Labour Day in New Brunswick, Part III: Fundy Coast

After the Hopewell Rocks, I made my way southwest again and discovered the Fundy Studio Tour (auto tour of the artists and craftsmen along this part of the coast.) The rain was letting up; I could get out and take photos for at least 5 minutes before the rain squalls drove me back to the car. I felt no remorse that I didn't make it to PEI. This area of the Fundy coast is was what I came for. There have been few places that I have been where the natural beauty of the land commingles so well with the human elements, unless it was rural Western North Carolina before the 1980's. Picturesque, yet presenting photographic challenges because of the scope of the landscape. Green hills and fresh-water rivers run down to rolling farmland that slopes down to golden salt marshes that overhang red-clay inlets that open into smaller bays that make up the larger Bay of Fundy. It was clean, I don't remember any trash along the road. The human element has, of course, had its impact, as it will. But it seemed to be more integrated into the environment, as if the people who live here understand the true value of the land as an investment in sustenance not dollars. Yet, there were many old barns, and farm houses in various states of undoing. There were churches, all of them with complex angles and curves, a tribute from the craftsmen who built them to the Creator of this beautiful and bountiful place.



The Fundy Studio Tour takes you to many working studios and galleries. Like Western North Carolina, any artist could find many sources of inspiration in this landscape.




I'm certain I'm related to the people who settled here long ago. English, Irish, Scots. Celts. There was a peacefulness there, no one seemed to be in a hurry. The pull of this land was subtle at first, but became overwhelming. Hopefully my photos will portray a sense of the feel of this place.