New Brunswick - It's More than Lobster

Our Canadian Maritime adventure began in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick.  But, before we arrived, Google navigation pronounced "Welcome to Canada" as we drove across the border.  On one hand, it is kind of neat.  On the other hand, it is also a bit creepy -- makes you want to look in the backseat to see if someone is there.

Rossmount Inn, Saint Andrews, New Brunswick

We made a wise choice to book dinner reservations at our inn for the first night.  It is the highest rated restaurant in town and did not disappoint and we were tired from a long drive.

Up bright and early, we headed off on a whale watching excursion in the Bay of Fundy.  Much like our mad dash to Chauvet Cave in France, we were in a bit of a panic to make our launch time.  Fortunately, the tour, Island Quest Marine, was less than 10 minutes away and did not launch without us. 

Minke is the most common whale this time of year and Captain Chris located one for us.

(Side note: We ate Minke whale in Iceland)

Minke do not typically breach dramatically like other whales.  They make a few surface visits and then dive down to eat, returning a few minutes later.

There is an abundance of wildlife on the islands throughout the Bay of Fundy and we got lucky.

Harbour Seals

Bald Eagle

One of the more interesting sites was an Atlantic Salmon farm.  The netting over the top is not to keep them from escaping, but to prevent birds of prey from snatching them.

It is illegal to capture wild Atlantic salmon.  If you eat Atlantic salmon, it is coming from a farm.

Campobella Island Lighthouse

 The town of Saint Andrews was founded by Loyalists after the Revolutionary War.  Originally settling along the Penobscot River in what is now Maine, they thought the border would be drawn there.  However, after the border was set further north, they loaded all their belongings, including dismantling their homes, and brought them by barge to New Brunswick.  The town of Saint Andrews was neatly designed with grid streets named for the children of King George III.  It has very strong English roots, exemplified by the Kingsbrae Gardens.

Aside from traditional flowers, the garden has animals and a multitude of sculptures.

Inside the apple orchard.  Of course.

Live, not a sculpture.

The Bay of Fundy is known to have some of the highest tides in the world, up to 46 feet.  Hopewell Rocks, at the tip of the bay has dramatic rock formations form by the ebb and flow of the tides against sandstone cliffs. At the lowest tide, you can walk out onto the ocean floor where previously it was completely under water.

At high tide

At low tide

The water can rise at the rate of one foot per minute.
The platform is in case of emergency and someone gets caught in the tide.
The interpretive guides says it does happen, albeit rarely.  All you can do is wait for a few hours.

On our way to Prince Edward Island, across the Confederation Bridge.  Eight miles long, the bridge opened in 1997, providing PEI with a fixed link to the mainland.

The bridge is a toll, but it is only charged when leaving the island.  We are leaving by ferry on the east side

So far, we have enjoyed amazing weather.  There is a heat wave over most of the east coast. The temperature is fine for us, but we may not have packed enough warm weather clothing.