#7 Reversing What?

Rockwood Park Campground

Welcome to Saint John, New Brunswick. Not St. Johns, that’s a different city. Both towns were named the same and the compromise was, take off the “s” and spell out Saint. I wish all negotiations would go that smoothly. They have a brewery and really nice people.

The city of Saint John is noted for a unique phenomenon that once again illustrates the power of the Bay of Fundy tides. The attraction is called the Reversing Falls. Well… thousands of years ago they used to be falls. But Saint John has since gotten into trouble for exaggerating. Today, the display is called the Reversing Falls Rapids. Can you see them reverse in the photo below?

No, of course you can’t. You’d have to return 12 hours later to see the rapids reverse. So what the heck are the Reversing Falls and what’s the attraction? The Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River collide. At low tide the Saint John River flows swiftly and unimpeded into the Bay of Fundy causing the rapids to go toward the Bay. As the tide rises in the Bay of Fundy, the wall of water flows toward the river. It slows the river current and eventually pushes the flow of the river in the reverse direction and the rapids flow backwards. Hence the Reversing Falls. Poor river doesn’t know if it’s coming or going.

Dangerous and Treacherous

Again, navigating those waters is very treacherous; the currents are unpredictably strong. In fact, there was a bit of excitement when we arrived at the falls viewing area. The bus driver headed down the hill to the viewing area and the road was closed. Emergency vehicles were everywhere. Our bus driver had to reverse (much like the falls) his way back up the hill. Better him than me. Then we approached the falls from the opposite side. There was a hook and ladder truck with the ladder extended.

A fire fighter was perched on the highest rung scanning the river below.  Rumor has it that a boat got caught in the currents and capsized. They were hoping to find survivors. Sorry, never heard the outcome.

We only spent 2 nights in Saint John. We hitched back up and traveled to Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick. Today is an exciting day on the water. We’re taking kayaks to Flower Pot Rocks. Wait until you see these pictures.

Remember, we are on the Bay of Fundy, it’s chilly in the water. Not that we’re going to in, are we Pam? With the tides, kayaking is a finicky business. Below you will see photos of kayaking in and out of the cave-like structures, riding the currents. Ok. I don’t have any pictures of us riding the currents. I was too busy steering.

We are in sea kayaks with a foot pedal in the rear seat to activate the rudder for steering. Pam was in the front seat, paddling. Pam, you are paddling, right?

Flower Pot Rocks are rocks that stand alone up out of the water. They aren’t attached to other rock formations. (In the photo above.)

See those two whippersnappers below? We are walking with our paddles in hand. This is the same area where we launched our kayaks. Where’s the water? Gone with the tide.

We had a lot of fun kayaking in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick. The adventure will be one of the lasting memories of this trip. But it is time to move forward. Onward we go to Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia.

I hear there’s a wonderful German Bakery and Schnitzel ahead. Come along and try some with us in the Province of Nova Scotia.