Tuesday, August 9, 2016

August 10, 2016
 
Marco Polo
Our last day at Harding Point we decided to tour St. John.  Unlike St. Andrew, St. John is larger and much more industrialized. 
St John Boardwalk
Situated on the Bay of Fundy it is noted in history for the building of tall ships, most notable the” Marco Polo”, considered in its time, the “fastest tall ship” in the world.  Downtown we found a museum full of history and a nice display of tall ship building.  Neat!  There is also a historic town area and a lovely boardwalk on the water with lots of nice dining and shopping in the market square.  Driving in St. John was a bit challenging, lots of water, bridges, hills, do not enters, etc.  So was  tense at times, but of course, with my patience, not a problem at all.
Thursday, August 4 we headed to our next major attraction, Fundy National Park.  We have reservations at a park just past Alma in Hopewell Cape.  This is the 40’ tide area, Hopewell Rocks.  This will be our focus for the next three days, and perhaps Lobster in Alma.
Friday, August 5th, WOW, what a wonderful day.  Decided to check out the Moncton area and return for the High Tide at Hopewell Rocks.   Learned of something called the “Tidal Bore” up the Petitcodinc River, a branch off the Bay of Fundy.  Seems the tides push up the river creating quite a “wave”. 
Tidal Bore Surfer
So much that the locals surf it.  We were able to catch a full tide and surfer.  Really neat.  Then went to something they call the “Magnetic Hill”. 
Magnetic Hill
This was awesome.  You go down a hill, change lanes, put your car in neutral, and you literally are taken back up the hill in reverse.  Incredible!!   It is kind of like “sinking ice”.  While we all know you can’t go uphill with no power, the “elusion” is very real.  It was a good ¼ mile going backwards, appearing to be going uphill, no power.  And it further proves “ice can sink”.  (for my buddy Mr. Crowe)
 
High Tide Hopewell Rocks
We then headed back to Hopewell Rocks, to catch the highest tide in the world, some forty feet.  Got there just at the right time.  It is pretty awesome to see the entire Bay of Fundy fill with 40’ more of water.  Tomorrow am we will go back for low tide for the incredible comparison.  Back to camp for a chicken dinner.
Low Tide Hopewell Rocks
Saturday am at 9:35 went back to Hopewell Rocks, low tide.  Incredible!!  Hard to believe the amount of water displaced.  Locals call the water the "Chocolate River” because of the brown murky sediments left behind.  Walked the ocean floor.  Then did some local stuff, breakfast, farmers market and finished the day with a Lobster dinner in Alma.  Tomorrow head for Cape Breton.
Campsite Bras de 'or
Cape Breton is the tourist capital of Nova Scotia, kind of like our Door County in Wisconsin.  Lots and lots of water. Our campsite has a beautiful view of “Bras de ‘or” channel.  The Cape is highlighted by the Cabot Trail that circles the peninsula and is 185 miles long, dotted with numerous attractions, hiking, vista views, etc.  A National Park is the center for a lot
Cape Breton Vista View
of attractions.  We spent the better part of a day exploring and only covered about 1/3.  We have changed our itinerary a bit and have decided to take in Newfoundland next.  Leave on Wed the 10th, and requires a 6 hour ferry ride.  We booked a return for the 17th, and many folks tell us that it’s not nearly enough time to see all, so we will have to pick and choose.  Decided to leave our motor home on the mainland and motel it for the week.  Locals tell us it is a wonderful experience.   Have met some really nice people in this park.  Ferry leaves at 11:45 and they want us there 2 hrs ahead.

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