After an interesting ferry ride on which I came to the conclusion that a sailor I will not make. It appears my sea stomach is a little on the weak side. I didn’t “hurl” but there was a couple points on the choppy waves that I was wondering if I might. Staring at a laptop screen probably wasn’t helping either as I tried to get some work and editing done. The internet on the ship was not working, apparently hasn’t been for awhile. Seems like the ferries in Newfoundland are fixed on an “as extremely needed” basis. The ATM was down, The internet was down, some of the seats in the lounge area looked like some cats got to them and shredded them. Makes you wonder what else is in need of repair down below. Well done Marine Atlantic.
Regardless, I got back to the mainland and made my way to Port Hawkesbury where I’ve gassed up (again) and am ready for tomorrows start to my journey home. Part of me feels like simply deadheading it and getting home in 3 days. I need to mellow out again I’m afraid.
Anyway, not much more to report. I’m sure the rest of my trip will prove to be interesting and fruitful as well. I just have to let it “be”. I was looking at shots of the first half and it’s odd how many I don’t even remember taking, just going, like a machine. Will make for some fun editing later on I’m sure.
Winnebago Dreams
A semi uneventful day as I had to make the drive from Grand Falls – Windsor to Port aux Basques to be ready to meet my ferry tomorrow morning. I wasn’t in a hurry yet didn’t see much I wanted to shoot from the T.C.H. I pulled off towards Stephenville Crossing as I’d gone through there late in the day when I went to Stephenville but didn’t get to see much. Plus it wasn’t too far away from my route.
I got to take some shots of a snow covered frozen lake and a couple abandoned houses. A quiet day for shots but still managed to get a few. Tomorrow I’ll be doing some more editing on the ferry. I quite enjoy the downtime while it makes it’s way across the straight.
Until next time.
Gone
After a couple of rough days mentally, worrying about money and second guessing my ideas of the future I took a step back. I read 10 chapters in Stuart Wilde’s “The Infinite Self” and what I read made a lot of sense. I believe in the power of the mind already, I just needed a different spin and to be reminded of a few things.
Today I was out back at it again. The weather for most of the day was cloudy and grey. I Went through Bonavista, up to the Cape and the lighthouse. I carefully went to the edge of a cliff, hung my camera by the tripod out over the edge and snapped away. I drove down to the historical town of Trinity and barely got the last bit of light that was finally pushing through the clouds. After that I tossed a coin and ended up driving into the night. I’m now in Grand Falls Windsor after a few hours of varied winter driving. I’m going to look into catching the ferry on Friday morning and making my way back to Port-aux Basque and then the mainland.
Bonavista Cod Shack
I’m not sure what I was expecting. Not sure what I thought I would feel or even what I wanted out of it but the fact that I made it this far and now essentially have to turn around has left me feeling a little off. Honestly I was feeling a little blue the last few days anyway but figured I’d get over it once I hit the East of the East.
It’s not like the adventure is over, I still have to make it home and have no set agenda as per the way here. Basically it comes down to making the money last.
As I was leaving to come on this trip a friend gave me a book written by Stuart Wilde. I’d never read any of his stuff but have read other books regarding spirituality, energy, positivity and “the universe” etc before. I just opened this book and am halfway through it tonight. Good timing too as it made a lot of sense and I feel much better about a lot of things, including the rest of this trip and my goals upon my return to “regular” everyday life. What makes me smile is the fact that since I have everything to do with it, my regular everyday life is going to get pretty sweet in the next couple of years. I don’t have much to complain about and a lot to be thankful for so really it’s not a long journey. I simply have to keep my “ego” in check and lose the fear, the fear of actually doing what I’m doing now so I can keep doing it. Yes, you heard it here first, this trip wasn’t exactly “easy” for me to just get up and do. It still isn’t.
For now though I am back in the right headspace. Tomorrow will be another great day for photos as I explore Bonavista Newfoundland Then I will again be slowly on my way closer to people that mean the world to me. Until I get there, I will be lost in my element, appreciating what is absorbed through these orbs in my skull.
Lighthouse at Cape Spear
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
I woke up on the wrong side of the sleeping bag today. Not sure what set me off but I was in a funk all day. I left Corner Brook which was a feat in itself. Who designed their road system, a chimp with a crayon? I’ve seen maps that made more sense in a bowl of spaghetti. Anyway, enough about that. I drove up the 450 all the way to Lark Harbour. Got a few shots in Little Port and Frenchman’s Cove, some during a storm of sideways sleet-hail.
I drove through Corner Brook and went on to Gander. Got there just as it was dark and decided I was too restless to sit around. I also checked my bank account and panicked. I figure if all else fails I want to see the furthest Eastern point of Canada so I drove straight to St. John’s. Besides, the roads were dry and aside from some wind gusts the weather was nice, could see the stars the whole way here. Now this way I know approximately what I need as far as gas money to get back to Port-aux Basque. After Cape Spear tomorrow I can try and gauge a few shorter North or South detours as I make my way back towards the ferry. Money sucks.
Tomorrow is supposed to be nicer weather. A little colder but I’d rather bundle up and get some good sky for my shots than be warmer and shoot in a snow storm with gray skies.
Anyway, tomorrow is going to be a landmark day for me and this trip. I’m sure I’ll be in a better mood.
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!
I started my Newfoundland segment of my trip at Port-aux Basque this morning with a Tim Hortons. Made my way up the number one but didn’t get very far before I was in Cape Ray for a good couple of hours snapping shots. What a cool little area for older, cottages and abandoned buildings and a few other things. I initially went there for the lighthouse but once I saw all the treasures to shoot I was there awhile. I have shots of a huge whale bone that was perched on a rock, along with a rusty anchor next to a rotting shell of an old boat.
After that I continued on through Tompkins, St Andrew, Searston, Codroy and to the lighthouse at Cape Anguille. Back onto the Trans Canada Highway, efficiently called the TCH here. A slight detour through Jeffery’s, Mckay’s and Cartyville and Heatheron but didn’t find a lot to shoot, partially due to the snowstorm I found myself in. I took the exit through St. Georges and into Stephenville for dinner just as darkness settled in.
I’ve noticed that the distances between populated areas are pretty hefty. Something I wasn’t ready for. I’ll be conserving gas and gas money as much as possible because there’s going to be a lot of road between shots over here.
Anyway, a good first day in Newfoundland. …and I’ve been leaving my cards around so hopefully some new visitors here soon too. 
