Guess Where I Am?
Monday, June 19, 2006
Yes, I'm still in Lumsden! And it looks like I'll be here tomorrow with more of the same strong, gusty offshore winds predicted and a heatwave to boot. At least it keeps the bugs away:-)
Thankfully, I customized my Moss Starlet tent before the trip, with lash points at the top of the tent so that the tent barely responds to these 50 km/h gusts and stronger. And since the pegs are in sand, I weighed them down with massive boulders to anchor the tent solidly. And though the wind plays tug of war with the tent, I'm situated along a most beautiful strand, with the colour of the water a deep aquamarine, similar to the colours found in the tropics.
Interestingly, every time I'm cooking a meal in the shelter of a dune, a chocolate coloured mink scuttles past along the water's edge to a pile of jumbled rocks not far from my campsite. She always returns with a fish dangling from her mouth.
I met a very amiable woman this morning, Marie Parsons. We walked together along the beach and later we shared a cup of tea on her back deck with a secluded yard surrounding us, blasts of wind knocking us about, and good conversation. She had walked from North Lumsden back to South Lumsden. With resettlement in the 1960's, the two communities were amalgamated into one and people moved off the spit of land known as North Lumsden. Lumsden itself is a community of about 700 people, but since March, 2006, more than 40 young people have left to look for work out of province, mainly Alberta. This story repeats itself to all the communities I visit, with the fishing industry barely surviving.
It appears that summer has stormed in with a blast. And so, it appears that tomorrow I'll be trying to keep myself occupied for another day in Lumsden. Days seem longer when I don't have a paddle in my hands.
9 Comments:
Hi Wendy,
Sounds like you have a little mink friend in Lumsden. I have never been to Lumsden nor heard of the Lumsden dunes. So, thanks for blowing ashore there. I will drive up soon.
Patsy
hey wendy.I've been keeping tabs on you but haven't had time to leave comment over the last couple of days.The weather here in northern bay has taken a positive turn with temps finally tiping 20+.It's still really windy here though.
God Bless you wendy. You really deserve blue skys and calm water! work that paddle girlfriend!!:)
P.S. Michael mentioned paddling in Igloolik.. my husband wired a few of the building there over the past couple of years. small world hey!! :)
Wendy - enjoy the respite on a sandy beach - it could be bare rock! you're nearing the home of paddler/musician eric west (ladle cove - if you get a chance, you should look him up.)
squidink
Wendy- Have a relaxing time for a few days lady! I know you're getting antsy to get going but it's also nice to hang around for awhile sometimes! What am I saying? HAHA!! I have a back injury right now and I'm hanging around and I DON'T like it either!! Doh! Bet you're getting some awesome pics!! Keep it going girl!
Hi Wendy,
Sorry I missed you for a paddle on the Avalon. How long until you reach Exploits Island in Notre Dame Bay? Richard, Dan and I will have a group of course participants there on Friday and Saturady, June 23-24.
Hope to see you there.
Ian
Wendy
Still keeping tabs. You're the best. Paddle safe.
Hi Wendy
Hope you could put in this morning. Will try to catch you Wednesday or Thrusday.
Good Paddling
From the Experience Labrador Crew
Pete, George, Tom & Joanne
Hi Ian,
Sounds like I'll be in the Exploits Island area just when you guys are there. Hopefully, tomorrow I depart with lighter winds predicted here for Lumsden.
Hey Pete and Experience Labrador family, I still think back fondly of my experience paddling with you in 2001. This journey is simply incredible! Glad to hear from you.
Hi Wendy,
You have all my support during your amazing journey. Keep up the good work and don’t look over your shoulder. Just keep on going.
Best regards from Iceland
Robert Schmidt
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