Ocean Adventure '11: Newfoundland bound

[Reesha]

While I was busy thinking about all the ways I'll need to be prepared for my cross country bike ride in 2012, my bosum buddy Teresa was busy commiserating with her partner Ben, thinking of ways to convince me to come aboard their subarctic voyage to film a portion of their documentary.

I have known Teresa since 2006 when we were both boarding school teachers. She is by far one of the most spirited and interesting women I have ever met. She doesn't look older than 25 (she's actually 33) and she has her USCG Master captain's license, able to command vessels up to 500 gross tons. After we taught together in Lake Placid, I moved to St. Louis and she gave up most of her posessions, bought a small pocket cruiser sailboat and lived on it year round for two years. During this time she became a very successful blogger on simple living and living aboard boats.

Early this year, she and her partner began pre-production work on a documentary that would chronicle a journey north to Labrador, Canada in search of an iceberg. It wasn't long before I was asked to do PR for the film to drum up some interest and help raise some funds. Well, now they want me to do more! Friday, T asked me to come aboard and film for them for three weeks as they travel from Newfoundland back to Maine. I cannot express how excited I am!

It's a project that I really believe in... all along the voyage they stop in tiny villages that dot the coast to meet people who choose to live with less and in balance with their environment. All of their stories will be folded into the documentary and will hopefully answer their 'one simple question' about the relationship between happiness, the environment and possessions. It was really difficult to do PR from a landlocked state over a thousand miles away from their harbor home. My job is going to be so much more exciting, interesting and easier now that I will be a part of their voyage!

SO. I am leaving on Monday next week to go to Chicago. I'll couchsurf there for a night then fly to St. Johns. Once I'm in St. Johns I'm going to hitch hike and camp my way 350 km toward Fortune, Newfoundland and then hop the ferry to the French isles of St. Pierre and Miquelon where they will meet me. The trick is that it's all very weather dependent and I need to be extra flexible. At least Ben has a cell phone and I can call them when I get to St. Pierre!

I can't help but wish I already had a folding bike because how cool would it be to RIDE my bike to Fortune!? It would be SO cool is the answer.

Here's the website for our documentary:
http://simplequestionmovie.com/

There's already some blog posts about the journey if you're curious and hopefully I'll have some things to add to this thread while I'm on my way. We'll stop in local libraries to borrow the internet briefly.

Also, if you really believe in the importance of the film's message, I would be honored if you would contribute toward the films. The kickstarter campaign raised $10,000 of the necessary $15,000 for production costs and we are hoping to raise a bit more money for the duration of the voyage. Long story short, their first camera man was a very needy, expensive man. Luckily, I'm cheap and flexible! If you can spare a dollar, five or ten, we'll gladly send you a postcard from the trip!!!

Can't wait to post pictures. It's going to be the biggest adventure of my life so far... (imagines the whales and porpoises we will see)

[Reesha]

Here's the boat, B.C.C. Elizabeth:

[Crankin]

I have always wanted to go to Miquelon/St. Pierre. A bit of real France off of the NE coast.
The "mother" in me is a little nervous about you hitching to Fortune. Are there any alternatives (like a bus) in case? You are right, this where a Friday would come in handy. But, this sounds like an awesome adventure...

PS: DH has his 52 cm Pocket Rocket Pro sitting in a closet, waiting to be sold.

[Reesha]

We may have to talk about that PRP when I get back (if it's still around) I'm looking for a great ride for my bike trip across the country next summer.

There are probably two places on the planet where I feel comfortable hitching: Newfoundland (lived there before) and Iceland. And again, I don't have to take a ride if it's offered. It's a legitimate concern for those who know and care about me, but I think I have enough smarts to do it right. I'm bringing pepper spray just in case!

I should add that if there was a bus route to the place I'm going, I'd be all over it. Alas, the remoteness of Newfoundland strikes again. Still, it will be more of an adventure like this. I really can't wait!

[Reesha]

I've set up my first two couch surfs for the trip. A TE member has graciously offered to accomodate me in Chicago, and then I'll be staying with an 'official' couch surfing member in St. John's who is nice enough to allow me to show up at 12:30 am!!!

[Bike Chick]

Reesha, how exciting! Travel safe and have a wonderful trip. When will you return? Be sure to post lots of pictures. I can't wait to hear about your adventures.

[Antaresia]

aww, that sounds so fun! I was born in NFLD, it's beautiful.

[Reesha]

Thanks folks! Newfoundland is INCREDIBLE. To avoid time issues that I could potentially have hitching my way to St. Pierre, I just booked an $80 flight there. I am sad to miss out on the NL part of the adventure, but I think St. Pierre and Miquelon will be really really awesome

I will have tons of pics to share! I just got an ipod touch for the trip so i will have to share them whenever I get internet access!

[Reesha]

I am leaving tomorrow. The plans have already shifted thanks to some fair winds... when I get to St. John's I'll be taking a cab to the docks in the wee hours on Wednesday. Yeehaw!

Here's a really recent shot of Elizabeth off northern Newfoundland:


and some interior pics of another BCC, but it's essentially the same:
the bunks

the galley and exit


can't wait!

[Catrin]

Awesome! I know you would have used common sense while hitching, but glad you were able to avoid doing that.

I am really looking forward to learning about your journey, this is quite the adventure!

[Reesha]

I'm currently on the boat but spent the first day puking like crazy... we had some rough seas. Teresa made a loving behind the scenes video introducing me. I'm a good sport about my seasickness... it was pretty hilarious how immediate it was. Doing better on day 2!

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLyLSy3m7SQ

[withm]

I'm currently on the boat but spent the first day puking like crazy... we had some rough seas. Teresa made a loving behind the scenes video introducing me. I'm a good sport about my seasickness... it was pretty hilarious how immediate it was. Doing better on day 2!

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLyLSy3m7SQ

Been there, done that. The worst part of sea sickness is feeling like you are going to die, but knowing that you won't.

I used to be a mate on a charter boat. The first couple of trips each season were pretty rough until I got my sea legs back. I found Dramamine II (non-drowsy formula) works pretty well; there are other non-drowsy anti-seasickness pills out there. The key is to take them before you leave the dock.

Stay outside, but as close to the center of the boat as possible to minimize the rocking motion, and keep your eyes focused on the horizon. Don't even think about reading when you are queasy. Try to keep upwind of the engine fumes too whenever you can. Gas, diesel - either is nasty when you don't feel good.

Eventually it will pass and you'll be laughing about it later on.

[Reesha]

Oh man, I have some crazy updating to do. I had to hit the ground running once I got home with weeding, preparing for the new school year and at this point getting the new school year up and running! What a trip!

Pictures coming shortly!

[Reesha]

This is a shot I took on the nice movie making equipment and probably gives the best impression of what it was like every day on the open ocean. That's Teresa-- one of my best friends and an incredibly accomplished sailor. We were hungry constantly on the boat!


Below is a shot of St. Pierre, an adorable French-owned island off the southern coast of Newfoundland. We sailed into St. Pierre in the wee hours, the lights of the island twinkling on the western horizon while the sun rose behind us.


With three of us on a 28 foot boat, and two of us a couple, it was important for me to get away or vice versa. When we were in St. Pierre I would row to shore to walk around and scout out unsecured wireless so I could skype my boyfriend for a minute or two. Overall though, we were a great trio and they were pretty thoughtful toward me when it came to their 'couple' behavior. Although at times it did feel like I was living inside someone else's relationship!


When the winds were not right, we would anchor in a fjord and wait it out. It's still overcast here, but it cleared up beautifully the next day and we had six full days of glorious sun! This is La Hune Bay, a magnificent fjord on the southern coast of Newfoundland.

[Reesha]

Once it got sunny we were all about swimming, but I bet you can imagine how cold this river was. The water in the bay was as dark as coca-cola from all the tannins from evergreens. Still, just a stunning place (if you don't mind swarms of black flies)


Shortly after, we moved to Deadman's Cove (yes, really) and went ashore. The wild irises there were absolutely stunning!


Here I am in all my moviemaking glory. You can't tell from this picture but I was being devoured by thousands of black flies. They were so thick you'd inhale them if you weren't careful.


Dory the boat cat. Dory is perfectly happy to live in all the nooks and crannies of a sailboat, but he really hated open ocean sailing. If we were out at sea, he was securely in someone's arms, fast asleep. I think he got seasick


Halifax seemed HUGE by the time we got there. Here's a glorious sunset over their main port.