk from trees. Who’d have thought it, right?

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    1. Thanks, Walt! Yeah, what a cold and wet spring it has been. We’ve just had a seasonably warm and sunny day today with another promised tomorrow, so maybe it’ll warm up to something a bit more consistently inviting. We can just about handle chilly camping, but it gets a bit endure rather than enjoy if it stays below seasonal!
      I hope your week is going well!

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  2. Those ciders and beers have made me somewhat thirsty. It’s sunny here atm which is a bonus as we head towards winter. Continual grey days do dampen the spirits. Cheers and have a great weekend Adam, whatever the weather. 😄

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    1. Thanks, Miriam! The weekend was cold and wet, but it was warm today with more sun promised for tomorrow – a rare treat atm!
      I hope your late fall and early winter give you many blue sky days!

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  3. I didn’t know there were so many flavours out in the market. I am discovering that for teas and coffees and fruit drinks. I just drink the latte because it still satisfies me, but am amazed at the variety on the menu. The same for beer, I see! Cool temps and rain does get to be a bit much, but you got to relax a bit. Hope the rain saves you from the wildfires, at least, and hope for better camping days ahead. I love those spring greens! They seem to be lasting longer this year.

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    1. I think western Canada really needs some consistent spring rain judging by the wildfire reports, so I must contain my disappointment at cool and wet days this side…
      I hope your week is going well and that the Oilers get off to a flying start!

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  5. Your beer photos and descriptions were waking up my taste buds and then your dream made me smile. Your hardy camping in less-than-perfect weather was impressive, pc, and your photos reflect that freshness of the wet woods. Wonderful post.

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    1. Thanks, Jet! We were going to last the five nights whatever, but it was a bit touch and go once or twice, because we were pretty close to home! Overall, a great trip in a lovely region.
      I hope your week is going well!

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