Crossing the Canada/USA border has lately revived parabolic reminiscences of the War of 1812. Its competing ambitions and maritime roots have likewise gingered up unfavourable comparisons to the rhetoric of the Trump administration and the importance of the Canadian eastern shore. In short more and more Canadians have recoiled at the outbursts of the current American government; and, fewer and fewer Canadians have expressed an interest to cross the border.  For our part, we have brought back to consciousness the appeal of Nova Scotia – while at the same time muffling and dampening our recollections of South Carolina and Florida.

The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Great Britain, with Canada caught in the middle as a British colony. It was a conflict rooted in maritime disputes, impressment of American sailors, and territorial ambitions, particularly in Canada. The war lasted from 1812 to 1815 and ended in a stalemate with the Treaty of Ghent which restored pre-war boundaries.

The antagonism is nonetheless overcome by the admission that the Americans are naturally entitled to pursue their own improvement on their own terms; while we Canadians are similarly allowed to seek different avenues of association in the future.  I will however admit that readjusting to the precipitous consequence of Trump’s manhandling and mishandling of the corridors of power has not been at all reassuring. It has taken until now – months into the Trump administration – to resolve our differences on terms oddly similar to the Treaty of Ghent – which is to say a stalemate (status quo ante bellum). We recognize it would be outlandish to pretend to abandon the USA forever; but for the present we haven’t any hope of returning, now or in the near future. The conclusion is a candid admission of differences. Whether the moral or geographic characteristics of the two countries shall ever mesh again, whether by cooperation, exchange or other vitality, is yet unknown. Presently there is a cool.

Setting aside the animosity, I derive indisputable pleasure from the contemplation of a tour along the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River then south of Montréal and Québec to the northern end of New Brunswick followed by an arrow southward across the Bay of Fundy to the northern shore of Nova Scotia.  From there – being then on terra firma – we perhaps shall cross the province or follow instead the 101 then the 103 along the magnificent North Atlantic Ocean coasts.

The Bay of Fundy is a Canadian ocean bay, located between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, known for experiencing the world’s highest tides. These dramatic tidal shifts, which can exceed 50 feet, are caused by tidal resonance. Visitors can witness this phenomenon at sites like Hopewell Rocks, where unique “flowerpot” formations are sometimes submerged and sometimes revealed, or explore the Acadian forests and numerous islands within the bay.

Normally we plan these excursions independently of anything other than first hand information. On this occasion we have invoked the assistance of Artificial Intelligence  (ChatGPT for example). Like any other tool, its management requires practice. It has at the moment the distinction of levity.

Meanwhile I amuse myself by contemplation of matters nautical; viz., ocean spray, distant empty views to the horizon, lobster sandwiches, bobbing trawlers, ship’s bells, rocky shores and familiar faces. I find I get excited just thinking about anything along the ocean. It has forever been a wish of mine to live by the ocean; but, just sitting here at my desk overlooking my own exceptional riparian view instantly removes the complication. It helps too to acknowledge the futility of such prattle.