Bay of Fundy, Canada

Back from summer vacation. In the past two weeks we visited New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Our first stop was at the Hopewell Rocks of the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick.

"The Hopewell Rocks, also called the Flowerpot Rocks, are rock formations caused by tidal erosion in The Rocks Provincial Park in New Brunswick.

They are located on the shores of the upper reaches of the Bay of Fundy at Hopewell Cape near Moncton, New Brunswick. Due to the extreme tidal range of the Bay of Fundy, the base of the formations are covered in water twice a day. However, it is possible to view the formations from ground level at low tide." (Wikipedia.org)

We were lucky and arrived at the Flowerpots at low tide.

Everglades II

Unfortunately, the pictures for my first blog entry about the Everglades didn't upload properly. I fixed it yesterday and apologize for the mishap. To make up, today a few more photos:

Miami Beach and Art Deco

Our first stop in Florida was Miami Beach and the Art Deco architectural district. According to Wikipedia "the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world"

Texas, along the US-mexican border

The long drive from South Padre Island to Big Bend National Park has been almost boring, at least for the first stretch.



Only billboards in Spanish and signs for border crossings let the traveller be aware that Mexico is just around the corner.




Foreigners, who are driving in thise area should always be prepared for a stopp by border patrol. We had our green cards and passports checked at least three times in two days - one time even about 20 miles inland.

Too much traffic on National Seashore

We spent the first day of our Texas vacation on Padre Island National Seashore. After reading the description of the National park on the Internet, we expected the barrier island to be a bit like Assateague National Seashore in Virginia/Maryland. Abundance of wildlife, nature, endless beach, crashing waves, and not many signs of human presence.

"Padre Island National Seashore is the longest section of undeveloped barrier island in the world, protecting rare coastal prairie; a complex, dynamic dune system; and the Laguna Madre, one of the few hypersaline lagoon environments left in the world…. Situated along the Central Flyway, Padre Island is a globally important area for over 350 migratory, overwintering, and resident bird species… Padre Island National Seashore is the most important nesting beach in the U.S. for the Kemp's ridley, the most endangered sea turtle in the world.” (http://www.nps.gov/pais/index.htm)

Well, we did see many birds, but we also had to put up with traffic and the trash left behind from hundreds of beach campers over the 4th of July weekend. From soiled diapers, empty beer cans to leftover catch.







I'm wondering why the entire Padre Island National Seashore is open to car traffic? Why not only a limited area, so that the rest can be unspoiled nature?

Boston: Street performer

This weekend we made a trip to downtown Boston. The Quincy market/Fauneuil Hall area was just brimming with locals, tourists and street performers and everyone seemed to enjoy the bustling athmosphere:

Tips needed for Texas vacation

Hello, all Texas lovers out there: We are traveling this summer to Texas - simply because we haven't been there, yet. I heard, Texas has lovely beaches. I also heard San Antonio and Austin are a "must stop". I do have travel books, but I would like to hear from people, who have been there what they liked most. We are a family of four with two teenage sons. They love sports and adventures. My husband and I like sightseeing, nature, history and good food. Tips concerning activities, lodging and food,nature and so forth are greatly appreciated. Thank you.