Maine: Portland, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park

We needed to get away from Columbus, Ohio since we hadn’t gone anywhere all summer. So, I booked flights to Boston where we would continue on to Acadia National Park. I really wanted to take the Amtrak train to Portland, Maine.  Unfortunately, that train was cancelled early September for track maintenance. There was a regional bus for $30 which took a little over 2 hours. The free water and pretzels were nice. I would recommend flying into Portland so you can have more time enjoying it.

Portland, Maine

There’s something magical in the air here that tempts me to return and explore this city more.  Yes, there is a Mystic District that boasts 3 magical shops on one street!

Courtesy Google

However, we were too exhausted to explore the dark arts on our first night and opted to check into our spacious and cozy room at the Hyatt Plaza in  Old Port. Our first stop for dinner was Eventide to savor fresh oysters.

We accidentally discovered our next course at Duckfat while we wandered down Middle St. The duck fat taste in the fries was distinctive and pleasing. My favorite sauces were Truffle Ketchup and Horseradish Mayo.

 

Before heading northeast in our Enterprise rental car to Bar Harbor the next morning, we had some time to explore Congress St. a major road in the heart of downtown Portland. It has many coffee shops, art installations, unique buildings, speciality stores  and cool plazas.  Portland is the largest metropolitan area in northern New England with a rich history.

The Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Monument at the corner of State and Congress St. (Longfellow Square) honors the poet by the same name. He was born in Portland in 1807. Wadsworth was a traveler, a linguist, and a romantic who identified with the great traditions of European literature and thought.

 

We met one fellow who was collecting signatures for a petition to urge Senator Susan Collins to vote against Supreme Court nominee Bret Kavanaugh. We know how that turned out. Her opponent in the 2020 election will have an extra 2 million dollars for their campaign, thanks to energized Mainers.

 

The drive to Bar Harbor via I-295 and I-95 was quick until the last hour. Once we crossed Trenton Bridge, (actually a causeway now), we were finally on Mt Desert Island.

We checked in at Hearthside Inn. Hosts Brian and Catherine were exceptionally welcoming and knowledgeable.  They made each breakfast special. One morning I told Brian we wanted to see Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. He promptly marked on a map over a dozen must-see places on our way there!

Shore Path

Only a few blocks from our lodging, the shore path offers a great view of Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Narrows. You can start from Wayman Lane or Agamont Park.

 

Free Acadia Shuttles

The Island Explorer has shuttle buses with 10 routes to virtually all points of interest  in Acadia National Park. They run every 30 minutes, passing through Village Green, in Bar Harbor.  Since 2002, L.L.Bean has donated over $3 million to Friends of Acadia to support the Island Explorer and Acadia National Park.

We caught an orange Loop Road #4 shuttle to get to Sand Beach. There you can hike the 1.4 mile (2.2 km) Great Head Trail which is rated as “moderate” and loops around the perimeter of the small peninsula called Great Head located on the east side of Sand Beach. I wish we had gone back to see it one more time!

Don’t miss the view from Otter Cliffs up the road!

Jordan Pond

At the Sand Beach shuttle stop, catch any shuttle bus to get to Jordan Pond. While there,  you can hike the Jordan Pond Nature Trail (an easy stroll through the evergreens) and the Jordan Pond Shore Trail (a more difficult trek along the rocky coast). The crystal-clear waters mirror the surrounding mountains. The nearby Jordan Pond House Restaurant serves soups, lobster rolls and its signature popovers and tea.

 

Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, at 1,530, is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to view sunrise in the United States from October 7 through March 6.  The free shuttle buses do not go up to the top of this mountain. Fortunately, It was only a 15 minute drive in our rental car. This was an awesome place to contemplate the vast panorama of water and coastline to the east.  Both times we were blessed with clear skies.

Bar Island

Bar Island is directly north of the West Street town pier in Bar Harbor.  At low tide, the island is reachable by foot.  Once on Bar Island there is a spectacular view of Mount Desert Island with Bar Harbor in the foreground (except when it’s foggy).  Look for Bridge Street on the north or ocean side of West Street to cross the sand bar.

Before going, check the local times of low tide so that you will not get stuck on the island. Plan on having no more than a maximum of 1.5 hours before and after the low tide.  If you do get stuck on the island and don’t want to wait about 12 hours until the next low tide, there is a rescue boat service, for only $500!

Thuya Garden

On our way to the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, we spent part of the morning exploring Thuya Garden which is located on Route 3, near the northeast corner of Northeast Harbor. If you love gardens and natural settings along with some local history, then Thuya Garden will definitely leave an impression!  We hiked up the trail from the parking lot on Peabody Drive, number 1 at the bottom of the map. Entrance to the garden is a suggested $10 donation.  And yes, there are restrooms! The gardens are meticulously tended and one might see some of the myriad butterflies and hummingbirds that are attracted to the area. Be sure to stop inside Thuya Lodge (number 8) to enjoy the amazing collection of gardening and landscaping resources, as well as the early botanical watercolors upstairs.

We had a light lunch at Asticou Inn on the back porch overlooking a hill down to the shoreline.  Somehow we still had an appetite for another popover. Across the main road was Asticou Azalea Garden, The design ideas for the Asticou Azalea Garden show some resemblance to a Japanese stroll garden but one that was designed for a coastal Maine setting. The garden is meant to inspire serenity and reflection and creates an illusion of space – of lakes and mountains and distant horizons.

We finally made it to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.

Evidently, the view is better from a vantage point closer to the water. (courtesy Google)

 

Our favorite restaurants: McKays, Havana

Our first dinner in Bar Harbor was at McKays, about a 5 minute walk.  A folk guitarist serenaded the patio crowd while we sat next to a cozy outdoor space heater.  I totally enjoyed my clam chowder followed by fish and chips! Michael had the duck cassoulet.

We went to Havana on our last night in Bar Harbor.  The mussels were wonderful. Havana is a classy, colorful spot for upscale dinners featuring a contemporary blend of Latin & American food.

 

We really lucked out with the weather. However, I think it would have still been worth going to Acadia National Park, even if it rained every day.  This is a place to recharge your soul and gain some inner solace.

One Tree Hill, New Zealand

I found myself in New Zealand last month, mainly due to a spontaneous urge to go far away, as well as to celebrate my dear friend’s 50th birthday.  I have become extremely fond of an old volcanic island in Auckland named One Tree Hill. It really did previously have one tree, but was a victim of a couple of chainsaw attacks. Only the name remains.

While on U2’s 1984 Unforgettable Fire Tour in New Zealand, Bono met a Maori man named Greg Carroll who took him to this special hill on his first night in the country. One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) is one of the highest, and more spiritually  significant to Maori people, of Auckland’s largest volcanoes.

A year later, while running an errand for the band, Greg was killed in a motorcycle accident. Bono dedicated the album The Joshua Tree, as well as the song One Tree Hill, to his dear friend.

We took Uber to the park entrance on the southern side of the hill and followed a scenic road that gradually got steeper. The cows were enjoying the early spring grass.

This was truly an amazing 360 degree view of Auckland’s skyline!

There are several other volcanic hills visible from this vantage point!

At the summit is the grave of John Logan Campbell, who gifted the land to the city in 1901 and requested that a memorial be built to the Maori people on the summit. Nearby is the stump of the last ‘one tree’.

It wasn’t until I returned home that I began to fully appreciate the significance of One Tree Hill and powerful lyrics of the song dedicated to Greg Carroll.

Here are the lyrics:

“We turn away to face the cold, enduring chill / As the day begs the night for mercy, love.

A sun so bright it leaves no shadows / Only scars carved into stone on the face of the earth.

The moon is up and over One Tree Hill / We see the sun go down in your eyes.

You run like a river on to the sea / You run like a river runs to the sea.

And in the world, a heart of darkness, a fire-zone / Where poets speak their heart then  bleed for it.

Jara sang, his song a weapon in the hands of love. / You know his blood still cries from the ground.

It runs like a river runs to the sea. / It runs like a river to the sea.

I don’t believe in painted roses or bleeding hears / While bullets rape the night of the merciful.

I’ll see you again when the stars fall from the sky / And the moon has turned red over One Tree Hill.

We run like a river runs to the sea / We run like a river to the sea.

And when it’s rainin’, rainin’ hard / That’s when the rain will break a heart.

Rainin’, rainin’ in your heart / Rainin’ in your heart. / Rainin’ rain into your heart / Rainin’, rainin’, rainin’ / Rain into your heart. Rainin’, ooh, rain into your heart, yeah./ Feel it.

Oh great ocean / Oh great sea / Run to the ocean / Run to the sea.”

 

Hot Press editor Niall Stokes said, “it is a hymn of praise and celebration which described the traditional Maori burial of their friend on One Tree Hill and links it poetically with themes of renewal and redemption.”

 

 

Walking up this hill was a highlight of our day as we explored a wonderful new country and celebrated a birthday milestone. Learning about the significance of One Tree Hill made it all the more memorable.

Tribute to my father

Dad passed on Saturday morning, August 15. There were so many questions I never asked him. I cherished many things about this man.  Here were just some of the many fond memories of my father.

I appreciate about my dad…

• how he left his home country of Romania after World War II in search of a better life

• that he lived in Paris for 3 years, learned French and worked at a Renault car manufacturing plant

• how he emigrated to Canada through Halifax with some buddies to settle in Windsor, Ontario

• his power back rubs

* his mititei (grilled rolls of mixed lamb, pork and beef)

• how he helped me on my morning paper route when it was too cold and snowy, or I overslept

• his rustic sense of humor

• his home-made rolled cigarettes (which I often made for him)

• the home-made soups and stews

• how he caused me to become independent when I left home at 17

• his beautiful garden which fed us and made me appreciate gardening

• how his meat cutter job helped feed my 4 brothers and me very well

• that his meat cutter union paid for all our braces and medical issues

• his amazing ability to cook meats

• that his background became a source of pride for myself and led to 3 trips of my own to re-connect with our Transylvanian relatives

• that in spite of conflicts, he did make my mother very happy most of the time

• his low tolerance for bull shit

• how he enjoyed interacting with his grandchildren

• how he loved taking care of my miniature dachshund Scooter

* how he inspired me to learn to speak Romania

THESE PHOTOS CAPTURE ONLY A SMALL PART OF DAD’S 87 YEARS OF LIFE FROM MY VIEW

Dad’s family, Sibot, Romania

I love you and miss you dad!

Drum bun! (good journey)

Last partial family reunion?

I went up to Cleveland last week to help celebrate our dad’s 87th birthday and spend time with my youngest brother. I hadn’t seen him in almost 8 years since our mom passed.

Dad is still standing. Takes 1 pill a day for anxiety, needs a hearing aid, can’t see out of one eye, lost his partial dentures, has moderate dementia…but has not lost his sense of humor. He has no filter. And his favorite response to things that don’t impress him much is “Holy Maria!”

Our ritual selfie on the sofa!

Scooter came up to celebrate, too!

We celebrated by going to Nino’s Italian restaurant with another brother and his wife. The Clams Amore were to die for!

The leftovers were even better the next day!

Dad enjoyed his Chianti!

Noroc! (which means luck in Romanian)

After dinner, we drove back to dad’s house where we salivated over chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream.

La mulți ani! (to many more years)

My brother Mike has come a long way. He has lived independently in Phoenix for 10 years. He was overcome mental, emotional and physical challenges. He lost 200 pounds this past year. He does 1400 stomach crunches daily, does his 2-mile power walk every morning and drinks a gallon of water once a day. He puts me to shame!

We are 15 years apart!

My confident and goal-oriented baby brother

One of Mike’s tasks on this visit was to clean out his room, suspecting this might be the last chance to see the house. He also needed to see mom’s grave marker to finish his  grieving.  My sister-in-law was an angel as she patiently and firmly encouraged Mike to “un-pack rat” his old room.

Mike and Angel on the lovely trail in the oak forest park

One of the dozens of deer in that park who didn’t mind people getting close for pictures

Mike let go of years of memories with his collections and hobbies. He came to realize that most of it was no longer important.

He threw out over 30 contractor sized bags!

We made a visit to the cemetery the day before Mother’s Day. The visit was cathartic, especially so for Mike. He sobbed and caressed the marker for a long time, finally finding some peace with the loss of mom, after having needlessly blamed himself for her passing.

It is sad and strange to see your mother’s final resting place

Dad’s side will be on the left side of the plot. I kidded him that I would leave some beer on his side. He said to make it a bar!

Brother Tim was steady throughout the visit as well. He helped me fly our younger brother in to town for his unfinished business. Like Angel, he was firm, yet supportive of Mike as he struggled with the letting go.

Dad and Tim at Bar Louie’s patio on an 85 degree afternoon

Dad definitely relished our visit. One brother in Atlanta had other plans and could not be with us. Sadly, another brother who lived a mile away did not join us. Families can be so strange!  Dad was fond of Scooter, my miniature dachshund. He took him out regularly to the back yard to do his business, but I suspect it was Scooter who dragged him out!

Scooter leashing up to dad

Scooter walking my dad

I never thought that my youngest brother would inspire me so much. And, I have to admit that I appreciate my dad so much more after years of being angry about his failings. Maybe that’s how the story needed to turn out. And I find myself being more like him as I age!

The reunion of Mike and dad after 8 years!

Mike and dad at Scrambler Marie’s for a Sunday breakfast

Dad didn’t finish the stack, and I didn’t let him take home the leftovers!

Mom and dad moved in here in 1958!

I wonder if this was our last partial family reunion!

Mom, Happy Mother’s Day! We miss you!!!

Montaña de Luz (Mountain of Light), Honduras

I recently spent a week on a volunteer service trip to Montaña de Luz in Nuevo Paraíso, Honduras. This is an orphanage for children living with HIV. I did’t know what to expect, but I returned home humbled after having met children who taught  me something about living. Their contagious smiles and hugs are amazing. They are full of hopes and dreams.

The orphanage is on top of a mountain with a breathtaking view of the valley

Montaña de Luz is a faith-based organization which creates a loving home for children and comprehensive care.

Children greeting us upon arrival

I selfishly left Ohio in February to avoid the cold. I didn’t complain about temperatures in the 80’s in Honduras. I was moved by an experience that opened my eyes to the needs of children and how much I take for granted.

I have to admit that I suffered from smartphone withdrawal. However, it was very healing to disconnect from the world and be in the moment. The only sounds at night were the cacophony of bugs, occasional barking dog, and the chirps of the geckos. And, I never got tired of the sunrise over the mountains!

I could watch this every day!

The service project I participated in involved starting a terraced garden on a slope of land on the hillside outside the housing area. The goal was to establish some sustainable gardening that would supplement  the orphanage’s  food supply. We cleared brush, moved rocks, dug holes, mixed good soil with cow patties, planted seeds of shrubs and trees that would eventually  create a rain runoff buffer to minimize erosion. It was hard work, but worth the effort. Others in the group repaired a chicken coop and laid foundations for a new one.

Clearing brush and rocks on the hillside

Preparing garden beds

Watering the bed

Planted seeds with protective mesh to protect from hungry animals

While we worked on the service projects, the children had school classes. Some walked down the hill, and others had a teacher that came to them. After our busy days, we had an activity hour scheduled with the younger kids every afternoon at 4:00.

One day we played frisbee with the boys

Some chose to color

Others decorated their Valentine cookies which we made the previous day

Everyone had at least 2 cookies

He already ate his and wanted another

They anxiously waited their turn to decorate

They spoiled their dinner appetite but it was worth it

She totally enjoyed it

One evening, we visited the older teen boys who had their own quarters down the hill.

We watched a DVD about the famous cup game

Prize was offered for the winner

The kids were all precious in their very own ways.

Samuel loved to interact with the adults and demonstrate his top-spinning skill

Jared had a fascination with gardening

Cristal was a comforter

Fernando was quiet but very sensitive, always observing in the background

The last morning, we saw the kids off to school at 6:30 am as they left to walk down the hill.

At the gate in their uniforms

The puppy needed a little more attention before they left

It’s easy to count your blessings and feel lucky. The bigger challenge is to figure out how to share them. These children reminded me that to be loved unconditionally is priceless.

I played hangman with some of the girls one afternoon. Profoundly, the phrase that girl chose was a reminder to pay it forward.

Be an example

The night before we left, Montaña de Luz received  a nameless, 7-day-old, 4 pound baby boy who children’s services had taken from his mother to be placed in foster care. The mother was deemed unfit to care for the child. In Honduras, the government  has stronger laws than in the U.S. on behalf of the child’s welfare. If he tests positive for HIV, he will remain at the orphanage until he is an adult.

Eating well and alert

Starting his 8th day

This baby boy will have lots of love on the hill if he remains.

Strangely, I thought I chose to visit Montaña de Luz to do something different in February. I’m starting to believe that it chose me to do something different with my life.

“What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and the wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives?”
E. M. Forster quotes (English Novelist and Essayist, 1879-1970)

70th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Berkenau, Poland

I visited the Auschwitz-Berkenau Nazi death camp the day after Christmas 2 years ago with a friend. It was sobering. If I ever think I am having a bad day, I will remind myself that even my worst days would have been a relief for the victims of the extermination camps. Most of the photos which I took speak for themselves.

No words

Being rounded up for the trip to Hell

Last stop, Hell

Tracks to hell

Cattle car stuffed with dozens

One-way cargo

No toilet, no water, no ventilation

German Horror Story- Auschwitz

Work makes you free

Impossible to escape

They weren’t playing

The barbed wire is creepy

The sign is ironic

Music to help the counting

Eye glasses

They took their last drink out of these

Travel bags

Their shoes

Personal items

Shaving brushes

Child’s clothing

One picture we were not allowed to take was of the room behind a glass wall filled with nearly 2 tons of human hair.

Shower room where they were gassed

Poison gas canisters

Construction model of crematorium

Upwards of 40,000 per week were exterminated this way

Crematoria

Ashes

17 year old

She lasted 4 months

R.I.P.

Je ne suis pas Charlie

Tribute to Charlie Hebdo on The Simpsons

My mother taught me to never say anything bad about someone that you wouldn’t want them to say about you. And so it is with religion as well. I could find lots of mean things to say about other religions, but I choose not to. I appreciate the freedom to express an opinion, even if it is mean, profane, ignorant or just plain stupid. But that right doesn’t make me immune from consequences.

Free speech has consequences

Religion is a wonderful thing for many people. It gives meaning to their lives. It unifies people. It often brings out the best in humanity. But it can also warp some people to commit crimes in the name of their religion to justify darker motives. This is an old story.

However, no one deserves to be murdered for simply expressing an opinion about a religion with a cartoon, regardless how offensive.

While I may have the right to express a negative opinion about the Prophet Muhammad, I don’t believe it serves any greater good to do so.  Therefore, I will say something positive about some of the world’s major religions.

Major world religions

Buddhism: I appreciate that you get more than one chance through reincarnation to finally get it right and achieve enlightenment.

Hinduism: I like how the progress toward enlightenment is measured by the karma you accumulate based on good and bad deeds in life. Islam: I respect that Muslims believe in one creator who is just, omnipotent and merciful and, by submitting to God, believe they will return to Paradise after death.

Judaism: I like that Jews believe in the inherent goodness of the world and its inhabitants as creations of God and do not require a savior to save them from original sin.

Christianity: I am amazed that nearly one-third of the world’s population views Jesus Christ as a teacher, a model of a virtuous life, a revealer of God, and a saviour of humanity.

Atheism (not technically a religion): I am impressed with people who can live good lives and not believe in a God at all.

Is there an afterlife for ideas?

Do eternal truths ever die?

Some people are threatened by ideas

Unity for the idea of freedom of expression

All is forgiven

Which is more offensive??

the satirical cartoon caricature of the Prophet Muhammad or,

the massacre of  nearly 2000 innocent Muslims and Christians by the African Islamic militant group Boko Haram, in the town of Baga, northern Nigeria?

{WARNING: GRAPHIC PICTURE}

Where was the unity march of international outrage?

Requiem for a chicken

My dear friend Mary Lou was house sitting the past few days and experienced some unnecessary drama. Tragically, Evangeline, one of the hens in the back-yard chicken coop, froze to death. She never made it into the new year, but lived a good life in 2014.

 

RIP Evangeline!

 

Quite fortunately however, Mary Lou discovered some scratchings on the floor of the coop and was able to copy and decipher the scribblings. As best as she could determine, the chirography appears to have been Evangeline’s New Year predictions in no particular order of importance:

1. Gasoline will drop to 1 dollar per gallon.
2. Hillary Clinton will finally announce her run for president.
3. The summer will see new heat records broken and water rationing in California.
4. The Pope will appoint an openly gay cardinal.
5. The Russian economy will crash and be bailed out by Obama.
6. Justin Bieber will finally act like a grown man.
7. No legislation will be passed in the US Congress.
8. Air Malaysia flight 370 will not be found.
9.  ISIL will be defeated in Syria and Iraq.
10. The OSU Buckeyes will win the national title.

I actually hope Evangeline is correct on some of these! We will just have to wait and see if that old girl knew what she was clucking about.

Christmas in Old Town Warsaw

My first experience in Old Town, Warsaw,  Poland was a couple of years ago on a frozen, sleeting, icy Christmas Eve. The lights, the hot mulled wine, and the desserts made the trip all the more worthwhile.

The Royal Castle, plac Zamkowy, Old Town, Warsaw

Old Town dates back to the 13th century.  It was totally destroyed in World War II and later rebuilt to faithfully replicate the original structures.

Old Town Palace Square

Map of plac Zamowy (Palace Square)

Old Town Market Square

A very slick Krakowskie Przedmieście, part of the Royal Route

 

Royal Route was established in the 15th century as a trade route and is one of the oldest avenues in Warsaw.

 

Christmas fantasy lights cheer up the folks at the bus stop

Presidential Palace

My favorite place for espresso and pastry

Cafe Baguette

Old Town Market Square with Mermaid Statue

 

The Mermaid Statue is a very important symbol in Warsaw.

“According to legend, a mermaid swimming in from the sea stopped on the riverbank near the Old Town to rest. She found the place so admirable that she decided to stay. Local fishermen living nearby noticed that something was creating waves, tangling nets, and releasing their fish. Although their original intention was to trap the offender, they fell in love with the mermaid upon hearing her sing. Later, a rich merchant trapped the siren and imprisoned her in a wooden hut. A young fisherman heard the mermaid’s cry and with the help of his mates, released her, whereupon she declared her readiness to offer fishermen her help whenever it would be needed. Ever since, the mermaid, armed with sword and shield, has been ready to help protect the city and its residents.”  warsawtour.pl

Old Town Market Square Christmas Village

The preferred method to stay warm is drinking hot mulled wine which helps you stop feeling the cold (or anything else)!

Hot mulled wine with orange slices

Some accordion music to cheer you up

Christmas desserts and rolls

Give your feet a break!

Warming up inside

Blueberry pierogis

 

Warsaw Old Town Tree Lighting and Celebration

Memories of the Old Towns in Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk…

When I think of Warsaw, I think of Christmas.

Wesołych Świąt!

Merry Christmas!

Bay of Fundy’s dramatic tide change, pie and scallops

“The Bay of Fundy (French: Baie de Fundy) is a bay on the Atlantic coast of North America, on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine.

The Bay of Fundy is known for having the highest tidal range in the world. Rivaled by Ungava Bay in northern Quebec, King Sound in Western Australia, Gulf of Khambhat in India, and the Severn Estuary in the UK, it has one of the highest vertical tidal ranges in the world. The Guinness Book of World Records (1975) declared that Burntcoat Head, Nova Scotia has the highest tides in the world:

‘The Natural World, Greatest Tides: The greatest tides in the world occur in the Bay of Fundy…. Burnt coat Head in the Minas Basin, Nova Scotia, has the greatest mean spring range with 14.5 metres (47.5 feet) and an extreme range of 16.3 metres (53.5 feet).'” –Wikipedia

Located between New Brunswick and southwestern Nova Scotia

It is difficult to grasp the incredible vertical change of water that occurs on average every six hours and thirteen minutes. At low tide you can literally walk out miles on the sand in some areas.

At Blomidon Provincial Park (http://www.novascotiaparks.ca/brochures/blomidon.pdf) north of Wolfville, one can see the clay sand flats and stunning red bluffs, which I even spotted from the airplane when we departed from Halifax!

Red flats at Blomidon Provincial Park

View to the southeast

How far out would you go?

600 foot clay/sand cliffs

View from the Lookoff on Gospel Woods Road

While at the lookoff, stop in for snacks and refreshments at the Look-Off  Full Menu Restaurant across the street. They have great ice cream!

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Map of Cape Blomidon

Farther west at Baxters Harbour, low tide makes it possible to explore some interesting terrain.

Baxters Harbour

Aerial view of Baxters Harbour
paulillsley.com

It is even cooler to watch the time lapse view!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fcf7q7BpfXM (courtesy of Annapolis Valley Audio Visual)

Enjoying the view of the southern shoreline of the Bay of Fundy

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Halls Harbour

Before you leave this area, be sure to make a stop at Halls Harbour. Here is proof of the 40+ feet tide change!

Boats have to wait until high tide

Six hours until the boats can enter

I loved Halls Harbour Lobster Pound. Dessert with coffee is great any day of the year!  http://www.hallsharbourlobster.com

Coconut cream pie

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And about those scallops…

Digby, famous for its scallops

About 140 km to the west in Digby, one must try some of the tasty scallop dishes and see the docks full of scallop trawlers.

Scallop kebob over bed of rice

Digby harbor on Annapolis Basin

High tide at sunset

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In some ways, life’s cycles are like the dramatic tide changes of the Bay of Fundy. You don’t know how far you’ve risen until you actually see how low you’ve been. Tide changes give you perspective.

Or to phrase it more eloquently:  “Always believe something wonderful is going to happen. Even with all the ups and downs, never take a day for granted. Cherish the little things and hug the ones you love.”  –Anurag Prakash Ray