A minute has passed...maybe more, probably less.
For me, I have always been aware of the iconic Canadian sandbar, proudly nestled off the coasts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, but truly never thought I would step foot on; Sable Island. It all starts with the appropriate aviation delay; be it weather, engine trouble, or a test flight to the coast (or all three in my experience).
My initial observations are best summed as follows: the local geography of the island parallels to coastal North Carolina; the fog and the feeling of humidity is refreshingly cold to the touch; the wild horses are a protected species, and we must keep our distance; the waves crashing on both the Southern and Northern shore can be heard and felt. The people are few, but are very friendly.
Hoping to learn more as the days turn to weeks.
After being on the island for a month, I have a more in-depth report to post:
The island. What can we say
about the island? A living dichotomy, similar to the arctic.
Barren, yet beautiful. Calm, yet stormy. There are times out here
when the stillness is eerie; yet the high winds bring rollers on the
north and south shore that would make any locomotive cower in
comparison.
The fog, is an
animal of its own right. It can be seen, felt and smelled, if you're
adept. The oceanic influence from both shores is inescapably
amazing. The high humidity and the increased salinity are a
universal cure for many ailments. Since being out here I have
noticed that I breathe deeper, my skin feels whole and replenished; the
impact of the ocean is not forgotten.
The ocean has always
felt like home to me. Whether diving, sailing, or surfing, I find an
immense calmness amidst the power within the ocean; another
dichotomous observation perhaps.
The stars and
constellations, are pure. There is very little light pollution here,
and many many stars are visible.
The wildlife, is
truly that; wild. The infamous Sable Island horses are scattered
against the grass studded sand dunes, grazing at free will. The
aboriginal Grey Seals, are everywhere. To me, they are the divas of
the island. They enjoy their space, and will hiss at you if noticed.
But if you pretend they aren’t there, and walk on by, they will
laze there, quietly observant of the human condition, if not
quizzical as to why you are not looking at them. Dichotomous again.
Everyone who has
walked the sandy dunes of Sable before me, has their own stories to
share. I have the good fortune to be here with a lady whom has
graced the island for 40+ years, and I intend to learn as much from
her as I can. Stories are how we pass down knowledge from generation
to generation...even in the current age of the internet, our best methodology
of sharing information is listening to the verbal stories from our
elders. They are often uncensored, raw, yet colourful and full of
truths beyond initial comprehension. The key is to listen, actively;
and truly hear what the storyteller wants you to learn. I will share
some of what I learn from her, with you all. In no way can I hope to
effectively share everything that I wish I could about this unique
place, but I will try.
This island has a
long and rich history, ranging from the unique wildlife, the numerous
shipwrecks, to its past as a penal colony. I hope to uncover a
few layers of history during my time here, and share the stories I
learn, similar to discovering a glass bottle washed ashore from the
icy grips of the north Atlantic, and wondering about what
path it took to get where it is. Where was it cast off from? The
legacy lays within the mystery; for each of us to reveal.
Not much more to report tonight.
Happy trails everyone, thanks for reading.
-ML
