Roadtrip Therapy – Part II – Lewisporte

Copyright: Jennifer Barnable

I arrived in Lewisporte at old friend L’s place around 7 p.m., after a sunny (and windy) four hours on the road.

I was happy with my Roadtrip Mix, which kept me singing for most of the drive.

My little car made it in one piece, though the strong gusts of wind shoved it around from time to time.

It was a quiet day on the TCH, mainly occupied by tractor trailers and lumber trucks, my mini-mobile running along between them like a mouse underfoot.

Green destination signs marked my progress westward from St. John’s — Whitbourne, Goobies, Clarenville, Terra Nova, Gander. Rocky barrens and hillocks of evergreens turned to smoother stretches of birch and spruce.

Copyright Jennifer Barnable

There’s something that has always comforted me when I see stands of birch trees.

I think It goes back to a very early age. Seeing the pale, peeling trunks always triggers a sense of well-being in me.

It’s probably attributed to the many trips we made across the island to visit our Nan on the west coast, noticing the landscape changing from our car window and our child’s eyes knowing that as the trees changed, we got closer and closer to seeing her.

It was great to receive a warm welcome from my friend, her husband, mother and little daughter. I hadn’t been to their place since two summers ago, for their wedding.

I dropped my bag in the comfy guest room, goofed around making their little one laugh, and caught up on all the news over a few cups of hot tea around the baby monitor.

Lewisporte, once a bustling port town is now rather non-descript but its natural surroundings and friendly people are the silver lining. Indeed, it seems like a lovely and safe place to raise a family.  I also like that it’s close to the Exploits River, a great spot for river rafting, and fairly close to Gander and Grand Falls on either side, for more amenities.

The days are so much longer and brighter now, which makes adventuring even better. We checked out the old train park and had a nibble at the Brittany Inn (typical diner food).

The three of us then  took a drive around both sides of the bay, stopping at Embree and Little Burnt Bay. So scenic and quiet, this area, with indigo and purple skies as dusk softly landed.

I was thankful for my friend’s husband’s patience in stopping the car every time I saw a shot I wanted to capture. They tormented me playfully by driving off and pretending to leave me behind at one point.

I just occupied myself with talking to a duck in the marshy puddles nearby until the car came back. I’m pretty easy going with that stuff — it was a good giggle for all.

Some random sights while there in Lewisporte area were:  specimen A (quirky poetry on a diner menu) and specimen B (a curious road sign). {Click to enlarge}

Just one more of the things I love about travel –  the little unexpected things you find along the way.

Also in the category of “unexpected” would be repairs to my little car. I needed a wheel stud replaced when one cracked off. I spent some time in Grand Falls on the hunt for a “new stud” which was the running joke between my friend and I.

She and her hubby helped me navigate my way to a parts dealer and their trusty mechanic and it was fixed in no time flat, allowing me to carry on the following day safely.

Here you can see the shiny new stud and how very tiny my car is next to other vehicles. It could almost fit in the back of this guy’s truck.

I’m lucky to have such kind, fun, positive and hospitable friends. They are the perfect remedy to difficult times.  Another blessing to count.

After two nights in Lewisporte with my friends and their adorable daughter, it was time to continue westward to visit other friends until I reached my Nan’s place.

Stay tuned…

Roadtrip Therapy

I was unexpectedly laid off from my job last Tuesday, due to funding cuts. It’s been quite a stressful time, and while I’m still in too much shock and dismay to say more, I needed to clear my head. I’m a hit-the-ground-running kind of person, so I’m already thinking ahead, but nonetheless, I had to get away.

I managed to get my winter tires taken off and summer tires put on after a week and a half of unsuccessful garage visits and call-aheads. Thousands of other vehicles were blocking up the service stations, rushing to get seasonal tires switched by deadline. Thanks to some Twitter folk, I was told about Go Tire NL, a new mobile tire service.

A friendly young fellow named Ed Hardy showed up in a Mercedes garage-on-wheels and promptly changed my tires just around the corner from my house. It was pretty cool to watch, and very professional.

The next day, one week after my lay off news, I threw some things into a bag (consequently, given my state of mind, ended up with a load of random socks, no jacket and not a sensible outfit to put together).

The important thing was to get out of the house and away from the worry. My wonderful housesitter and petsitters stepped in so that I could take a breather. I’m so grateful for them and gladly repay the favour whenever I can.

The destination? My Nanny Bridgie’s house in Corner Brook.

Surely, seeing that 91-year-old treasure would soothe the soul. Along the way, I figured I could stop in and see some old friends in Lewisporte and Grand Falls, and maybe do a little exploring. Friendly faces and a little bit of distance would be good therapy.

Having been to all corners of the province many a time over the years, I still never tire of how beautiful and diverse our own part of the world is. Icebergs, meadows and unknown gravel roads awaited.

I quickly burned a roadtrip mixtape/cd to make the long drive across the TransCanada Highway more bearable. House in slings, I shook my head and tossed my bag into the car before my reeling mind changed itself.

On a wing and a prayer, my little jalopy rattled westward.

Stay tuned…

Attack of the Sea Monkeys

A True Travel Tale.

While on a kayaking excursion in southern Thailand, our group of adventurers was making its way through the inlets of a mangrove forest.

Splash! Splash!!

Suddenly an entire family of monkeys came canon-balling out of the trees into the seawater around us.

At first it was astonishing to see monkeys jump from high treetops down into the water below – big ones, little ones, mothers with tiny babies clinging onto their backs.

When the monkeys made a beeline for our boats, I instantly had a bad feeling. It turns out that some tour companies were feeding the wildlife, encouraging the beahviour, for tourists to get photo ops. Being an animal lover with a healthy respect for nature and wildlife, I was immediately alarmed.

When more than a dozen monkeys began swarming our kayaks, everyone in the group became nervous. The monkeys climbed onto the boats, tipping them from side to side, and grabbing us and climbing on us roughly.

They were frantic for food.

Unbeknownst to us, our guide had pulled out a large pineapple. A frenzy ensued.

One monkey climbed right up onto me, roughly pulling my hair and clothing looking for food. I instintively dropped my chin, hiding my neck and was careful not to look it in the eyes in case it felt threatened or challenged.

Bigger males were rocking my friends’ kayak, and one of the girls started crying.

Things quickly got out of control.

Suddenly, the monkey that was perched on top of me stopped. He climbed down into my lap. He grabbed my hand. I had instinctively clenched my hands together, nervous.

The monkey seemed to think I had food in my hand. He pried open my hand with small fingers stronger than my own. When an empty hand was revealed, he let out a frustrated screech. The sound made my ears ring.

Then, in a flash, I felt it.

Teeth sunk deeply into my forearm. Impossibly strong clamping jaws bit down until the teeth struck the bone. It happened so fast, all I could feel was the excruciating pain.

In seconds that passed agonizingly slowly, I glanced at the monkey. It was staring back into my eyes, making snarling sounds, with my arm still clenched between its teeth.

Blood trickled around its mouth.

The pain was nearly unbearable. My instincts told me to stay still, keep looking away and not to dare pull away or push at the creature. That would only make him attack more, and his family join in. Monkey attacks can be quite vicious, I’d heard, and judging from the crushing jaws and teeth around my forearm, I knew it was true.

I shut my eyes and tried to calm my breathing. The pain was intense, as if my arm was crushed in a vise.

Silent tears streamed out from the corners of my eyes. Blood continued to well out from around the teeth, still biting down to the bone, while its large eyes were fixed on my face. A deep pounding ache went up and down my arm.

After what seemed like an eternity, the monkey loosened his bite. I felt the teeth withdraw from the flesh and the pressure release. More blood flowed.

The monkey didn’t leave. He stayed on my legs, looking around, climbing back onto my neck and twisting my ears, circling me. He seemed to have gone back to being an innocent monkey, no longer angry at the human who didn’t have food in her hand.

Five minutes later, all of the monkeys casually climbed off our kayaks and began swimming away and climbing into the canopy overhead once more.

Everyone in our group let out a sigh of relief. They were shaken and stunned.

The tour guide was shocked into silence and could only shake his head “no” when asked if there was a First Aid kit on board.

I reached my arm down into the sea water to cleanse the wound. The horrible sting of the salt in the wound was the only option I had.

We were an hour’s paddle away from help. We slowly turned our boats around, as our local guide stuttered in broken English, “This never happen before…”

I managed to say to him, through gritted teeth, “This is people’s fault, for feeding them. Never. Do. It. Again.” He nodded, dazed.

To add insult to injury, I had to paddle myself with one good arm, all the way back.

My arm had swelled to twice its size by the time we got back to land.

With my good arm, I climbed into the back of a stranger’s truck and was whisked off to the nearest clinic for a Rabies shots.

My left forearm was purple, black and blue with seeping puncture wounds for most of my trip. I didn’t let it slow me down. I did, however, spend a lot of time getting Rabies boosters for the rest of my month in Southeast Asia.

It wasn’t the monkey’s fault. More than ever, I disapprove of humans altering wild animals’ behaviour, exploiting them for tourist photo ops, and endangering both animal and human in the process.

I certainly had a wild travel story to tell when people asked about my bandaged arm. I can still see all those shocked and amazed faces reacting to my answer: “Oh this? Sea monkey attack.”

I can also still see those wild eyes and yellowed teeth as they sunk into my arm in slow motion.

I know one thing for certain: I will never look at monkeys the same way again.

If you liked the story and want to vote for my contest entry, click HERE and scroll down the page to click “Like.” I could win a trip to Iceland! Thanks!

Winds of Change

Stay tuned to this site for news of coming changes…

Cela suffit.

Hung on a bird and wire display in my foyer are some special pictures and postcards. Among them, these three items. Both my Nans and a quote from French philosopher Jean de La Bruyère.

I read it out loud every day: “Etre avec des gens qu’on aime, cela suffit.”

Essentially, it means to be with those you love is all you need — it’s enough. For me, it summarizes a simple and obvious way to create happiness in your life.

Of course, these two wonderful women are among those I love the most. Nanny Bridgie (left) is going to be 93 this summer and I’ll be visiting her next week, and Nan (right) passed away in October 2003. Some days, looking at her picture is too much to bear, even nearly 10 years later. She was a grandmother, a mother a friend and a champion.

Both are treasured and elevated as legends in our family’s lives, on Mothers’ Day and every other day of the year.

What sentimental images do you have hanging in your home?

Reflection

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” ― Peter F. Drucker

Hiatus over!

Ppphhhewww!

This may have been the longest period I’ve gone without blogging.

I’ve been getting plenty of questions and e-mails and am honestly flattered that some of you folks miss my stories.

It warms the cockles of my chilly, winter-time heart. Thanks!

There’s no major reason for the silence — just been so busy living life and not always having the time (or energy afterward) to blog along the way.

It’s been an incredibly busy winter and now, spring is speeding up even more. Work, travel, hobbies, family, friends, the works have been on steady stream — something I count myself lucky in. I have been missing blogging quite a bit, so now it’s time to get back on track.

I thought I’d ask you friendly readers what questions you may have or topics you’d like me to blog about. I’ve got an arsenal of topics jotted down and loads of catch up posts to make, but I always like hearing your suggestions and would be happy to oblige.

A full recap with pictures is coming shortly. So much news to share — stay tuned!

The hiatus is over, and I’m very glad of it.

A few wintry lines

Winter.
Coldness creeping, steaming breath
Kept at bay by woolen sheath
and hardy heart.

Mystery Blooms

On Monday, after a long day at work and an evening of errands, I was surprised to find a bouquet tied to my door handle. No card, no hint, no special occasion.

It was a lovely bundle of miniature purple carnations (the type of flower makes me feel like this is a friendly gesture and not a romantic one). I asked around and no one seemed to know about it. I even started to wonder if it was perhaps delivered to the wrong address.

The second day, a second bundle of flowers were lodged into my doorhandle, which I discovered at lunch hour when popping home to a break. They were pale pink and I broke them down into a bunch of little mason jar holders and put them in my home office and work office. Again, no card. No clues.

The third day, no more flowers came.

I wonder who it could have been? It was nice to receive them, as I’d been needing a bit of a pick me up lately. They certainly cheer up a room.

My friends keep saying it’s a secret admirer, but I can’t think of anyone right now who would be in that mindset. This is a tiny town and the prospects are pretty slim for us single women. I don’t get the romance vibe from this at all. I think it’s a friend doing it.

Whoever you are, thank you for the mystery blooms! It was very sweet and surprising. I appreciate it.

Have you ever received a mystery delivery? Tell me about it in the comment section below. I’d love to hear your anecdotes too!

Back to London. This time, it’s Social.

Great news! I’ll be attending Social Media World Forum 2013 in London next month.

#SMWF is the world’s leading social media and digital marketing event that connects marketers, digital brand managers, agencies and social tools and platforms.

The two-day conference showcases best practices in social media marketing strategies and brings together the worldwide social media community to debate hot topics and industry issues.

I’ve been immersed in social media for the last five years for work, volunteering and personal enjoyment. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, WordPress, LinkedIn, Tumblr — the tools are powerful and many, their value undeniable.

On my personal social media accounts, I share news and content that mirror my lifestyle and interests. My posts are often about community, travel, culture, Newfoundlandia and animal welfare, among others.

I especially enjoy posting images from my daily surroundings, from wherever I am in the world, and live tweeting random adventures. This blog also gets much of its traffic from social media posts teasing the blog topic of the day.

As a professional communicator, it made sense for me to make social media savvy part of my own tool kit. Creating colourful, innovative and strategic social media campaigns is one of my specialties.

When I volunteer for charities or freelance as a consultant, I provide training, guidance, strategy development and social media management services. I help others learn to use social media effectively by taking an engaging, humourous and jargon-free approach.

It’s a complex world, social media, and it can be overwhelming for many. I know, because I was a newbie not so long ago!

Speaking of which, I should thank Natalie Lucier (@sparklestarr) for first getting me started with Twitter. With her encouragement and a few pointers, @JennaOfAvalon was born.

At the time, I wouldn’t have believed that two and a half years later, I’d be ranked among the top 10 most influential women on Twitter in Newfoundland and Labrador, and among the province’s Top 50 “Twitter Elite” (via TweetGrader).

In the last year and a half, a number of social media campaigns I’ve managed have received recognition in Atlantic Canada and I’ve become a go-to social media resource for local events, projects, articles and post-secondary presentations.

It’s really nice to be recognized in this way, though I’m always aware that I’m still learning as I go. The playing field continuously changes and challenges, and I want to keep building and adapting these kinds of “social skills.”

That’s why attending the Social Media World Forum in London in March is so exciting. I’ve spoken to a few people about their past attendance, and based on their feedback and the current event line-up, it sounds like it will be a fantastic experience.

Do you know any other Atlantic Canadians that will be attending? This will be my fourth trip to London in 14 months, and I’m looking forward to a “work trip” in one of my favourite cities.

The countdown is on: 35 days until #SMWF!

I’ll keep you posted, literally.