JULY 30-AUGUST 05

Wednesday July 30^th - It was another very hot, sunny day and a moving day. We drove 250 miles to Moncton, New Brunswick where we stayed at Stonehurst Golf Course and Trailer Park. It was thankfully a smooth, uneventful drive and we headed out straight-away for some fun. We went to see the Hopewell Rocks also a part of the Bay of Fundy. The expected tide change can be between 33-46 feet. Due to our travels we were only able to see them at high tide. They were majestic and beautiful as we viewed them from the platforms above and decided to return the next day to view them at low tide and also walk around them on the sea floor. Next we fell into a tourist trap and drove to see a giant lobster sculpture. It was GIANT and took 3 years to complete! It was fun to watch all the kids climbing all over it. We were very tired so stopped for fast food before returning to Yogi after a long day. Some interesting side notes; gas stations are less frequent in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canadians and New Englanders speak VERY FAST, Canadian’s LOVE their ice cream with MANY SHOPS, there are strong environmental conservation efforts evident throughout the provinces (no plastic bags in stores, no plastic disposable flatware, recycling options with all trash receptacles, clotheslines with many homes), a large number of Canadians display their nation’s flag, and many have beautiful yards (floral landscaping, whimsical mailboxes, well tended gardens).

WE POSTED OUR HIGH TIDE PICTURES WITH THE LOW TIDE PICTURES WE TOOK ON 7/31/25

Thursday July 31^st - The day was a little cooler but still warm and sunny. We returned to the Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy during low tide so we could walk on the ocean floor. It was amazing to walk among the majestic, beautiful rock formations, arches and caves knowing that in just 6 hours where we stood would be submerged by 32 feet of sea water. On another excursion across the ocean floor earlier in our vacation during low tide we asked Jacob if he would send rescue if we became stranded on an island with the return of high tide. He said “no” because the rescue vehicle tires would get stuck in the fish poop :) So….we decided it would be funny to take a picture of Flat Jacob and Flat Isaiah in seaweed and we assume fish poop. Little boys!! Our next stop was at Bore Park in Moncton. The park offers a designated viewing area with an interpretive program for watching the tidal bore surge up the Petitcodiac River. It happens twice each day when the Bay of Fundy tides push more than 100 billion tons of water in and out of the bay, up the Petitcodiac River against the natural current of the river creating a tsunami. It can reach heights of .5 to 1 meter. It changes the natural direction of the river current for several hours. It was amazing. We stopped at Costco for supplies before returning to Yogi to do laundry, blog and make plans for the next day.

COMPARING LOW TIDE TO HIGH TIDE

Friday August 1^st - We got an early start with a planned trip to Prince Edward Island about 90 minutes away. We took the 8 mile bridge over to the island this time instead of the Ferry we took last time during our ill-fated trip to and from with no time for exploration. Dana thought of friend Nan when we were on the bridge. We share a nervous tendency about long bridges over water. This one was 8 miles over the ocean and the weather was rainy. Our drive once we got to shore was surprising to us revealing miles and miles of rolling farm ground primarily in potatoes and wheat. When we arrived at the waterways we also saw evidence of oyster and mussel harvesting as well as fish farms. Later in the day a young man living on the island confirmed they farm trout and salmon. The skis had cleared by the time we arrived at our first stop, Cavendish Beach and Cliffs. The expansive beach was a fine reddish sand with a gradual slop into the gentle waves. They had flotation safety markers and lifeguards already in place for the families arriving for a day of fun. A walk along the bordering trails revealed sand dunes and gorgeous red, rocky cliffs. When we were at the beach we were excited to see a fox hunting in the brush along the parking lot. It was so pretty! We also saw a cute little marmot on the rocks by the beach. While watching the marmot we met the nicest family from Canada with 2 delightful teen daughters. Michael was wearing his shirt with a picture on the front of himself holding Jacob in one arm and Isaiah in the other. Since it was chilling he had a button-up over-shirt on that was revealing only the picture of Michael’s face from beneath. The youngest teen started laughing and said “Are you wearing a shirt with a picture of your face on it?” We all, including her parents, started laughing as he quickly unbuttoned his over-shirt to also reveal Jacob and Isaiah. It was so funny! Our next stop was at the Green Gables House where L. M. Montgomery’s cousins used to live and the literary site of her novel “Anne of the Green Gables”. We were surprised to find the line so long to see the house and museum but is was so interesting to learn about Montgomery’s life. We stopped for “lunch” at Cows Creamery, a favorite on PEI. It was quite yummy but the dips were small. Next we went to St. Dunstan’s Basilica in downtown Charlottetown. It was stunning! The structure we visited was completed in 1919 in French Gothic style. The bells were installed in 1928 and have sister bells at St. Patrick Cathedral in New York City and St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal. The 4000 pipe Casavant organ was installed in 2012. We completed a fascinating self-guided audio tour of the building. Right around the corner from St. Dunstan’s Basilica was Victoria Row, a bricked street transformed into a pedestrian walkway lined with shops and restaurants housed in restored beautiful old buildings. Our next stop was at the Orwell Corner Historic Village, a living history museum of the 1890’s. We perused the farm machinery displays inside the museum before going out into the village. The desk clerk could only find a map in french so we made the best of it and Dana hoped to remember some of her high school french. The village buildings were all original with the exception of the social hall that burned in the 1950’s. They were all in their original locations and many had several original artifacts. The interpreters were so nice and knowledgeable but surprisingly none of them could speak french when asked to read our map for us. MOST of our encounters in New Brunswick have been with french speaking people! The village was essential for trading, socialization, education, and faith for the area. We really enjoyed it and especially enjoyed the friendly barn-keeper who let us pet the baby goats. They were so cute!! On our way out of the museum we stopped again by the desk and the clerk found an English map with the history written we could understand. That made us happy. Our last stop on the island was at the Point Prim Lighthouse. It was the oldest lighthouse on Prince Edward Island built in 1845. Point Prim gave us a grand show standing tall against the blue sky and sparkling sea. A great way to end our day on the island. We returned back over the bridge and stopped again for fast food because it was late and we were tired. Shortly before we arrived at our campground we noticed a gorgeous sunset! What a perfect day. Yogi and our soft bed were a welcome site too.

POTATO FIELD

BLACKSMITH SHOP

SHINGLE SHOP

CARRIAGE HOUSE

Saturday August 2^nd - We awoke to another beautiful day and packed up for our 140 mile move to Frederickton, NB where we were staying at Mactaquac Provincial Park. As has unfortunately become all too typical in Canada our drive was on curvy, bumpy roads with GPS mis-directions and turn-arounds but we finally made it. Our campground was so pretty with pine tree forest and neatly groomed lawn bordered by a golf course. Ironically our last campground was also bordered by a golf course. We set up camp, worked on the blog and made plans for the next day. We went to mass at Holy Family church in Frederickton before having dinner and turning in for the evening.

Sunday August 3^rd - The morning was a little chilly but the weather prediction was hot and sunny. We started the day with a visit at Christ Church Cathedral, a restored 1853 Anglican church featuring Gothic Revival architecture with a 198 foot spire. It was beautiful and our arrival time was perfect for a guided tour with a very nice and knowledgeable gentlemen. The other parishioners we encountered who were arriving for services before we left were also so nice and welcoming. We didn’t stay for services but it was tempting to experience an Episcopalian service. Next we took a walk on the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge. It’s an old 1905 foot railroad bridge that spans the St. John’s River initially built in 1877. It was a beautiful morning for a walk and it was quite enjoyable to go over then back again watching people on the bridge and the boats below. We then stopped at the beautiful old Legislative Assembly building where we took a private guided tour from the nicest, smart young lady. It was so interesting to learn about the Canadian government. Our last stop of the day was at the Kings Landing Living History Museum. It is a representation of rural New Brunswich during the 19^th and early 20^th century. It is a collection of salvaged buildings from the area when the St. John’s River was damned and the original village was flooded. The costumed interpreters were knowledgeable and so entertaining. We visited all the buildings which included farms (home and barn), general store, church, school, print shop, theater, sash & door factory, carpenter shop, sawmill, gristmill, Inn/restaurant, and blacksmith. We returned to Yogi for dinner and relaxation before turning in tired and happy with all the fun we’d had.

SASH AND DOOR & FURNITURE MAKING SHOPS

UPPER CHAMBER IS AN OVEN

KNIFE SHARPENER

DECORATIVE DETAILING IS MADE FROM CIGAR BOXES

MADE FROM HUMAN HAIR

BABY WALKER

Monday August 4^th - We awoke early for “New Brunswick Day”! We just happened to be in the country to celebrate the holiday. We had an hour drive to the McAdam Railroad Station for a 9:00am tour. They were staffed with young people and all the girls were having fun dressed in period costume since it was a holiday. We were given a great tour with one of the young men. The train station, in process of restoration, was originally built in the late 19^th century and was once a bustling hub of activity. It had a hotel, restaurant, telegraph center, customs agent, small jail, militia room, and dormitory for staff in addition to the train station. It was the sight of many famous passengers and visitors including Winston Churchill. Now it is popular for tours and each Sunday for visitors to eat “Railroad Pie” in the diner. Our guide told us the pie is good but the real interest is the entertainment; a “Conductor” telling colorful stories about the Railroad and the Station while the patrons eat pie off the authentic period railroad china. We really enjoyed the tour. Next we stopped at the Chocolate Museum associated with the Ganong Chocolate Factory. While we waited for our tour to begin we browsed the chocolate shop. The tour was interesting and offered us many samples along the way. However, since it was New Brunswick Day the chocolate dippers were not working so the only live portion of the tour was not in operation. The rest of the tour was conducted with a very knowledgeable young lady with only picture displays and videos. We also didn’t prefer most of the candy samples. Our next activity was going to Minister Island, in the Bay of Fundy, which required a carefully timed drive across a sandbar during low tide to get to the island. It was thrilling!!! Our tires were crunching on the rocks and shells of the ocean floor and splashing through puddles!! When we got to the island we toured the 1891 Sir William Vanhorn Mansion, named the Covenhoven after his father, the bath house by the swimming pool, the creamery, the magnificent barn, windmill, garage, and carriage house. There had been several other buildings on the self-sustaining summer estate that were no longer standing. It was very interesting to learn they built a hole in the ground with the plan for high tide to cover and fill it with water. With low tide, the water would recess and reveal the swimming pool. Sir Vanhorn was a US born Canadian Pacific Railroad general manager who was also an accomplished artist and musician. It was a great visit. On our way back to our campsite we made a fun stop in Harvey, NB to see a giant violin. Dana had her picture taken beside it in honor of Maggie Hite the best violinist we know. We returned to Yogi for dinner. We worked on the blog, did some chores, and relaxed the rest of the evening.

BUTTER SLICER

ORIGINAL HOTEL ROOM KEYS

LOW TIDE OCEAN FLOOR ROAD TO MINISTERS ISLAND - VIDEO BELOW

DRIVING TO MINISTERS ISLAND

VIEW FROM THE FRONT PORCH OF THE BATH HOUSE

LEGO DISPLAY IN THE TOP FLOOR OF THE BATH HOUSE

BATH HOUSE CHANGING ROOMS ON THE LOWER FLOOR

REMAINS OF THE POOL REFILLED AT HIGH TIDES

ORIGINAL MURAL PAINTED BY SIR WILLIAM (PEELING) RECREATED MURAL

GRAND ENTRY

MILKING PARLOR

DRIVING BACK FROM MINISTERS ISLAND

Tuesday August 5^th - Another warm, sunny day. We spent the day in Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick. We parked Boo-boo beside Officer’s Square, once the center of military activity but now the revitalized center for community events. Bordering the other side of the street was a portion of the Harrison District comprising of shops and eateries in restored old buildings. We walked through the Harrison District as we toured different sites in the city. We took a tour of the 1827 Guard House and Soldiers’ Barracks built by the British Army now a restored museum. Again, it was fascinating to learn more about Canadian history, the integral role the Canadian Loyalists played, and how Canadians still feel a loyalty to the British crown. Next we walked by several beautiful, historical buildings we could not enter to include City Hall, St. Anne’s Chapel of Ease, St. Paul’s United Church and the Brunswick United Baptist Church. We stopped at the Lighthouse By 540 on the St. John’s River to get ice cream but found the flavor menu was too limited so skipped getting ice cream. We continued on to the Government House where the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick lives. We took a guided tour of the first 2 floors but could not view the 3^rd where the Lt. Governor lives. The building was opulent and very interesting with antiques and pictures of visiting royalty throughout the years including Queen Elizabeth. Our tour guide said she takes care of everything in the house from cleaning, to serving meals, to guiding tours. She was delightful and very knowledgeable and switched back and forth effortlessly from French to English to accommodate the crowd. After the tour we left the city and found a good restaurant for an early dinner, stopped at the store for a few supplies, then went back to the campsite to complete chores, prepare to cross the border back into the US the next day, blog and relax the rest of the day.