6/28/14 – Left St. John, a bit turned around, but ran across a Costco east of town, so stopped in for a few bulk sizes of various Canadian specialties. No gas here, but probably won’t buy it at a Costco anyway – 2.7% charge from AMEX…. Arrived at Century Family Farm campground in St.Martins after a short but bumpy drive on route 111. This one is in an open field right next to the beach, and the famous sea caves are visible in the distance. We unhitched the bikes and headed along the coast to the beach where the caves in the facing cliffs were being explored by kayakers.

At low tide the caves end up high up the beach, where they are easily accessed by foot – but didn’t want to wait that long, so we headed back. There are also a couple covered bridges here as you pass through the harbor,

… and a café with world-famous clam chowder. But, as I avoid gluten now, I can only pass this on. The road continues on to the Fundy Trail, and we attempted the ride, but gave up less than half way due to the steepness, and the fact we were planning to drive the rig in tomorrow anyhow. We did explore a trail above the caves where you could look down on the kayakers.

6/29/14 – Drove back to the sea caves, NOW at low tide, and walked up close. However, would have had to forge a river channel to enter, so only pix.

On onto the Fundy Trail Parkway, which parallels the trail, stopping at several parking areas and pullouts to explore local clifftop ocean views and sights, such as a pretty waterfall.

Finally left the  rig at Parking Area 5 (P5), and decided to try the trail first on foot, before unloading the bikes again.GOOD choice – the trail was wide and easy to negotiate, but always steeply up-and-down. Almost every cyclist we met was coming uphill on foot – pushing their bike and puffing.We meandered along until P6, wh ere there was an exhibit featuring a ‘portable’ sawmill. This meant the entire large wooden structure and its components, along with tents, cots, and a cook, etc., could be broken down and moved to a new location as needed.

We continued on to the interpretive center at P7 to pick up some water and snack, then down to the banks of the Big Salmon River (P8) to pick up the side trail to the Hearst Fishing Lodge, upriver. We crossed the river on a pedestrian cable suspension bridge,

… and then forged along the trail. This steeply winding trail way overmatched us, having to clamber up slick, wet tree roots, down boulders, hanging on to cable strung between trees, nailed on handrails, etc, etc, and several times deciding whether we had enough left in us to stumble on or turn back and hope to negotiate our way out in one piece!

We made it though, and I have to say the pretty little lodge was a bit underwhelming considering the journey.

Anyway, the saint of a caretaker graciously volunteered to take us back on the 4X4 access road, then a park shuttle dropped us off at the rig. We drove back to the campground and collapsed with a stiff drink. Tomorrow, we head to Fundy National Park.