Day Two . . . Change Islands - Not the end of the earth, the end of the rainbow!

Wednesday, Aug 6/14

I blame Cailin!
That trouble-maker started the whole "What about a blog?" pressure. We should have been content to leave well enough alone, to remember that you can never go back, that revisiting a formula just doesn't work. And now, look what has happened - yesterday Wes was distraught because I neglected to gather everyone's favourite thing from Day One, and Lloyd was crushed that his Kabota failed to make the cut! Not so worried about Wes - let him pick two for Day Two and all will be right in his world, but Lloyd? Hmmmm . . .

An Ode to a Boy and His Tractor
They say on The Rock there's a powerful pull when a boy finds his one true love;
A bond of perfection that will not be rent, and a comforting fit like a glove.
Lloyd searched his life through seeking just the right mate, hope dwindling as years all but "flied",
When By God, she appeared, all shiny and new, and said, "Honey, let me take you for a ride!!"

                                            Dear God, I hope this is the right model!

OK, amends made, it is on to Day Two . . . and a marvelous day it was. 

We headed out early for the 2:30 pm Change Islands ferry with Lloyd quietly but firmly keeping our motley crew to a schedule. I am happy to report that the timeline included reaching out the van window to hug Kelly at Clarenville as we drove by. Kidding - we shared a Tim Horten's breakfast visit with Kelly (my favourite thing by the way - putting my arms around my baby) - thanks to her for getting Charlie up and making the drive for a quick visit!
Back on the road, Dave jumped ship. Needing his first Sheridan break, he took the navigator position with Lloyd, sending Wendy to our van as a tour guide. Wendy has an interesting shtick as a guide  . . ."That was a pretty river back there," and "Oh right, we just passed a golf course." What she lacks in pointing out local sights though, she more than makes up for in her precognition of road signs . . ."Get your camera ready. Just around the next bend there is a great sign!" We did not tip well.

                                                   Just one of many!
The ferry ride, and our first glimpse of Change Islands, did not disappoint. It is hard to describe the surreal experience of finally arriving at a place that has been so long on the "someday" list. We all live close to the water, but it is different here. The North Atlantic is majestic, and it swells, even on a calm day. It moves with a power that seems like a warning - "Don't mess with me, I am way tougher than you."
Codrick's Cove - what a spot! At first glance this little community looks like time has forgotten it - tilted, grayed docks that angle down to the water, each with its own weather-beaten fish house perched near the end, small motored dories heading in and out of the harbour - I still can't believe these are the boat they use to "hunt" cod - rocks, trees,berries, hills, water, soft ground cover - just a feast for your senses. However, once you adjust your eyes, it is easy to spot the ATV's, motor homes, satellite dishes . . . this is a place where people live, work, raise families, not just a postcard for us tourists.
No wonder Wendy and Lloyd fell in love with this place. Their house and shed are, no surprise, warm and inviting. And who knew they had their own beach? Well, they call it the Back Gulch, but not after yesterday! The Maritimers, confused by their travels, thought they had arrived at an Icelandic Hot Springs spa, and all braved the icy water. Did I mention there is an ICEBURG offshore?! Fantastic!!
Straws were drawn again for sleeping spots . . . and again, Sandy and Nancy drew long. Time to buy a lotto ticket. They slept out in the shed, a cozy nest even closer to the water's edge. Gee, here's hoping the blow up stayed filled. (:
The day was not done - there was cod filleting to watch just steps down the road, a fabulous spaghetti dinner to be had, and an evening driving tour of the Island.
And now . . . "These are a few of our favourite things . . .":
Wes: A tie for Wes . . . keeping up with Lloyd and his "Ferrari" on the Trans Canada Highway, and sharing the pet peeve of drivers speeding up once you start to pass them, AND enjoying the most refreshing, clean, clear swim of his life in the Gulch (remember, Wes is a sand sissy, so this suited him to a tee), including the image of Wendy and Lloyd sitting above and shaking their heads.
Pam: scrambling up berry covered hills to stand on scary heights to discover icebergs, the punts, and the sea below us! A close second: merrily painted houses scattered along the shores of this beautiful coastline....
Sandy: Seeing the "real" Newfoundland in the form of the beautiful Change Islands and swimming in the same water as an Ice burg !  
Nancy: So many things to consider:  seeing the rocky beauty of Newfoundland, swimming in the North Atlantic (remember I don't even find the waters of Northumberland Strait to be warm enough to swim in) and practicing and gaining knowledge of the Newfoundland flora.
Wendy: My most favorite thing was of course having all my cousins plus travelling with us to finally get to Change Islands together.  Seems like we have been wanting to do this forever!   I could not believe those Parlee beach sun bunnies were swimming in the Back Gulch. Everyone's reactions to it all was priceless.
Dave:Watching Lloyd's face light up as we approached Change Islands. Love is hard to conceal!
Lloyd:going to change islands with great friends.

A little tough for Nancy to drive from here!

only 15 spots

 

"Stage" is the building on the water, the "store" is above it safe and sound, for filleting the day's catch. 
View from the front window.

                                                   

Grounding - Island style

                                                  The Back Gulch Beach!

first in!

                                                     Wes plans to mark territory on every continent.

                                            Sandy takes the plunge.

                                                   Note iceburg in distance.

                                               Dave at the "hot springs".

                                                   "Island House"

evening tour of the Islands

sunset from the back yard