September 4, 2008 Saint John, New Brunswick Reversing Falls
It was a bright blue sky day with a high of around 70. Just perfect for our planned Jet Boat ride on the reversing falls which gave us a very up close and personal look at the power of the tides and an appreciation for the amount of water going in first one direction, then flatten (slack tide) and then go out in the other. Terry and I donned our raingear, jackets and pants and rubber shoes from our Alaska wardrobe. Russ was to be the photographer. We reported at 10:50 am and took photos of the rapids out front. Yesterday when we were there the tide was coming in and water somewhat calm. NOT so today, tide was retreating so the St John River was rushing in and causing big rapids and whirlpools and waves and moving so terribly fast. I was having some hesitation but we had already paid for the trip and the crowds were gone. There were only two other women with us on the jet boat. We were advised to put on their rain gear and remove our watches, keys, glasses and shoes. Yep, even though our shoes were rubber we were advised to remove them. We were told we would get wet. So be it. Our jet boat Captain gave us a lesson on the tides and advised us of the safety standards. He is from Quebec, had a very strong French accent and later I learned just how sadistic he could be. We walked down the gang plank to our front row seat on the boat. I was kinda hoping we could sit in the second row and be sheltered a bit from the water spray but no? we got front row seats. A jet boat is very smooth, does not make a lot of noise but moves quickly and turns on a dime. Mark the driver ( and owner of company) took us out directly into the thrashing current, made a sharp circular turn into a wave and we were swamped, Not splashed, not wet a little but completely drenched to the bone. Water came in my ears, in my nose and down my neck. So much for water proof clothing. Mark looked back at his passengers and grinned an evil grin. We were all laughing. He asked us if we knew what the black birds nearby were. I said they looked like cormorants to us but he said they were vultures and laughed and grinned an evil grin. He was a kick. He talked to us about the whirlpools and then let us experience them. He took us over the rapids again and again and then out to the calm river. He assured us there were no rocks creating these rapids but just the volumes of waters trying to levelize themselves to the incoming tides. Each trip over the rapids created this wave that reminded me of swimming in large surf in the ocean and having a huge wave crash right on your head. When it was over I hobbled up the gang plank, sat down for a while and could finally relax enough to say I enjoyed this event. ?You will get wet ? is an understatement. What a memory making experience!
We drove back to motor home to change into dry clothes and catch a city bus tour but that shall be part 2 of today?s story.