Sept. 5 - St. Martins, NB

“As steady as the tides, Life constantly uncovers the treasures hidden within us.”  –Unknown

Today we did a lot of exploring...too much to do one blog. So I'll share what we did and what we saw in parts...first pictures of St. Martins. It's a picturesque village rich in seafaring history. It was once one of the richest shipbuilding cities in the British Empire. More than 500 sailing ships were constructed here in the 1800s. Today the village is best known for its sandstone sea caves – submerged during high tide, and accessible to explorers during low tide. There are also miles of unspoiled beaches, two lighthouses and an active harbor with two covered bridges.   

This community's daily rhythms are guided by the rising and falling of the World’s Highest Tides. At high tide, the colorful fishing boats bob almost level with the top of the pier. At low tide, the same boats sit in the red mud on the ocean floor.

Quaco Head Lighthouse - the original lighthouse was built in 1856 and sat off shore on a small island. This new one was built in 1985...the base is new, but the light is from the original lighthouse.

Views around the lighthouse

One of the covered bridges in St. Martins

There are cute little shops around the harbor. We had a spectacular day to explore St. Martins and the sea caves. 

Here are pictures taken at low tide and the same pictures taken about two hours before high tide. What a difference.

Low tide pictures are first...then high tide.

Looking towards town

Looking towards the second covered bridge in St. Martins.

Aerial view of St. Martins harbor at high tide.

St. Martins Wishing Rocks - Local legend has it the Mi'kmaq believed that a stone with a band of white completely around it was a sing of good fortune from Mother Nature. I was told if you find one of these stones you should make a wish. Once the wish comes true, you're supposed to pass the stone on to someone else.