Oct 1, 2021 | Flotsam
On our first camping trip since ‘the accident’, we ventured out of province to nearby New Brunswick to Fundy National Park with 207 sq km of awesomeness, along the Bay of Fundy, boasting 25 hiking trails, 15 metre high tides, three separate campgrounds, a golf coarse, and heated saltwater pool.
#9
Front Door View
Our campsite at Chignecto Campgrounds offered cozy privacy, and even though our view was very woodsy compared with previous panoramic views, we weren’t far from some of the most spectacular vistas we had yet to see.
We spent our first day setting up camp then relaxing and making plans for the rest of the week. The following morning, my son and grand-daughter joined us for Gramma waffles.
Breakfast
And of course, since there were at least three playgrounds within walking distance, we were obliged to explore.
Playground
My son , who lives in New Brunswick and is familiar with Fundy Park took us on a road tour of the area.
The Look Off
We Were Here
Enjoying the View
Wolfe Point Beach
On day three we headed out on our own, walking a couple of the many hiking trails in the park, then down the steep winding road to cycle around the village of Alma.
Touring
Dickson Falls Hike
Dickson Falls
Herring Cove Hike
Herring Cove Beach
My six-year-old grand-son has become quite a geologist and tasked us with bringing back as many unique rocks as we could find and of course Papa, a geo-enthusiast himself, was happy to oblige.
Rock Hunting
Alma Beach
At day’s end we combed the shore at Alma, enjoyed a beach picnic lunch, then stopped for a couple of local brew at the Holy Whale. Four cans of their very fine brew followed us home for future enjoyment.
Pit Stop
On our final day, we ventured down the road about 45 minutes to visit a site that has been on our wish list since moving east….Hopewell Cape. At low tide, we were again able to walk the ocean floor and view some very unique rock formations, standing 40-70 feet tall, sometimes referred to as the Flower Pot Rocks, caused by erosion from tidal waters flowing in and out of the Bay of Fundy. Tidal heights in this area mount to an impressive 52 feet twice during a 24 hour period.
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
Returning to our little home on wheels, we concluded our Fundy stay with an easy supper, burned off the last of our camp fire logs, and shared a few final crumbs with the ‘locals’
Making Friends
Not a part of our original plans, we found out that another grand-son (jersey #10) was playing football the next evening at a high school directly on our route back home. After packing up at Fundy, we found an easy pull-through site for RED II, grabbed a bite to eat at a local pub then joined a rowdy cheering crowd of teens and parents. Three touch downs from #10 and a final winning score of 58-0 made the stop worthwhile. So glad we were able to catch this moment Gabe!
#10
Well, that’s about it for this one. Thanks as always for stopping by. We have one more excursion planned before we put our little turtle home to bed for the year so please drop by soon for an update. We do enjoy having you along for our life’s journey.
…peace and love….
Sep 26, 2020 | Flotsam
Hi there sailing RED folks. Glad you dropped by because we have some news. You know by now our dear R.E.D. has been sold (story here, here and here if you missed it) and is living very happily with a lovely family in the Yukon. At present she has been put to bed for the winter months in the fashion she so deserves…in a hanger with a couple of planes. Really!
New Winter Digs
Having made sure RED was at her happy home, we set about taking a wee break. The plan was to visit family in New Brunswick…we’re allowed without quarantine because it’s a part of our Atlantic COVID bubble….at present, unlike other parts of the country and certainly the rest of the world we have no active cases of this very troublesome virus.
Road to Digby
The road trip to Digby was a mere two hours and so beautiful this time of year. To avoid additional driving we opted to take the ferry that spans the Bay of Fundy from Digby, Nova Scotia to Saint John, New Brunswick. The Fundy Rose carried us across calm clear waters in comfort and with only half capacity allowed due to that above mentioned virus and current health regulations we had more than enough space to relax inside or out. The protocol was impressively strict…we wanted to retrieve our lunch from the car but had to be escorted to and from to make sure there were no shenanigans. Even the washrooms were segregated between we Atlantic passengers and those from away.
Fundy Rose
On the return I booked us a room at one of the Grand Dame CPR hotels from times gone by – the Digby Pines. Typically small rooms but still an elegant lady with spectacular views.
Room with a View
With lots of time to tour around we visited Digby Neck – a peninsula with two connecting islands accessed only by ferry to the final – Brier Island – a popular whale watching tourist attraction.
The Neck
Art on the Neck
Brier Island Light House
Capturing the View
Two-hundred and Thirty Five!!!
Balancing Rock was our final tour destination in the area because who wouldn’t want to hike the two kilometres across bog and through forest, down two hundred and thirty five steps for a photo op in front of a twenty foot, twenty ton column of volcanic rock balanced precariously on a ledge overlooking St Mary’s Bay?
Balancing Rock
What I haven’t mentioned is the ‘purpose’ part of the trip…other than visiting family. We wanted to stop at an RV dealer – you know- just to check out possibilities, never expecting to find ‘the one’…but we did. One that checked off all our priority boxes. Like Goldy Locks – not too big, not too small. Not too heavy either with all the right pieces in the right places. Just right.
Negotiating
The dealer didn’t have what we wanted on site but gave us a firm price and promised to search for our baby, saying not to expect a call for a couple of days but he would do his best. Well didn’t he call that very afternoon. The 2021 version, straight from the factory, same quoted price with a few extra options included. We still have an exclusion agreement that if when delivered, this isn’t what we want, we can still walk away.
Needless to say we are really excited and anticipate no change of heart. I’ve done some research (OK – a LOT!) since our first visit to the dealer, and our baby was chosen the best 2020 camper for retired couples. We should be able to meet her in person within a month or two but until then we dream and plan our first adventure. I found a brief sneak peek of what she will look like if you are interested (see here).
Thanks for dropping by. Maybe the next time you hear from us we will be proud owners of a little land trawler on four wheels. Her name is still to be determined. We’re open to ideas but for now until we get to know her , she will be referred to as R.E.D.II
