Today we decided to travel west from our campground at Cape Hopewell, taking the route 915 portion of the Fundy Coastal Drive. We took our truck and Carlos, and the Rocks took truck. Just as we do when pulling our rigs, we used our CB radios for coordination and comments.

The weather has been great! We've learned that these days of sunshine have followed many days of rain and fog--everyone is mowing their lawns. Anyone who has a yard is out mowing and trimming--large yards, municipal common areas, even along the roads; riding mowers, mowers as big as farm hay cutters, man and wife on separate mowers on one yard, weed-whacker machines, edgers--the air is thick with the smell of newly cut grass!

There are many small, neatly kept farms along this drive and several of them have a few head of milk cows and some horses. We've seen several draft horses, huge animals with the "feathers" of long hair on their lower legs above their hooves. There were also some paints, appaloosa, and in a pen of ponies there was a single pot-bellied pig, grazing along with them!

Today we spoke with a farmer planting an 8-acre field to oats along with timothy and clover hay.The oats will be harvested this fall and the hay will be harvested next spring. This is the only field we saw being cultivated since entering New Brunswick.

Are first stop was at the Sawmill Creek Covered Bridge.

Sawmill Creek Bridge near Hopewell Cape

This bridge was built in 1905, replacing the original bridge that was destroyed by the October 1869 Saxby Gale. This high wind and tidal event spread destruction and killed people and animals all along the Bay of Fundy. The construction of the truss bridge is similar to many of the covered bridges we visited in Oregon. There are many covered bridges in New Brunswick. 

The next stop was at the Shipyard Park, along Mary's Point, a loop branching off 915. This quaint little park has been managed by two older gentlemen since its construction.  Age and infirmity prevent them from caring for the property and they would like the government to assume responsibility for it.

A local television news story told of the bay's tides crumbling the end of the "pier" holding the stylized reconstruction of the ship Revolving Light. The original three-masted Revolving Light ship was launched fully rigged in 1875 and was wrecked in the Netherlands in 1902. It was 196 feet long and 38 feet wide and was named after one of the first lighthouses that had a revolving light. The gentlemen taking care of the park have affixed flags to the three masts of the ship in the park at the beginning of the summer season, and removing them at then end, until recently. This year a younger relative will manage the task
.

  

Anderson Hollow Lighthouse at Shipwreck Park

The tiny Anderson Hollow Lighthouse has been relocated to the park as it's permanent resting place, after being relocated several times since being abandoned. 

"Studio on the Marsh" was also on Mary's Point loop. This studio displays paintings by Lars Larsen who has been honored with the "Ducks Unlimited Waterfowl Award." Other oil and water color paintings by local artists join the beautifully carved and painted duck decoys, wood turnings, pottery, jewelry and other wonderful crafts at this studio.

Cape Enrage Lighthouse is a recommended stop. Along the road to the point is a winery, and many lovely homes. This lighthouse is operated by the Canadian Coast Guard. This oldest active lighthouse in New Brunswick was built in 1840 and the original fixed white light was operated by a steam system fueled by coal. James G. Barbour was the longest serving lighthouse keeper, having been on duty from 1888 to 1930, 42 years. The current light and alarm were automated in 1979 when the Canadian Coast Guard began phasing out lighthouses. The green light flashes every 6 seconds and the alarm sounds for 2 seconds every six seconds during fog events.

In 1992, finding that the buildings and grounds near the lighthouse falling in disrepair and susceptible to vandalism, a Moncton high school teacher and his wife began a campaign. Using the enthusiasm of their high school students they began to clean up and restore the lighthouse station. Through government and private partnerships, the area is now operated and maintained by a non-profit group, who offer adventure programs such as zip-lines and guided rock climbing, and education opportunities for local student groups, as well as photo opportunities for tourists.

Our Group at Cape Enrage Lighthouse 

Cape Enrage Lighthouse on the Fundy Coastal Drive

We discussed the Atlantic salmon fishery with the proprietor of Colliins Lobster Fisherman's Market in Alma. The only Atlantic salmon we see on the west coast is marked "farmed Atlantic salmon." We found out that Atlantic salmon is the only salmon species on the east coast, and it has runs in the spring and the fall. They do not die after spawning, but return to the ocean. He maintains that the Atlantic salmon tastes richer than our western species. He also maintains that the only difference that he notices between farmed and wild Atlantic salmon, is that the flesh of the farmed salmon is much more red because of the fish pellets that they are fed. A different view.

We ended our day in Alma with a nice lunch at the Harbor View Restaurant, shopping for groceries and souvenirs, getting some world-famous sticky buns at Kelly's Bakeshop, marveling over huge lobsters at Collins, and getting gas for our vehicles. A great day! 

Tomorrow we move again. Forward to new adventures!