The Meeting of the Waters: Cat Bird Seat to Experiencing Tidal Force

Short video of the low tide ocean floor approximate ninety minutes after low tide.

Visitors to the Bay of Fundy’s Minas Basin usually hear about “The Highest Tides in the World” but unless one witnesses the tidal bore forging up a river, the incoming tidal speed, force and volume of water remains an abstract idea. In Parrsboro we are very fortunate because there is one beach where one gains a clearer understanding about the force and speed the tide exerts. The best time to observe “The Meeting of the Waters” is during the warmer seasons and following a full moon (5 to 6 days of the month).

The beach I am referring to is located directly across from the Big Island near Wasson’s Bluff. Witnessing the tide rushing around the Two Islands is best done on high ground to avoid getting swept away by the strong current. The current travels at 7 to 15 km/he and the channel fills quickly with 15 meters of fast moving salt water carrying red sand. Beware: even the strongest swimmer can be swept down shore by the incoming tide. Below is a real time video (duration: 2 minutes 40 seconds) documenting the Meeting of the Waters today.

July 8th, 2023

The video has not been altered, enhanced or sped up. Please watch to the end to gain a solid understanding of how fast the Bay of Fundy tide rolls in. Standing in the water while being surrounded by the swirling murky salt water may be tempting but is NOT recommended. The ground is uneven with barnacle covered rocks. It’s easy to lose your foothold. Bringing along a knowledgeable local and/or guide is strongly encouraged.

And what about crossing to the islands? That’s a lesson that I will be covering in tomorrow’s post. Check back then. Enjoy your Saturday and stay safe. Best wishes, Anna

Misty Morning Beach Hike to Clarke Head

The mist didn’t deter visitors to Parrsboro from a post breakfast guided tour. “I’m happy!” and “We would have never explored this beach on our own!” were just two of the enthusiastic comments I overheard while walking below the 200 Million year old cliffs. Springer spaniel Angie was in her element: in and out of shallow water, climbing over seaweed covered rocks, weaving in and out of rocky terrain, scaling some of the not so steep slopes toward the cliffs (till she was called back) and racing across sandy stretches exposed by the low tide, made for one happy canine.

Once again, my order for sunshine as we we approached the arch had been heard and delivered by the weather gods.

On our return to the car the mist at Glooscap Campground Beach was still dense and transformed the beach into an eerie and mysterious backdrop for a Halloween movie…

…which hung around till shortly after 4 pm!

The view of Glooscap Campground Beach from Ottawa House at approximately 4:15 pm. I arrived 5 minutes prior to deliver baking to Tupper’s Emporium. The cliff was shrouded in mist. I decided to capture a picture after delivery… the scenery had changed.

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend! On the agenda tomorrow: Circumnavigating Two Islands at low tide. Check back for images and a report! Anna

Peony Love

Just before the “big rain” arrived this week I got out to capture some contemplative images of the peonies in the front garden bed. My timing was excellent as the blossoms were flattened by the deluge. Enjoy the images… imagine the scent! Happy Thursday, Anna

Lobster Boil in the Rain?

When you have a confirmed booking for a lobster boil you can’t let rain get in the way. The Pleasant Street Inn received a request for my services along with a room reservation some time ago. We were watching the weather carefully for days and it looked promising for tonight. The rain was supposed to stop during the afternoon but, as we all know, the weatherman is not always able to predict what’s actually going to happen. I began setting up at 5:45 pm and thanks to my new raincoat I was able to stay dry.

Images cutesy of Pleasant Street Inn

The lobster was as fresh as can be! We lucked out with today’s delivery and the crustaceans cooked up beautifully… there were only the shells left to clean up! And yes, the rain stopped as soon as I carried the lobster inside to be served.

Lobster season on our shore is nearly over. I still have a few openings in my calendar if anyone is interested in booking a daytime or evening event.

Lobster boil in your backyard? I need 48 hours notice. What does it entail? One lobster (approx 1.5 lb) per person, home-baked sourdough baguette, sweet melted butter, lemon and a seasonal dessert. I supply everything from plates, bib/napkins, tools for cracking the hard shells, bread basket, cutting board and bread knife. I remove any waste. No dishes to do for you and your guests. What more do you want? All you need to do is bring your own drink of choice. What’s the price? Just $39 per person will get you a fully catered meal. I am able to accommodate up to eight guests.

Lobster season on our shore comes to an end on July 31st or when supply runs out!

When Life Hands You Lemons…

…or your vacation in the heart of the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark is more soggy than you bargained for stop sitting in your B&B! No matter how comfortable it may be and how wonderful the hosts are… and how many cups of tea or coffee and goodies they keep supplying, there comes a time where the walls start to close in!🤪

Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers has the guaranteed antidote to cabin fever: we have a rain coat or poncho for you! Experience the sandstone cliffs at their best! The wet weather and flat light creates dramatic back drops for photography or just to experience something more exciting than streaming an action movie on the TV in your B&B. Set the board games and puzzles aside, they will still be there tonight when it gets dark.

Let’s start planning your tour! Text 1-306-631-8539 or email annahergert@me.com and get the conversation going! Cheers, Anna

Rain and more rain…

You know it’s bad when Ottawa House-by-the-Sea Museum closes for the day due to inclement weather. Our home borders onto the Farrells River which feeds into the Aboiteau. Due to the moon phase we are also experiencing spring tide conditions. We can expect this lake to last several days longer, especially if the rain doesn’t slow down soon! According to one Parrsboro rain gauge we had 5” of rain overnight! With additional heavy downpours during the day today I am sure we are closer to 7” by now.

Everyone in Nova Scotia prayed for rain and moisture during the forest fires less than a month ago. The fires are out. Cape Chignecto is closed to hikers till further notice! One person remarked on the closure notice: “ Chiggy is closed – it must be bad!” I think it’s unanimous: we are ready for sunshine!

And that’s the news from Parrsboro, Nova Scotia on this July 3rd! Have a lovely evening, Anna

From Forest Bathing to Beach Surfing… All in a Day’s Work!

Following all the rain we have had my mushrooming buddy and I gathered our collecting baskets, knifes and soft brushes and set out for our favourite stand of trees to check on the growing phase of chanterelles. Verdict: wait another week or two and check back then.

This afternoon I took the puppy to the beach as the tide was on its way out! I have a small pet carrier pack that I strap to my chest. Tillie weighs just 1.5 kg and it was no trouble at all walking across the rocky terrain. She was a trooper! Our destination was Clarke Head where we had our own little photo shoot below the arch.

Zoom in, way in… do you see her near the top of the crack?

Look at that tiny little munchkin turning around and climbing deeper into the arch! I had to scramble to retrieve her. She was moving swiftly up and over the rocks. Enya, my friend’s dog, was watching with interest.

The beach excursion was just what we needed. The sky added drama but the rain held off till we were safely back at home. A lazy summer Sunday well spent! Hope you are relaxing wherever you are! Anna

Canada Day 2023…

… we had sun, some cloud, and at times heavy downpours! But as the saying goes: wait five minutes and it will change!

Our family started this Canada Day by taking the almost eight-week-old puppy out for her first walk in nature!

It was a bit of a challenge: Six steps and half a meter later I ended up carrying her home. The afternoon romp in the backyard with her parents went much better. She ran and jumped and promptly fell asleep when she came back inside.

Next, we participated in the Ottawa House Canada Day festivities. The Parrsboro Citizens Choir shone. We performed “Down to the River to Pray” (from Oh Brother, Where Art Thou), Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn to Freedom”, our own choir director’s, Dr. Paul Aitken, composition “Peace Flows Into Me”, “We Rise Again”, the unofficial Nova Scotia Anthem by Leon Dubinsky, and last, but not least, “Oh Canada” in both official languages.

Federal provincial and municipal representatives addressed the crowd from near and far! We met a couple from Swift Current, SK and chatted while the cake auction was in full swing.

This is already our third Canada Day in Nova Scotia! Where did the time go??? We are still finding new ways to celebrate. This year we finished the day out with a lobster boil for two. Not many people we know like lobster and the two friends we invited cancelled out at the last minute. So, we had a feast!!! It was pouring rain outside but the hot lobster on our plates let us quickly forget about the wet conditions outside.

Sending Canada Day Greetings to all our friends and family across the country! Enjoy your local festivities! Anna

No Idle Hands…

Ottawa House by the Sea, July 1st, 2022

How fast a year passes! It’s Canada Day Eve 2023 and our house was a flurry of activity all day. Puppy Tillie got us up before 5 a.m. …

… and I started baking by 9 a.m.

An assortment of home baking

Ottawa House is a privately funded museum and without the tremendous efforts of countless committed volunteers the Parrsborough Shore Historical Society could not operate. I witnessed the incredibly successful live cake auction last year on July 1st where some of my baking contributions reached unheard of bids! Remembering that frenzied atmosphere from last year fuelled me with energy and determination to once again provide some special treats.

From artisnal sourdough bread, butterscotch pecan sticky buns, flakey cranberry orange custard buns to coconut raspberry white chocolate cookie bars and a Swabian Apple Cake (always a hit at my Kaffee Klatsch) I was glued to the oven till 3:30 p.m.

The house is hot and humid (our new ducted heating and cooling system sits idle… till NSPower comes to inspect, estimated date is July 27th) but my contribution for the major fundraiser has been delivered to Ottawa House where I enjoyed a nice cool breeze that helped to cool me down just a little. Fingers crossed there will be a good cake hungry crowd again this year.

If you are in Parrsboro check out Ottawa House! The cake auction goes live after the Parrsboro Citizen Choir finishes their performance with “Oh Canada” at approximately 1:30 pm.

Still New Sites to Explore: FORCE Research Centre For Energy in the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark

We had an opportunity to join Caleb Grant, geoscientist from the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark, and Sandra Currie for a tour of the FORCE research center on energy and its beach in Westbay, just outside of Parrsboro, this afternoon.

The Center is well worth a visit. Put it on your list for a rainy day. There is a lot of information to absorb and explore! And just have a look at this amazing view across the Bay of Fundy toward Cape Split! We joked that this constitutes the best office view by a long shot!

This afternoon was all about the highest tides in the world and how 100 Billion liters of water move in and out of the Bay of Fundy’s Minas Basin with each tidal cycle.

Time well spent with like-minded people! This free tour will be offered again at the end of August! Make sure to look for it on the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark website in case you plan to participate. Happy Thursday, Anna

Food for Thought: The Leave no Trace Principles

Yesterday evening I had the opportunity to participate in an online seminar centred around the Seven Leave no Trace Principles offered by the Outdoor Council of Canada. The hour long presentation was one of the more enjoyable workshops I have attended via Zoom.

If you are not familiar with Leave no Trace, check out some of the resources on line. I decided to sign up as a member. I am already actively practicing the Seven Principles when I roam the trails and I share the information with hike participants. It’s time to raise awareness further. My next goal is to organize an Awareness Workshop locally. Stay tuned for more info! Hope your Wednesday was not as wet as ours! Have a great rest of the evening, Anna

Great Info

Adjacent to The Redhead (in the first image) we find the Old Wife Formation. It is located immediately to the left of The Redhead . The scientific cross section here provides the best visual of this significant geological formation found in Five Islands Provincial Park. Is is one of the best graphics I have come across.

Check out this Video!

Remember the travel influencer family known as “Keep Your Day Dream” from Florida? Tricia, Marc, Caleb and I spent an afternoon together exploring Soley Cove on June 17th. Their video featuring the Parrsboro area dropped on YouTube last night. Click here to check it out. Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers shows up at roughly minute 8 of the 22-minute-long video.

Enjoy! It’s a wet Monday here, a perfect time to update my website and get the house tidied up after the last ten busy days. Wishing everyone a fabulous week, Anna

Lobster Season

Just a reminder that lobster season is over at the end of July. I have limited dates still available for a rustic lobster boil for up to 8 people.

Your backyard or the beach? $ 39/person (minimum 48 hours notice). L

obster boil includes: 1 lobster (at least 1.5 lbs) per person, home-baked crusty sourdough baguette (gluten-free option: steamed rice), butter and lemon.

We supply the equipment, including napkins and plates. don’t miss out – book soon!

Text 1-306-631-8539 to reserve your 2023 Season Lobster Boil in Parrsboro!

Soley Cove Photo Tour

Guiding a tour in Soley Cove is always a highlight in my schedule. Leading a photo tour is even more special because I get to don my photographer’s hat and view the cliffs through a different lens. J. and L. contacted me from their home in Alberta several weeks ago to inquire about the availability of a photo tour. After checking the tide schedule I proposed several options and we settled on a morning tour of Soley Cove.

We woke up to dense fog today . Luckily it did not rain and eventually the fog lifted.

Photo tours are a nice change from guided hikes and rock hunting excursions as I get an opportunity to explore and discover changes along the cliffs and beaches. We took our time, made our way between sea stacks, along steep cliffs, across vast expanses of the exposed ocean floor and we ventured in and out of multiple coves.

…and then the fog burned off and the sun pushed through the clouds for even more glorious colour!

Soley Cove never disappoints and if you only have one night in the Parrsboro area it is THE choice for a guided hike or photo tour!

I hope you enjoyed today’s tour re-cap. Happy Saturday, Anna

Welcoming the Summer Solstice…

A small group embarked on the long-anticipated special Summer Solstice hike to Clarke Head tonight! It was a compatible group of women, conversation flowed easily over the driftwood fire, tea and home-baked goodies.

Sunset was at 9:07 pm as we headed back to our starting point. We were treated to the most magical light as we past the Solstice Troll standing guard!

I hope you are able to soak in some of the magic we created and captured tonight!

Solstice Blessings to all, Anna

Had to check: Clarke Head is still standing…

…which is vital for our upcoming Summer Solstice Sunset Hike!

Had a great outing this morning, drizzle and chilly wind included. The weather for Wednesday is very promising. I have a couple spots open, so if you have held off to register contact me soon to reserve your spot! Here is the direct link to all the info:

https://fundycontemplations.ca/2023/06/08/summer-solstice-sunset-hike-anyone/

Have a fabulous Monday! Cheers, Anna