Places in the Heart
by Joan Cripps
I'm not a travelling person, but I can't imagine a more special and beautiful
place than the Kenna Road near the Bartibog River. It has everything -- a writer's or poet's paradise. We have a camp overlooking
a little valley dotted with neighbouring camps. We are high on a stony ridge. Thus our camps name "Stony Ridge."
Below our driveway the road dips into a little valley then up to higher
ground. The Big Bartibog River, which really is more like a stream, makes a turn at the lowest part of the valley, so when
you are on the upper part of the valley you can see up and down the river at the same time. It's breathtaking, especially
in the fall of the year when large coloured maples bend out over the water. 
Every kind of animal in the province live here: deer, moose, bear, fox,
coyote, racoon, porcupine, weasel, rabbits, snakes, etc. We have an abundance of birds, and even an eagle that nests here
every spring.
Cherry and apple trees blossom in the spring, and when you get a high
wind the air fills with blossoms . . . just like a snowstorm they rise out of the valley. We have large majestic spruce, with
their boughs touching the ground, also every variety of pine, fir, juniper, cedar and others.
In the spring the sound of peepers permeates the night air, and fireflies
dance around lighting up the night sky. You couldn't find a more beautifully tuned orchestra.
We have berries of all kinds, also lots of wild flowers. Every year on
Mother's Day I get a lovely bouquet of May Flowers, and quite a variety of mushrooms, some edible, and of course the fiddleheads
grow in the spring along the riverbanks.
Some rocks in the valley are huge making a nice place to rest during
a little hike, and a nice cold drink from the many springs bubbling out of the ground is a refreshing treat.
The beautiful trout when the run is on make for some great fishing.
The hill going down into the valley is wonderful for tobogganing, skiing
and sliding. Snowmobile trails are close by. It's a lovely place for snowshoeing too.
I forgot, we also have mosquitoes and black flies, but they pale in comparison
with the beauty. There are so many stories I could tell about this beautiful place and the fun times we have here.
This is a place where you can see and hear the Creator if you sit very
still.
Joan Cripps is a Domestic Engineer from Chatham. She says,
"Domestic Engineers are JUST stay at home moms, no pay, no retirement parties." She founded the Purple Hat Ladies Tea Society
in 2001. They meet for tea every two months or so, wearing their purple hats. Most of the ladies in the group are retired
teachers and nurses. To comment on this article or to find out more about the Purple Hat Ladies email Joan at rayjoanc@nbnet.nb.ca
