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Day 86 – Back on the Mainland

15 Jan 2010 | By Wayne

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

Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010 Tags: ferry, gas, Marine Atlantic, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, photos, Port Hawkesbury, shabby Leave a Comment

Day 85 – Driving to Meet the Boat

14 Jan 2010 | By Wayne

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

Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010 Tags: abandoned, ferry, houses, lake, Newfoundland, photos, Port-aux Basques Leave a Comment

Day 84 – Clear Mind but Cloudy Skies.

13 Jan 2010 | By Wayne

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

Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010 Tags: clear mind, clouds, driving, Grand Falls - Windsor, Newfoundland, snow, winter Leave a Comment

Day 83 – Bittersweet is the Turnaround

12 Jan 2010 | By Wayne

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

Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010, Trials and Tribulations Tags: Bonavista, East, fear, Friends, homesick, money, Newfoundland, Photography One Comment

Day 82 – As East as One can Get in North America.

11 Jan 2010 | By Wayne

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.