We hiked along Nigadoo Falls and found an off-the-beaten-path swim spot with a gorgeous backdrop of jagged rocks, tall evergreens, a river current and cliff jumpers.
It was a wonderful and refreshing way to spend a Friday afternoon, sharing this cozy private freshwater bowl with a dozen locals.
With his lifejacket on, T explored the area, swimming like a tenacious fish against the current to the rocky base of the falls.
Once he got up on the rocks, the hubby pointed out the water eels slithering on the slippery rocks. T got grossed out and swam out, insisting he was never coming in again.
While T played on the rocks, the hubby and I swam for what must’ve been two hours.
T eventually came back in as we knew he would. The water is always comforting for him.
I felt so grateful this slice of heaven was pretty much all ours to enjoy in this moment of time.
Earlier this week, we explored southern Tetagouche in Bathurst. We hiked downhill towards a scenic riverside area with jagged rocks.
The walk in the sweltering sun was worth it as it took us to a tiny pebbled beach with the gorgeous Tetagouche Falls just steps away.
The water was so inviting that the hubby, T and I were in soon after we arrived.
The hubby and I joined two local boys in climbing up the rocky wall next to the falls and jumping off into the deep dark water below.
What a refreshing adrenaline rush!
T was too short to climb up the jagged rocks and we pledged to take him back when he’s tall enough to climb and jump.
Instead, he busied himself by exploring the shallow river side.
We purposely did not tell him there were leeches in the water – a fat one clung onto the hubby while two baby ones clung onto my toes – because T would’ve refused to go in the water.
I enjoyed standing and watching him explore with abandon. This is what childhood summers are all about, I thought to myself.
When I was younger, just a few years older than T is now, I loved reading a book series written by Peggy Parish, best known for the Amelia Bedelia books, featuring siblings Bill, Jed and Liza.
Every summer, the siblings would stay with their grandparents in the countryside. Inevitably, they found themselves embroiled in a mystery, often set up by their family, that they had to solve.
What appealed most to me about these books were the siblings spent hours, days and weeks out in nature – at a time when there was no Internet, no mobile phones – exploring nature freely and with abandon.
My childhood summers were far less eventful and one thing I often thought about as we began our adoption journey was how much I would love to nurture a love of the outdoors with T.
The hubby and I are very fortunate that T is in his element in the outdoors, enjoying long hikes and swims in the wild.
The vastness and calmness of nature provides a wonderful counterbalance to T’s endless energy.
Our vacation is flying by. We are grateful for the memories we are making with T this summer and thankful for the hospitality of the hubby’s parents. We head home in three days.
As with summer, as with life, every moment is fleeting. It’s a good reminder to live in the present and to enjoy every moment while we can.
What an awesome place.
It was really quite amazing. We’ll be back every time we visit. 🙂
OMG! This is one of the best post I’ve seen this Summer. Just to free jump into the water…awesome 5 Stars! Thanks for sharing this unforgettable adventure. It’s our last week of Summer here. School begins Monday. Hoping to make it this beautiful and exciting as yours. Yesterday was Goodwill Treasure Hunt, tomorrow, still trying to make it creative and new. Happy Tuesday my friend. Regards. 🙏
Thank you, it was a lot of fun. We returned on our last day on Tuesday. A bunch of local youth poured a whole bottle of liquid laundry detergent into the falls and turned the entire area into a foam party. I was quite appalled at what they did but I would be lying if I said I didn’t find it amusing. The kids in our group loved it. I’ll share photos eventually. 🤣
I hope you enjoy the last week of vacation. I can’t believe how early kids go back to school in the US. We still have three weeks after this week. Another good thing about being Canadian! 😆
Goodwill Treasure Hunt sounds lovely. Always find lots of great things for such a bargain. Take care!
Hmm, I think I should move there, longer Summer fun and adventures. Back to work tomorrow for me. Can’t believe it was so fast. Requesting more day off for sure. Thanks 🙏
Enjoy the return to work. It’s the same for me. Woke up early today to clean out my email. 😊 Good luck and another vacation will be here soon enough! 👍
Thanks. Sipping coffee, trying to remember my work computer password.
It’s a start! 🤣
This looks like such a great spot to go swimming. The cliff jumping looks like a real thrill. It’s too bad T is still too short to climb up the rocks, but hey, this will give you something to look forward to when you return and T is a bit older and taller. Ugh, leeches. Hopefully you got them off without any issues. And good call on not telling T about them as I’m sure he wouldn’t want to go swimming anymore!
Thank you, L! It was a nice spot enjoyed by the locals so we’re glad our in laws knew all about it. We will definitely be back when T is older, leeches be damned!
Hope you are having a great time on your roadtrip too!
What an amazing place and I can see why T loved the water. Nature is the key to happiness in my eyes! I’m not sure how much I would have liked the leeches though! Lol
Thank you, Diane! I agree with you that nature = happiness. Certainly for our family! 😊 and yes, leeches = 🤢
Looks like a fun time was had and what a cool place!! I would be freaked out by the leeches too – the scene from Stand by Me still haunts me 🙂 Doesn’t sound like they were as bad, but like T, better I just didn’t know 🙂 Glad you are having such a great trip!
Thanks Robyn! Funny you mention “Stand By Me,” because the hubby used the exact same reference. 😆 We’re having a blast and sad it’s winding down. But gonna enjoy every last moment of it!
What an utterly beautiful part of the world! Looks like such an amazing place. You must be thrilled to be able to take T there and have those great experiences with him. Looks like so much fun!
Thanks Juliette. We’re very blessed to have so many amazing natural beauty in Canada. We’re glad to experience all of these with T indeed.
And you’ll be embarking to a beautiful place in the world soon too. Enjoy!