Day 10 - Sunday July 9 - Fundy National Park, NB

The Waterfalls of Fundy National Park

Today was our last full day at Fundy, so we wanted to make the most of it, and did we ever. That meant a slightly earlier wake up and breakfast so we could be on Alma beach in time for our guided beach walk. This promised to have all the things we needed for a great beach combing experience - specifically, a guide to show us what's what and give G the attention/guidance he so craves.

We arrived with minutes to spare, met our guide, Anna, for the morning and got to it. 

Our group was small, including another family from Barrie with two young girls who Gordon quickly took to (of course), and a mother and son from Perth Aus. But the real highlight for us, was Anna. She was amazing. She new everything, but was able to describe things in an interesting way that made sense. More importantly, she was engaging and excited about everything you brought her. The task was simple, once we made it to the beach, learning about the ecology and sociology of the place as we went, we were instructed to retrieve "interesting specimens" to put in Anna's big box, and then she would explain it all at the end. Crabs, snails, shrimp, began to find their way to the bin, but she never failed to make G feel important. I remember one in particular, as G sauntered up, desperate to contribute, and Anna nearly doubled over in amazement, "oh what an amazing specimen - that's a piece of bark that has made it's way down to the beach..." He loved it all and had a hard time leaving when all was said and done.

G fighting the winds and enjoying Fundy's tidal pools.

Anna using a model 'sun' (the girl) and 'moon' (G) to explain how the tides work.

Alma beach really is stunning, and that tide comes in FAST. It chased us off the beach!

Gordie and his new best friend making their way back up the beach. She said he reinvigorated her love of the job, we think she (in part) made his trip. 

A specimen G found near the end, a crab moult!

So the beach walk was a success, but we weren't done. As I said, it was our last full day, and we wanted to pack as much in as we could. But waking up early, walking on a boulder beach with a baby in tow, and then walking around the beach some, is draining, so we elected to separate. T took Hannah back to the tent for some Zzzzzzs while Gord and I continued our exportation and headed for Caribou Plain Trail for a short walk and Bennet Lake for some fresh water swimming fun.

The hike was ok - short, but some good stuff. I love a good bog walk, and while the board walk was mostly closed, we got to see a few treats.

Section of the not-closed board walk.

Bog!

Pitcher plants are so cool! Prehistoric even. (Look it up!)

But the big hit was Bennet lake. We hadn't done much swimming yet, so G was excited. It was a busy spot, but we quickly found parking, hiked to the beach, put down our beach blanket in a spot with 

a little less goose poo, and got to frolicking. The water was shallow and warm and full of cool things to see, including lots of fish and BIG tadpoles - they had the beginnings of legs! We brought a beach ball and had some fun bouncing it around and making friends, but G is a master observer, and was hatching a plan. A nearby dad and son were busy barrying the Jr. in the sand, and what is it they say about monkeys seeing? In no time G was just a head!

He loved it. "Cover my shoulders Dad!" He probably spent 15 minutes like this.

The aftermath. 

After cleaning off, which took forever, G spent some time playing on an inflatable trampoline that some friendly Japanese tourists had lugged over but lost interest in. We (he) made some friends as he bounced, but soon it was time to go home for dinner.

Now we had seen glimpses of a playground in our campground every time we headed in or out but had yet to make it over. Well on your last night you do it all, right? This thing was huge - it had over a dozen separate structures including 4 or 5 different boats alone. It was heaven for G.

This isn't even all of it. That's G wondering how to get down.

Hannah enjoying(?) her fist solo swing.

Finally, really trying to cram it all in, we got bathing suited up and headed out in search of Fundy's famous salt water pool. I remember hours of enjoyment splashing around in this unique ocean adjacent pool when I visited as a highschooler, and they say it's recently renovated! 

Alas, a long drive to Pointe Wolf campground came up empty as the pool is not yet open for the season. 😕

But that didn't stop us. Clad in only swimming attire and without a baby carrier we decided to hit a nearby lookout, that turned into a trail run to beat the sunset. And what a happy accident. The trail took us along a magnificent estuary and tidal River. It was out when we arrived, and the view we enjoyed was spectacular!

G catching up to Dad and Hannah as we walk along a beautiful Boardwalk trail.

Ugly, isn't it?

When we got back we just had time for a short fire and stories, we were pooped and were headed for PEI tomorrow. Sleep came quick and easy.