More To Write About

More To Write About ...

Story Ideas
Unique Coastal Adventures
Good eats along the Bay of Fundy
Culinary Experiences
Women of the Bay
Cruising is Big Business
Bay of Fundy Cities
The Fundy Isles
Bay of Fundy Inventions

Story Ideas

Walk on the ocean floor at the Hopewell Rocks…kayak six hours later!
At high tide, with 100 billion tonnes of saltwater moving in the Bay of Fundy, you can kayak among what look like small treed islands floating freely off the coast. As the tide shifts, the water recedes and visitors can get up close and personal with the flowerpot-shaped rock formations by walking on the ocean floor.
For more information:
    Noel Hamann
    (506) 734-3532
    http://www.thehopewellrocks.ca

North America’s first Global Geopark Recognized by UNESCO
Stonehammer GeoPark, which lies along New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy coastline, has been added to the UNESCO Global Network of National GeoParks.
With an area of 2,500 square kilometres, StoneHammer encompasses communities, coastlines, river rapids and more. Amid rock formations dating back as far as a billion years, visitors can experience 15 highlighted adventures such as sea-cave exploration and self-guided geology walks.
For more information:
    Gail Bremner
    (506) 214-1317
    http://stonehammer.nbm-mnb.ca/home

Explore an Unspoiled Coast at the Fundy Trail
One of the last remaining coastal wilderness areas in North America is now accessible via the Fundy Trail. This multi-use corridor along New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy features almost 15 km (9 mi.) of coastal roadway and a large network of trails. Bike, hike or drive the Fundy Trail to view the natural, unspoiled beauty of the Bay of Fundy coast, spot whales, and learn about the history of what was once a vibrant fishing, logging and shipbuilding community.

Hearst Lodge
Many high profile celebrities and politicians were entertained at Hearst Lodge, which was built as a fishing lodge for William Randolph Hearst, and was originally accessible only by helicopter.
Today, a beautiful one-hour hike on a scenic riverside footpath will take you to accommodations and day adventures at the Hearst Lodge, now one of the highlights of the interpretation system at the Fundy Trail Parkway.
For more information:
    Brian Clark
    (506) 833-2019
    http://www.fundytrailparkway.com/en

Whales at Home in Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy waters are home to 12 species of whales. Finback, Humpback, Minke and North Atlantic Right whales are all common sightings.
Dedicated to scientific investigation of marine life in the Bay of Fundy with emphasis on threatened and endangered marine mammals such as the Harbour Porpoise and Right Whale, the Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station also engages in education and conservation of the marine ecosystem in the Bay of Fundy.
For more information:
    Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station
    (506) 662-3804
    http://www.gmwsrs.org/main.htm

New Aquarium: Fundy Discovery Centre
A major addition to The Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews-by-the Sea is under construction and due to open in summer 2011.The new Fundy Discovery Aquarium will be an $8-millon facility that will integrate science, education and research activities for the public as well as students. It will feature an aquarium, unique displays and galleries, and a learning theatre where the mystery of the Bay of Fundy’s towering tides and diverse wildlife is explained.
The Huntsman has been an important marine biology education centre since 1969.
For more information:
    Jim Cornall
    (506) 529-1260
    http://www.huntsmanmarine.ca/

One Stop Flight For Bay of Fundy Shorebirds
The Bay of Fundy is the only stop on a 4,000-km (2,486 mi.) southbound journey that over 34 species of
shorebirds make from the Arctic to their winter home in South America. The birds feed on a small, highly nutritious mud shrimp that allows them to double their body weight and provides the necessary energy stores for their southern migration. When the birds take flight en masse, they seem to dance in a choreographed fashion that is truly exquisite to behold.
http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/MPSR
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLV1yHs_yNQ

Mary's Point is one of the best places along the Bay of Fundy, and perhaps the world, for viewing shorebirds. Hundreds of thousands of semi-palmated sandpipers stop here each summer.
At low tide they scurry about, consuming between 9,600-23,000 mud shrimp each tide cycle. After leaving Fundy the sandpipers travel at an average of 60km per hour, and their non-stop flight takes approximately 40 to 60 hours. Mary's Point Bird Sanctuary is protected as a part of the Shepody National Wildlife Area. www.bayoffundy.com/albertcounty.aspx
For more information:
    David Christie
    (506) 882-2100

Aquaculture Thriving on the Bay of Fundy
Twenty-five years ago, Glenn Cooke, his brother, Michael, and their father, Gifford, stocked a single marine site with 5,000 salmon. Today the family business is a world leader in aquaculture, renowned for innovative farming practices, environmental improvements and providing a superior product to huge markets along the US East Coast.
Aquaculture has helped rejuvenate many of the coastal communities around the Bay of Fundy – long a site for traditional fisheries. Today, fishermen still set their traps and lines but families have also come to depend on aquaculture. From the farmers and processors to the marine mechanics, truckers and hardware stores – aquaculture’s spinoff benefits are widespread.
For more information:
    Nell Halse
    (506) 694-4908
    nhalse@cookeaqua.com

UNIQUE COASTAL ADVENTURES!

Off-Kilter An epic mountain bike ride or gentle island exploration…in kilts!
The Off-Kilter gang at Ripple Fitness in St. Andrews by-the-Sea will show you what kilted mountain biking is all about!
For the daring: an epic ride on the cliff-side lifesaving trails on Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy.
For the rest: bike across the ocean floor to Minister’s Island, the summer home of railroad baron Sir William Van Horne, who was the force behind the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Ride some amazing single local track (stop for deer and horses, please) and pause for a personalized yoga session or even art lesson on the beach if you like. Just make sure to ride back across the sand bar before it is covered by the incoming tide!
For more information:
    Kurt Gumushel
    506-466-8388
    http://www.ripplefitness.ca

Zipline at the world-famous Bay of Fundy Reversing Rapids
The new Saint John Adventures zipline adventure delivers chills and excitement on five lines suspended high between six towers. The final leg— a dual line so you can race with your buddy to the finish—zips over water, offering amazing views of the Falls right where the Bay of Fundy and St. John River struggle for supremacy and the powerful tides push the river backwards twice a day!
For more information:
    Terry Stevens
    506-634-9477
    http://saintjohnadventures.ca

Search for Whales by Zodiac – Fundy Tide Runners Whale Watching and Nature Tours
A 7.5-m (25-ft.) diesel-powered Zodiac™ speeds you out to the Bay of Fundy. Dressed warmly in Mustang survival suits you cruise through the West Isles archipelago to the rich whale feeding grounds
where finback, minke and humpback whales surface nearby. Porpoises, seals and eagles are regularly encountered on this safe, stable, dry and exciting 2-hour marine adventure. $55 per adult; $40 per child For more information:
    David Welch
    506-529-4481
    www.fundytiderunners.com

Challenge Yourself at Cape Enrage
Cape Enrage offers one of the most spectacular views of the Bay of Fundy from its towering cliffs and has been a light station and fog alarm since 1838; the current light tower is over 150 years old. It’s a breathtaking setting for a personal challenge: rappelling down a 43-m (140-ft.) natural cliff toward the Bay. On the way back up, you scale a 18-m (60-ft.) sandstone cliff gleaming red in the sunlight.
For more information:
    Mitch
    1-888-423-5454
    www.capeenrage.ca

New! Cape Enrage’s Cape House Restaurant
With an all new menu featuring mainly local products and what is said to be the best view in North America, local   twists have been added to many family-favourite dishes, including lobster poutine and lobster mac & cheese. Even dogs can enjoy a treat — lighthouse shaped cookies especially made for the furry pets. www.capeenrage.ca/index.php/site/restaurant

GOOD EATS ALONG THE BAY OF FUNDY

In addition to succulent lobster and scallops (there’s a seafood catch of the day every day to enjoy!) the Bay of Fundy region is home to some special culinary treats. A sampling of local favourites:

Dulse is harvested by hand and sun-dried on rocks, and is the salty sea-snack 'du jour' (of the day) on Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy. Legend has it that it calms the spirits of the seas and encourages harmony in the home. It has a well-earned reputation for infusing chowders, soups and bouillabaisse with the flavour of the sea. Maritimers often eat dulse as they would eat potato chips!
www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/Home/Activities/DiningCuisine/LocalCuisine/Dulse.aspx

Smoked salmon, specially selected Atlantic salmon are taken directly from the frigid waters of the Bay of Fundy to the smoke houses of Oven Head Salmon Smokers and Wolfhead Smokers. The perfect smoking process uses a low salt brine and cold smoke from a combination of oak and hickory chips to produce a superior product. Additional products which have been produced are smoked salmon pate and smoked salmon jerky.

Wild blueberries… some say it’s the northern nights and sunny days or the soil or the rain but all agree it is simply nature's way of producing the best blueberries anywhere, right here in New Brunswick. Here in coastal fields and barrens, wild blueberries have grown naturally for thousands of years. They are one of only three berries native to North America. Blueberries can be served many ways, from pies to crumbles to savory sauces or stuffing for a turkey.

Moosehead beer, Canada’s oldest and last major independent brewery, dates back to 1867. Susannah Oland brewed a single vat of beer from family recipes in her backyard. The beer is sold in the US, the UK, Australia, Japan and Sweden. The plant in Saint John, New Brunswick is on the former premises of the old James Ready brewery. In the 1940s the Oland family changed the name to Moosehead.

TRY THESE CULINARY EXPERIENCES:

A Taste of the Good Life – Rossmount Inn, St. Andrews
Smell, touch, pinch, select. You’ll be fully engaged by a walk through the inn’s kitchen garden, choosing fresh, organic herbs, vegetables and edible flowers alongside your chef. In the evening, your culinary tour comes right to your dinner table. Your gourmet meal is created with local, seasonal, organic and wild foods from the area, with fresh Bay of Fundy seafood a prominent feature!.
For more information:
    Chris and Graziella Aerni
    506-529-3351
    www.rossmountinn.com

Motion by the Ocean – Opera Bistro, Saint John
You don’t have to buy four different meals to take this tour of stand-out entrees. Start with a scallop and mussel hors d’oeuvre at Billy’s Seafood Company. Then, Opera Bistro is host for a seasonal seafood
course. Move on to ‘get lobstered’ at Steamers Lobster Company. Let Happinez Wine Bar deliver the sweet finale. Along the way, discover historic downtown Saint John as you walk the easy distances between each stop.
For more information:
    Margaret Begner
    506-642-2822
    www.operabistro.com

WOMEN OF THE BAY

North America’s First Female Sea Captain: Molly Kool
On May 25, 1939, Molly Kool of Alma, NB, became Canada's —and North America’s—first licensed woman sea captain. After receiving her ticket, Molly took command of the vessel "Jean K" and worked the coastal trade throughout the Bay of Fundy until after World War II. She worked on scows hauling lumber from Alma, and managed all-male crews

Molly Kool’s Home Moving to Fundy National Park: The Alma residence of the late Molly Kool, the first woman in North America to earn the rank of sea captain, will be relocated to Fundy National Park. The move will raise awareness of Kool's ground-breaking accomplishments as well as shine a spotlight on the region's extensive marine history. .
For more information:
    David Christie
    (506) 882-2100

Dr. Mary Majka
Mary Majka’s passion for the natural world along the Bay of Fundy is the stuff of legends, and a recently published book explores the life of this fascinating woman.

    Nature writer Harry Thurston, author of Tidal Life, states that Mary Majka has done more     to     preserve the natural and cultural legacy of the Bay of Fundy than anyone in our time, and that     Sanctuary: The Story of Naturalist Mary Majka (Goose Lane Editions, 2010) by Deborah Carr is     an engaging and clear-eyed portrait of her indomitable spirit — a celebration of a courageous life.

    Sanctuary is [ ]a true tribute to the complex, feisty woman who was the driving force behind the     internationally acclaimed Mary's Point Shorebird Reserve on the Bay of Fundy.

    It is the story of a woman born as a daughter of privilege in her native Poland, who survived     personal tragedy and incarceration at a forced labour camp during World WarII, who lost     everything, yet found the resolve to rebuild her life in Canada. In the latter half of her life, Mary     found her true calling, becoming a revered advocate for the protection of     wildlife, a proponent for     heritage preservation, and the host of her own children's     television show Have You Seen?

    She started the first children's nature centre in a national park, and fought tirelessly to create the     major and critically important Mary's Point Shorebird Reserve on the Bay of Fundy, where over     75 per cent of the world's population of Semipalmated Sandpipers stop to rest and feed on their     way to winter in South America.

    As president of the New Brunswick Federation of Naturalists and the Albert County Heritage     Trust, Mary helped to protect and preserve her province's wildlife and historic and natural sites.
                        (Text by Leslie Cockburn & Corey Redekop)

Tea with Eleanor – Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Campobello Island
Eleanor Roosevelt, the spouse of U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was a remarkable woman with ideas well ahead of her time. As one of the first daily guests to arrive at the visitor centre to get a ticket, you will experience an afternoon of enlightenment on the deck at Hubbard Cottage. With an expert guide, you learn more about her exceptional accomplishments. The history of world events during the first half of the 20th century resonates in the halls and grounds of this summer retreat.
For more information:
    1-877-851-6663
    info@fdr.net

CRUISING IS BIG BUSINESS

The Port of Saint John will welcome this year cruise ships from two lines that have not previously docked in the city – MSC Cruises and Oceania Cruises.
Since the first cruise ship was blown off course in a hurricane into Saint John Harbour in 1989, the cruise industry has thrived, and is now worth an estimated $25-million. Over 205,000 passengers on 76 ships visited Saint John in 2010.
With a new $11-million waterfront terminal, Saint John has been recognized as one of the top cruise destinations at Seatrade Insider’s Cruise Awards, and the American Association of Port Authorities presented the prestigious Cruise Award to Betty MacMillan, manager of cruise development.
Saint John will see some of the biggest cruise ships in the world, with the recent announcement of a $19-million investment to the Port to expand berthing capacity, allowing ships more than 300 m in length carrying more than 5000 passengers by 2012. www.sjport.com

BAY OF FUNDY CITIES

Saint John – Canada’s Oldest Incorporated City is full of historic landmarks, including the bustling Saint John City Market, in operation since 1876. Its unique ceiling is shaped like the inverted hull of a ship.
Moncton – Canada’s Bilingual City is vibrant and cultured, infused with urban, Acadian spirit, and found on the eastern end of the Fundy Coastal Drive.
And Fundy’s seaside resort town: St. Andrews by-the-Sea!

THE FUNDY ISLES

Grand Manan Island is home to miles of seaside trails and unique geography. It is truly a birdwatcher’s paradise, as John James Audubon attested!

Campobello Island is known for its breathtaking landscape and is home to the Roosevelt Campobello International Park – where the former summer home of the late President and Mrs. Roosevelt has been preserved. See whales in the distance from one of the many scenic lookout points.

Deer Island, the smallest of the Fundy Isles, is home to Old Sow Whirlpool, the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere.

BAY OF FUNDY INVENTIONS
•    Scuba tank, James Elliott and Alexander McAvity, Saint John – 1839
•    Clothes washer with roller wringer, John E. Turnbull, Saint John - 1843
•    Combined hot and cold water faucets, Thomas Campbell, Saint John - 1880
•    Dump-box for trucks, Robert T. Mawhinney, Saint John – 1920
•    Sardine cans, Henry T. Austin, Black’s Harbour – 1932

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