Monday Aug 4 2014 - Hiking and Lobster

Monday Aug 4 2014 - Hiking and Lobster

Off on the Coppermine trail... easy start!!

Babbling brooks  - Really!

Glorious trails

At the top!!! Bit disappointing 'climax'

View of Fundy bay on way down trail loop

Love the peaceful trails

View from Shiphaven trail

Started with a rather long drive to get gas as the station in town had run out of Diesel. After filling up we headed in the opposite direction toward the Coppermine Trail. By the time we got there it was getting close to noon, so we had most of our picnic lunch before we set out. It was only a 4.4km trail, but it went straight up and then straight down. Some pretty steep sections. The problem we have with Fundy National Park is that the trail map is lacking detail. It shows you where the trails are and other than that you are given the length, and whether it is an easy/moderate/advanced terrain. No descriptions of the trails themselves, and not many ‘loop’ trails to enjoy. The Coppermine trail is one that is mostly a loop and ‘moderate’ It meanders up through forest with only one lookout along the way. We had hoped to see something of the old mine, but there is nothing to see, just a sign at the top of the trail indicating where it was. When we returned to the bottom we took another very short 1km trail (Shiphaven Trail)to see the covered bridge and the location of an old lumber mill (again mostly gone now, other than a small remnant of a old wooden bridge and a concrete platform from a boiler.) A ride down to Herring Cove (an old settlement site) was a little disappointing as all evidence of the settlement was gone and just a field and a small beach remained. We feel that the National Park has done its best to return all this area back to nature, but in doing so have removed much of the human history of the area, other than a few photographs. It is a bit of a shame, but we understand the motive and it is a very well protected ‘natural’ environment. We drove back toward camp and stopped at the pool to check it out… heated by solar panels up to 78-80 degrees. We sat on a bench looking out over Fundy Bay and enjoyed the remnants of our picnic, and watched a few kayakers working hard against the tide and the breeze.

End of trail - covered bridge and mill remains

 

 
Back at camp we changed and tripped down into Alma (which is just outside the National Park) to go to the Alma Lobster shop…. And each had a very large and delicious Lobster… best yet! The meat was bursting out… served on a picnic table on a large metal tray lined with newspaper, served with homemade coleslaw and a fresh bun.  Back at camp we sat by our fire outside and enjoyed a nice hot cup of tea! Great day! 

Early evening Alma

Floating again!!

Alma harbour with water

The Lobster fiend

Mouth Watering!!!!

Alma Lobster Shop... basic and delicious!!

View from Alma Lobster Shop

Hard to imagine 12 hours earlier!

Sun Aug 3 2014 Alma Farmers Market /Golf / Lazy day

Sun Aug 3 2014 Alma Farmers Market /Golf / Lazy day

Alma... downtown!!!

Fishing boats - low tide Alma

Fishing boats Alma - low tide

A hang-out day today. We got up and headed straight into Alma for the farmers market where we treated ourselves to some home-baked goodies, bread, veggies and meats. We stopped in town to take some photos of the fishing dock area at low tide… the fishing boats are literally sitting in the mud. Back at camp for noon we cooked up a rare bacon and egg breakfast with homemade marmalade, homemade bread and cornbread… a guilty lip-smacking treat and a far cry from our bran buds and sliced banana. Late afternoon Derek decided to try out the local nine hole golf course while Janice stayed at camp to catch up on the blog, read, laundry, and do some weight training.  Derek enjoyed is golf game. The course was rather hilly and challenging, but worth the trip. We set to BBQ’ing the smoked pork chops we bought from the farmer at the market… oh my… they were like butter, not overly smoked… just plain delicious. The evening spent by our ‘campfire’ reading and chatting.

Across the bridge from the dock area Alma

Photo taken from boat ramp - Alma

Hanging out waiting for the tide to come in

Quite fascinating  to see them float later.

Largest tide variation in the world here!

Sat Aug 2 - Hopewell Rocks and campfire

Sat Aug 2 – Hopewell Rocks and campfire

Trail down to the rocks

View from Trail - Big cove (L'Anse) Low tide

Derek and  Big Cove

After a lazy morning, we headed out to Hopewell Rocks, some 45 km from the park. Hopewell is famous for its flower pot rock structures and for being able to walk on the ocean floor when the tide is low. This area in the Bay of Fundy has the worlds largest tides (so we are told). The average difference between low and high tide averages some 35 feet up to 48 feet. It is quite an experience. We walked down to the ocean floor (about 15-20 minutes down hill) and wandered around the flowerpots and took some photos of the mud flats and rocks. The area was once inhabited by French colonists (Acadians) (Wikki them) and they cleverly manipulated the tidal areas using a dyke system to produce lush salt marshes and farmland. After they were unceremoniously ‘removed’ by the English in the mid 18^th century during the ‘Great Expulsion’ the area slowly returned to the mud flats and salt marshes and are important part of the worlds ecosystem.

The famous flowerpot shot

Walking on the Ocean floor

After walking on the ocean floor we went back up the trail and took another trail to Diamond rock and on to Madamoiselles Beach for more great views. We then sat around the interpretive centre and had a snack and coffee and waited a couple of hours for the tide to come in. We did not wait for the full high tide, but we were suitably impressed by the fact that where we had been standing only a short while ago was now at the bottom of the ocean. We walked back down the trail to take some pictures of the area with water. It is quite astonishing to see the amount of water that can appear so quickly. Apparently enough water flows into this natural wonder every tide period to fill the Grand Canyon…. Some 100 billions tonnes of water!!

After taking more photos we headed back to camp stopping at a covered bridge on the way for a photo-op. BBQ steak tonight for a treat. Then we joined a bunch of folk at the communal campfire and enjoyed the evening sharing stories with some great people from New Brunswick and Quebec. 

Traditional selfie at Hopewell Rocks

King of the castle... ocean floor!!

In a few hours.. the water will reach above me

Hopewell rocks tide coming in slowly

Mud flats/Salt marshes - from Hopewell

Tide still coming in! We stood under the arch.

Almost high tide

Almost high tide at Big Cove

Aug 1 2014 - PEI to New Brunswick

Fri Aug 1 2014- PEI – New Brunswick

Our site at New Glasgow Highlands

Sadly packing to leave

Time came to leave PEI and it was with regret that we weren’t staying for much, much longer. We fell in love with this beautiful island. Here you will find rolling hills, hedgerows or small trees dividing crop fields, character filled small villages, great theatre and music. We only explored a small part of this island that is far bigger than we had imagined. We definitely plan on coming back here. It does not seem to be a wealthy province but it is rich in character and variety, to say nothing of the fabulous seafood and friendly islanders. It was the only Canadian province we had not visited since we made this country our home in 1973. Now we should work on seeing all the territories too.

First Sight of Confederation Bridge

A road out into the ocean- amazing

We had taken the ferry onto the Island so decided we should take the Confederation Bridge over to New Brunswick. We both knew that it was quite a unique bridge, but nothing can prepare you for seeing a road that just disappears into the ocean with a faint view of the ‘other side’… It is definitely more like a road built on concrete stilts than a bridge and it really does feel like you are driving across the ocean (which I guess you are). It is expensive to take the bridge ($45 per car … $60 for us with our rig), but we can understand why it costs so much. The cost of building it must have been huge.  Ooing and ahhing our way across we were once again feeling fortunate to be here, doing what we are doing. We drove straight to Fundy National Park bobbing ferociously over particularly rough roads, frequently exclaiming “there go the dishes!!”  Fundy National park is huge and thickly forested, with only one main road cutting through the middle. We arrived at the Headquarters Campground after a very steep road down toward the shoreline. After setting up we headed into the village of Alma (just outside the park gates) and picked up a few supplies. We made dinner and sat outside chatting by our propane ‘campfire’.  We decided that we would like some time just to hang out here, so we extended our stay here from 4 to 7 nights even though we will have to change sites after 4 nights.

Almost in New Brunswick

The road to Fundy National Park.... BUMPY!!!

Lucky campers going to PEI!

Thurs Jul 31 - Golf and PEI show

Thurs Jul 31 - Golf and PEI show

Red Sands Golf course - pretty!!

Not bad photo from Iphone

Derek's ball disguised as a Xmas Decoration

Lazy morning at camp, some admin and blogging etc. But in the afternoon we booked a game of golf at a small nine hole local course called Red Sands. What a lovely course. Rolling countryside and fantastically kept fairways and greens. The best part was that Janice played her first round since her unfortunate fall and broken wrist in January.  Santa bought her a new set of clubs for Christmas last year, so she spent some time unwrapping clubs and club heads on the way round, much to her delight. We forget to take the camera but have a couple of shots from the IPhone. It was a beautiful day. As it was a last day in PEI we stopped at Carr's seafood shack on the way home and bought some large oysters, a large lobster and 2 small fresh halibut steaks. We devoured the oysters and lobster as an appetizer then BBQ'd the halibut and cooked up some PEI new potatoes which taste as if the butter has already been added!! Once again we recognize how very fortunate we are. 

What a hilarious show... Great fun

After patting our stomachs in satisfaction, we quickly changed and headed off to the small village of Hunter River to a theatre called Harmony House, a tiny theatre in converted 1846 United Church. The show was called Island Summer Review and featured a comedian and a musician, Patrick Ledwell and Mark Haines. It was fantastic (opposite to our fears) ... how I wish I could remember even one of the jokes. The music was typical maritime style with a  bluesy note to it. We laughed and tapped our feet all evening while sipping on a PEI red ale... very civilized. Home and off to bed ready for our trip to Fundy National park tomorrow.

Wed July 30 - Bracklay Beach, bicycles and Richard's

Wed July 30 - Bracklay Beach, bicycles and Richards

Getting ready for the ride

Was supposed to rain again...whoopee brilliant sunshine very little wind and 27 degrees. PEI is sure treating us right!

Leaving the bay!

Robinsons Island Map

Decided to go off on a bike ride, so we drove over to the Brackley Dalvay section of the National park and parked about half way along at Cove Head, Started out westward and got to the end at Robinsons Island, then returned to the truck and indulged ourselves with Lobster Roll and the best battered fish ever at Richards. Its very well known and has a well deserved reputation. After meeting a really nice couple originally from PEI and now living in Okotoks, Alberta. We shared stories (and their clams). Suitably revived, we carried on westward and went to the Dalvay end of the park and back again. In total we cycled some 28 km and, although it was all flat, we both felt it was quite the workout due to the temp and humidity.

We took the long way home via the great Canadian Soap co, and PEI Preserve Company. Got some awesome mint jelly!

Taking a break at Robinsons Island

Back home at 5.30 we washed the rig and got going on the blog as the rain is finally beginning.

The bay by Richard's Seafood

The best Fish (and lobster roll) so far!

Kids having great fun ..

Just a beautiful place

Total route - from one end to the other and back