When I moved away from the east coast more than four years ago, there was comfort in knowing that family back east were just a day and an overpriced airline ticket away. Now in pandemic times and with the borders to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia remaining effectively closed, I haven’t been back to visit family since late fall last year. I’m sitting on a host of Air Canada flight credits for trips that were cancelled with no prognosis on when I’ll be able to use them. Even worse, the small airport in my parents’ home town of Bathurst was taken off of Air Canada’s roster of places they fly, meaning this view I had on landing there last November is something I may never see again.

When the borders open up again and it is safer to travel, I’ll have a longer journey across the country that will now include a four hour drive north from Moncton to visit my parents. That will be a small price to pay to get to see them again.

Back in November, shortly after landing in Bathurst and hugs galore at the airport, we made ourselves comfortable in the kitchen as Maritimers do, and settled in to catch up. Here’s my mom in the middle of a story, and Tia, ever watchful, wanting to play with me.

My folks have been living in Bathurst long enough that there are now a few traditions when I visit. Dad and I headed out for lunch at Au Bootlegger, a craft beer bar in the downtown area. We ordered up a couple of thin-crust pizzas from a joint next door and each picked a delicious craft beer from their lineup of beers from around New Brunswick. Dad went with his favourite from Four Rivers, located just around the corner. I choose a stout from Maybee Brewing in Fredericton. We both look pretty happy with our selections.

With bellies full of pizza, we headed to Four Rivers Brewing and their cozy taproom. This is a super legit craft brewing outfit and their location is a favourite of the many (many!) taprooms across all of my travels. Here’s dad enjoying their pale ale while I’m part way through their British Mild.

The brewery has a lot going for it. They make truly great beers, the space is cozy, the owners friendly, and they welcome all the good four-legged boys and girls. They even have a wall dedicated to photos of all the dogs that have visited the bar. My kind of place.

While the majority of the time with my folks was spent just enjoying the simple pleasure of sitting together and chatting over cups of coffee, there was one other “event” on deck in Bathurst. I booked this trip to coincide with a hockey game, and in particular, a game involving the Halifax Mooseheads. Recreating so many game nights out with dad in Halifax, we started off at the Cast & Crew bar just across the street from the arena in Bathurst. Dad is joyous tucking into some delicious clams and fries and another Four Rivers pint.

After polishing off a great feed of clams the likes of which I can’t get on the prairies, we headed over to the rink.

Just like old times, a Moosheads game with Dad…. except instead of me walking a few blocks from my downtown condo to the rink in Halifax to meet up with him, it took most of a day and three flights covering almost 4,000km to get here.

Definitely worth it for a night out with dad and for a few days with my folks. It is something that, right now, I can only dream about doing again. Looking forward to buying my next airline ticket to New Brunswick for a now long overdue visit.