"Walk For Samantha" - A Remarkable Young Man is Making the Trek Across Canada!

"Walk For Samantha"

 A Remarkable Young Man is Making the Trek Across Canada!

We were really fortunate to have met Neil - an amazing young man with a huge heart!

We often speak about how fortunate we are to continue meeting the nicest of people. Occasionally, we are truly blessed to meet someone who inspires us with their brand of heroism.

Some of you may remember that, just under a year ago, we encountered a young man who was cycling across Canada to raise awareness for Mental Health. (Here's the link to the blog that we published regarding that occasion:

Ryan Martin - a Hero in the Making

Ryan raised more than $120,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association, and is now the national lead of youth advocacy and philanthropy with the CMHA. He regularly speaks publicly about his illness and helps youth who struggled as he did. Ryan is not cured - he still has bi-polar disorder - but he has learned how to better manage his mental health. He continually inspires others by his example.

Today, we were blessed to have met another individual, whose story is very different, but whose decision is set to affect the lives of many others, and who will inspire other young people to come forward to do great things.

We were traveling from Cow Head to Twillingate, along Newfoundland Highway 1, when we came upon a sight which intrigued us. A young man, with a heavy backpack, was pushing a cart with what looked like camping equipment. As we passed by, we saw a sign with the words, 'Walking for Samantha' that really caught our attention. We googled those words and found out about the tragic story of a young woman, 35 years of age, who was involved in a car collision, just in front of this young man as he was traveling along a highway in Ontario. He rushed to the car, but she was trapped beyond his reach and he suffered the experience of watching her die. 

Neil Hamilton was traumatized by the experience and it played havoc with his mental health, causing job loss and the collapse of relationships. 

18 months later, still thinking of the stranger he could not save, Neil decided to hike across Canada to raise awareness around post traumatic stress disorder and solicit donations for local mental health organizations in each province as he travels through the country. He is calling it his 'Walk for Samantha'. (You can read about this at this link: Worth Sacrificing Everything).

We immediately turned our car around, stopped just past where he had reached and crossed the road to chat with him. We got his permission to film him as he tells the story of his decision to walk across the country. We'll let him speak in his own words: 

After spending just a few minutes with this incredible young man, we knew that he would be the last one to describe himself as a hero; nevertheless, to us, he was exactly that! He represents the very best of our Canadian youth and we knew we were in the presence of someone with a huge heart and love of his fellow human beings. 

Before we left him, Mark commented that, with young people like Neil and Ryan, he felt that the future of Canada was secure!  

I couldn't agree more!

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Neil intends to raise awareness and funding in every province through which he travels, assisting local organizations as he works his way through the country. Please do not feel under any pressure from us (or anyone else) to donate. 

To find out which charity the 'Walk for Samantha' is linked with in your province, follow Neil on Instagram:

neilhamilton91  

If you would like to donate to his cause in Newfoundland, please visit: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/south-and-central-health-foundation/

and use the drop down menu to choose the fund, 'Walk for Samantha'. 

It looks like this: 

Rum with Walter - A True Newfoundland Experience!

Rum with Walter - A True Newfoundland Experience!

Friday, June 7th, 2019

So, today, we had an amazing experience which has left us feeling gobsmacked! 

We were in Daniel's Harbour to take a picture of NurseBennett's home (we had seen the play about her in Elliot Lake, last year). 

We saw a driveway that went to the edge of a cliff to take a picture of the beautiful coastline. It was right next to a neat bungalow with a big lawn, separated from us by a fence. We were about to turn the car around to leave, when we saw a little dog come right up close to the car. We were worried about running it over, so I got out of the car and started fussing her to get her away from the car.

Just then, a man in his early 60's came out and spoke to us. At first, I thought he was going to tell us off for being on his property. Instead, he asked us where we were heading and then said, 'Come and join me for a glass of rum!'

We had heard about the friendliness of the Newfoundlers and had witnessed it over and again since we've been here. This, however, was taking things to the next level, so we accepted his kind invitation.

We introduced ourselves and found out his name was Walter. He took us into his home, took out a bottle of rum, some coke, some ice, and two glasses, and told us to fix our drink the way we liked it.

After we'd done that, he brought two chairs out on the lawn, next to his, and we spent nearly an hour chatting with him, while overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence and playing catch with Maddy, the cute two-year-old standard poodle.

Maddy, having a rest after playing fetch!

He was such a kind gentleman and at one point, he asked us where we lived, in Ontario. When we told him, a smile spread across his face, and we were astounded to find out that, as a 17 year old lad, he had worked (above ground) in the mines in Elliot Lake! Talk about a small world!!!

He told us that he had been born in Daniel's Harbour, and had lived there all of his life. We asked the inevitable question, and - yes- he shared that he had known Nurse Bennett personally, how she had pulled his tooth as a young boy, and how she had fixed a couple if injuries he had had over the years!!! We were mesmerized.

He told us about his family, proudly showing us some photos of his children, grandchildren, and lovely wife, and how he was sad to be leaving his home for the next 4 years to work in Labrador City, only getting home for holidays.

Looking out across the view from his home, we could relate perfectly as to why he would not want to leave. Just an hour before we had arrived, he had been watching a whale from his own lawn! It was truly a little piece of paradise.

I can truly say that, apart from the spectacular scenery and amazing wildlife we have seen, we have discovered the real treasure of Newfoundland...and that's the people! Walter exemplified all the wonderful things we had heard about Newfoundlanders!

This will be an experience we shall never forget.
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(Permission was obtained from Walter to post all pictures and the movie clip)

Clicking on words/phrases hilited in blue will take you to more information about the subject hilited.

A Gorgeous Gorge!

A Gorgeous Gorge!

Over the last year and a half, our friends had been telling us about the beauty of Newfoundland, knowing that we were planning a vacation here. We'd also seen video clips online; but we were not prepared for the astonishing vistas which have presented themselves to us - even on these first few days. Just when it seems that we have seen something spectacular, we turn a corner and another view leaves us breathless!

Last Sunday was no exception!

Mark had booked us onto a boat tour of Western Brook Pond, billed as a landlocked fjord in Gros Morne National Park. 

Gros Morne National Park is probably the best known one in Newfoundland

We had to drive for half an hour from our cabin, in Rocky Harbour, to the parking lot. The coastal drive was awesome, with the Gulf of St. Lawrence on our left, and the mountains on our right. 

From there, we had a 45 minute walk to the dock where the boat was moored, ready for the first of its two tours. 

The 45 minute trail winded its way through bush and small bodies of water

Our first view of the gorge up close

The walk, itself, was interesting as we followed the gravel trail. We noticed so many of the bushes had been windswept and Mark told me that he had looked them up and that they were called, tuckamore trees. (It's so good to be continually learning new things about the world in which we live). 

We ate our picnic overlooking the 'pond', and the opening to the gorge beyond a spit. While waiting for the call to board, we got chatting with a group of people from B.C., and compared our traveling experiences. 

The ferry was docked at the end of the pier

We arrived at the dock area a good hour before the boat tour was due to start

Once on board, we found a seat on the upper deck and got ourselves ready for the trip. We had been advised to wear warm clothing but, at the beginning, it was quite warm before we got out onto the open lake. 

The scenery was magnificent and we marveled at how the treed mountain-sides seemed to plunge directly into the water. The highest peaks reach 2000 feet.

I noticed the reflection almost creating the letter X (marking the spot!)

Carter, our guide, explained about rockslides and how they had affected the terrain. 

He also pointed out some interesting shapes on the mountain sides.

You can see this sleeping man facing the 11:00 o'clock corner of the photo

Just to the left of the centre, you can see the 'Tin Man'!

He also told us how the lake was only fed by melting surface ice and snow, even though there were numerous waterfalls in the surrounding gorge. 

The captain took the boat in very close to these first falls - so much so, that the passengers on the lower deck found themselves showered by the spray - much to their delight as was evidenced by squeals and laughter that emanated from below! 

Carter informed us that, technically, this was not a true fjord because a fjord is comprised of salt water, and this body of water got cut off from the sea when the land re-emerged after the glaciers melted. The remaining salt water was flushed from the fjord and it is now completely constituted by fresh water, thus defining it, more accurately, as a gorge. This fact did not minimize its dramatic landscape!

Almost at the innermost part of the gorge, the so-called, 'Pissing Mare Falls' were a sight to behold!


(N.B. to watch video clips on full screen mode, click the small square at the bottom left of the clip). 

After an hour and a half, the boat was turned and we made our way back to this impressive entrance to the gorge.

On the way back, they started to pipe some music over the loudspeaker - of course, it was traditional Newfoundlander songs - some of which we had heard, but there were many new ones. 

Mark really got into the mood... 

After a while, Carter took to the helm and led the singing, accompanying with spoons and tambourine, which he shared among some of those whom he 'voluntold' to participate! It was a a wonderful way to finish the tour. 

It was an awesome day, in all respects!

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Mount Washington Cog Railway

A few years ago, we had the honour and privilege of spending 6 weeks at a house/pet sit in Vermont. Since then, we have become good friends with our hosts, Eileen and Dick, and consider them our American (or Vermontian) family!

Dick and Eileen (when the visited us in Elliot Lake, in 2018)

Pot Luck Farm - where we had the honour and privilege to complete a 6-week house/pet sit, back in 2016

When we were here, we took the dogs out for day trips on an almost daily basis. One of these road trips took us into New Hampshire among the White Mountains - specifically Mount Washington. During that time, we were able to visit the base camp of the mountain, but access to the peak was closed during the winter. The signs indicated that there was a cog railway to the top and, although we could see the tracks, we knew that we would have to return when it was opened to experience that treat. On the bucket list it went, and this was finally crossed off this week, when Dick and Eileen took us there. Our excitement knew no bounds!

Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States, standing at 6,288 feet. It is notorious for its erratic weather system and wind speeds of up to 231 mph have been recorded at the summit! 

It boasts the world's first cog railway, using steam-driven locomotives most of the time, though our engine was powered by diesel. It uses a Marsh Rack System to navigate the mountain. We were amazed to find out that the passenger coach is not attached to the locomotive, but rests upon it, supported by gravity alone. Hence, the locomotive is always located below the passenger coach.

When we arrived at the base, the summit could not be seen as the fog surrounding it was quite thick. We had to be there an hour before our trip, so we were able to explore part of the museum.

The summit was completed hidden by the clouds and fog

At last, our trip was announced and we made our way to join the other 50 or so passengers on the journey up. It was fascinating to see the climb starting off gradual, and then increasing to a 25% grade, sometimes reaching just over 37%. Running at about 5 mph, the ride is a 3-hour, narrated round trip, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, including one hour for exploration at the summit.

In the coach, waiting for the ride to begin

I was delighted to be able to stand at the front of the coach to see the rack and track ahead of us 

Further up the mountain, the track became steeper

As we rode up above the tree line, we noticed more snow and ice dotted here and there, and eventually the whole area was coated in white. The temperature at the top was 11 degrees Fahrenheit (with the wind chill), and the wind was quite strong. In fact, the day before, the wind was so strong that it wasn't safe to allow the train to go all the way to the top. We were very lucky during our visit!

After we reached the summit, we disembarked and watched the train eerily disappear into the fog. 

While we were at the top, we were noticing the speed at which the clouds were moving, and the fog kept coming and going, eventually clearing to afford us some spectacular views. 

The top of the cog railway - and the beginning of the platform upon which passengers would alight

Alan and Eileen

Eileen and Dick

The Four of Us

It was a chilly -12 degrees Celsius, and the frozen fog left a crisp carpet upon which to walk

Steps leading down to the parking lot

The platform alongside track at the summit

For once... not a selfie!

Another view of the platform at the top

The cog train comes back for the return journey

The Sherman Adams Visitor Centre, houses a museum, post office, and small snack bar. It wasn't open to the public (until this coming weekend), but they did provide us with a warm drink and a donut, to keep us going!

Frozen fog coats the museum exterior

The entrance to the museum

The narrator had explained that the unusual horizontal ice formations on the rocks and signs were not snow, but frozen fog. 

The unusual ice formations were created by fog being frozen as it passed over the various cold surfaces - rather like a hoar frost

Mark bravely climbed the last few rocks to reach the actual summit of the mountain. 

There is a road that allows people to drive to the top but it, too, was not opening until this coming weekend. 

I watched for the train to return to take us back to the base camp. 

On our way down, we passed another train on its way up, which had to wait while we negotiated the point system. 

We also saw a hiker who was on his way to the summit. 

When we reached the base, we couldn't get over how lucky we had been with the weather. When we had first arrived, the summit could not be seen; by the time we had completed our descent, clouds had totally disappeared. 

At the bottom, we saw the engineers getting a steam cog engine ready for its first public trip on the upcoming long weekend (Memorial Day Weekend).

This steam locomotive was being primed for its first journey of the year

Just before leaving, we had been told to take a look at the original locomotive (the world's first mountain-climbing train) that was built by Sylvester Marsh in 1866, and last used in 1929. It was nicknamed, 'Old Peppersass', according to this interesting story: 

"The engine received its nickname when one of Marsh's friends observed, "Looks like a peppersass bottle doesn't she, Sylvester?" The resemblance came from the engine's upright boiler which was angled to keep it nearly vertical while the locomotive was on steep grades. This was essential to keep the water level in the boiler as even as possible." (Courtesy: http://www.knowa.com/article/720/the_history_of_the_locomotive_old_peppersass_1869/)

It was restored to it original state in 2019, and now tours the United States, visiting numerous cities and museums. 

This is the original cog locomotive (not a replica!)

As a final treat for the day, we enjoyed lunch at the nearby Mount Washington Hotel and Resort. It is one of the last surviving grand hotels in the White Mountains - and it certainly lives up to the title, 'Grand'!  

The main entrance speaks for itself, and the interior is just as splendid. 

The grand entrance to the Mount Washington Hotel

We loved this huge fireplace in the great entrance hall

On the lower floor, however, is a Prohibition-era 'Speakeasy', which is walled with granite and stone. It is called, 'The Cave', and was once an illegal establishment - a part of the bootlegging route from Canada to Boston!

From the rear of the building, one is able to enjoy magnificent views of the mountains and surrounding areas.

View from the verandah

One of the wings to the side of the hotel

Upon our return to Pot Luck Farm, we were delightfully tired, and we all agreed that it had been a truly, perfect day!

For further information about the Cog Railway - and its history, here's a great link: 

https://www.thecog.com/