Tag travel

You May Not Believe This, But It’s a Fact

Reg Spittle Leave a comment

I stand at low tide at the home of the world’s highest tide, at Fundy Bay, New Brunswick, Canada. I can see the shores of Nova Scotia.

A question for you: How much water flows into the 94-mile-long funnel-shaped channel to reach high tide, a rise of up to 48 feet?

The stacks are referred to as the Flower Pots and a provincial park provides access to the beach twice a day during low tides. If you wait about six hours (from a safer viewing point), you can witness the contrast.

Now the answer: 100 billion tons of water. Or, and I didn’t believe this at first, it is equal to all the water that fills the world’s rivers combined.


Crowds Jam Iconic Illinois Park

Reg Spittle 2 Comments

It began as a routine hiking day during our campout along the Illinois River about 80 miles south of Chicago. We headed to nearby Starved Rock State Park to walk a loop trail.

The parking lot at the trailhead made it clear this was an extraordinary place. We arrived mid-morning, but hundreds of cars already filled most of the main lot. Cars were turning toward the overflow lots too.

Then we walked toward the network of trails, where we joined a crowd that reminded me of the Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park.

Just as Sue predicted, the crowd thinned as we explored and climbed the many stairs to trails through the mostly deciduous forest and views of spectacular rock formations. We paused at harrowing viewpoints looking down where Sue later stood.

Starved Rock attracts two million-plus visitors a year, more than many national parks. Our verdict? Get there early if you can. And visit Wildcat Canyon, from above, and below.