Day 35 - Hilden, Nova Scotia

Happy 4th of July to all my Family and American Friends.  All of our RV’s and 5th Wheels are proudly decorated with our American Flags.  No fireworks  here in Nova Scotia but some of us made our own with our very exciting adventure today.  We went river rafting.  The Bay of Fundy is home to the highest tides in the world, creating the Shubenacadie River’s Tidal Bore – a natural phenomenon seen in very few parts of the world.

The tide enters at its widest point and the water literally “piles up” as it flows up the bay.  At the very head of the bay this advancing tide becomes a wave, varying  from just a ripple to several feet in height.  This wave – referred to as the Tidal Bore – continues into and up the River.  Thus we have the phenomenon of a river changing its flow before your very eyes, created by the tidal wave, or bore, flowing in OVER the outgoing river water.

Our group - Fran, Roger, Roni and Sharon

Getting ready for our adventure.  I was too hot to put on the jacket but trust me, when we were in the water, it was all on. We were all hamming it up.  Some people didn't use the gear.   The gear was hanging nice and neat waiting for us as well as the rafts below.  I want to thank our friends for taking all these pictures as we had no room for a camera or wanted to ruin ours. 

Our group: Stuart, Fran, Roger, Wally, Sharon, Roni & Bruce

More pictures of us getting ready.  The guys in the bottom left picture are a group of German guys that part of the International Tattoo  They did a small performance for us which was absolutely hysterical.  This was our long walk down to the water.  When we returned, it was all covered with water up to the grassy area. 

This is what you call the Motley Crew!

We rode one of the most powerful bodies of water in the world.  We were in powered Zodiacs so we could meet and ride the bore – chasing, surfing and jumping this tidal surge.  After the initial wave passes, sandbars (20 – 100 acres) are engulfed by the tidewater rushing inland creating tidal rapids, whirlpools, cross-currents and eddies which last for 3 hours.  Several passes through each set of rapids were made.  The trip was narrated by experienced guides explaining local history and geology.  We saw several Bald Eagles.  Here we are coming up to the viewing point by the bridge.  We were soaking wet as you can tell by the hair.  The water was smooth here but once we past this area, we really hit some huge waves.  The raft would be full of water so we all moved back until it emptied out then when at it again.

Jackie and Bob, in the black, are w/our group but took
a shorter trip than we did.  Stuart is in the middle
opposite them.

Here we are all coming together to the bridge area.  All the rafts were together during the trip and we had an extra raft with a guide in case someone had any problems.  We actually had to switch our raft because the motor kept stalling.  You can barely see but the river was mostly sand bars but once the tital wave came through, there was at least 40 feet of water covering the bottom.

Nobody was in the area of the rapids so this is a picture taken off a brochure, so it may be hard to distinquish, but this is the rapids in action.  We were holding on for dear life.  Bruce and I rafted down the Grand Canyon but some of these rapids were much worse.  Our guide would take us through a rapids, circle, then go through again.  What a BLAST!!!!!  Our arms were a bit sore the next day.

Once we returned three hours later, we jumped into the showers and cleaned up before we had our lunch.  We all had sand in places where the sun doesn't shine.

Upon our return, it was time to celebrate The 4th with Hot Dogs and all the fixings.  Everyone pitched in with a dish to pass.  Had ice cream for dessert.  As you will notice, there is always food in our get togethers.

Hope you all had a great holiday.  Sorry to hear about all the heat in the States.  Take Care and stay cool!!