I left Springhill this morning after saying my goodbyes to my sister, and her kids and Leon (and becky), my sister’s boyfriend and daughter who just arrived the morning before after a long road-trip of their own from Falher Alberta to be with my sis.
I made my way up out of Nova Scotia through Moncton and into New Brunswick. Followed the 106 around and down to Dorchester, Hillsborough and made a stop at the Hopewell Rocks again. After hiking through the deep snow to the stairs to the beach and the flowerpot rocks I was greeted with high tide so there was no exploring the rocks from the beach today. The water of the Bay of Fundy was really red and muddy so I snapped a couple of shots and decided that the Hopewell Rocks will have to wait until I return again, hopefully during great summer weather.
I continued on through the Fundy National Park and Alma, where I got a few more shots at dusk. From there I hit the Number one highway to Fredericton for the night.
I’ve been in much better moods since reading what I have of this Stuart Wilde book. My outlook is positive and I “feel” like I can conquer any obstacles I might encounter and move into a whole new life during this coming year.
Anyway, I’m a little tired, was up late chatting and trudging through the knee deep snow takes it out of me. Mental note to get snowshoes for my next winter excursion.
Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010
Tags: Alma, Bay of Fundy, beach, Dorchester, Fredericton, Fundy National Park, Hillsborough, Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, snow, winter Leave a Comment
So I left Moncton this morning, it was raining. I made my way towards the Confederation Bridge, it was raining. I crossed the bridge into P.E.I, still raining. I decided to chalk it up to the fact that I’m traveling in winter, head to Charlottetown and see if I can get some editing done.
I found a Starbucks here in Charlottetown where yes its still raining. I excitedly open up my shots of the Hopewell Rocks yesterday to see what I got and am somewhat disappointed. The gray cloudy weather just didn’t work with me and when the skies did clear it was simply too late. The sun set on the other side of the rise, my rocks left in the shade. I did get a few dusk/moonlight shots that turned out okay but I’d like to call a Mulligan and go back on my way home next year and perhaps get lucky with a clear day and some decent light. The colors of the rocks need some light, gray skies just don’t bring out the reds of the earth and the greens of the algae stains.
Oh well. I was definitely due for a trying day in regards to weather as I’ve been blessed with pretty good days so far on this trip. Just bad timing, perhaps next time. I’ll see what I can salvage from the day’s shots later when I’m in the mood and have more time. For now, I’ve posted a few of the night ones that I’m happy with.
P.E.I so far has been nice despite the rain. I saw a few things today and took a few shots, we’ll see how they turn out perhaps tomorrow.
I noticed another Walmart nightlight here in Charlottetown so I know where I’ll end up later.
Category: Highlights
Tags: Charlottetown, cloudy, Confederation Bridge, dusk, editing, Hopewell Rocks, Moncton, moonlight, New Brunswick, P.E.I, rain, starbucks, Walmart Leave a Comment
Well, I got there and they were worth every mile. The Hopewell Rocks were even better that I expected. When I was researching them I saw similar photos and was under the impression that perhaps there were only a few “flower pots”. I was pleasantly mistaken.The rock formations span a good section of the beach.
I got there at low tide and proceeded to wander. My only complaint was that even though the rain held off I didn’t get much for great light. As the sun started going down on the other side of the hill that’s when the clear skies came. Although I didn’t get the best light I still think I got some great shots. Even got a few moonlight ones as the moon is at three quarters and rose up just after the sun went down. I would have stayed even longer but the tide was coming in, I’d exhausted both my camera batteries and my flash cards were full. I made my way back to the truck, with a slight moment of being lost. There was a couple that lived close by going for their daily walk. After a pleasant chat they directed me to the gate.
The whole place is a massive tourist attraction, all of it closed for the season. They don’t make it easy to get to the beach or the rocks, making you walk through their massive parking lot and then once you’ve hiked the path down to beach they’ve raised the final steps up but I found a ladder. There are warnings about the tides and the slippery rocks, like most of my trip so far, I wandered at my own risk. I was a little nervous about the tide but was informed by another local during the day that once it starts coming back in you have hours.
After an awesome day I drove the final 35 kilometers to Moncton where I spotted a YMCA. Thanks to them I had a good hot shower and am ready for another few days in the truck, motel room free.
Hopewell Rocks at Dusk
I woke up to rain as expected. I got bored instantly and started driving along the route I need to take to get to the Hopewell Rocks. Off and on I was on the shore of the Bay of Fundy as I made my way East. I found some cool rainy day shots of a old wooden covered bridge circa 1927, a fishing boat docked to a rickety old wharf at low tide, the red ocean caves outside of St. Martin ending up in Sussex for the night.
Tomorrow I make the rest of the drive to the Hopewell rocks. I’m not sure what to expect as everything I’ve read about them states that they’re closed for the season. How does one close a shoreline beach? If anything I’ll find a way down and walk along the beach to them. I have a tide schedule and know that low tide is around 3pm so dammit I’m gonna be there. I also know that the weather is “supposed” to be better with sun and clouds. Keeping my fingers crossed on both counts.
It’s funny, as I drive through the little towns and hamlets I see everyone getting ready for Christmas. Right now for me it’s the last thing on my mind and I sometimes feel like an alien watching another planet from a distance. It’s a slight bit lonely but also a bit refreshing. The ability to flee any form of shopping mayhem or avoid certain areas while their open for business is in itself quite liberating. As people join the line into the mall parking lot I’m leaving to go find the next quiet beach where I watch the waves come crashing in with the tide. Life is good.
Of course, this will change a bit when I arrive at my sister’s place in a couple of weeks. By then I’ll need a break and will cherish the comfort and company of family. I’m looking forward to that.
So for tonight I’ve met up with my Walmart night light and will most likely dial up a movie on the laptop, have a snack and get some sleep. Until tomorrow.
W
