Day 18 - Hilden, Nova Scotia

2013 07 10

Hilden, Nova Scotia

We Were Bored

Wednesday morning and the weather is gorgeous, the temperature comfortable for everyone.

A good number of the group took the short drive into Truro.  The town is unique in that it has taken a natural calamity and a wee bit of a disaster, and turned that into an attraction that draws many, many people each year.  At one time Truro had many proud elm trees.  These fell victim to what is called Dutch Elm Disease, leaving this community with soaring hulks of bare trees.  Some one got the brilliant idea that they were works of art, that just needed to be released by creative carving!

Reports vary.  Some say the artwork is spectacular while others demure to “unique”.

In the afternoon we had the ‘newest’ Great Adventure.  Truro lies just beyond the limit of the Minas Basin on the Shubenacadie (shoo-ben-ack-addie) River, which in turn is part of the Bay of Fundy.  The Bay of Fundy, due to geography and the moon, has the largest tidal fluctuations anywhere!  Twice every day, the tides flood and then ebb. The local geography and relatively shallow water combine for a very special ‘bore’.  The bore is actually a wall of water announcing the arrival of the flood tide pushing against the standing or slow moving bay waters, as it pushes the bay or river water back.

At 11:00am we got into our cars, formed our ‘car train’, and headed downstream to a resort/tidal bore rafting company.  There, we were suited up with PFDs and headed down the river, in preparation for going out to meet the bore.  We had been forewarned of the perils, mud and water.  Only old clothes and shoes recommended!  A few of us, the weaker of heart and physique, stayed ashore (LOL myself). It was a two hour ride, downstream to meet the bore, and return with the ensuing rapids as the tide rushed upstream and over the mudflats and sandbars. 

I can tell you there were huge smiles and very few grumpy faces as the crowd disembarked and headed to the showers.  Some had even jumped out of the boats and tried ‘mudsliding’ on the shore.

Dinner was provided by Terry, our wagonmaster, a fantastic pasta primavera, salad and dessert. Tall tales were told, and lies believed. Masters of the sea? No, but salty tales at least.. 

Submitted by:  Jim and Mercedes Wilson

Adventure #19

tree carving photos courtesy of Judy and Van Douglass