Mid-Life Riders Online

We visited nearly every community from Glovertown to Salvage including Traytown, Sandringham, Eastport, St. Chads, Burnside, Sandy Cove and Happy Adventure.  But, just visiting the area would cheat you from the real experience, you have to get off the bike and peruse through the museums and shops along the shores of the Kittiwake Coast to really appreciate the full grandeurs of the Eastport peninsula



For me, the highlight of the ride was visiting the Fisherman's Museum at Salvage. I admire and appreciate outport Newfoundland and the fisherman who struggled throughout the ages to survive and remain in the communities built by their ancestors. These struggles and hardships were evident in the Salvage Fisherman's Museum as well as in the community and other communities in the area.

Upon entering the Fisherman's Museum in Salvage, I began a conversation with it's curator, an elderly gentleman who understood the significance of the museum as well as the ability to relate to some the artifacts in the exhibit, including a detailed history of many of the items on display. Such was the case with the guitar, made from a tea box and a burial shroud.


The Shroud, pictured here was made by a lady for her own burial. Normally, the women of the community would make a shroud like this, while the men made the casket. She, not wanting to leave the burden to the community women, made her own shroud and tucked it away for her own burial. This was a long standing tradition but the family did not know about the shroud until after her death and the burial tradition had long since faded away with the introduction of the modern casket. The lady's Shroud is likely the only one of it kind, due to these unlikely circumstances and is on display at the Salvage Fisherman's Museum. The design is created by cutting the cloth with scissors.




From the Salvage Fishing Museum, we continued back, along the coastline to Glovertown and the Cove Rock Cafe - Whimsicals. Here we scoffed on fish, chips and panini sandwichs,  while at the same time gazing out the window, overlooking the Glovertown harbour.


This may look like a wall painting but it is in fact, the view from our table at Whimicals- Rock Cove Cafe. This was a great backdrop as we ate and chatted about the MLR Excursion for SCAW.













Our bellies full and lots of riding left to do, we continued on our tour of the Kittiwake Coast to St. Chads and Burnside, the location of the ferry to St. Brendan's Island. It was ironic that the ferry was broken down yet again, while tourist awaited a replacement part to arrive from St. John's. BRAVO to our NL ferry fleet, past and current governments for their comittment to outport Newfoundland. You never cease to embarrass, while our people, culture and hospitality shine through and save the day.




Our last stop for the day would be the Bosun's Whistle, an arts and crafts - tea room that overlooks Upper Cove in Happy Adventure. The small, public viewing and dining area is crammed full of arts and crafts that are available for purchase. There are a couple of tables inside as well as some outside seating available for enjoying a coffee or their freshly baked goods and special home cooked meals. Although we did not eat at the Bosun's Whistle, it is a place that I would revisit for that purpose alone. I somehow got the feeling that it would be a great tasting, home cooked meal served with that special outport hospitality.



With the riding tour of the Kittiwake Coast complete, it was now time to unwind back at the Inn By The Sea for a BBQ and drinks before retiring for the night. Donna, Wanda, Perry and I prepared a great supper and sat around chatting and drinking well into the night. We all had a great time and look forward for the MLR- 2009 Excursion Around the Bay for SCAW.

This ride was more than just a motorcycle ride, it was a charity ride for Sleeping Children Around the World. The 2008 MLR Excursion ensures that two more children will now know the pleasure of sleeping in a bed instead of the cold, damp earth they have been accustomed too. Plans for the 2009 will be announced in the Fall of 2008 and all riders and passengers are welcome, in fact, there is a child somewhere, hoping that you will attend the 2009 MLR Excursion Around The Bay ride for SCAW.


(from left, Mervyn & Wanda House, Donna & Perry Langmead)