Come in and let me tell you a little about Tilt Cove.

FeaturedCome in and let me tell you a little about Tilt Cove.

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.

https://archive.macleans.ca THE HORROR ON GULL ISLAND/Maclean’s/October 1969-The Maclean’s Archive

https://www.goodreads.com Desperation: The Queen of Swansea by Gary Collins

A summer resident pointed us in the right direction and we climbed the 65 stairs to the overgrown cemetery.

Queen of Swansea

After some careful foot manoeuvres, my husband eventually found the monument. The cemetery is very overgrown and tricky to explore.

Come to Tilt Cove and hear the voices, feel the past in your walk-about, let your imagination wander and learn from the earth and wind.

La Scie……..another provincial gem to explore.

FeaturedLa Scie……..another provincial gem to explore.

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.

In Praise of Walking Thomas A. Clark

Too Good Arm Hiking Trail

FeaturedToo Good Arm Hiking Trail

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.

In Praise of Walking…Thomas A. Clark

Hiking………….one of my favourite things to do.

Featured

White’s Wharf……a landmark in the Cove……

……………………………..a tale, not a trail or a trek.

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.

Maple Ridge Trail, Triton NL

FeaturedMaple Ridge Trail, Triton NL

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. 🙂

They are all works of art, such talent.

http://www.townoftriton.ca

It’s time to hike the trail. It’s rated moderate-extreme not because of the length of the trail but because of the number of steps.

I have two doctors, my left leg and my right.

G. M. Trevelyan

Nice to get your bearings and see where you are!

I`ve hiked enough coastal trails to know that when I see steps going down, it usually means I am going to be climbing up very soon.

A beautiful fall day in Triton, Newfoundland.

It was definitely worth the climb.

Go and explore!

Comfort Cove…..October’s Party

FeaturedComfort Cove…..October’s Party

We are celebrating our fall season in Newfoundland, Canada and October has been a glorious month to date. Comfort Cove, located on the island’s northeast coast, is dressed in my favorite colours. My hike today meandered onto Bight Road and my senses were on full alert.

Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.

Forest Photography, Wise Nature Saying

October’s Party

by George Cooper

October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came

The Chestnuts, Oaks and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,

And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,

Professor Wind the band.

The Chestnuts came in yellow,

The Oaks in crimson dressed,

The lovely Misses Maple

In scarlet looked their best;

All balanced to their partners,

And gaily fluttered by;

The sight was like a rainbow

New fallen from the sky.

Then, in the rustic hollow,

At hide-and-seek they played,

The party closed at sundown,

And everybody stayed,

Professor Wind played louder;

They flew along the ground;

And then the party ended

In jolly “hands around.”

Cheerful Charlie is visiting from Nova Scotia

………………..and stops by for a visit with Gerald, a man we all miss on Bight Road.

…………..and then I make my way gnome to my little forest.

Rose Blanche Lighthouse

FeaturedRose Blanche Lighthouse

Rose Blanche is located on the southwest shore of Newfoundland on route 470, approximately 45 km from Port Aux Basques. Allow extra time for traveling this route, for although the road is in good condition, it winds along the coast with many turns and twists.

The lighthouse was built with stone from a local granite quarry.

The Lighthouse is accessed by an easy walking, circular, gravel trail that showcases spectacular views of both the ocean and the harbour. Midway around the trail is the historic Rose Blanche Lighthouse, originally built in 1871 and restored in 1999. Rose Blanche Lighthouse Inc. has dedicated this restored lighthouse to all those mariners who sail our shores and the lights and their keepers that bring them home.

http://roseblanchelighthouse.ca

A short beautiful walk brings you face to face with so much history…………….Robert Louis Stevenson connections, wow!

The building was likely designed by either Oake or J.T. Neville, with D & Stevenson, lighthouse engineers from Edinburgh, Scotland advising, designing and supplying the original lighting apparatus. The company, named after the father and uncle of Robert Louis Stevenson, designed a number of lighthouses in the UK and Newfoundland, including the one at Ferryland.

heritage.nf.ca

Love these stones.

During the 70 years in which the lighthouse operated, it had 6 light keepers…..John A. Roberts, John Cook, Bruce Cook, Philip Hatcher, James Skinner and it seems as if Philip Hatcher did a second term and was the last keeper to work here. Oh, to have interviewed them! They must have experienced some ferocious storms.

We have a light upon our house, and it gives hope to all who sail upon the stormy seas. Do ya know what it means to have a light burning atop your home? It is safety, a place of refuge, seen by all that as a signal that ye stand for something greater than this world, greater than us all.

James Michael Pratt, The Lighthouse Keeper

There are always new places to explore in Newfoundland!

    Isle aux Morts

    FeaturedIsle aux Morts

    Situated on the rugged shoreline of Newfoundland’s South West Coast, Isle aux Morts is a perfect destination for visitors looking for breathtaking scenery. Hills carpeted in reds, greens and gold of Newfoundland’s mossy terrain surround the “Island of the Dead”, a fitting name considering the hundreds of ships and lives that have been lost off the Isle aux Morts Coast.

    isleauxmorts.ca Town of Isle aux Morts

    We had a lovely lunch at the entrance of Isle aux Morts, overlooking the Boat Cove Trail. Because of time constraints, we were unable to walk the Harvey Trail but so look forward to returning to this area.

    We did the short trail down to Boat Cove Pond making note of the flora along the way. Asters, Canada Burnet (bottle brush) and pitcher plants, to name a few.

    Imagine! An interesting story.

    Boat Cove Pond, Isle aux Morts

    In 1828 the Harvey family, with the aid of their Newfoundland dog, “Hairyman”, rescued 163 people from the sinking brig “Despatch”, shipwrecked on the rocks off Isle aux Morts. They made another daring rescue in 1838, saving 25 crew members from the Glasgow ship, the “Rankin”. The present day Coast Guard Ship, “Ann Harvey”, is named in memory of the daughter of George Harvey who, while she was only 17 years old, assisted in these heroic deeds.

    isleauxmorts.ca Town of Isle aux Morts

    Get both physical and mental exercise…….visit the town of Isle aux Morts.

    Isle aux Morts

    Rose Blanche Lighthouse

    Rose Blanche is located on the southwest shore of Newfoundland on route 470, approximately 45 km from Port Aux Basques. Allow extra time for traveling this route, for although the road is in good condition, it winds along the coast with many turns and twists. The Lighthouse is accessed by an easy walking, circular, gravel … Continue reading Rose Blanche Lighthouse →

    by carolfromthecove

    Goodyear’s Cove Trails

    FeaturedGoodyear’s Cove Trails

    Goodyear’s Cove is a great little campground located just outside of South Brook, NL and has a few short trails to keep you active. The park has been in operation now for approximately 55 years and has had many upgrades.

    We were very fortunate in having the mayor of South Brook register us for our campground. Don is a delightful, interesting man who has overcome many life challenges and still has an amazing sense of humour.