I visited Moncton, New Brunswick on a failed attempt to do some coastal hiking.

Happily, the town’s first hostel (The C’Mon Inn) opened this summer. I met some very interesting people.

I rented a car and 5 of us took a road trip up to Koochi Koochi Koo National Park (Kouchibouguac) to stroll the Kelly’s beach dunes. It was a nice day.

Even better was scrambling the Shediac Lobster.

It was an education to spend the day with Mike, the first real activist I’ve ever known. Those people on TV protesting globalization — that’s Mike. He was at the Battle of Seattle, the WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999.

Mike was badly hurt protesting The Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, 2001, a round of negotiations regarding a proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Next Mike was inside the tent for the G8 summit 2002 in Kananaskis, Alberta representing Oxfam.

Right now he is an inactive activist, back at school, earning another degree.

But the passion is there. He is committed to, and very knowledgeable on, many important causes facing this planet. I admire Mike’s commitment and courage. And I wish him well into the future. We will keep in touch.

» next travelogue post on this trip – a day in New Brunswick