Hopewell Rocks
Here the powerful Bay of Fundy tides have literally carved nearby massive columns of rock, wearing wigs of gnarled evergreens, into natural sculptures nicknamed the "flowerpot rocks". During low tides visitors can make their way down to the beach by a set of steep stairs (there's a cost to enter the park) and explore rocky columns, caves and crevices.

This is a place where kids can get mud between their toes and collect stones from the ocean floor that they can later brag about to their friends back home. Signs are posted to warn you when to leave the ocean floor six hours before high tides 10m to 14m (32` to 46`) return creating rocky islands of the "flowerpots".

Riverside-Albert
After you leave Hopewell Rocks travel Highway 114 south along the coastline to the little community of Riverside-Albert (about 20 minutes from the park). A meal at Ramona's Kitchen is like going home. Ramona does the cooking and her daughter, Laurie serves up some of the best home cooking in the world! It's an old style, rather matronly restaurant on Mill Street. Take away some of the freshly baked pastries from the attached bakery.

A little known museum is the old Bank of New Brunswick which houses the Bank Museum in this two-eye blink village. Admission is free, and the museum is fascinating. The building, which also served as a residence for the bank manager and his family for over 100 years, still has the original vault and family furnishings.

Just down the road look for a little sign that points you to a spectacular lookout high above the village. It's a breathtaking view and one you will not soon forget.

Return back to Moncton along Highway 114 north (halfway between Hopewell Rocks and Moncton) and you can step back in time by taking a train operated by the Salem and Hillsborough Railroad.

This one and a half-hour train ride travels along a private line. Art Cloves, Director of the railroad and the museum which adjourns the main street station said, "the train travels every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. during July and August, with special fall foliage trips in the autumn months." The equipment used was formerly owned by Canadian National Railway and built between 1911 to 1985. The train and museum is operated entirely by 50 or so volunteers.

Moncton
Moncton, with a metropolitan population of about 100,000, is nestled along the banks of the Petitcodiac River in Southeastern New Brunswick. It's a city that celebrates joie de vivre all year long. Although it is home to the largest mall in Atlantic Canada it's really the downtown area that has the character. There are plenty of great shops, and classy restaurants. Several cafes line the brick sidewalks up to the cities main drag. Every night seems to be cruise night. Some of the most happening bars east of Montreal surround you.

If you like to walk you'll fall in love with this downtown area. Just off the main drag there are beautifully and lovingly restored hundred year homes and churches. Five historic churches of different denominations are on Church Street. Father David E Mercer of St. George's Anglican Church sits most early mornings reading on the front steps of his church. When it hits 7 a.m. he's off to ring the 1855 church bells to summon early morning parishioners. Nearby on Alma Street, Linda Glencross is preparing breakfast for her guest at her spacious turn of the century home. The Downtown Bed and Breakfast was at one time the Rectory for St. George's Anglican Church.

If you're here on a Saturday the indoor downtown Moncton Market is a hive of activity from 7a.m.to 1p.m.

Another attraction that will draw you in is Magnetic Hill Theme Park, which is anchored by the world-renowned Magnetic Hill. You can sit in your car and watch as you mysteriously coast uphill. You figure it out! The park includes a zoo, lazy River tube rides, a giant wave pool and you can even relax in a hot tub.

Put aside another day to drive the Acadian Coast for a glimpse into the past of the areas French language residents- the Acadians. One of the highlights of this drive is the Irving Eco-Centre. This fragile finger of land jutting into the Northumberland Strait is one of the last great dunes on the northeastern coast of North America.

You might be lucky and see one of the local fishers return with their daily catch of lobster. Two locals greeted them at the wharf and purchased 28 fresh...really fresh...lobsters. And at unbelievable prices.

George Bailey is a professional photographer and writer. He lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario and is a member of the Travel Media Association of Canada. You can reach him at GBailey@regional.niagara.on.ca All photos courtesy of George Bailey.

For More Information
Call Moncton Tourism
800 363 4558
www.Moncton.org

Hopewell Rocks
877 734-3429
www.TheHopewellRocks.Ca

Salem and Hillsborough Railroad and Museum
506-734-3195
www.shrr.ca

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© 2006

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