CORMORANTS AND A SHY HERON
As you probably know, recently we had a big wind. It hit the coast as a hurricane and then became a tropical storm.
So, what’s the difference between a hurricane and a tropical storm? Well, as one person explained to me, a hurricane has sustained high winds and sounds like a train constantly roaring by.
I assume a tropical storm is like having one freight train roar by, then silence, where a person can feel hopeful and then is hit with disappointment when another train roars by and rips out some of what the other train missed.
So, what’s the difference between a hurricane and a tropical storm? Well, as one person explained to me, a hurricane has sustained high winds and sounds like a train constantly roaring by.
I assume a tropical storm is like having one freight train roar by, then silence, where a person can feel hopeful and then is hit with disappointment when another train roars by and rips out some of what the other train missed.
TREE ACROSS LANE_WAY
On the positive note, I learned that my chainsaw still starts and that we have very good neighbours.
I had to clear a large tree off our lane-way and a bunch of downed trees off the path that leads to the river. We like to call it our ‘River Path’. Very creative, I must say.
After I cut up the big tree lying across our lane, I went in to start breakfast. That involved cooking on the wood-stove and getting water from the river. We had no power, so no running water for four days.
I had to clear a large tree off our lane-way and a bunch of downed trees off the path that leads to the river. We like to call it our ‘River Path’. Very creative, I must say.
After I cut up the big tree lying across our lane, I went in to start breakfast. That involved cooking on the wood-stove and getting water from the river. We had no power, so no running water for four days.
NO WAY OUT
BLUEBERRY MOUNTAIN FOREST
While eating breakfast I heard a chainsaw. It was a neighbour and his partner cutting up the rest of the tree.
So, I gave him enough gasoline for six hours of generator time and he in turn let us put our frozen food in his freezer.
Also, just before the storm, a neighbour had offered their home as shelter. They live on a mountain and the house is sturdy. It was very kind of them, but we immigrated to another person’s house. She had phoned us earlier and we have stayed there before.
We were glad there were open arms. Everybody in the world could become a refugee at one time or another and open arms are very handy. And truly Christian.
So, I gave him enough gasoline for six hours of generator time and he in turn let us put our frozen food in his freezer.
Also, just before the storm, a neighbour had offered their home as shelter. They live on a mountain and the house is sturdy. It was very kind of them, but we immigrated to another person’s house. She had phoned us earlier and we have stayed there before.
We were glad there were open arms. Everybody in the world could become a refugee at one time or another and open arms are very handy. And truly Christian.
WEB OF LIFE
The problem with writing this blog is there is too much life happening for me to keep up with it.
I was going to write a blog only about my nearly 60 K bike ride between Judique and Port Hastings. It was a memorable day, but so was the tropical storm.
I was going to write a blog only about my nearly 60 K bike ride between Judique and Port Hastings. It was a memorable day, but so was the tropical storm.
JUDIQUE TRAIL_HEAD
Anyway, on the bike hike day the weather forecast was for a high of 28 and a humidex of 33.
Well, I figured that because the trail ran along the ocean a breeze would cool things down.
However, I packed three bottles of water instead of two. I also brought an extra shirt, just in case. What a laugh. Absolutely and totally unnecessary.
On the trail, as the heat built up, I saw what I thought was an animal sitting on the trail. So, I hopped off my bike and began to walk slowly towards the critter. I would stop from time to time to take photos. The critter never moved. Up ahead, I saw two cyclists approaching from the other direction. It surprised me to see the cyclists pass the animal without the animal fleeing.
Well, I figured that because the trail ran along the ocean a breeze would cool things down.
However, I packed three bottles of water instead of two. I also brought an extra shirt, just in case. What a laugh. Absolutely and totally unnecessary.
On the trail, as the heat built up, I saw what I thought was an animal sitting on the trail. So, I hopped off my bike and began to walk slowly towards the critter. I would stop from time to time to take photos. The critter never moved. Up ahead, I saw two cyclists approaching from the other direction. It surprised me to see the cyclists pass the animal without the animal fleeing.
MAYBE A TURTLE?
After the cyclists had passed me by, I got on my bike and rode towards the strange beast. If they could do it, so could I.
Well, it was a strange beast indeed. I had to pull out my animal identification book and was able to identify it as a rare orange pylon pot-hole marker.
Four k’s from Port Hastings I discovered that the trail had been washed out. Therefore, I didn’t have to do the full 60 K’s and when I turned back I was happy to be heading home. The humidity had definitely sapped my strength.
Well, it was a strange beast indeed. I had to pull out my animal identification book and was able to identify it as a rare orange pylon pot-hole marker.
Four k’s from Port Hastings I discovered that the trail had been washed out. Therefore, I didn’t have to do the full 60 K’s and when I turned back I was happy to be heading home. The humidity had definitely sapped my strength.
FARMER WORKING ALONG TRAIL
I looked for a place to stop and eat my lunch. I found a spot to sit in the shade, where the black flies were plentiful and the mosquitoes roamed free. Here, the bugs and I ate and drank water.
I still had over 20 K’s left to go to get back to the truck and was hoping I was up to the task.
Back on the trail, I cycled and stopped, cycled and stopped. My arms felt heavy and I knew I was reaching my limit.
About ten K from home port, I had used up two bottles of water and was happy I had brought a third.
I stopped once again, my bike and I half crawling to a picnic table where I wiped the sweat out of my eyes and off my face and then took a swig from the last water bottle.
It was a solid non-transparent blue water bottle. I decided to pour the water from it into the clear one that I had been using.
Look out! I could now see the drinking water and it was full of slime swimming merrily, hither and thither.
I still had over 20 K’s left to go to get back to the truck and was hoping I was up to the task.
Back on the trail, I cycled and stopped, cycled and stopped. My arms felt heavy and I knew I was reaching my limit.
About ten K from home port, I had used up two bottles of water and was happy I had brought a third.
I stopped once again, my bike and I half crawling to a picnic table where I wiped the sweat out of my eyes and off my face and then took a swig from the last water bottle.
It was a solid non-transparent blue water bottle. I decided to pour the water from it into the clear one that I had been using.
Look out! I could now see the drinking water and it was full of slime swimming merrily, hither and thither.
BUSTER'S FRIEND
I said to myself, “Self, I am going to try and do ten K’s without drinking any more water.”
Which I did, but you see when I’m dehydrated, I lose my voice. So, when I got to the truck and began the drive home, I didn’t stop and buy water. Because I don’t know sign language.
On the way home, I practiced ordering water, but my voice was almost non-existent. It was awol. So, I drove all the way home, approximately 90 K’s, thirsty while meticulously driving the speed limit because I didn’t want to get stopped by a cop and be left dumb-founded and speechless.
Which I did, but you see when I’m dehydrated, I lose my voice. So, when I got to the truck and began the drive home, I didn’t stop and buy water. Because I don’t know sign language.
On the way home, I practiced ordering water, but my voice was almost non-existent. It was awol. So, I drove all the way home, approximately 90 K’s, thirsty while meticulously driving the speed limit because I didn’t want to get stopped by a cop and be left dumb-founded and speechless.
MOUNTAIN FOREST
Three billion birds have disappeared from North America in one generation. I assume ours.
It’s a befuddling fuddle duddle what our generation has prioritized. Natural resources. Human resources. Fuddle duddle.
It’s a befuddling fuddle duddle what our generation has prioritized. Natural resources. Human resources. Fuddle duddle.
TARA TAKING PHOTOS
Last Sunday, Tara, a friend from Eskasoni, Vince, a friend from Baddeck and myself, a very, very close friend from Middle River, climbed Blueberry Mountain.
We also took a side trip to get a view of Cap Rouge and the climb back to the trail was tres exhausting. The views from both heights were worth the effort though and with change left over.
We also took a side trip to get a view of Cap Rouge and the climb back to the trail was tres exhausting. The views from both heights were worth the effort though and with change left over.
LARRY, TARA, VINCENT
