by Renee Maskery, Office Manager | Parc Provincial Rochers Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
The Hopewell Rocks draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to our region every year. They come from all over the world. And some have stories or questions that are pretty memorable. I will share some of those with you today.
Although the question “when can I walk on the ocean floor” is the most predominant question asked, it can be asked in a variety of ways.
One example is: “what time does the giant wave come in?” or “the website says low tide is at 3:42, but my GPS says I will only get there at 3:54, will it be too late to see low tide?” Or (and this one is my favourite) “I was here four years ago and low tide was in the morning, but we got here this morning and it’s high tide. Why did you change it?”
The Hopewell Rocks draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to our region every year. They come from all over the world. And some have stories or questions that are pretty memorable. I will share some of those with you today.
Although the question “when can I walk on the ocean floor” is the most predominant question asked, it can be asked in a variety of ways.
One example is: “what time does the giant wave come in?” or “the website says low tide is at 3:42, but my GPS says I will only get there at 3:54, will it be too late to see low tide?” Or (and this one is my favourite) “I was here four years ago and low tide was in the morning, but we got here this morning and it’s high tide. Why did you change it?”
Not all questions are about the tides, however. And sometimes, with the right sort of people, we can have fun with. Here are some examples:
Guest: “How do you protect the sea stacks in the winter?”
Employee: “We bubble wrap them and store them in the Interpretive Center.”
Guest: “Where is the elevator to the ocean floor?”
Employee: “It’s out for repairs.”
Guest: “What are those little target things everywhere along the cliff edge?”
Employee: “During our off season, the staff have laser tag tournaments to determine who gets to drive the shuttle next season.”
Of course, we always confess when our answers are in jest, which typically leads to a warm and genuine conversation. To us, as people of the tides, these questions may seem quirky, but they really demonstrate just how unique our slice of the Bay of Fundy really is.
This tidal phenomenon that we accept as normal or common is a strange and mystical wonder to people from other parts of the world. Seeing it through their eyes helps us to be appreciative and understand how valuable this natural wonder around us truly is.
I will end with one more fun exchange I had with a lady from New York. This was while I was working the front desk for a local resort. She asked what sort of view her chalet would have and I explained that all the ocean-view chalets were booked but that her chalet would have a nice forest view.
She gasped aloud. “Forest view?” she whispered.
As I prepared to consult her disappointment, I simply replied, “Yes.”
“Do you mean like with trees?” she stammered.
“Yes, with trees.” I replied with a slight smile.
“Oh my,” she said, “that must be lovely. I have never seen a forest.”
“Well, my dear”, I replied, “if you like trees, you are going to LOVE New Brunswick!”
Guest: “How do you protect the sea stacks in the winter?”
Employee: “We bubble wrap them and store them in the Interpretive Center.”
Guest: “Where is the elevator to the ocean floor?”
Employee: “It’s out for repairs.”
Guest: “What are those little target things everywhere along the cliff edge?”
Employee: “During our off season, the staff have laser tag tournaments to determine who gets to drive the shuttle next season.”
Of course, we always confess when our answers are in jest, which typically leads to a warm and genuine conversation. To us, as people of the tides, these questions may seem quirky, but they really demonstrate just how unique our slice of the Bay of Fundy really is.
This tidal phenomenon that we accept as normal or common is a strange and mystical wonder to people from other parts of the world. Seeing it through their eyes helps us to be appreciative and understand how valuable this natural wonder around us truly is.
I will end with one more fun exchange I had with a lady from New York. This was while I was working the front desk for a local resort. She asked what sort of view her chalet would have and I explained that all the ocean-view chalets were booked but that her chalet would have a nice forest view.
She gasped aloud. “Forest view?” she whispered.
As I prepared to consult her disappointment, I simply replied, “Yes.”
“Do you mean like with trees?” she stammered.
“Yes, with trees.” I replied with a slight smile.
“Oh my,” she said, “that must be lovely. I have never seen a forest.”
“Well, my dear”, I replied, “if you like trees, you are going to LOVE New Brunswick!”
Renee has lived, worked and volunteered in Fundy Albert for almost 20 years.
She presently works as the Office Manager for Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park.
She presently works as the Office Manager for Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park.
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