I finished my last scheduled tour of the season last week – well, a Newfoundland version of “last week” since it’s probably more like three weeks ago. Regardless, I’ve had a rather rough time coming off the road – basically trying to adjust to a less demanding schedule and just figuring out what to do with myself. Thankfully I’ve discovered the root cause for the predicament and I have a blog to occupy my time.
The fact is, I miss my tourists. Your company, your stories, your experiences – and the many ways we found to intertwine your history with Newfoundland’s.
I met beekeepers this summer. Really! They booked on one of our 12 day island wide tours and spent the majority of their time marveling at the incredible potential Newfoundland exhibits for raising and exporting bees. Can you imagine?
I spent a week with a small Finnish group and together we discovered a fascinating connection due to Sir Wilfred Grenfell and Lord Northcliff’s importation of reindeer (along with their Lapland handlers / herdsmen) to Newfoundland in 1908. This is a great story which justifies a blog unto itself at a later date.
I led a group of retired oil executives on a 12 day hiking tour that placed us everywhere from the top of Gros Morne Mountain to Styles Cove on the brilliant East Coast Trail. I still marvel at their refusal to drink the water from the many freshwater brooks, rivers and streams we crossed.
I compiled an impressive inventory of information on the aquaculture industry thanks to the time I shared with a couple of very successful oyster farmers on a layover between New England, ‘Farewell’ and a ferry ride to Fogo Island.
A group of farmers from western Canada marveled at Newfoundland’s ability to make a ‘Stationary’ engine move! Apparently the “Putt Putt” engine found in our fishing boats was actually designed for use as a water pump, an elevator hoist or for moving air in a mine shaft.
A reunion tour for a top ranked university celebrated 45 years of national leadership with a trip to our equally youthful province. And a never ending litany of conversation regarding every subject from politics to religion made for an especially interesting journey.
We welcomed botanists and geologists. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, and dentists. Business managers, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians. A florist, a car dealer, and an opera director. We had tradesmen and computer pioneers. There were government workers, contractors, nurses, chemists, engineers, – you just about name it.
Thus, when guests discover that the end of their tour coincides with the start of yet another trip for me – the immediate question they ask is; “Don’t you ever get tired of touring?”
To which I always respond; “Never! How could I? Every single tour is different. Newfoundland is in a constant state of flux – from the weather to the tides, the icebergs, whales, moose, wild flowers, fishing seasons – everything is constantly changing. And most importantly, so do you. I’m going to meet a whole new set of friends tomorrow and just like you, every one of them is going to have something to add to my story about this incredible province we share.”
Can’t wait to see you next year!
