Flower Pots and Moi
Anxious, excited and curious is how I felt as I anticipated my visit to Hopewell Rocks. It is the most talked about natural attraction in the Moncton, New Brunswick area. Located east of Moncton, the Hopewell Rocks is a park and sightseeing destination enjoyed on foot during low tides and by kayak during high tides. The highlight of the park are the flower pot rock formations that are scattered along the shoreline beaches under the shadows of red rock cliffs.
The Hopewell Rocks is situated on the Bay of Fundy. The highest tides in Canada. During the day, like clock work, the tides recede exposing mud flats and towering rock formations known as flower pots. At high tides the water rises 4 to 6 metres, swallowing up the beaches, engulfing the flower pot structures and clawing away at the red rock cliffs.
Timing is everything when exploring the park. To explore on foot one must refer to the tide tables and visit the park at low tide which is when the beach is accessible. Beach access is closed during high tides. If wishing to kayak to the flower pot structures one must time it so the tides are in.. otherwise… you can expect to be beached, therefore forced to walk across the mud flats in order to reach the rocks.
Throughout the Hopewell Rocks there are many sightseeing destinations including Daniels Flats, Demoiselles Beach, Diamond Rock, Big Cove, Castle Cove, North Beach and the Flower Pot Rocks. Most are enjoyed from viewpoints and lookouts located along a boardwalk and gravel trail. It is near the main attraction, the Flower Pot Rocks, where there is a trail and spiral steps leading down to the beach.
Experience pays off many times over when in our line of work. It was evident on this trip. I learned, a long time ago, that exploring beaches at low tide is most fun when wearing rubber boots or hiking boots. Why? Well.. because at low tides there are often sections of beach which are covered in mud flats. Mud flats destroy new domestic shoes. In the parking lot I changed from sandals ( very good move ) to hiking boots anticipating a very messy and muddy beach. Something, I saw later that many people failed to do and regretted it.
Diamond Rock Lookout
Suited up in good foot wear, loaded down with camera and video equipment, I set off to explore. First I took a side tour to a viewpoint overlooking the mud flats at low tide called Diamond Rock. The sun reflected off the sheen of the beach. It was a polished surfaced stretching for kilometres. High up on the cliff was a wooden viewing deck. It was packed with people, elbow to elbow. Kids pushing and parents fighting for rail space. My visit was short as the scene was not my thing. Click, click with my camara and I was outta there.
From the lookout I followed the trail through the forest, along the cliffs, to the entrance stairs leading down to the beach. I arrived at the beginning of the low tide period so I had plenty of time to play. As I descended down the stairwell nice and clean, people were coming up the stairs complaining, dirty and covered in mud. Most were wearing sandals caked in mud high above their ankles. Some, frustrated, were carrying their shoes dripping in mud and walking in bare feet. I saw many pairs of expensive sneakers coated with mud. I even saw a lady in heels.. what was she thinking?
Flower Pot Rocks
At the bottom of the stairs I smiled because in front of me were beautiful rock structures, sky blue ocean views and more people tip toeing, slipping and sliding, around the mud as if walking around land mines. Most were in sandals… some gave up on being careful and embraced the mud while others were standing on rocks like a perched Blue Heron not wanting to move in fear of the mud. It was if they were on an island surrounded by sharks.
Me… I felt like a rigged up, super charged, 4×4 dressed in my hiking boots and wind breaker. They tip toed along a designated trail. I splashed, hopped and crashed through mud holes making my own route, acting like a kid in a sand box.
People watched me in envy ( or disgust ). I could hear some them think, “I wish I wore my boots.” And others think, “What an idiot.” I did not care two bits about what they thought. Plus, they were in sandals being careful while I was in boots being care free.
The flower pots were majestic. Most shaped by time, winds and sea. I roamed the beach, going through rock tunnels, leading from one section of the beach to another. The rocks swirled, twisted and curved around each corner. I followed the crowds to the main viewing rocks. Then after I broke away from the norm and explored down the beach as far as I could before cliffs stopped me. The scenery was amazing. The entertainment was everywhere.
Tunnel Vision
People were slipping and falling in the mud. Some got up cursing others laughing. Me.. I smiled and chuckled to myself as I watched people coming to terms with the mud. When in Canada it is always prudent to prepare at all times when exploring nature. Even the manicured, well maintained, commercial parks one must prepare as nature can provide surprises.