I like Quebec City, I like Montreal. Both great cities and I wandered through each of them today. As far as photography goes they have a lot to offer. Today, I was simply uninspired. The weather was beautiful but I just wasn’t feeling what I need to hunt down the shots I would have liked to see. There was a fair amount of snow in both cities and a lot of mucky muck on the streets. Add to that “traffic” and I was just wanting to get to some open road and find something “quiet”.
For the record, next to Richmond BC, Quebec has the worst drivers in the country. I won’t even get into it as my blood pressure can’t handle reliving the day.
I’m now in Ontario, Cornwall to be exact. I came down from route 40 through the farm country as the sun was setting and got some nice shots along the rural roads. Not a whole lot of shots but some good ones.
Was hoping to see a Walmart here as I actually need to get some cheap supplies but haven’t seen one yet. Tonight I listen to the Canucks game and relax. I tried the library here to see if they were open and maybe get some editing done but it’s closed. Oh well.
Jacob's Ladder
Today I stood on rocks of a cliff and beach a few yards away from the crashing waves of the Atlantic ocean at the historic Cape Spear in Newfoundland. As far East as a person can get without entering the water. Considering I was in Victoria just prior to the start of this trip I think I can officially say that I’ve “crossed Canada” from coast to coast. I got great weather despite the serious wind which made the minus 7 temperature even more bone chilling. I was on the cape for about 3 hours. I got shots of the old lighthouse, the newer lighthouse and the old battery bunkers. I got shots of the waves and just sat for awhile and watched the sea.
I am back in St. Johns which seems like a funky city. It’s much bigger than I thought it to be and has some cool areas of town. I’ve been finding that my view of cities and towns on the trip have been somewhat like that of a homeless person. I haven’t been staying in hotels or motels. Some days I’m sure I’m less than physically attractive and that’s saying that I had something to work with in the first place. Usually it’s coffee on the go in the morning before heading to wherever for shots and that happens until dark. Then something to eat, either out of the cooler or something cheap. After which I’ll try and find wireless somewhere and update this site and say hi to friends on Facebook. Then I’ll either watch a movie on the laptop or if I’m still with internet I may listen to the Canucks game online. Both while nestled in the truck.
At times this does get lonely but the days make it all worthwhile. I’m in my element when that shutter is snapping and I’ve got the wind pushing at my back as I try to keep the tripod from blowing over. I was thinking today how cool it would be to find a corporate sponsor or some sort of funding to just keep going, with more time to edit and upload of course. Anyway, dreaming again.
Unfortunately I’m going to have to cut my explorations of Newfoundland down and start making my way West again. I’d love to check out the more remote communities both North and South but I just don’t have the gas money. I’ll probably walk a little downtown St. John’s then figure out my next move, most likely with a Westward theme.
Atlantic Fence
Apparently in Newfoundland when a school bus is retired it just becomes a useful storage tool. Or a house, or a Fishing shack or perhaps just a lawn ornament but today I saw more “re-purposed” yellow buses than I’d ever imagined possible in the reasonably short distance I’ve traveled. I’ve also noticed a bit of a love for old train boxcars as well.
Anyway, a few of them made for some good shots, even found one on the cliff of the ocean at “Jerry’s Nose”.
I pretty much started my shots at Jerry’s Nose this morning and kept heading out to Cape St George and around. I was a little disappointed in an area called Three Rock Cove as they seem to have a garbage problem. I came across a road called “Beach Road” so of course I went down it. Any chance to get close to the waves makes me happy. What I found was a beach alright, but covered not only in discarded fishing supplies and items but also a whole lot of household items and trash. You’d think with a potentially nice area like that that someone might have some pride in it. So far, the low point of my Newfoundland experience.
I continued on to a ridge of land that extends for miles way out into the gulf. Ocean on each side for miles. It would be cool to see it from a plane for sure. At almost the end was a little fishing post and port called Blue Beach. Closed up and quiet this time of year but neat to see none the less. I took a few shots in the snow and wind and made my way back. Retracing some of the road I took to get to Cape St. George I stopped at Wayne’s Convenience Store. Met and chatted with another Wayne and his family for a bit.
I thought of staying in Stephenville again but as it was still semi light out I continued through the snow to Corner Brook where I am for the night. I’m hoping to stay awake for the Canucks game which I can listen to via the streaming radio station on the internet. Perhaps, as a friend said, Burrows can have a hat trick of hat tricks!
