Husband and wife teamOur paddle yesterday was out of Brigus which some believe was settled in 1612, just two years after Cupids, making it the second oldest English settlement in Canada. Its thought the name is a corruption of the word Brickhouse or Brighouse. There's a lot of history in these small communities that isn't taught in school, or at least that I don't remember. So, I checked out the history of Brigus after I got home. It warrants anther visit.
Brigus was Plan C on the day and it turned out to be a wise choice.
GreywackesThe rocks of the Conception Group outcrop along north side of Brigus harbour. They are Proterozoic rocks, from a time when there was no life on earth, composed of greyish green slates, siltstones and greywackes.
Julie One of the keys (*lol* private joke) to taking advantage of a beautiful day is to get out there and enjoy it.
The lighthouse at North Head At North Head we pass into the lower Cambrian geologic period evidenced by the red rocks under the lighthouse. The Cambrian period was when life exploded on the planet.
Foamy waters There was some swell running that made paddling close to the cliffs fun. The water was deep along the cliffs as they plunged straight into the sea so there was no danger the swell would break.
Sean emerges A large rock surrounded by water must be paddled around. In this case the swell turned the water behind the rock into a washing machine and added to the difficulty. I timed it for a kinder passage. It was more challenging for the others.
Coming ashore At a spot called Greenland, the location of an old resettled community, we came ashore for lunch. The waves were dumping on the small beach but all managed to get off the water safely.
As we sat eating our lunches I paid close attention to the waves crashing onto the beach. The five others had plastic boats and could seal launch. I, with a glass boat, had to be more careful. After a while I had it down and after everyone was off the beach I too launched without incident.
We took our time paddling back to Brigus with the bright sunshine in our faces and diamonds sparkling on the water. A diamond of a day this late into November.
Would be great to have such an insight into the geology on our journeys! Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteMackayak, I completed a bachelor's degree in geology waaay back. I worked for less than a year in the field before changing to accounting. Huge change. But, anyway, I'm finding my geological knowledge is paying off now.
ReplyDeleteWe have winter presentations on topics of interest to kayakers. Maybe you could arrange one on the geology of the area you paddle in to add interest when you're on the water.
Tony :-)