Driving along the Northern Peninsula highway (Viking Trail), we decided to turn off at Broom Point. Broom Point is a restored fishing premise in Gros Morne National Park. I wasn’t overly excited about doing this, thinking this would be more a thing for tourists. In the parking lot we found a lovely surprise, two signs, one showing Broom Point and the other Steve’s Trail.
A very short trail but so worth doing.
I love walking through gnarly, windswept trees.
Yellow Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida)
………..and finding surprises along the way.
Grouse
Like us, this grouse was just out for a walk on this wild, windy day.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.
John Muir
We come to the end of the trail to a blustery, wind tossed ocean.
This is my happy.
We decided to explore further and increased the length of our walk.
Caves and rock formations to boggle the mind.
I’ve seen the devil’s footprints in Keels Newfoundland, dinosaur tracks in Chile and now (Identified by me:)), sea monster tracks on the Northern Peninsula.
The show told the story of the S S Ethie which went aground on December 11, 1919 during a terrible storm. I had been to the site where the ship was wrecked and assumed that it became grounded because of high winds and turbulent ocean waves. Learning how it met its demise was very interesting and one can only imagine the weight of responsibility and uncertainty the Captain must have felt when he issued the order. But what were his choices? From the baby sent to shore in a mailbag to the men in the boiler room, all lives were saved. A great show and a great meal.
You may find the book The SS Ethie and the Hero Dog by Bruce Ricketts interesting. A short book, only 68 pages.
Then on to St Mary’s Botanical Garden in Cow Head. Many of the flowers have lost their bloom and the photos were taken just before dark, but you can still feel the peace and care that went into creating this area.
What a lovely, tranquil place right in the centre of the community.
Walking around little communities is a thing I love to do. You miss so much by simply driving through.
Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.
The Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador is an all consuming feast for the senses. The Tablelands are a geological wonder, but first let’s see a little of delightful Woody Point.
Now shall I walk? ”Ride,” Pleasure said: ”Walk,” Joy replied
W. H. Davies
After Saturday’s heat and humidity, the much cooler temperatures made perfect conditions for doing this hike yet again. The trail has had upgrades since we hiked it two years ago.
Interesting? Deposited in what Age?
I would rate this trail as moderate, hiking pole recommended. I loved the cold ocean air after the humidity we had experienced previously.
Susan Abma has just opened her studio on Change Islands. Visit Sea Salt Studio’s Facebook page and be sure and stop in and visit with Susan and Morris when you visit Change Island. I recently bought one of her smaller paintings and absolutely love her work.
Susan is from Alberta and fell in love with Change Islands some years ago .http://jensu.ca
This private summer residence is a colourful sight as you cross the tickle. We spent a great evening here with family and friends.
Catch the ferry at Farewell and go explore Change Islands.
Walking is good for solving problems – it’s like the feet are little psychiatrists.
I was one of many, many homes here in Tilt Cove. It was once a thriving town with all the amenities. Tilt Cove was first settled in 1813 and experienced two mining booms, from 1864 to 1917 and again in 1957 to 1967. At one time the population rose to approximately 2000. We even had a large facility that had two bowling lanes, two curling lanes and a separate area for a lounge and bar. We had work, music, laughter, parties, children, churches, great hunting, fishing, beautiful scenery, stunning ocean views and an overall prosperous community.
As with other early Newfoundland mines, the first Tilt Cove miners came from Cornwall, Wales and the mining techniques closely resembled those of the Cornish mines. Cable or ”Swansea” cars carried the ore down from the mine site along a tramway to a two storied pier where vessels waited to take the ore to the copper smelters in Swansea, Wales.
Community Stories. Baie Verte Peninsula Miners Museum VirtualMuseum.Ca
Now our claim to fame is this…………………..
Yes, four.
The lady who lived in the house below died a couple of years ago at the age of 92. She was the only one living on this side of ‘town’.
” She was a tiny little woman who loved to play the accordion and lived alone in this house for a number of years. She came home one day and the road on this side of the town wasn’t plowed. She climbed over snowbanks, used the ladder on the back of her house to get in through an upstairs window and called the mayor the next morning to come and shovel her out!” said a summer resident who used to live here.
We came here to visit this tiny town on the Baie Verte Peninsula because I wanted to see the monument that had been erected to the passengers and crew of the Queen of Swansea. A shipwreck and incomprehensible horror story that played out on Gull Island, not too far from Tilt Cove on December 12,1867.
We arrived in La Scie on a wet and cold Canada Day and stayed at Island Cove RV Park. We soon met Doug, Park Manager, I believe, and doer of all things. He brought us several print outs of hiking trails in the park and further down in La Scie.
The weather cleared around 3:30 and although it was still chilly, it was perfect for hitting the trails.
The French influence from centuries ago is quite evident in the signage all around town.
None of the trails are long and except for Boone’s Hill are easy/moderate.
Still overcast and cold but walking and hiking is a great way to stay warm, get exercise and explore something new.
Boone’s Hill is not a difficult hike, but it does have approximately 200 steps to the top lookout.
La Scie, Newfoundland
The walk around La Scie Harbour is beautiful.
The Duggan Family have their own graveyard! It is quite overgown now, but the grass is still being mowed.
A beautiful display of Lupins at Island Cove Park
Roses in the Duggan Family Graveyard.
Fireworks over La Scie Harbour.
Daily walking, in all weathers, in every season, becomes a sort of ground or continuum upon which the least emphatic occurrences are registered clearly.
Just 25 kms from Twillingate is another little gem. Exit Route 346 onto Route 340, drive 12 kms down this road and you will find yourself in Too Good Arm. Another small Newfoundland outport with a unique name, but this one has a newly upgraded/built hiking trail.
According to MHA Derek Bennett, the trail was recently upgraded through a Community Employment Enhancement Program (CEEP). I believe this is a great use of government funds, providing work which in turn encourages people to explore, exercise, enjoy nature and overall maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The hiking sticks at the beginning of the trail are a lovely addition and I would suggest using one. Of course…….return it on the way out.
The trail is not long, we clocked 3.33 kms return. It does seem longer because there are so many coves to walk to and if you explore further you will add to your hiking distance. Today was an absolutely gorgeous day in this almost snow-less January. The shrubs and lichen looked more like fall than mid winter.
Too Good Arm Hiking Trail
Our way of walking on the Earth has a great influence on animals and plants. Yet we act as if our daily lives have nothing to do with the condition of the world. We are like sleepwalkers, not knowing what we are doing or where we are heading. The future of all life, including our own, depends on our mindful steps. We have to hear the bells of mindfulness that are sounding all across our planet. We have to start learning how to live in a way so that a future will be possible for our children and our grandchildren. Our own life has to be our message.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Walking in nature is a most awesome way to practice mindfulness……..hmm, perhaps we were talking too much today.:)
Triangle Pond 🙂
A rock outcrop, a hedge, a fallen tree, anything that turns us our of our way, is an excellent thing on a walk.
The wharf and stage were built by my father and uncles in Comfort Cove, approximately 80 years ago and while it has had much reconstruction over the years, it still stands.
Many family boats have docked here over the years and its splitting table has been used for cleaning many, many cod fish. It has also hosted many Chip-Chip games—-I am still not sure if this was a game invented by my brother…. but it sure was fun! Years later I taught my two daughters, my four grandchildren, nieces and great-nephews how to play. The wharf was also where my daughters and grandchildren would spend countless hours catching connors. My father spent time with our daughters on this wharf, a luxury of time he did not have when I was little. He did, however, bring my attention to the tenacious bluebell (harebell) which grew in the cliff by the wharf. I still marvel at the sheer determination of this beautifully coloured flower.
Cleaning cod fish.
Siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, children , grandchildren and friends from away, all visit the wharf on occasion. The wharf and stage have also been used as the backdrop for many family wedding photos, the latest being that of my father’s great granddaughter.
White’s Wharf
After the death of my father and uncles, my cousin and two brothers have given much to the wharf’s upkeep, through both hard physical labour and financially. The extended White family, friends and neighbours are very thankful.
Happy Hour.
We moved back to the Cove approximately 6 years ago and this Happy Hour was actually held on a warm June day on the wharf……..the Cove was still full of bits of ice. I was joined by two other Whites on this particular occasion, and it was idyllic. My father probably wouldn’t approve of the Happy Hour.:)
The wharf is/was the launching point of many boating trips by all members of the White family.
Thankfully my four grandchildren love trips in the boat. My youngest grandson frequently likes to sit and contemplate during boat rides.
A recent high tide!
The wharf had a major upgrade this year and thankfully these recent high tides caused no damage.
A lovely Christmas 2019 scene across from our wharf.
Winter Scene.
Last year with my husband’s help ( well, he did most of the work:)), we decided to make the wharf a little festive during the Christmas season and this year we lit it up again. I hope this becomes an annual tradition.
Christmas in the Cove.
In this world of upheaval, change, angst, despair, hope and joy, the White family has experienced it all…….. the one constant ………… my father’s wharf.
A toast on White’s Wharf
……and from whatever country in the world you are reading this blog, my Christmas wish to you is that you keep your Christmas simple and make some fun. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays from Treks, Trails & Tales.
Come with me and we will explore Maple Ridge Trail…… but first let’s take a stroll around Triton and view the town’s bus shelters….yes, you read that correctly.
I always promote reading and really, really like this one
Amazing.
…and yes we all need to give thanks to our firefighters.
Put a window in this one, some sort of door for inclement weather, give me a stack of books and I am not coming out to catch the bus. 🙂
