My dear friend Jackie O talks of finding home when running through fields of golden wheat on the family farm. I've lived in Ottawa a mighty mighty long time, but home is that spot where ocean waves meet land. Try as I might nothing really comes close. A sit by the river on a windy day if I close my eyes or sit just so, I can pretend, but I can see Gatineau on the other side... The river and I both know the mighty Ottawa is but a stand-in until I can make my way back home.
On Saturday, we crammed the Civic to the brim with stuff and, along with most of the National Capital region including the lovely Maven (who was staying in a very freaky Days Inn with dolls and dwarf armor), and headed east. Never did confirm where she was going... Ocean is probably enough.
It's a long drive, one I did at least twice a year in my youth. Driving through now, I can't help but indulge in a bit of "well, when I was a girl..."
First pitt stop: Edmundston, NB. They're hosting La Foire Brayonne featuring a "points for trying" Black Sabbath tribute band. The hotel a recently refurbed Clarion (with a really really good breakfast) used to be a Howard Johnson's. As kids we liked it because of the indoor pool. The pool now is still as small and dated. The Boy finds it a let down.... The smaller kids don't seem to mind. Feels small town... Smells like the pulp mill whose smoke stack dominates the skyline, though the church (newish at a guess) tries to be impressive.
The town has grown since HoJo came and went. Hotels for the drive-by tourist, chains, and still the old Belair. Once the only game town with the same crunchy waitresses they've had for generations. Back then the drive involved the ups and downs of the Renous, The logging road become shortcut. Sure the new highway is safer and shorter (and the most boring stretch on the TransCanada) but my it's taken the hardcore out of the drive.
I still haven't seen the ocean, she's near, you can feel her in the breeze... We'll say hello tomorrow and maybe then I'll have more to say.
