This past weekend, the autumn colours were at their peak. Everywhere you looked there was a tapestry of brilliant reds, warm oranges, and glowing yellows all accented by the remaining greens.
I set out early Sunday morning to join members of the #KennebecasisValleyCameraClub #KVCC on an outing to explore the ocean floor at the world-famous #HopewellRocks in Albert County, NB (Canada). It’s in my backyard and like most locals everywhere, we often ignore the magnificent scenery we can see any time. Others marvel at it!
It’s a little over an hour’s drive from home to “The Rocks” and I took the route through Fundy National Park in case I’d have the opportunity to see some wildlife (I didn’t) and to allow for a stop in the village of Alma. As I drove along, heading for the summit at 366m above sea level, the fog rolled in, thick and white, obscuring everything but about 2m of the road directly in front of my vehicle. My first thought was “Oh dear, this could be a long drive for nothing”.
But, as I crested the last hill before descending the winding road down to the main park area, the fog miraculously lifted and I was greeted by the sun as it rose slowly in the eastern sky, reflected in the water of the Bay of Fundy.
Cheered up, I continued my drive into Alma and stopped to walk the pier, capturing a few images of the fishing boats resting on the ocean floor at almost-low tide.
The Bay of Fundy is home to some of the highest tides in the world. There’s a HUGE breakwater in the background and when the tide comes in, it’s directed into the wharf area to lift the boats off the floor and allow them to float and sail out to sea.
When I got to Alma, the tide was almost at its lowest point, but still running away from the shore. At high tide, these boats would rise above the level of the pier beside them before heading out to sea on the path beside the breakwater.
Then, I piled back into my vehicle, gear in hand, and headed through the winding country road that traverses Albert County, New Brunswick, to The Hopewell Rocks.
During the few hours before and following the lowest tide, you can literally walk on the ocean floor among the Rocks. When you are standing on the look-off platform above the rocks, they are impressive in their size – but just wait!
But, when you descend the staircase to the actual bottom of the rocks, then you get a totally different perspective!
There is approximately 2 km where you can walk around and among these monoliths. I listened to some tourists talking and they didn’t really understand why it was so phenomenal until I pointed out the markers on some of the rocks that indicate the high tide water levels. I told one lady from British Columbia that, given the water level could rise up to 40+ FEET, if she was still standing on the ocean floor, she’d be under more than 35 feet of water. THAT astounded her.
One young lady was building an inukshuk at the base of one of the rocks – something would never withstand the strength of the tides flowing around and over it.
The seaweed clinging tenaciously to the rocks extended well over 10 feet above my head.
Two huge seastacks “kissing” form a beautiful arch often featured in custom wedding photos (if one can get the tourists out of the frame, of course).
.And tourists there were – a busload of cruise ship passengers from Japan were exploring the area, along with another load of high school students and assorted other visitors. It was a lovely day to see the shores, and floor, of the beautiful Bay of Fundy.
If you look at the bases of the ‘flower pots’ you can see where erosion from the power of the tides carves the stone into caves. Eventually some may collapse as a result but in the meantime, it’s good.
Having people wandering around on the ocean floor gives you some idea of the size and scale of these amazing structures.
After we managed to ascend the stairs back to the plaza, the group piled into cars and headed for lunch in the restaurant at the Hillsborough Golf Club. It was a good meal with lots of laughter and camaraderie as well.
After lunch, some members of the club headed off to Trites Maple in search of red leaves. I made a quick stop to investigate the Preservation Park with its tributes to times past with drillers, old tools etc. Those who love rust would be in their heaven!
Then, it was time to head home, enjoy the amazing fall foliage display put on by Mother Nature, and relax my aching back and legs. A good day overall!
Capturing Cherished Memories 