In Isle Aux Morts
Thursday, August 17, 2006
I booked the ferry to leave Newfoundland on Friday. I'll be crossing the Cabot Strait to North Sydney, Nova Scotia. It will be the first time in over 3.5 months that I won't be on the Rock.CBC Radio in St. John's interviewed me and the interview aired at noon on August 17. The website with the interview can be found at: http://www.cbc.ca/radionoonnl/interview_archives/2006_aug_w3.html (item #5)
Sometimes, the ending can't come soon enough, like when a free spirit like myself is counting the days until summer holiday from the walls of my classroom. Other times, I like it when endings linger, watching a sunset until the last vestiges of sun light have long disappeared. But my kayak journey around Newfoundland, the ending seems surreal at this moment and certainly is bittersweet. Are those long days of paddling in solitude truly over? Will I remember all the places, faces and experiences of the journey? But all good things must come to an end as the cliche goes.
Soon, I'll be visiting Glenn MacKay and family and meeting paddlers from the Pictou County Paddle and Oar Club. I'm looking forward to that.
Today, I visited a few nearby communities by car with picture postcard clouds filling the sky. This area, Isle Aux Morts and Harbour Le Cou/ Rose Blanche, celebrated homecoming. It is a huge celebration which occurs within a community about once every ten years to bring Newfoundlanders who left the province back to their homes of youth. It is highly attended. Streamers fluttered everywhere, as well as "Welcome" flags, snapping loudly in the high winds today. Party lights festooned many porches. Celebrations are just over.
As I drove over the winding roadway, I appreciated the distant panoramic views which Freya Hoffmeister and I paddled in early May. The south shore was wild today, with strong southwesterly winds once again blowing a refreshing breeze on land. I enjoyed taking colourful photographs of these communities, with many brightly painted homes and stages on stilts over the water, tucked behind rocks.
5 Comments:
Those "Welcome" flags are very a propos, eh?! Wendy, back home we are so ecstatic for you!
Hi Wendy
I have loved reading about your remarkable journey day to day. Thank you so much for sharing your intimate thoughts and wonderful tales. I can't begin to express my admiraton and respect for what you have accomplished. Your courage, persistence and indomitable spirit represent a celebration of the humankind and the best of what we can represent and make me proud to be a member of this species something that has been difficult lately in this harrowing, tumultuous and increasingly chaotic age we live in.
I too am in love with the ocean and vistas, the wind and waves and the limitless of the world of the sea. It is my church and there i feel the real power of the universe as it flows through this planet, the world and through me. I see a live organic place that by and large is free of man and his influence and I am astounded by it's perfection.
Though we will never meet I feel that we are kindred and I'm grateful that we have been able to touch in this small way through your adventure and our common love of the sea and being amongst it in our amazingly capable and wonderful craft. I wish you safe journey and hope this trip and it's magic lingers long for you.
Regards,
Michael
Wendy,
Congratulations on the heroic completion of a truly incredible journey.Yours is a story of sheer will and detrmination beyond the understanding of most men and women.
Good luck reintegrating yourself back into your day to day life in Ontario. You will have great tales to share with the people there.
Mollie in Rocky Harbour
Having just got home from my own mini-'Round the Rock' trip (10 days in an RV, something a bit crazy in itself!) I gained an appreciation of your accomplishment even beyond reading your reports her on the blog. Thanks so much for search out a friendly computer and taking the time for sharing your adventure with all of us.
We'll all look back on 'Wendy's Summer' and smile as we think of the community of people you've created here on your blog. Who knows, perhaps we'll have 'reunion parties' every now and then!
Michael!
I don't know what to say other than a big thanks to you for sharing your adventure with all of us. This ride is over, yet I have this feeling that you'll come up with something else in the future.
It's time now for you to unwind, to get back with your family and start teaching again. I hope this life changing event works out for you in a positive way.
Sincerely,
Andy
Post a Comment
<< Home