On our third day of vacation we took a boat ride out into the Bay of Fundy. We were really fortunate to be able to charter the Lorna Doone (Downeast Charter Boat Tours), which is a small boat so we didn’t have to share it with anyone. We’re all introverts so we’re always going to choose the option that doesn’t involve interacting with strangers, if possible. Our captain’s name was Ralph and I’m guessing he was an introvert too because he was pretty quiet (which was great — there’s nothing worse than being stuck on a boat for several hours with some wise-cracking weirdo…my worst nightmare).
Taking a boat tour is a fantastic way to see the area without having to spend hours in the car. There are many beautiful islands to see, all with the quintessential “bold coasts” of the Downeast area. There’s also an abundance of unique wildlife. We got to see a bald eagle, some porpoises, and even a whale! One of the coolest parts of the trip was seeing the “Old Sow,” which is the “largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere.” Photos and video can’t really capture how dramatic it is in real life. It is located in an area with a confluence of currents which causes the water to be alternately glassy or choppy, depending on where you look. I must say that it’s pretty eerie to pass through those areas of smooth water out in the middle of the ocean. At the end of this post I’ve included a short video of the Old Sow. Other than a brief period of seasickness for Lillia I think that everyone really enjoyed the boat ride, and I highly recommend the Lorna Doone if you’re ever in the area.
