I always think of New Brunswick as the daisy province. Everywhere you go the fields and ditches are a mass of white and yellow. As Meg Ryan said in "You've Got Mail" - "Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?" They are, and it's great seeing so many of them.
Today we experienced two of the province's wonders, the Reversing Falls and Magnetic Hill.
The phenomenon of the Reversing Falls is caused by the tremendous rise and fall of the tides of the Bay of Fundy, which are the highest in the world. The natural southward-facing opening of the Bay of Fundy receives the on rushing ocean tides directly like a funnel. The tidewater is normal when it enters the bay at its widest point. But the farther up the bay it travels the more it changes. It is, in effect, squeezed by the ever-narrowing sides and the constant shallowing of the bottom forcing the water higher up the shores. The low tide running out of the bay collides with the new, incoming high tide, combining forces to make a higher wave coming in. The combination of wave forces is called resonance.
Magnetic Hill is a wild and wacky place that appears to defy gravity. For years now, people have been entertained by driving their car to the bottom of the hill, putting the car in neutral and watching as their car rolls backwards, with them in it, UP the hill! In the 1800s, farmers were puzzled when it seemed that their horses had to strain to pull wagons that were seemingly going downhill; then on the way home, the wagons seemed to get tangled up with the horses' feet while going uphill. How was any of this possible? People thought perhaps there was a powerful magnet buried at the top of the hill which pulled objects to it. Actually, it's a common illusion where the level horizon is hidden in some way. Trees, walls and things that normally act as a visual clue may be leaning slightly. We expect such things to be straight and so we are fooled. An optical illusion makes a downhill appear to be an uphill. But seeing is believing, so even when you know the cause, you still can't help but think that when you're rolling uphill, you're actually rolling downhill. Freaky!
Our Ukelele lessons are coming along but I'm disappointed not to have many of you queueing up for a grand performance when I get home.
Our pet lobster, Norton, took over the driving today for a little while. It rained - a good heavy, steady rain all the way from St. John through to Amherst so he volunteered to take a shift at the wheel. It was much appreciated. As you can see, he needs a pillow to reach the wheel but he does pretty well, otherwise.
Finally, this afternoon, we arrived in Nova Scotia and I was really excited! It felt like coming home and I am so looking forward to the new couple of weeks. Scads of genealogy work to be done - but what fun! Can hardly wait to get out in those graveyards and do some digging!
Finally, I want to say a word about Doug. He's the fourth one from the front, right behind me. Growing up, all us cousins spent a lot of time together on visits and vacations. When we returned to Calgary during high school, Doug and I were in the same class and hung out with most of the same people. He dated my best friend and he was always there when I needed a shoulder or an understanding ear. Tomorrow, Doug will be laid to rest beside his mother, in Calgary. The rest of the family and his friends will gather to celebrate his life.
I will always remember the handsome guy with that great big grin and quick smile. Douglas, I hope you are at peace.
To be continued.....
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