How beautiful Hopewell Cape once was! You could just drive to the shore, or take a few steps down a staircase, and suddenly you stood in the most amazing landscape of rocks. Provided it was low tide, of course. The rocks - or "Flowerpots", as they are often called - were shaped by the mighty tides of the Bay of Fundy.
Now the place has been "developed". The road to the shore is closed off. Fences have gone up, channelling tourists through the tollgate.
What do you get for your toll? A sandbox for kids to play in, a gift shop with a few exhibits, and a kilometer-long walk to the shore. (Of course, for an additional fee they'll drive you there.)
So where's the danger the title speaks of? Well, of course in the DANGER signs. They are EVERYWHERE!
Yes, I know, they are considered necessary by that unholy coalition of do-gooders, bureaucrats, lawyers and insurance agents. And it's only for our own good, right? People have always been shafted for their own good.
The danger signs don't make sense, as you can judge for yourself. But they did get into the way of my camera. So: no picture here and no picture there - just plenty of photographer's profanity.
Still, the eye could overlook the omnipresent danger signs and see the beauty instead. Because the place is indeed beautiful.
(As are many other places on this continent that had the bad fortune of being "protected" and "developed". For their own good and for all of our own good, of course. Yellowstone comes to mind, where they burnt a quarter of the park because lightning is "natural"; and where the bears were shot or sent to zoos in order to "protect" them from the tourists. I ain't kiddin', folks, it's all in their official brochures. What is it you say? All those damned do-gooders and toll-gaters should be burnt, shot or at least sent to zoos? Now, let's not be rough: Those animals in the zoo are bad enough off as it is. No need to also inflict do-gooders on them.)
Sorry about these parentheticals. If I just hadn't been to Hopewell before... Ah, there's the rub. So listen: Never go back to something that was once beautiful and dear to you. You are bound to be disappointed: Chances are, it's now all surrounded by danger signs. But if you see Hopewell here for the first time, or you happen to get there in person, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
