Thursday, January 21, 2010

Hall's Harbour

Here in Pismo Beach today it was a repeat of yesterday...rain, rain and more rain.  Except for taking Annie out for a walk between rainstorms, we just decided to hunker down for the day. 

As is our habit from time to time, Bruce and I began reminiscing about past trips.  We have so many memories of the trips my Dad took with us, but one particular story always makes us laugh.  Well, most of them make us laugh actually.  This one happens to involve our RV trip to Nova Scotia with Dad in 2007.

Dad was so excited that we were taking him to a far eastern province of Canada, Nova Scotia.  He had always dreamed of going there, but never thought he would get the opportunity.  Prior to leaving, all he talked about was the Bay of Fundy.  He'd seen some travelogues on the area many times.  In one of them he saw some people walking on the bottom of the ocean during the low tide period in the Bay of Fundy.  So, he asked us about that.  We told him we didn't know for sure where that location was because we hadn't see the travelogue.  We told him we'd try to find it for him. 

We were actually in Nova Scotia for about 6 weeks and we went all over the place during that time.   We visited many different towns on the Bay of Fundy and each time Dad would ask, "Is this where you can walk on the ocean floor?"  Bruce or I would patiently answer, "I'm not sure but it doesn't look like you can do that here."  Sometimes it would be high tide, so you couldn't do it anyway.  Dad must have asked us THE question at least 6 times.

Finally, one day when we were staying in the town of Kingston I happened to catch something in a tourist advertisement about Hall's Harbour on the Bay of Fundy.  We thought we'd go over that evening and check it out.  It was high tide....so there was to be no walking on the ocean floor that day.  We did, however, find a great Lobster Pound and we all ate fresh lobster for dinner.  We found out when low tide was expected for the next day and planned our return visit.

(I have no photo of high tide.  I was not a blogger and did not save or keep many photos at all)

The next day we planned our arrival to the tiny village of Hall's Harbour to coincide with low tide.  Finally, we'd give Dad the chance to walk on the ocean floor.  The tiny harbor even had a boat ramp (see photo) so Dad would be able to walk right down to the bottom. 



We pulled up and got a great parking spot by the Lobster Pound.  Everyone got out with our cameras and we went over to the ramp.......
Bruce says, "There you go, Bob.  You can finally walk on the ocean floor."
Dad says, "Oh I don't want to really do it.  I just wondered where it was."



All righty then...let's just take a quick photo and get back in the car.  So much for walking on the ocean floor.  Dad was intrigued by the tide fluctuation we saw that day.  In Hall's Harbour there is usually at least a 42-foot height variance from high to low tide.  They boast about being the world's highest and lowest tide location. We actually saw the fishing boats sitting on the bottom of the harbor.  This little fishing village is fantastic overlooking the Bay of Fundy, and from the south side of town you can look out over the Annapolis Valley and it is so beautiful.  Check this LINK for more information on this village.

I just thought I'd share that little travel tale with everyone.  We're hoping we only have one more bad day of rain and we may actually be getting out to take some pics of this area and see what is new since our last visit.

Until next time.....so long for now!

9 comments:

Al Bossence said...

The Annapolis Valley area brings back some distant memories for me. I was stationed at HMCS Cornwallis (naval bootcamp) near Digby Nova Scotia back in 1965.

Gypsy said...

That is a good story. I think by the time I finally found it, I would have yanked him by the hand and walked out with him!!! But whether or not he walked on the ocean floor, it is something you will never forget.

Kenny And Angela's Adventure said...

Great story Margie,I also have good memories of traveling with my dad when I drove over the road.
Thanks for bringing them back.

Margie M. said...

Al, I think you might see some changes there in old Digby from back in the 60's. Lots and lots of tourist shops now, but still a beautiful little town, as it must have been back then.

Jerry and Suzy said...

Margie, sharing your older travel stories is a very good thing to do when it's rainy and you can't get out for a while. We enjoy reading them, and you enjoy reliving them. A win-win situation.

Nova Scotia is high on our bucket list, and now we know just where to go to walk on the ocean floor!

Rick said...

What a great story, Margie. Thanks for sharing that with us. The Bay of Fundy has always been on my list of places I want to visit - now, I know exactly where I want to go too!

KarenInTheWoods said...

Great story! and Kudos to you for being so patient and trying to help him find that place. Even if he didn't want to actually *walk* on it. LOL

Happytrails said...

What a wonderful story and what a great memory you all have with your father. I had to laugh because my dear dad probably would have done the same thing.

Hope your weather passes through quickly and things return to sunny for you again.

Hugs,
Mike and Gerri

cynthia said...

Hi,

I work for Tourism Nova Scotia and I just happened accross your blog. Thanks for sharing such a lovely memory with your father. That's a great story...oh I didn't want to do it...I just wondered where it was :) There is actually now a race called the Not Since Moses Race where people run across the ocean floor. It's a pretty muddy but fun experience, though I haven't been brave enough to try it yet! LOL, I guess I too didn't yet want to try it...

Thanks againf or sharing, perhaps you'll make it back again to visit some day!

Cynthia