June 13 – Hiking to Black Point

After breakfast we organized ourselves for a long hike to Black Point in this National park. It was listed as a 6 km walk through forest and along the outer edge of New Brunswick.

We had our lunch on the beach and did a bit of treasure hunting.

When we got to the edge of NB, we looked out at the sea and took in a hug breathe of sea air. On the sand, I noticed brown lumps of a different texture from the sand. Unlike the clay bottom at Algoma, these were just deposits the size of a person’s head; here and there; not many. I scooped up some into a ziplock bag thinking this the special pottery clay known in this area. Truthfully it looks like a lump of poop in the back but it has a much heavier, solid consistency that when water is added, it is malleable.

We also saw a year old bear cub at the side of the road that looked at us and then headed back to the forest. I was glad to have seen one from the safety of our CRV and not on foot while we were hiking. I brought bells that kept jingling (most annoying) throughout the entire walk but then the noise is why I brought them; to let the Black Bears know we are here and for them to stay there.

 

We stopped at the tourist centre to mark our Black Bear sighting on the map and to pick up a few souvenirs for birthday presents. Justin is a big bubble fan so the have this long wand in a tube ($5.49). Since we saw a bear, I wanted to buy a bear head magnet for my fridge but then I saw the cutest like bear dressed in a red Canada vest and hiking boots and could not resist getting him instead. There were other things that I wanted too but was hard-pressed to justify them to Stuart.

We were a little tired from the long hike so we decided to drive back and walk along the boardwalk a bit to finish off our perfect day for tramping around.

There was a 60% chance of showers that did not happen for us, so we want to make the most of our time visiting here. Kelly’s beach is another one of those strips of sand with huge dunes that go on forever.

It was very warm hiking and when you get out to the boardwalk the wind is cool and strong. Along the board walk we saw clam diggers filling their pails. I was surprised to see that they were allowed to take live clams home, as there was a sign (above a box for depositing your findings) prohibiting the removal of shells, as they were part of the ecosystem and a possible home for some organism in this habitat. The warden was standing at the gate when they passed by and he said nothing. There were clam shells the size of my palm and smaller purplish ones with the mother of pearl gleam on the inside (so pretty they are). I wanted to pick some stones and shells but restrained myself from taking more than 3 little pieces as they were a beautiful hue; not boring bleached white.

Part of the beach was cordoned off due to the sanctuary for nesting Puffin Plovers. As we were walking to our CRV along the boardwalk, one of the Plovers was sitting on the railing, hanging on despite the strong winds (cool enough to need a jacket – those crazy young people on the beach with swimsuits did not last long). I did not see any other Plovers about, just this one sitting tamely, close enough for us to be 5’ away without scaring it into flight with its broad wing span for this size of a bird.

I like a breeze to keep away the biters. I have a lump the size of my two thumbs on the back of my head where I did not spray Deep Woods Off (did not want to wash my hair so now I have a lump to scratch). I do not care how goofy I look with the mosquito gear, I am wearing the shebang; head cover over the Tilley, jacket and pants. These insects are vicious and the swarm; feel like I cannot breath as they will go up my nose, in my ears, crash into my eyeglasses, fly up the pant legs, bit through my shirt and peck at my hands. I had so much repellent on, I tasted awful (accidentally licked my lips).