I had three things I wanted to do in Moncton today: The tidal bore, the magnetic hill and the Moncton Museum to see the old Meeting House.  We were one third (and a half) successful.

We drove to the museum.  It is closed on Mondays.  The Free Meeting House is on the grounds of the museum so we could see the building, just not go in.  It was built in 1821 and was the only building for worship in Moncton at the time.  It was built by the community and used by a variety of congregations: Protestant, Roman Catholic and Jewish until 1963. The Meeting House is the oldest building in Moncton and has the oldest cemetary out back.

A peek through the window at the boxed pews.  Fancy script engraving

Second: We drove to the Magnetic Hill which is located 10 km out of town at the Zoo.  Normally it costs $5.00 to try it but there was no one in the kiosk.  We followed the instructions and John drove to the bottom of the hill, pulled over to the left and parked by the white post.  Then he put Poppy in neutral, took his foot of the brake and the truck reversed itself back up the hill.  It is some kind of optical illusion but you drove down the hill to the post and end up at the top of the hill – no idea how that happens.  An unusual sort of thing.

The Tidal Bore was not due until the rising tide comes in.  The schedule posted said 3:42 pm – 15-20 minutes either way.  Since it was only late morning we drove 30 km down Route 114 to the Hopewell Rocks.

 The leaves are changing color.  I think we will be blessed with a taste of it by the time we leave the East.  Not the full glory, but a bit.

We timed our arrival at The Flowerpots perfectly.  The tide was still out which allowed us to go out and walk on the ocean floor.  Everyone had to be back on the steps by 3:15 in order to not get trapped when the tide comes in.  John was way down the shore having just crossed a 6′ wide section of sand and one of the staff came along and said into his radio, “Should be about 38 seconds now.”  John said, “38 seconds?”  “Yep, 38 seconds.”  “I’m outa here,” says John.  And sure enough in seconds that 6′ section of land was under water.

Knotted Wrack Rockweed   The tide is coming in.

View at Diamond Rock.

We made our way back up to the top and stopped briefly at a couple of observations decks to see how fast the water rose.  Fast.  Then we headed for Moncton to see the Tidal Bore.  We arrived on time – even a few minutes to spare but today was one of the days it came early so we missed it.

The Tidal Bore happens twice a day with the changing of the tide.  The water flowing out of the Petitcodiac River (nicknamed The Chocolate River because it is always brown from the mud getting stirred up twice a day) meets the water coming in with the rising tide (or vice versus when the tide is going out) and when the waters meet a single large wave is created that flows up the river until it dissipates.  It is sufficient to surf on. A fellow rode it today – but obviously we missed that too.

Still.  It was a lovely day at the Flowerpots and I am very happy we got there a few hours after low tide and were able to walk around. Now here is a shock for you all: we are going to get up early tomorrow – as in 6 am – check out of our hotel right away, and drive back down to see the flowerpot ‘islands’ with the water at high tide.

We planned this route to go to the Bay of Fundy National Park on our way to St. John so it works out well.  Except for the 6 am part.  We both got up early for so many years when we were working that we don’t like doing it now unless we absolutely have to.  We’re just a pair of lazy slackers and we make no apologies for it either!