Riverside-Albert, New Brunswick

We left Rick and Elaines place just before lunch yesterday and made our way down to Hopewell Rocks. We were at Hopewell Rocks three years ago, but the tide was in at the time, and we wanted to see it with the tide out.

The land that Hopewell Rocks is on belongs to the province of New Brunswick, and they charge $9 per adult to get in. But we remembered from when we were here last time that there's a trail that goes down to the shoreline and then you can just walk along the shore to get in. It's a bit of a hike because you have to park pretty far away to even get to the trail, but we are cheap and would rather do a long walk than to pay $18!

It was a nice summer day and the place was busy with tourists.

Hiking on the shore towards Hopewell Rocks you can start to see the tourists.

The whole area is caused by erosion from the tide. The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world and the water level at this area can rise as much as 50 feet!

When the tide comes in, the water would be way over Ruth's head.

Again, when the tide comes in, the water would be way over my head!

The shoreline is very muddy, and these people are in it up to their knees!

Lots of tourists this day!

Here is a pic from 3 years ago with the tide in!

However neat this area is, it's not as nice as it used to be. This year, the government (in all of it's wisdom) has decided that the shoreline is dangerous. No matter that people have been visiting this area for hundreds of years, they have decided once again to protect people from themselves and have erected a whole bunch of ropes and signs saying that rocks might fall on you. I feel that it is totally unsightly and takes away from the natural state of the area. This is just my opinion, and some may not agree with me, but I once again have to say that we have FAR too many rules in this country and it just keeps getting worse. The pics above were purposely taken not to show the unsightly barriers, but the pics below show some of them.

After Hopewell Rocks, we drove on to the town of Riverside-Albert. We actually made a bit of a wrong turn, but it led us to a school and I spotted right away that it would be a great overnight location. We parked Sherman there, and took the little car out to Cape Enrage to see if it was worthwhile taking the motorhome out there or not, but decided it wasn't worth it. Then we carried on the the village of Alma which is right at the border of Fundy National Park.

When we were at Fundy Park three years ago, we had parked overnight at the Alma Lobster Shop. They had a nice large parking area and had said we were welcome to boondock there. We stopped in to see them again and ask if it was still possible, but as soon as we drove up we saw that they had expanded and their parking area wasn't as large as it used to be. Anyhow, we went inside and they were just as friendly as last time and still said we were welcome to overnight there if we wish. We will return there today and buy fresh lobster at $5.99 a pound! Then after they close we will go there to overnight.

Anyhow, drove the little car back to Sherman, and had a very peaceful night parked beside the school.

Great boondocking spot when school is not in session! (GPS 45.748787 -64.732196)

Parked beside the Riverside-Albert Consolidate School, built 1905.

On our drive, we also saw another great boondocking spot beside a small church with a large parking lot. Great for any size rig! (GPS 45.645856,-64.845707)

Today is looking cloudy with some showers. We're in Alma, parked near the skating rink but you can't overnight here. Later in the day, we'll move over to the Alma Lobster Shop for the night.

Only did 50 kms (30 miles) yesterday!