I am offering these simple words to you.
I am offering the joy of walking.
I am offering a space for listening
I am offering a pair of warm cozy socks.
I am offering a beautiful Pashmina to cuddle your shoulders.
I am offering a place of silence.
I am offering a hot cup of tea.
I am offering a warm scone and a comfortable place to sit.
I am offering friendship and simplicity.
To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.
Mary Davis
A beautiful fall day is made for hiking….so off we went to Cottlesville to walk this very interesting trail.
I am sure nature lovers and foresters world wide would be amazed that a new species of tree can be found on Newfoundland’s northeast coast! The glorious Shoe Tree.
I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
………..fun reading, but the trail is really not difficult.
My favourite…….thankfully there were none today.
I have questions without answers…………how were these all formed?
Pot Cove Trail………go and explore.
This trail has been on my bucket list for a number of years and I finally hiked it. It is 9.5 km return and I was definitely in my happy place as I walked through its varied and amazing landscape. Located approximately 3 km from Trout River on Route 431, the trail makes you feel as if you are entering no man’s land.
These rocks were tossed during eruptions more than 550 million years ago!
The trail zig-zags down hills and valleys and you are surrounded by the sounds of running streams and brooks and birds flying and chirping.
The contrast……..from rock strewn land to beautiful greenery is an early morning delight.
Going down to Old Man Cove.
A beachcomber’s paradise.
I would love to take this piece of art home.
Up from the beach, and the meadows and ferns are more treats in the early morning sun. The people from Trout River let their sheep graze here. Walking through the jungle of gorgeous ferns, we arrive at Steve’s Cove.
The Green Gardens area features volcanic rocks formed during eruptions more than 550 million years ago. These eruptions occurred as an ancient continent split apart and an ocean formed.
Green Gardens Story Board at trail entrance.
Early one morning, any morning, we can set out, with the least possible baggage, and discover the world.
In Praise of Walking by Thomas A. Clark
Weather in Newfoundland can surely drive one mad! Here on the northeast coast, we have had a cold, dreary April and snow flurries in May. This is not unusual. However, the week to date has been exceptionally beautiful and today I donned my hiking boots and headed for Twillingate. I met Christina there and we set off on a to-die-for scenic hike.
Spiller’s Cove to Codjack’s Cove……..approximately 6.4 km…….is a part of the Rockcut Twillingate Trails system.
A walk in nature walks the soul back home.
Mary Davis
The blues of the ocean and sky are intoxicating.
Walking and exploring are among my favourite things to do.
Hiking is cheaper than therapy.
Fall is my absolute favourite season. I am rather new at this gathering and preserving and to my surprise, I like it. I love experimenting with herbs and trying many of Newfoundland’s vegetables and fruits in different ways. Black Currants in a green salad, partridgeberries in stuffing, apples in soup stock, pears in stir fries, turnip fries, zucchini fries, roasted beet, roasted carrot and apple soup, hot peppers in cabbage rolls, damson jam with very little sugar, etc.,etc.
Aunt Molly Ground Cherries
This plant was given to us by a friend. I had never heard of them.
I made the tray using a print by Jeannette Pope. Check out her Facebook page….Art by Jeannette
”Aunt Molly Ground Cherry is an outstanding variety that originated in Poland. Fruits are 1.3-1.8cm(1/2” to3/4”) in diameter. Fruits mature to a golden orange colour and drop to the ground in their husks when ripe.”
http://mckenzieseeds.com
Cindy’s Pears
Slow cooker applesauce and autumn, a combination that works well.
I was becoming a little distraught because of our having a very wet and foggy October here on the northeast coast but October has reaffirmed my belief in her today, and I can honestly say:
I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Keep it simple.
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.
………..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.
Never lose your sense of wonder.
God’s world
Edna St. Vincent Millay
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.
A small, but lovely RV park just outside Woody Point and it has a Little Free Library!
A cozy little cottage with just a bed and an amazing view.
Then on to Woody Point for a little hike which we extended by walking around the town.
Is there anything that is better than to be out, walking, in the clear air?
In Praise of Walking by Thomas A. Clark
So, so glad my husband is using his camera again. Driftwood art.
Beautiful Woody Point.
For more on Woody Point please check my earlier blog posts.
Then, a short distance away a totally different kind of beauty is found in the Tablelands.
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.
Early morning walk in Change Islands.
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.
Terri Guillemets
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.
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.
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.
A beautiful display of Lupins at Island Cove Park
Roses in the Duggan Family Graveyard.
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
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 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.
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.:)
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.
……………………………..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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Another year and in 2022 more work has been done on White’s Wharf. With climate change happening, we experience more high winds and storm surges and to protect our wharf, my cousin and brothers ensure this landmark will hopefully withstand against nature’s fury.
White’s Wharf December 2022
My wish for everyone is still the same…………….
……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. 🙂
They are all works of art, such talent.
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.
Go and explore!
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.”
………………..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.
I am offering these simple words to you. I am offering the joy of walking. I am offering a space for listening I am offering a pair of warm cozy socks. I am offering a beautiful Pashmina to cuddle your shoulders. I am offering a place of silence. I am offering a hot cup of…
To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles. Mary Davis A beautiful fall day is made for hiking….so off we went to Cottlesville to walk this very interesting trail. I am sure nature lovers and foresters world wide would be amazed that a new species of tree can be found on Newfoundland’s northeast…
This trail has been on my bucket list for a number of years and I finally hiked it. It is 9.5 km return and I was definitely in my happy place as I walked through its varied and amazing landscape. Located approximately 3 km from Trout River on Route 431, the trail makes you feel…
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 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.
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!
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.
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
God’s world Edna St. Vincent Millay 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. A small, but lovely RV park just outside Woody Point and it has a Little Free Library! A…
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,…
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.
Come with me, the view from the top is worth the climb.
Climbing uphill, the horizon grows wider;
In Praise of Walking Thomas A. Clark
….descending, the hills gather round.
In Praise of Walking Thomas A. Clark
Another short but peaceful trail goes around the pond. A lovely early morning walk.
Walking is good for solving problems…it’s like the feet are little psychiatrists.
Terri Guillemets
Rencontre East is located in Fortune Bay on the South Coast of Newfoundland and is accessible by ferry……. just foot traffic, no vehicles. The trip is approximately 1 hr 45 mins one way and offers amazing views of the coast. We also saw many different seabirds, whales and several schools of dolphins.
The current population of this most interesting place is 120 with 22 school children. One student graduated this year and won a prestigious scholarship!
This is a community that is surviving and appears to be doing well because of aquaculture, people who come to explore in the summer (there are three B & Bs here owned by the same couple who offer a variety of outdoor adventures), and because some work away ….weeks on/weeks off. There are two general stores, a post office and a small health clinic which I find impressive …..many of these small communities are not as fortunate.
…and of course we did the trail around the pond, unfortunately we didn’t get to do the trail to the lake. A return visit with a longer stay is on my bucket list….have to stay at the Chart House and do some more exploring.
Go….explore Newfoundland and Labrador.
The most lonely places are the most lovely.
In Praise of Walking Thomas A. Clark
Having done a portion of the Gun Hill Trail previously, we opted to do the Lower Gun Hill Trail. This trail goes through the woods around the base of the hill and also leads to the ocean and back to beautiful Trinity. An easy trail with a little incline.
The trail begins behind the Royal Bank and finishes behind Rising Tide Theater. At the beginning of the trail is this beautiful heritage home and gardens.
Beginning of trail
The trail passes an old graveyard………………..
After doing some research, I found the answers.
http://www.newfoundlandshipwrecks.com
| Lion | ||
Vessel RegistryOwner Registration No. Official No. Vessel Name Place Constructed Year Constructed No. of Decks No. of Masts Type of Vessel Length (ft) Width (ft) Depth (ft) Gross Tonnage Net Tonnage Year Registered Official Closure Year Place of Closure Actual Closure Date | Walter Grieve & Co S866106 052320 Lion Greenspond, Bonavista Bay 1866 2 2 Steam/Sail 140 28 16 393 292 1866 1882 Trinity Bay, NL 1882 | The S.S. Lion was another vessel whose loss at sea had a devastating impact on Trinity and the surrounding small communities as they lost some of their most prominent citizens when this vessel went down in the Baccalieu Tickle on January 6, 1882. Included amongst them was  Captain Patrick Fowlow of the nearby community of Trinity East, a well skilled Captain, Rev. Hugh Foster and his wife who were coming to take up duties in the Parish of Trinity, as well as Charles Power, a well established merchant. The images and documents that you will see and read concerning the mysterious loss of this vessel will make you wonder about what actually happened on that fateful night, what happened to the wreckage and the bodies of those on board, as only that of Mrs. Cross was found floating onshore. Listen to Mrs. Florence Barbour give an account of her grandmother’s sixth sense prediction about the Lion being lost and see if you can figure out what happened to the Lion that night.  |
| Images Audio | Documents | |
Go, explore our beautiful province.
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
Country Living
photos C & L Fudge
This is a short trail, approximately 4 km return. After walking the dirt path/road that leads to the Cove, the scenery is spectacular.
On February 18, 1942 an horrific naval disaster occurred on
Newfoundland’s south coast.
Click the link above and read this horrific and heroic story.
The Truxtun was trapped in Chamber Cove and the Pollux about one and a half miles west at Lawn Point. The Truxtun was carrying 156 men and the Pollux 233. For hours, these men fought to survive in the driving sleet, howling wind, and bitter cold of the North Atlantic.
The Story – Dead Reckoning: The Pollux-Truxtun Disaster
This trail should be on everyone’s bucket list. This disaster has been documented many times and I am sure almost everyone knows of Lanier W. Phillips. Seeing the actual sight on a warm summer’s day with calm seas, it is still difficult to comprehend how 186 (203 died) men were saved. A terrible storm, giant waves, a gruesome death but bravery and compassion were also evident on that terrible night.
Standing Into Danger by Cassie Brown tells the story of the shipwrecks and the rescue and is available on Amazon.
Go, explore and learn about the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The area of Notre Dame Bay around Comfort Cove-Newstead is not known for its sandy beaches. It is however, ideal for kayaking and exploring. The bay is dotted with islands, some large, some small. On this particular day we decided to explore one of the smaller islands and traveled there in our boat with family members.
What will we find, what will we see…….
Searching for wildflowers.
Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would.
My favourite scent…blackberry bushes.
Exploring is one of my favourite things to do……. exploring with daughters and grandchildren is even nicer.
A boil up is an old tradition in my family. These mussels were small but oh so tasty.
My photo tribute to Newfoundland artist Gerald Squires.
Rocky beaches & driftwood fires with family and Ginger, the saltwater dog.
Use all your senses and go…..explore.
……on the shores of Red Indian Lake. Red Indian Lake is the second longest lake on the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is 64.4 km long and averages 5.8 km in width. Mary March Wilderness Park is located near Buchans Junction and has been privately owned for 25 years.
Wild irises are everywhere.
Textures.
A great way to start the day.
A hammock tent!
Defying the odds.
The owners keep animals at the park. The pig and goat share a home and are best buds. Their daughter’s dog used to live with them too but decided to move out, they do however, remain the best of friends.:) I was told that sometimes you can see the daughter, followed by her dog, then the pig and finally the goat at the rear, walking on the beach.
Chaga?
Mary March Wilderness Park, Newfoundland & Labrador
If you love glamping and enjoy posh settings when you camp, this may not be the place for you. If you like seeing the world from a different perspective, go…walk the shoreline of the lake, see the shore birds, walk in the woods and listen to the song birds, study the trees, listen to the loons at night, see how nature thrives on the rocky shores, light a soothing campfire, breath deeply and relax totally.
Everything we meet is equally important or unimportant.
In Praise of Walking…..Thomas A. Clark
Greenspond was first settled in the1690s and is situated in the Bonivista North area on the northeast coast of Newfoundland.
I recommend this community for your staycation 2020.  Scenic…at times wild…… at times serene, but never dull to your senses.
Beautiful Greenspond, NL
Check out Ida’s Place before you hike, that way you will at least burn off some of the calories!
Check out their Facebook page, go talk to the owners, inquire about their story….I discovered I had both people ANDÂ place connections to both husband and wife! Ask about the history of the house, sit, relax and enjoy.
We first attempted to walk the Greenspond Hiking Trail in August of 2016, but the wind and rain were so ferocious that we had to turn back. We finally completed it a couple of weeks ago. My phone with my Map My Walk App died shortly after beginning the trail and I didn’t log my kms, but I was told that the trail is 6 kms in length.
Greenspond Hiking Trail
Walk the beautiful trail, check out the B & Bs, visit Hub of the North Restaurant and Hotel, do a walkabout, check out the wildflowers, talk to the locals, embrace the ocean with Come from Away Boat Tours, learn about the history of Greenspond and thoroughly enjoy your visit, as we did.
For additional information on Greenspond, please check out my blog post of August 30, 2016.
Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.
Jumpers Head Trail is located in Birchy Bay on the northeast coast of Newfoundland. Birchy Bay is located on the Road to the Isles and is a tidy little community which offers many scenic views. The trail begins not far from the Pentecostal Church on the opposite side of the road from beautiful Jumpers brook. The trail is short, just 1 km and climbs gradually up to the lookout.
The Birth of a Community, The Story of Birchy Bay- Virtual Museum of Canada has this to say about Birchy Bay and Jumpers Head……..
” The rolling hills were covered with birch and pine right up to Jumpers Head, the sentinel rock that rises dramatically with its bald granite core exposed and weathered with time. Its name brings back to life the tale of a Beothuck warrior who took his own life on this hill.”
The lovely green and intricate root patterns always catch my attention.
Light and shadow, rocks and moss and always, the stunning root system.
Steps and caribou moss.
The Y Trail.
The beautiful view from the top.
“For the right understanding of a landscape, information must come to the intelligence from all the senses.”         In Praise of Walking by Thomas A. Clark
Thanks to Marina of Saltwater Studio for informing me of this hike. Visit Saltwater Studio’s Facebook page and check out her beautiful work.
Visit Birchy Bay, stop by this beautiful brook, climb to the lookout…it can be done while social distancing.
A pictorial blog of some of the hikes I did in 2019.
March 2019 found us in beautiful Chile, hiking with Foothills Hiking Chile
Also in March we did some hiking in Comfort Cove, Newfoundland. The temperature was a little different than Chile.
April found us hiking down our lane and opening our new Little Free Library.:)
Hiking in Arnold’s Cove, Newfoundland
Pike’s Arm, Newfoundland
Twillingate and Pike’s Arm, Newfoundland
Change Islands, Newfoundland
Woody Point, Newfoundland ……be sure to check out Writers in Woody Point for 2020.
Sandbanks Burgeo, Newfoundland should be on everyone’s bucket list!
Twillingate, Newfoundland
Beginning in 2020, let’s do this and repeat:
Day One: Write down five things good that happened today.
Day Two: Meditate on one thing you love that makes your heart sing.
Day Three: Treat yourself to one small indulgence without guilt.
Day Four: Be good to your body and exercise and eat right.
Day Five: Commune with nature and feel how connected you are with life!Gratitude by Janice Deal and Marie D. Jones
After my previous blog posts on Burgeo and the beautiful trails in Sandbanks Provincial Park, I received a few inquiries on the effect of winds and tide on the area.
Tops of erect headstones!
One of the many trails leads to an old cemetery. One of the park employees told me that the last burial here was around 1915.
When the cemetery was first used, the dead were brought here by boat from Upper Burgeo, Lower Burgeo and, I believe, surrounding islands.
That’s a lot of sand.
Slowly going………..interesting.
Three names, one side blank and names on the other three……1873,1882, and 1900. If only I knew their stories.
No more, no more
The worldly shore
Unbraids me with its loud uproar!
With dreamful eyes
My spirit lies
Under the walls of Paradise.
 Thomas Buchan Read
A beautiful resting place, changed by tide, winds and sand.
Unscripted Twillingate    is a four day celebration of digital arts which began four years ago. Each year, each day offers many events/workshops to enjoy. This year I purchased a ticket for Fire Food and Photography and Crystal Anstey from Experience Twillingate did not disappoint!
The group met at Twillingate museum and walked approximately 15 minutes in Back Harbour to Batrix Island. The information on this trail has the starting point from Main Street and lists its difficulty level as moderate. I believe that is referring to the last climb to the top which is a little steep.
Along the way we did a little foraging for berries and edible plants, with Crystal sharing information on identifying and usage. It was a gorgeous, windy day with awe-inspiring views.
…..and then we arrived. A dining table on Batrix Island beach…sure why not!!!!
The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences. Eleanor Roosevelt
While we were waiting for the food to be prepared, a few of us walked to the top of Batrix Island ….so glad I did.
There’s dining and then there’s dining. 🙂
Food by Crystal………….
……..decor by Mother Earth.
A little discussion on plating and each of us did our own arrangement…..think mine looks pretty good…and the food was delicious.
It was all cooked over an open fire on a beach with sun and sea, with new friends and laughter. Thank you Crystal Anstey!
……..Italy has Pompeii, Burgeo Newfoundland has Sandbanks.
It’s not an old book, or a treasure map. Nope. Staring up at me was a pile of rocks.  Wendy Mass, Jeremy Fink and the Measure of Life
For the first time in my life I find myself wishing I had studied geology. I always get a feeling of joy when picking up a smooth, warm rock….I close my eyes and feel my daughters’ little hand in mine and, in more recent years, my grandchildren’s. The texture and smoothness of these rocks on the beach at Sandbanks Provincial Park in  Burgeo will be with me always. Because they appear to be made from many tiny rocks, I expected them to be course and rough to the touch, the opposite was true. Running my hand over them on many of my treks, I felt smoothness….like soapstone. I can only assume ( because I didn’t study geology) that over millions of years the ferocious winds, tides and blowing sands smoothed them into this most awesome state.
On the trails…… totally different, but so visually appealing.
On the trails. How did this get here?……my imagination runs wild.
I take another look at the stone, round my fingertips over the meticulous brushstrokes and realize that nothing ever returns to time unless it is stored in mute, voiceless objects; rocks tell tales after all.”  Stefan Hertmans, War & Turpentine
Go…..explore!
Just when I think I have seen the best of Newfoundland, I travel and trek to another. Burgeo is located on the south coast of Newfoundland. Take route 480 approximately 20 minutes west of the Stephenville turnoff. A two hour ride down this road will bring you to Burgeo, home of the breathtaking Sandbanks Provincial Park.
Piping Plover at Sandbanks Provincial Park.
The park is a series of stunning beaches and connecting trails.
Can I stay forever?
“Let’s wander where the WiFi is weak.”
Walking: the most ancient exercise and still the most modern. Carrie Latet
“And what is the sea?” asked Will.
“The Sea!” cried the miller.
“Lord help us all, it is the greatest thing God made!”  Robert Louis Stevenson
Burgeo, Sandbanks Provincial Park Part I
If you are a nature lover, Change Islands has much to see and do. Take a walkabout, ( a photographer’s and artist’s delight), visit the Newfoundland Pony Sanctuary , talk to the locals, hike on one of several trails on the island, admire the architecture and coastline, study the wildflowers and birds.
When we visited the Pony Sanctuary, a journalist from Germany was there gathering information to write an article for a magazine in Germany…..a long way from home.:) Click the Change Islands link above to discover the island and all it has to offer.
…. located in Change Islands, Newfoundland is a walk that evokes mystical, whimsical fantasies. It is filled with vibrant greens, stunning lichen patterns and tranquility. Â It is a short hike, approximately 20 minutes one way.
Indian Lookout Trail, Change Islands
Fascinating lichen patterns.
A variety of mushrooms.
It is worth a thousand pounds a year to have the habit of looking on the bright side of things. Dr. S. Johnson
Nearing the top.
Caribou Moss & Partridgeberries.
At the top.
Go to Change Islands  breath and just be.
To further explore Change Islands, also check these blog posts…..Squid Jiggers Trail, Change Islands….June 18, 2018 AND A Stroll Through Change Islands, August 7, 2018.
Seven Oakes Inn, Change Islands
……………..a short trail with a pictorial tale, and a great history lesson.
I was very curious as to the name Otter Rub. I did a little research but couldn`t find much information. I read somewhere that the site was so named because at one time there were many otters on the beach and they could be seen rubbing themselves. I`ll go with that.
Just a short walk to the site.
A beautiful little beach.
History lesson in story board form—very interesting.
D`Mericans were really loved!
Another great little trail! Arnold`s Cove NL
Eastern Point trail begins not too far from this unique scene in Trout River.
Trout River, population 552, is located on the west coast of Newfoundland. We had a couple of hours between events at the nearby Writers At Woody Point event and decided to drive to Trout River. We did a little walkabout in the community and then hiked this trail.
Not a long hike (3 km return), but very picturesque with a variety of seascapes and wildflowers
We are all creative.
We are all artists of some kind.
some are better than others,
a few are geniuses.
But we all have a creative spirit.
Allow it to rise up.
Nurture it, challenge it.
Give it freedom.
Celebrate it.Â
Patrick Lindsay
Seeing this, I immediately thought of Newfoundland artist Gerry Squires.
Best known for his dramatic landscape paintings in oil and acrylic, as well as his portraits and surrealist paintings, Squires also worked as a sculptor, print maker and newspaper artist. Squires was born in Change Islands but spent much of his childhood on Exploits.       From a CBC News article October 4, 2015
Potentilla
Walking is good for solving problems – it’s like the feet are little psychiatrists.   Â
Terri Guillemets
Writers At Woody Point is an event that has been on my bucket list for a few years and last week my husband and I finally made it happen. It is five days of storytelling, music and readings by amazing authors. It is indescribable to have so many new experiences, to hear, and be in the presence of, such talent and such breathtaking scenery.
The veterans will tell you that this is an immersive experience- you don’t so much attend it as live it. Stephen Brunt, Artistic Director
Out and about in Woody Point.
The writers at this year’s event were Melissa Barbeau, Dave Bidini, Lindsay Bird, Jeremy Charles, Megan Gail Coles, Mark Critch, Lorna Crozier, Michael Crummey, Anthony De Sa, Linden MacIntyre, Randall Maggs, Des Walsh and Meg Wolitzer! There were free events as well as tickets for purchase for others. What a line up! Writers At Woody Point is one class act.         ……..yes Meg Wolitzer , author of The Wife, was there!
……..and she graciously agreed to a picture on our Writers in the Wild trek.
Meg Wolitzer  I bought her newest book, The Female Persuasion and loved it. Check out her other great books through her link.
The line up of hosts was equally impressive…..Shelagh Rogers, Angela Antle, Ian Brown, Tom Power and Miranda Hill.
Musicians and performers were Barney Bentall, Anita Best, Matthew Byrne, Rose Cousins, Dark By Five, Jeremy Dutcher, David Ferry, The Once, Sandy Morris (he’s everywhere! How does he do it?!), Shane Murphy, Jodee Richardson and Sherry Ryan. So much talent.
Jeremy Dutcher
I hadn’t planned on attending his concert, but during the day I became intrigued because I heard such phenomenal things about him. Luckily a lady was selling her ticket and my husband was in ‘the right place, at the right time’. Jeremy is a member of the Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick and
is a classically trained Canadian Indigenous tenor, composer, Musicologist, performer and activist.
A week later and I am still in awe of what I heard and saw.
Between events I went looking for wildflowers in Lomond and Woody Point. Beautiful Asters, Queen of the Meadow, Tansy Ragwort and Joe Pye Weed.
 Writers in the Wild did not disappoint. Readings and singing by Meg Wolitzer, Rose Cousins and Jodee Richardson.
As we were walking back the trail, we had another huge surprise waiting! Jeremy Charles of Raymond’s Restaurant was in the bush cooking us ravioli filled with wild rabbit, chanterelle mushrooms and partridgeberries. No words are needed.
The following day, members of Qalipu First Nations  end our educational Medicine Walk with soul stirring drumming and chants.
Be proactive and mark August 13-18, 2020 on your calendar now. Writers At Woody Point will be hosting its 17th annual event.
The best that can be said of my knowledge of wildflowers is that I know very little but I like them. I like learning about them, searching for their identification through books, asking other people, from wildflower experts and the Wildflowers of Newfoundland and Labrador FB page.
Some friends and I did a little walk about the Cove on a lovely sunny morning and together we studied the wildflowers growing by the side of the road in Comfort Cove. These I believe are pretty common wildflowers but oh so pretty.
Wild madder/Bedstraw
This one took a little time, but was ID’d by members of Wildflowers of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is further described as a roadside mix, dumped by contractors doing road work. I, for one, am so glad they did…growing all along the roadside of Comfort Cove-Newstead they make quite the visual statement.
I took this picture on one of my solo walks in Newstead. A variety of Daisy…Ox eye, English, some other???? not sure. As children we called them Bachelor Buttons and would pull off the petals one by one, reciting “he loves me, he loves me not.”
St. John’s Wort
I like wildflowers, I like how they grow anywhere…in fields, among rocks, bogs, roadsides, between old boards, barrels, on barrens…simply wherever they feel like it. They always seem so happy and free and for the most part co-exist happily together, sometimes invading each other’s space.
On a recent medicine walk in Woody Point NL, I learned that the leaves of the common Yarrow can be inserted in wounds to stop bleeding. Also the whole plant can be thrown in a fire to drive away flies.
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
Sail away, kill off the hours
You belong somewhere you feel free.   Wildflowers by Tom Petty
Bring your enthusiasm for life with you everywhere you go, and it will be contagious.  Dr. Bernie S. Siegel
Butter and Eggs
Butter and Eggs
Go outside, walk, walk and then walk some more, see and explore, learn and marvel.
Not in the mood to hike one of Twillingate’s fabulous trails ( I have done them before), I walked in Twillingate just looking at the wildflowers.
 Cow parsnip, daisies, and the very tenacious bluebell/harebell. I so admire these little flowers. Just a short way down the road I saw the Smith’s Lookout sign and decided to climb up there again. A very short hike with a great view.
A memorial……. and what a fitting site they chose.
There are things we will never see, unless we walk to them. In Praise of Walking, Thomas A. Clark
 Explore, see and absorb all that nature has to offer.
Josie’s B&BÂ Â Click this link for more information and click accommodations, if you are looking for a place to stay.
Pike’s Arm is located on New World Island, Newfoundland, approximately 20 minutes from Twillingate.
tripadvisor reviews refer to this place and trail as a “hidden gem amazing 360 degree views”
I don’t need your praise to survive. I was here first, before you were here, before you ever planted a garden. And I’ll be here when only the sun and moon are left, and the sea, and the wide field. I will constitute the field. The Wild Iris by Louise Gluck
A very small community, but this takes work. A job well done.
We met a tourist from Ontario at the top. A kindred spirit …goes off the beaten path.
My favourite scent…blackberry bushes in summer.
Ode to the Blackberry Bush
(with apologies to John Denver)
by Carol Fudge
You fill up my senses
with a yearning for long ago moments
like lilacs in summer
like a storm in the cove
like seagulls crying
come fill me again.
Come let me inhale you
let my mind gently wonder
let peace flow through me.
Let me walk through your bushes
let me sit down beside you
let me always remember.
Come let me touch youcome fill me again.
You fill up my senses
like newly cut grass
like the warmth of the sun
like the smell of the ocean
come fill me again.
Go… explore, go off the beaten path.
…….low rental rates, see Woody for further details.
The Bordeaux Trail in Arnold’s Cove is 12 km (return) and is rated easy to moderate and what a gem it is! Personally I know no one who has been to Arnold’s Cove for a vacation and I can’t help wondering why I haven’t spent some time there. If you check TripAdvisor etc., it gets great reviews.
A very picturesque, tidy town with many great ideas implemented.
The Town of Arnold’s Cove is to be congratulated for their initiative. According to Google, the population is 949 (2016) and driving through the town it seems as if it has all the essential services plus a great sense of community pride.
It even has a duck crossing.
Perfect hiking conditions for me….warm and windy….no flies.:)
Pools, walls, solitary trees are natural halting places.  Thomas A. Clark
The trail is never boring, everywhere there is something to stir the senses….the ocean, many different kinds of seabirds and songbirds, irises, violets, pitcher plants, ferns, interesting trees, ponds, beaches, driftwood and humour.
Is there anything that is better than to to be out, walking in the clear air? In Praise of Walking by Thomas A. Clark
Hello.
 The area is a beachcomber’s delight.
Tell me your story!
Alice Louisa (Adams) Guy was born here in 1899 and died in 2001. She spanned 3 centuries and died at the age of 102! What a beautiful place to enter the world.
A welcome sight after the hike. Our camper van is perfect for our wandering lifestyle.
If you want to visit Arnold’s Cove (and who wouldn’t) and are looking for a place to stay while you explore, there are several places to choose from.
Check out The Killick Inn and Suites. Â
Go, see and explore your island home, then your country and then the world!
What kind of life can you have in a house without books? Sherman Alexie
A house without books is certainly not one I would want and parents and grandparents who do not read to their children are not people I understand.
Digging the hole for the post.
Little Free Libraries are found all over the world and having seen them in various locations in our province, I wanted one. Seeing and reading about the one in Green’s Harbour, Trinty Bay closed the deal for me. Thankfully my husband agree to make me one and because the ground was frozen, it had to wait until this week to be erected.
This is now extra special because two of our grandchildren are here and helped us with the set up.
Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. Emilie Buchwald
Preparing to cut the ribbon.
Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.  Anne Herbert
I am blessed in that even though my grandchildren love their devices, they are avid readers.
Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
I am thrilled that two people have already stopped by to get books and another left some books.
Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks. Dr. Seuss
The sign reads “Take a book, leave a book”, but if you don’t have one to leave, please feel free to take one and….. spread the word.
Corner of Elderberry Lane and Poplar Road, Comfort Cove.
I always read. You know how sharks have to keep swimming or they die? I’m like that. If I stop reading, I die. Patrick Rothfuss
When we weren’t hiking the trails, mountains and in the villages with Foothills Hiking Chile, we were walking in San Fernando, in Santa Cruz, in Chimbarongo and in Santiago. In San Fernando, we happened upon a lovely restaurant and had dinner there. Most of the restaurants around our hotel in San Fernando were of the fast food variety, so we were ready for a nice dinner and my husband, somehow learning from the waiter that this dish contained meat, promptly ordered it.
Chorrillana is a Chilean dish that is made with french fries topped with different kinds of meat, sausages, caramelized onions and right at the top…..two fried or scrambled eggs.
A lovely salad.
Pepino Dulce
We purchased this at the supermercado (supermarket) across from Hotel Espanol. It is a fruit that tastes like a cucumber.
Begging for this cup at the cafe that we visited did not sway the server….. “No, no, no, I cannot sell it.”
This was our own delicious feast that we bought at the market……it went over very well for our Happy Hour.
San Fernando Market
I bought these at the market and was told to boil them for an hour and sprinkle with cinnamon…. I believe they were some variety of apricot.
I love this picture. I asked if I could take her picture and she was so pleased.
The ‘mason jar’ bag ( a gift from my daughter) came in handy when I bought olives at the market.
Wine Festival in Santa Cruz
Using a hairdryer to rekindle the barbecue coals.
Cooking Class….Cazuela de Ave
Cazuela de Ave is the national dish of Chile. Chicken, vegetables, salt and pepper, cloves, coriander, paprika is used in this recipe, where we would probably use turnip, butternut squash or pumpkin is used. I don’t know if turnip is grown in Chile, but there was none to be found in the supermarkets or local market.
……a new drink.
In the little mountain village of Termas del Falco, the electricity is only on between 8 pm and midnight. This little bar had a interesting refreshment…a stout beer mixed with a can of condensed milk. Ordinarily a blender would be used, but because there was no power at this time of day, it was simply whisked with a fork.
While we were seeing the historic San Cristobal Hill in Santiago, we saw people drinking this interesting concoction …roughly translated it is peaches with wheat. The ingredients are dried peach halves, sugar, cinnamon stick, lemon or orange peel, water and one cup cooked pearl barley or wheat berries. It is very, very popular in Chile and while I enjoyed it, I don’t think it would be a favourite of mine.
A gourmet who thinks of calories is like a tart who looks at her watch.
Chile you were an amazing experience.
….gets some clearing and some new signs.
The trail from the sign in to the actual lookout is approximately 1/2 km and today is still snow covered in places.
We are very fortunate here in the Cove that in 1977, Kevin Head and 15 others developed this trail as a part of a summer works program. Later Gordon White, Keith Copper and others involved with the town council at the time (still gathering information on this) made the trail longer and it now goes around the headlands and coves, ending near the Wild Bight Road. This is not a long trail, ( approximately 3 km return) but I find it quite relaxing and peaceful.
Tenacity
New signs
This first lookout along the trail is perhaps my favourite. It is a great place to stop and maybe have a cup of tea, being careful not to go too close to the edge of the cliff. Later there will probably be an Osprey’s nest on the top of the sea stack. We have stopped to watch the birds guard the nest when out in our boat.
I absolutely love this lichen on the white spruce and want to decorate them with red berries. 🙂
These windfalls and others have now been cleared.
A beautiful day, sunny and warm on March 31!
The trail as of today is quite slippery in places. Hiking stick(s) and cleats are recommended.
In the background you can see Doctor’s Hill
Is there anything that is better than to be out walking in the clear air? In Praise of Walking by Thomas A. Clark
..from Newfoundland to Chile Part IV.
The hike in Termas del Flaco , described below, was indeed an adventure and in some ways surreal. Seeing dinosaur tracks in the longest  mountain chain in the world, left behind by creatures that walked the earth when South America and Africa formed one tectonic plate, was pretty spectacular!   Chile
…….this is an endeavour for the obsessed or the adventurous but no matter who you are, you will be left amazed by the visible footprints left by dinosaurs some 150 million years ago.  All you’ve ever wanted to Know about Dinosaurs in Chile HelenLCordery
But before we could start our hike we had to travel to Termas del Flaco. This in itself is somewhat of an adventure. The dirt road is approximately 77 km, narrow and winding …looking down is sometimes not advisable. It allows only one way traffic. If you are up at Termas del Flaco, you must leave to come down by 2’clock so those below can start the journey up the mountain by 4 pm. Both ends are monitored by police.   Termas del Flaco – dangerous roads Chile  Truthfully it wasn’t that bad and we had the utmost confidence in our driver, Jose from Foothills Hiking.
The road up to the village is only open from December to April and during the winter (May to November), the people all move down to San Fernando/Puente Negro and the surrounding area.
First we had to wait until the traffic jam dispersed.:)
Waiting our turn to take the road up to Termas del Flaco
 I found the mixture of brilliant sun and then shade from the mountain peaks fascinating.
“Awesome is Everywhere”
Far below in the village of Termas del Flaco is a sanatorium that was built in the 1930s. It was never opened and never used.
Andes
We made it!
I really don’t know how Johanna will celebrate her next birthday!
This world is an offering to you.
Day four with Foothills Hiking Chile involved a 3 1/2 hour hike around Puente Negro itself; and while there were so many interesting things covered on this trek, the most haunting and memorable experience was entering the Plaza del Arriero and finding the
mural depicting the 1972 Uruguay Air crash.
I had heard of this horrific, yet beautiful and amazing story before but never, never did I ever think I would be this close to where it actually happened.
Elizabeth telling us the details of the crash and the history behind this beautiful mural.
The mosaic begins with the Uruguayan flag and ends with the Chilean flag and is 48 meters long. It depicts the crash site, the walk out and the rescue, as well as, the rugged mountain ranges of the Andes and the birds, flora and fauna. Pedro Marchant is the designer of the mosaic but other artists worked on it. We were so awe struck and interested in this aspect of our hike that unfortunately we did not get great pictures!
The activity of the Puente Negro community was actively participated, an opportunity in which the mural designed by Professor Pedro Marchant was inaugurated and executed by the Fabiola Diaz graduate in arts.
For his part, Professor Pedro Marchant, said the mosaic begins with the Uruguayan flag and ends with the Chilean flag,…………………The teacher of the Lyceum Neandro Schilling explained that when designing the mural he wanted to incorporate a series of episodes that marked the accident and subsequent rescue, not leaving aside our flora and fauna. “in the work could not be absent the rugged mountain ranges, the condor, the guanaco and the puma,” Merchant said.
Meanwhile, the artist Fabiola Diaz, said that “we have been working for some time on the patrimonial rescue and this work is added to the sculpture in tribute to the muleteers that exists in this square.”
Diaz explained that “as a part of the rescue of the historical heritage of this event that impacted the world, it was decided to make this mosaic to create a new tourist attraction, along with being able to share this beautiful technique with the inhabitants of Puente Negro.”
The mural was financed by Tinguiririca Energia and the Villas Cordilleras Commiittee, with the support of the Pro sewage Committee and the Municipality of San Fernando.
The information above was taken from this site https://cronicanoticiosa.com/ which reported from Chile on the murals. I used Google translator to translate from Spanish to English. It gives some very important information on the creation of the mural.
Muleteers sculptors in the park. Elizabeth told us they were all made from scrap metal…just beautiful.
In October of 1972 the Old Christians Rugby team from Uruguay chartered a Uruguayan Air Force plane to fly them to Santiago, Chile for a rugby match………they never made it. The plane crashed in the Andes due to weather and pilot error. Sixteen out of the forty-five survived and stayed alive for over two months in the most brutal conditions!
The details and story of this horrific crash have been documented many times….in newspaper articles, books and movies.
These books may be at your local library. I know they can be ordered through Amazon.
I highly recommend watching the movie Alive which can be purchased through Amazon and also can be  found on Apple TV to rent or buy.  There are also many news articles and interviews about/with some of the survivors, especially Dr. Roberto Canessa and Nando Parrado.
Every day when I look at myself in the mirror, I thank God the same old jerk is still staring back at me.  Dr. Roberto Canessa
“As we used to say in the mountains, “Breathe. Breathe again. With every breath, you are alive.” After all these years, this is still the best advice I can give you: Savor your existence. Live every moment. Do not waste a breath.”    Nando Parrado
El Milagro de los Andes————Miracle of the Andes.
Foothills Hiking is located in Puente Negro, Chile. Puente Negro is approximately 17 km from San Fernando, the capital city of the province of Colchagua.
As a part of our package with Foothills Hiking , we stayed at Cabanas Puente Negro and the owners Eugenio and Paula were friendly, helpful and kind despite our not speaking Spanish! Communication was always a challenge wherever we went, but with Google translator, much laughter and frustration we managed.
The grounds are quite interesting with cows, horses, dogs, cats, bulls and hens. Quite often the cats would lie on our doorstep and the hens would fly up from the bushes as we walked up to the main house for our breakfast! The sunrise over the mountains was always spectacular and breakfast was delicious and soooo much fun! Meeting strangers at 7:30 am can be awkward but both Paula and Eugenio made us feel at home.
Lighting the heater in our cabin so we could shower, breakfast and a display of teapots to make me feel at home.
Eugenio, using many antics, made us mate tea ……. describing it as ‘donkey tea’…make you kick up your heels like a donkey!
It is made from steeping dried yerba mate leaves in hot water and is served in a cup with a straw, the straw was traditionally made of silver. Today it can be made of nickel silver, stainless steel or hollow stemmed cane. The cup is shared by everyone at the table. We laughed so much this morning that we barely had energy to hike.
Cabanas Puente Negro
Breakfast at 7:30 and then the morning hike began at 8:30.
Birds, espino trees, eucalyptus, an interesting fence, beautiful mountain peaks and sunshine are all a part of the hike today.
Bathing our feet in the Rio Claro
“I grew up in this town, my poetry was born between hill and river, it took its voice from the rain, and like the timber, it steeped itself in the forests.” Pablo Neruda
Please click the link above for more information on Foothills Hiking and follow my blog for more posts on our adventure in Chile.
In September of 2018, Botwood NL hosted the Global Mural Arts Conference. This is no small feat for a town of its size. Botwood Mural Arts Society began in 2010 during the town’s Come Home Year and has grown from there. Please make the time to visit the link below.
Before our walkabout, nine of us gathered for a lovely brunch at the Dockside Restaurant. Dockside Restaurant    The exterior of the restaurant is rather nondescript, but the inside is unique and so very interesting. We went for the Sunday brunch and it was excellent. An added bonus is the featured art and the showing of so much history. Check their Facebook page as well as the link above. They are open all year but call 709 257 3179 for hours.
These artists were just finishing this mural and we stopped and talked with them. She was from Argentina and was thoroughly enjoying her time in Newfoundland.
Clash of Cultures….Craig Goudie
This was my sister’s favourite. I was torn between this and The Two R’s by Craig Goudie, an artist from Grand Falls-Windsor. The detail boggles my mind and it is such a powerful part of our history.
Artist Craig Goudie…painted on Botwood library
…….this is definitely my favourite! It’s ingenious how he painted the books as fishing stages (rooms) and used pencils for the shores (supports)…..and the paper boats! Seriously, you can’t get any better with creative thinking……and the colours!
Our history.
Fire hall Mural
Continuing our walkabout and seeing still more amazing murals.
You really need to read everything and look closely at every detail.
The railway through Botwood depicted in a mural and what a story it tells. A section of the old railway bed now provides a scenic walk.
Botwood has four interconnected hiking trails Killick Island 5 kms, Lighthouse Point, Old Railway Link, and King Ridge Lookout. They are not challenging and quite lovely. If you need information, please call 709 257 3022.
My niece, Adrienne recently sent me a quote by John Muir regarding hiking and how he didn’t particularly like the word ‘hike’, he prefers saunter (through the mountains)….Botwood and its murals need you to saunter through the town and fill your senses with imagery, history and pure wonder.
The miracle is not to walk on water, the miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now. …. Thich Nhat Hamh
Gaultois is a tiny community on Long Island on Newfoundland’s South Coast. It is a short ferry ride from Hermitage across 6 km of ocean and takes approximately 20 mins. Your vehicle will be left in Hermitage, as there are no roads in Gaultois.
Map image courtesy of Newfoundland Labrador Transportation and Works
Leaving Hermitage with beautiful views along the way.
Fjords, beautiful vistas and no fog, a gift from September.
Hmmmmmmm………………….
Arriving in Gaultois.
 Anyone need a cab?
Gaultois was once a thriving community. Fishery Products International decided to close the fish plant in 1990 because it had too many plants on the south coast. It is a testament to the tenacity and hard work of the people of Gaultois that approximately 100 people still live there. Most want to resettle but still haven’t reached a majority vote.
The ferry leaves and we begin our trek up to Gaultois.
Gaultois is home to three, possibly four (it depends on who you talk to :))Â distinct areas, The Valley, The Room, The Point and The Bottom.
Trekking along.
We had a great lunch at The Gaultois Inn and then continued our walk.
Unfortunately we didn’t have time to do this trail to the abandoned community of Piccaire.
School Transportation.
I was surprised to learn that there are still 17 students, with two teachers in Gaultois. As we were leaving , some of the older students zoomed up on their dirt bikes or quads and took the 3:30 pm ferry to Hermitage. They planned to return on the 7 pm ferry. Many residents of Gaultios have cars and trucks that they leave in Hermitage.
I like seeing clothes drying on clotheslines, but these disturbed me. I imagined the hard work involved pushing the clothesline up hill and then the dust from the moving quads blowing on the other two.
This photo tells visually how I felt when I left Gaultois. Overcome with sadness.
I hesitated in writing this in the event that some of the current residents of the community read this post; but in doing a little research, I found that although the town is somewhat divided on resettlement, most are eager to leave and start anew. There are some plans in the works for rejuvenation, and if that is what the residents want, I wish them well.
Gaultois, plan a visit, stay at the inn, do a walkabout or two, talk to the locals and form your own thoughts and opinions.
“Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead.” ? author
Photos L. Fudge
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