Canada Day 4, Fundy Fun!

As depressing as yesterday’s post was, today’s post will be better. Yesterday I completed the part of this Canadian tour that Chuck had planned. Mind you, I wanted to see these sights too, but Chuck talked about these locations a lot.

Today as I begin the first day of “seasoned citizenhood,” I began the part of the tour that I planned specifically for me, and did things I wanted to do, including one thing that Chuck would never do.

The morning began with…

… a wonderful and hearty breakfast at the Hilton Saint John.

Moose and I loaded the BMW and got on the road by 7:15. I am glad I have Moose, because I heard several people in the hotel complaining that their smartphone GPS wasn’t working for Saint John. But Moose knew where to guide me onto Canada Route 1, headed East.

After an hour, my Garmin lady said, “turn left at the stop sign” — hmmm, we were on a divided highway going 110 (kmh). Then she screamed, “turn right at the unnamed road!” I am not making this up. Moose consulted the paper maps I had as a backup, and told me to turn on Rt. 114 toward Alma at the next exit. (The signs were good, so I shut off the Garmin and followed Moose’s instructions — follow the signs!)

We entered the Fundy National Park. The road was wonderful — perfect motorcycling road with hills, gentle curves, and guard rails (had I been on one)!

I was greeted by the most friendly Park Ranger who asked me where I came from. I thought, maybe locals or Canadian citizens get a fee break? I said, “well, I am from the U.S., but I am also a Canadian Resident.” Using his computer, he looked me up in some database, then looked surprised.

“Welcome sir! We have a real Canadian Medal Recipient! Your entry into all Canadian Parks is free. Welcome, enjoy your visit!”

Wow… who’da thunk? Oh well, saved me CN$15.

I drove through the town of Alma onward another 30 minutes to arrive at the Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. Man, it was crowded. There was a long line queued to pay the entry fee.

I walked up to a Provincial Park Ranger and asked if what I was told by the National Park Ranger was true — that my entry was free.

The Ranger looked up, and asked, “are you Dr. Lopez?” (I was gentle on correcting him.) He said, “welcome — we have a guide ready to take you into the park. His name is Jacques — he is over there.” He pointed to a young man waiting in a golf cart.

Who knew… medal recipients get their own tour guide? I guess the first ranger called ahead to let them know I was coming.

Jacques was delightful, funny, and well-informed. He took me past the throngs of tourists down a hill and to a private entry to the mud flats where the Bay of Fundy had drained. It was low tide.

I learned a lot about the Bay of Fundy and appreciated the history, geography, and delightful lore that Jacques explained. We spent two hours going all around the park, slob as I was, I got a bit muddy. Jacques smiled and said, “we’ll take care of that at lunch.”

At 11:45, Jacques asked me if I wanted to see anything else. No, this was wonderful, thanks. Then Jacques took me back to the park headquarters where I was treated to lunch with the Park Superintendent who wanted to know what I did to earn the medal. I was treated like royalty and felt so special. I tell ya, Canadians know how to be exceptionally hospitable.

I left at 12:30 because I had another appointment… a 2:20pm tidal bore rafting trip.

I drove back into Nova Scotia (over a bridge, nothing special) to Green Oaks where the Fundy Tidal Bore Adventure outfitters was located. (This is the activity that Chuck would never do).

They greeted me warmly, lent me some silly water shoes, and asked if I had a change of clothes. Yes, I came prepared. I changed into a swim suit and a long-sleeve “water shirt” that Chuck got for me in Puerto Rico. They introduced me to other rafting companions on the raft to which I was assigned — six of us, plus the Guide.

I donned a well-fitted PFD and carefully listened to the instructions. We loaded onto the raft — in the low ebb of the river before the bore got close. I could hear it coming…

The Guide fired up the engine and took us right into the standing waves as the bore rushed past. Muddy / silty water drenched us. Of course, I was placed in front, so I got “drenchiest.” Ha! What fun!

I was told that the tide rose approximately 25 feet during the trip. When we got back, the river was full. Wow… just wow.

I took a cold shower, cleaned the mud off (most of) me, changed clothes, and put my muddy clothes in a plastic bag. I thanked everyone. One of the raft operators asked me for my phone number so he could text me a photo. Fortunately, he could use plain-old email, so I got one photo of me on the raft — when I was under a wave of water!

On consuming my third dose of Excedrin, I drove north again to Moncton, New Brunswick. I chattered to Moose all the while. He is a great listener!

It was about 5pm local time, and I was hungry. A well-recommended seafood restaurant was down the street from the hotel. I got there as it was getting really busy, but I only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table.

Hearing my buddy Steve recommend once more, “you gotta get some lahbstah!” So yes, I ordered a lobster roll, a salad, and a beer (root beer, to be precise.) The food came out quickly. My opinion? Okay, but I still prefer Maryland steamed crabs.

Back at another Hampton Inn. The hot shower felt great… as well as another dose of Excedrin! Also I am grateful that this hotel has a guest laundry. I don’t mind having dirty clothes, but not wet & muddy clothes that would get rank if I didn’t clean them before returning home.

Some photos from my “Fundy Fun Day” are below.